It was approaching eleven o' clock, and the air had grown still around us. I could feel the buzz clouding my head; we had just finished off our third round of shots, and everyone was fired up.
“Hey, fuckers! Let's go down to the pier!” Johnny yelled from the edge of the balcony, already starting towards the sand, the twins and Zacky following close behind.
“Yeah, let's go to the beach,” Alice nudged my arm, giggling. I couldn't help but laugh myself – the tequila was getting to me. I hooked my arm through her's and we skipped down the pier, leaving Brian, Matt and Jimmy to themselves.
I glanced back at them, and they were talking quietly and pointing at us. I nudged Alice, and she too followed my gaze. “What do you think they're saying?” I whispered coarsely.
“How much they wanna fuck us,” she barked a laugh, leaning on me and almost dragging us to the ground. Earlier, she had told me about her and Matt's little...get together. I was happy for her, and growing a little jealous. Matt had gone further with Alice than Brian had with me, and that royally pissed me off. But, maybe that's what he was going for.
“Hey, Alice. Brian promised me a midnight swim out there in the ocean,” I pointed at the water, giggling. Her laughter joined mine and soon we were snorting in hysterics.
“What's so funny?” Jimmy broke us apart, lacing his arms around either of our waists. We shook our heads in laughter, unable to answer him in our drunken states.
“Hey, hands off man,” Brian swooped in on my other side, pulling me against his side swiftly. He squeezed my side, causing me to yelp and giggle again.
“But I like Jimmy! He's tall...” I trailed off, looking back at Jimmy dramatically and laughing.
“And I like you. You're short.” Jimmy grinned down at me, giving a small wink that left me blushing and pulling my face into Brian's bare shoulder.
He held me around my waist, slowing down as we neared the water. Everyone was spread out around us, near the pier, in the water, or throwing sand at one another. “You know Carter. I like you, too,” he didn't look at me as he admitted his feelings.
“Because I'm short?” I smiled and looked out at the low moon.
“No, not just because you're short,” he chuckled at me, and pulled me closer. “Because you're funny. And pretty, and smart, and caring, and fun, and sexy as all hell.”
I felt myself sober up considerably. This was the first time someone had spilled their emotions to me in a like-like sort of way. “Is that why you...” I couldn't say it.
“Touched you? Yes. Because the entire time I was waiting for you to come over, I was thinking about you, and I couldn't control myself any longer. I saw the chance, and I took it.” Brian's smiled faded and he turned me to face him, looking down at me.
It took me a minute to adjust to looking at his face. Really look at it. He had thin lips in a cute cupid's bow. His nose was perfectly proportioned to his face, and his eyes were extremely captivating. The deepness of the brown drew me in, and it felt like he could see through my very soul – know all my secrets, my ticks, my habits. He was dangerous, and yet a comfort standing before me. He was tearing me apart with his eyes, trying to read my thoughts. “Carter?”
His voice took me by surprise; we had been sitting in silence for a while now. “I.. I really don't know what to say right now, Brian. It's hard for me to think...” I tried to pull away from him, pushing my hand against my cheek in thought, but he pulled me close to him again. I felt him exert a breath over me, and I looked back up at him questionably.
“Just... agh, nevermind. I can't do this. I can't, I'm sorry.” he lifted his hands away from me, and I felt my skin grow cold without him there.
“Do what?” I felt betrayed almost; he had just been so soft, and touching. And now he was pulling away from me like I set him on fire. “Brian, do what?” I demanded this time, refusing to be left alone with out a reason.
I could see him faltering for words. “Just...this. I can't do this with you Carter,” his hands flashed back and forth in between us.
My heart sunk, and yet I couldn't figure out what he was trying to say. He didn't want to be with me? Was I not good enough for him anymore? “You..you just told me all these great things about me, about why you liked me. Are..are you taking it back?” I was trying to wrap my head around his logic.
“No. No, I was,” he paused and swallowed, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “I was just telling you those things so I could...sleep with you.” I sobered up right then and there.
“What?” my voice came out in a small croak, and I contradicted myself internally for sounding so weak.
“You heard what I said.” Brian's voice had steadied considerably, and he crossed his arms protectively over his chest. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This had to be a dream; a terrible, awful, nightmare.
“You were just leading me on?” the crack in my voice was unrecognizable to me; I've never gotten upset like this before. He stared at me in silence, refusing to answer me. I heard Jimmy's loud voice commenting on Alice's 'drumming' break through the barrier between them and us. “You were just. Leading. Me on?” my voice rose threateningly, and I took a step towards him, but he didn't budge.
He stood still for a few fleeting seconds before shuffling uncomfortably on his feet. “I...yes.” he breathed out the last word, and I could tell he was struggling to admit it to me, and even himself.
I shook my head, and turned away from him, grumbling gibberish to myself. “I..I..I can't believe you would do this! You told me all these things these past four days. Am I just another lay to you? All those things you told me, were they lies?!” I faced him again, my blood boiling.
He reached for my hand and I snatched it away, tears threatening to fall. “Don't. Touch me,” I growled and walked away from him, feeling the warm tears cascade down my cheeks now that I wasn't looking at him. I curled my hands around my waist and headed over to the pier, where everyone else was laughing and having a good time. Daring a glance back at him, I saw Brian standing there, his arms now down at his sides and his face solemn. Bastard. I should have known. It was too good to be true. But I wasn't about to let this little drama fest ruin the rest of my trip. I could have fun, Brian or no Brian.

Alice's POV

Matt lifted me up and threw me over his shoulder, spinning around in a circle. My vocal chords screamed, and laughed again. I hadn't laughed this much in a long, long time. “Matt, slow down! I'm gonna hurl!” I squealed, beating on his back.
“Ow, ow, ow okay!” He slowed down before letting me slide down his arms and to the front of his body. He held me while I caught my balance, my head spinning a little too fast – probably due to the alcohol. I felt his chest rumble with a deep chuckle, and I smiled back up at him.
Zacky swooped in and tossed me over his shoulder, gaining a surprised squeal from me, and some furious kicking. “Zack! Put me down!” I slapped his butt and he yipped, jumping a little.
“Oi, calm down there, girly. That's private property,” he chuckled, smacking my ass back.
“Hey, if I can't spank you, you can't spank me!” I contradicted, hitting him again. “That's not fair!” giggling, I started playing a beat on his cheeks. “Look Jimmy, I can play the drums too!”
A tall figure looked over at me from the darkness, and I heard his long laugh. “Great! You're giving me a run for my money!” Carter's loud voice caught my attention and I looked up from my position on Zacky's back.
“Did you hear that? Alice sounds pissed...” Johnny commented, and we collectively looked over in their direction. Carter looked flabbergasted, like she was trying to figure something out. “...were they lies?!” her voice cut through the still air and we all shared a worries look – what had Brian done? A few seconds later, she was hurriedly heading in our direction, and we all returned to our antics, pretending not to have heard the quarrel. Brian was left standing at the shore line, and a wave caressed his feet.
“Carter! Hey! Nice of you to finally join us!” Jimmy's cheery mood lifted our concerned spirits, making it easier to fake.
She smiled, and I could tell it was forced. “Yeah, I decided to come join the real fun,” she gave a small laugh and dropped her hands to her sides. Jimmy wrapped her against his body in a hearty hug, and I saw him mouth something to her, which she nodded to in response.
“Well good. We were just about to go for a little dip,” Tessa motioned towards the water, earning another nod from Carter.
“Then let's go!” she grinned and lead us toward the water, her attitude changing tremendously. Zack put me down and ran after Carter, the twins and Johnny following close behind. Jimmy gave me a hang loose sign and ran off, laughing like a buffoon. I giggled at him as he ran, and Matt came in beside me.
“Was she okay?” he questioned, talking about Carter. “She didn't seem...glad to have left Brian back there.”
I shook my head slowly. “No, I could tell she wasn't very chipper. Something happened between them back there. But, I think we should just let it go tonight and leave the conversation at bay. Let's go have some fun,” I looked up at him, raising my eyebrows and grinning.
Matt nodded down at me and nudged my elbow. “Race ya,” he jerked his head towards the water, and I was off. I knew I couldn't run terribly fast, but Matt purposely stayed behind me – either to let me win or get a good view. Either way, I was totally okay with it. My feet touched the water and the icy Pacific greeted me like an old friend.
Matt jumped in beside me, running a few feet before diving under a small wave. He came out of the water as a dark figure, outlined by the now rising moon. “Come on! The water's ice cold!” he mocked, giving a small laugh. His voice was followed by a chorus of 'Yeah!'s, and 'Come on, Ali!'s. I followed the path Matt had took, not running but sort of trotting into deeper waters.
Everyone's voices cheered around me, and I dived under, the water stabbing into my skin like ice. I came up, gasping because of the change in temperature, and Matt appeared next to me, grinning like a fool. “Cold, huh?” he asked, shaking small droplets from his hair.
“Yeah it's f-f-freezing!” I couldn't help the stutter that followed my lips, and that made him laugh. He took me in his arms, and pulled me against his chest.
“Aww, his little Ali cold?” Johnny teased from a few feet away.
“Hey shut up, Short Shit, I'm practically taller than you are!” I called back, earning a few laughs from everyone.
“It's a good thing you're in the water, Johnny boy, cause you just got burned.” Jimmy laughed, causing the rest of us to join in with him.

We all stayed in the water about a total of a half an hour before we all decided we should get out in threat of getting washed away, or hypothermia, or something else our drunk minds could come up with. Matt wrapped a dry towel around me, as I shivered on the porch, my lips, along with everyone else's having darkened to a soft blue.
“Come on, little one. I'll take care of you,” Jimmy's voice surprised me. He was with Carter, holding a towel around her small body, and pressing her against his side protectively.
“Th-th-thanks Jim-mm-mmy.” she shivered beneath him, pressing her face into his arm and shaking visibly. They walked passed us slowly, Jimmy leading her to the bathroom upstairs near his room.
“Oh..poor thing,” Matt commented, resting his head atop of mine. “I hope Brian doesn't get all peeved off.”
I shrugged. “Hey, if he let her go, then he let her go. Jimmy can swoop in and pick her back up, and cuddle her as much as he wants, as long as she's okay with it. I just want her to be safe.” I looked up at him, giving a small smile. “Like I am with you, ya know? You're all big and buff and strong. And I feel protected around you. I want that for Carter.”
Matt returned my gaze, his eyes flickering between mine. “You really feel that way?” he looked...surprised, almost.
“Well yeah, duh. I mean, who the fuck would ever even try to mess with someone like you? Let alone any of these guys. Even the twins for Christ's sake! You guys are like a cult.” I giggled softly, nodding my head.
“No, we're family,” he stated clearly, pulling me in a friendlier direction. “There's no culting going on here. Just family.”
I nodded, understanding a bit more now. “Can we go inside? I'm still really cold.”
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, leading me in through the sliding glass door and shutting it behind us. “Sorry. We shouldn't have stayed out there so long, I'm cold too..”
Without looking up at him, I stated as we ascended the stairs, “Well, maybe we can go warm each other up, ya know what I mean?” I felt his arm stiffen up slightly and his vigorous nod.
“Yeah, yeah, I know what you mean. I'd be glad to,” he grinned beside me. “But, don't you want a change of clothes, or something?” he slowed as we passed my room.
“No, I'll just use some of your's. If.. that's okay?” I stopped us and looked up at him, giving a small, pleading look with my eyes.
I could tell he was contemplating the situation. “Uh.. yeah, sure, I don't see why not. Right this way,” he motioned down the hallway opposite my room and lead me down it. I saw Carter dressed in an oversized shirt that went almost to her knees, and knew Jimmy had gotten her to wear it, or she maybe even asked him to wear it.
“Hey babe. You feeling alright?” I stopped her lightly with my palm, and she looked up at me.
“Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just...” she sighed. “Brian lead me on,” her voice lowered and so did her shoulders. “I should've seen it coming, I didn't think he would though.”
Matt stiffened beside me, and his jaw clenched angrily. “You want me to talk to him, Carter?” he asked, his voice almost a growl.
She turned her gaze to look up at him and gave a reassuring smile. “No, Matt, thank you. I'll be okay. Jimmy's letting me stay with him tonight; he refuses to let me sleep alone after that.”
I grinned and nodded. “Alright, sweetheart. You'll be okay, I promise. He's just another guy.”
She hugged me softly, and nodded on my chest. “Especially with Jimmy. He's like our own personal therapist, he makes everything bad disappear in seconds.” Matt's voice surrounded us, and he had loosened up a little bit.
“Thanks, guys. I should get going though, before he comes looking for me,” she giggled and walked past us, and into Jimmy's room where his comforting voice greeted her's.
Matt and I ended up in his room, the door clicking closed softly behind us. He walked over to the small dresser and tossed a shirt on the bed. “Fuck Brian, he's such an ass. I knew he was going to do this, I knew it. “ he was grumbling to himself, and I watched, smiling at how cute, yet ferocious it was. “Do you... want some underwear, or something?” he paused his movements to look back at me.
“Yeah, yeah, I'll take a pair, thanks,” I confirmed, and he tossed a pair of black boxer briefs next to the shirt. I took them and walked into the connected bathroom and changed slowly, wiping sand from my skin. When I returned, Matt was shirtless, had changed into a pair of loose sweats, and was now pulling back the blankets of his bed.

He crawled in, leaving room for me and not pulling the blanket over us until I had joined in beside him. He pushed himself against my back, and I relaxed into him, letting sleep slowly consume me. “Good night, Ali.” I felt his lips on my shoulder, and I didn't remember saying anything. I was far too tired – and I fell asleep almost immediately. Good night, Matt.

Notes

Sorry about not updating yesterday - Monday was a terror!
But I hope you like this little bit of drama! Let me know what you think, so don't forget to vote and comment! <3