Life's a Game, but it's Not Fair

“Paris!” Kappie cried, “I’ve always wanted to go and if I can’t be there then fake send me!”

Jimmy laughed and turned back to the coffee table. After the ripping of everyone’s suitcases, Kappie and Reagan were the only two whose bags were bugged. Brian had wanted to throw the devices into the water, but Jimmy had figured out how to rewire them so that they were in different locations. Reagan was in Athens and Kappie was in Paris.

Brian came in from the other room with Matt in tow. All eyes turned towards the two of them. They had been in the other room for over two hours, trying to figure out what they were going to do.

“We’re going back to Huntington.” Brian said, breaking the silence. “However, we’re doing it in style.”

“We need to show whoever is threatening us that we are not afraid,” Matt chimed in. “Which is why we are having a party the night after we get back.”

“And what is it we’re celebrating?” Johnny asked, leaning forward.

Matt and Brian glanced at each other.

“We just bought a new club.” Brian said finally. “It’s called Bionic.”

Zacky snorted at the name.

“We will also be teaching Reagan with this club. When she turns 21 it will be hers.”

Reagan’s eyes widened at the comment, but she grinned all the same.

“Thank you Daddy.”

Brian winked at his daughter, then told everyone to pack.

Standing on the back balcony that night, Reagan stared out at the ocean. It was warm, but she still shivered from the ocean breeze.

“You in the moonlight is a beautiful sight indeed,” Matt’s voice pulled her out of her trance as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

She leaned into him, feeling safe, just like she always did.

“I don’t want to go back to Huntington,” she said, looking at the waves. “Can we just stay here?”

Matt chuckled “I would love to Reags, but this needs to be finished.”

Reagan blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you. To any of you.”

Matt hushed her and kissed her head.

“Nothing will.” He promised

The next morning everyone rose early for the three hour drive to Baltimore for their plane ride back to LAX. Reagan was sound asleep against Matt as soon as the plane left the ground.

She walked into the baggage claim with her head held high, holding Matt’s hand. Inside, she was shaking. For so long the foundations of her family had held strong, now this?

The Berry Twins met them outside of the airport with two Escalades.

There was nothing to report. Huntington had been quiet.

“It’s going to get a helluva lot louder” Zack said

The news of the new club opening had spread across the state of California like wild fire. The list was long and the line would be longer.

Walking into her room, Reagan still felt uneasy knowing someone had been in there.

She padded across the soft carpet and opened the double doors of her closet, smiling as she picked the dress she would wear tonight. She wished Blair had been able to join her, but she was doing college things at USC this week.

An hour later, she was descending the steps and Matt was kissing her cheek telling her, “beautiful as always.”

“Ready to learn the ropes squirt?” Jimmy asked as they climbed in the car.

She nodded, “I’m a little nervous though.” She admitted

Brian chuckled “you’ve been bossing us around since you were a baby, princess. This is basically the same thing.”

The guys all roared with laughter.

The club was packed when they arrived. The line was almost the whole way around the club!

“I’m going to run THIS one day!?” Reagan thought incredulously to herself.

Jimmy winked at her as their doors opened.

"Showtime."

"NOW. A GOOD OWNER DOES WHATEVER IS NEEDED." Brian yelled above the noise

Reagan nodded. In the past three hours she had learned absolutely everything there was. From checks to stocking to DJ's.

Brian pointed to the bar, "WHAT'S NEEDED?"

Reagan craned her neck to see. There were three bartenders, but they were swamped with people.

"A BARTENDER!" she cried.

Brian nodded and held out his hand, "GO, I'LL GET JIMMY TO RELIEVE YOU"

Reagan raced behind the bar and began taking orders. Surprisingly, the crowd began to trickle down as the DJ turned on a new popular song.

Reagan turned to a new customer, an older man in black slacks and a light blue button up. His classy attire and slight age difference made him stand out a bit from the crowd.

"What can I get you sir?" she asked

"Old Fashioned. Extra Ice please."

Reagan quickly obliged

The man took a sip and toasted to her "ya do good kid."

She bowed her head in thanks.

"Just keep those eyes in the back of your head and be ready for anything. You'll be alright."

He knocked back his drink and placed it on the bar. Along with the money for his drink. He reached across the bar and handed her a twenty. His hand wrapped tight around her and pulled her close.

"Be careful sweetheart. This lifestyle can take sharp turns ."

And he was gone.

Reagan

Notes

Wow! You guys still like it after i've been gone! So so sorry it's been so long. College life is insane. Sorry if this chapter is bad, I'm still a bit rusty on writing! You're the best!