Page 49 of Somewhere Only We Know
“So…” she says and matches my step. The familiar scent of jasmine and vanilla fills the small five by eight space. But this time, the scent is deeper. Like she found another version that’s a more mature version of the scent she loves. Jax’s lips, that I expertly avoided looking at moments ago, are painted a deep red color that when she smiles, all I see is joy. But I’m also wondering if it stains. “You’re staring.”
“Mm hmm.” I tell her with a nod, refusing to lie. My heart is racing and if I don’t get it together I’m gonna need to be resuscitated. On second thought, if it gets Jax to put her mouth on mine again to revive me, maybe I should consider it.
“Friends don’t stare at friends like this,” her voice is merely a whisper heard over the sound of the elevator beeps as we pass each floor.
I swallow roughly. “Well, it’s good we’re barely friends, because I’m not thinking friendly thoughts right now.”
We’ve unconsciously drifted closer to each other and the air has thickened to levels of pure lust. Jax’s chest heaves with each breath and I think she’s about to say something or do something reckless, like test the limits of her lipstick, when the elevator comes to a stop and the doors open. The lust-filled bubble we found ourselves in is popped by the now bustling sound from the lobby as it filters into the elevator car and we both break apart like we were doing something we shouldn’t have.
Jax walks out first and I follow behind her, blowing out a breath, to where Bryce and Kamryn are chatting. He nods when he sees me and raises his brow at Jax who’s now talking with Kamryn. I shrug and look around the lobby. Now that it’s not so early for Vegas standards, this hotel isthe place to be. People in various states of dress walk about and it’s a reminder that Vegas is a people watchers dream come true. I’ve only been to Vegas a handful of times and I’ve never been able to afford such luxury like this hotel provides until now. And when I have been able to afford a stay at a hotel like this, I never found a reason to travel out here.
“Alright party people! Are we ready?” Chance booms when he and Sophie come off the elevator. They’re dressed in typical white and black like a bride and groom would. And a handful of guests turn towards the loud voice and look around to see who he was shouting to. What must we all look like? Baseball players in Vegas during the off-season? Could we really get more cliche than this?
We follow the happy couple out to the limo they rented for the weekend. The strip is now full of tourists, families, and bachelor and bachelorette parties as we weave through the clusters of groups to get to the car. Can’t blame the amount of people out as it’s the perfect weather in November and I can’t decide which I like more: a sleepy city or a busy city.
“What’s up with you two?” Bryce asks. He doesn’t need to keep his voice down as other chatter and yelling at all volumes around us, drowns him out.
“Nothing,” I respond quickly.
“You can’t bullshit me. I saw you two when the elevator doors opened.”
I let out a breath and slow my steps when we get closer to the car. “I kissed her earlier.”
“Atta boy, Nate,” Bryce praises.
“Shut up.” I lightheartedly tell him and gently push him towards the open door to the backseat.
The sound of a champagne bottle being popped opengreets me and I hurriedly shut the door. Bryce helps Kamryn hand out the glasses, before a toast is being made.
“So Kamryn, what’s it like being married to The Mason Brooks?” Bryce asks.
“Ugh. Don’t make her answer this.” Jax pipes up and downs her champagne in one swallow. With a smile, I hand her my untouched glass and she takes it from me with ease. Downing the amount in one go.
“What’s wrong Jax?” Sophie asks with a teasing tone to her voice.
“She’s just traumatized—” Kamryn continues telling us all the times she walked in on her and Mason while Jax plugs her ears and scrunches her eyes closed. The playful side of Jax is a sight to behold.
Kamryn throws a piece of ice at Jax and she jolts from the chill. “Are you done?”
“Areyoudone?” she tosses back.
They share a silent and loaded look with a conversation passing between them that the rest of us look on in amazement. It really is a shame that I never saw this when we were younger so it’s like getting to know Jax again with a sibling dynamic. An elbow gets jabbed into my rib cage and I look over at Bryce who makes a very suggestive face. I shake my head and brush him off.
The driver navigates the streets without issue and pulls up to a restaurant that’s at the other end of the strip from where we’re staying. I nod to the driver who opened the door and wait off to the side. Jax’s eyes meet mine as she slides out of the car and I keep it very respectful by keeping my eyes on hers.
“You can’t be buzzed already,” I observe when she gets closer to me. I try to keep my tone light as I feel we’re slowly wading back into friendship territory. But it’s hard when allyou want to do is wrap your arm around their shoulder and pull them into you until no space can pass between.
“Not even close, Natey baby.” She says and is pulled away by Sophie.
I’m left dumbstruck on the sidewalk at the use of the nickname she shot back at me.
“He’s so gone,” Chance observes.
“We only knew it was only a matter of time,” Bryce notes.
I look to my left and to my right at my two friends. They’re wearing twin grins like this was their plan all along.
“What are those looks for?” I ask when I can’t take it anymore.
