"Haven't seen you in a while," I go on jovially even though I feel anything but.
"Yeah, your brother's been playing hooky on his friends." Dale laughs easily.
"Well, I think it's time you dragged him out again," I suggest, feigning innocence. "Kade's been all depressed lately, and I think he really needs a fun night out."
"This about that June girl again?"
"What?"
"You know, your stepsister or whatever. He's still hung up on her, I'm guessing?"
"I guess." My teeth grit, and my jaw hardens as I listen to him. Everyone knows about Kade's obsession apart from me, it seems. "So, what do you say? You and your friends should take him out tonight. I heard there's a new place called Pulse opening in SoHo. What do you say? Kade needs a distraction and a pair of long legs in his bed."
"Of course." Dale chuckles, and we share a rare moment of camaraderie. "I'll set something up for tonight with the boys."
"Thanks, man." I almost think he's going to invite me to come out with them. I would've said no because I have other plans, but my own desperation to be included in my brother's life shocks me. I've always wanted to be part of his friend group, but Kade's always pushed me away. We have our home life together, but Kade prefers to be Parker-free when it comes to clubbing and having a social life.
An awkward silence follows, and I quickly realize Dale won't be asking me to join them.
"Talk to you later," I mutter, cutting the call short.
That's one thing I can check off my list. My brother's friends are womanizers, and now that I've planted the seed, all there's left to do is to watch it grow. My brother will hook up with someone tonight. The boys will make sure of it, and it will crush June's heart. Luckily for her, I'll be there to pick up the pieces.
With my mission complete, I dial June's number next. She takes ages to pick up her phone, almost making me want to give up.
"Hey." Her voice is breathless.
"What’re you up to?" I wonder out loud.
"Just doing a workout." She laughs. The sound is so fucking sweet, but not as sweet as her moans will be. We'll get there. "What's up?"
"Was wondering if you wanted to hang out tonight," I go on easily. "Kade's going on another one of his pussy-hunting missions, and I don't really wanna stick around to see which one of his conquests he'll be bringing home tonight."
"Oh." June sounds so hurt and disappointed. I grin to myself, pleased with how my plan is working out. "Sure, we can hang out. What do you want to do?"
"We could go out," I offer. "I kind of want to go clubbing, too."
"Clubbing?" She giggles. "That doesn't sound like you, Parker."
How would you know? I want to ask her. You have no idea what I'm really like. You don't know shit about me, and I'm going to keep it that way.
"There's this new club opening tonight, Pulse," I tell her, the cogs turning in my head. "We could hit it up. See what it's all about."
"Sure," she agrees after a short pause. "I guess I could do that. But I'm not drinking much. I've got another early start tomorrow."
"Of course," I agree. "Have your driver pick me up.”
I need to make sure Kade will be gone by the time June drops by. We say our goodbyes after agreeing to meet sometime after ten p.m. June says she'll bring some of her friends, too, which suits me just right. Girls love the artistic, broody type, and they're sure to fawn over me, which will hopefully put the right idea into June's head. The idea being that she wants me, not Kade, of course.
My brother comes home a few hours later, mentioning that his friends invited him for a night out. I feign innocence and tell him I'll stay at home. I wait until he leaves with his friends before shooting June a message to let her know I’m ready.
When the limo pulls up in front of our shitty apartment building, I'm already waiting on the curb. I'm wearing my brother's peacoat, a white V-neck, and ripped black jeans with black boots, and I've even stolen some of my brother's aftershave and cologne. I look fucking good. And the proof is in the glowing faces of the three girls June brought with her.
I set my sights on one of them right away. She's petite, slender enough so I could just throw her over my shoulder. Her hair is dark like June’s, and she's wearing the skimpiest outfit out of all the girls. Easy fucking prey.
Quickly, I realize the girl is as obsessed with June as I am. She looks up to her. In fact, she looks like her fucking mini-me.
June's lips brush my cheek as I sit down in the car, and the girl, whom she introduces as Dove, swallows me up with her eyes on the way to the club. We pop open a bottle of champagne. The drinks are flowing, and even though June looks a little distant, I know tonight's going to be a good night. Especially when Dove's hand sneaks to my knee, not even five minutes after we pulled away from my curb. The girl's staking her claim already. I kind of fucking like it, being the object of attention. My brother's the one girls always notice, but not tonight. Tonight is my fucking night.
Pulse is busy by the time we pull up, and I'm starting to worry we won't get in. But the moment the bouncer sees us pull up in a limo, he removes the red rope and allows all five of us to enter the club. I smirk at the guy, not failing to notice the jealousy he regards me with.
The music is booming, and the drinks are flowing in the club. June gets us a VIP table where Dove proceeds to get so mind-blowingly drunk, I'm shocked she can stand after the half hour we've been there. She's half-sitting, half-lying on my lap by that point. I thought June would be jealous, but she seems totally uninterested, staring into nothing as I caress her friend's ass. She doesn't give a shit about me... but she will eventually.
Discreetly, I scan the crowd on the dance floor. It doesn't take me long to spot one of my brother's buddies who's making out with a raven-haired girl. The rest of his party is close by too, and I spot Kade, staring listlessly into thin air. Just like June.
I position myself so there's no chance Kade will spot me. The other two girls with us, whose names I've already forgotten, are quickly whisked away by two men. That leaves Dove, who's half-passed out on my lap, me, and June. I can see men staring my stepsister down, wanting to approach her. But every time they do, I glare at them until they change their mind, adding to her unapproachability. I'll be fucking damned if I'm gonna watch June hook up with someone tonight. She's mine.
I wait until the timing's perfect before leaning over to June and telling her I'm taking Dove for some fresh air. Her friend's babbling, drunk out of her mind, and June thanks me profusely for taking care of her. Fucking perfect. Everything's working out according to plan.
I half-carry, half-drag Dove into the back alley behind the club. We're not coming back, not if I can help it.
While I sit June's drunken friend down on the curb, I spot a pretty blonde having a smoke outside. I approach them, asking for a light and smirking at the girl. She seems interested enough, and her eyes glow when I pull out a fifty and ask, "Want to have some fun?"
I feed her some bullshit about pulling a prank on my twin, and the girl, Lexi, goes along with it. I give her the money and tell her to find my brother in there and turn on the fucking charm. She's more than eager, and I grin to myself, pleased with how well my plan is working out. All the pieces of my plan are aligning, and there's nothing else for me to do but enjoy my night out.