Page 4 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

Laughter bubbles from me as an onslaught of memories hit me from when they’d haul me out of my room when I was sad about a boy or bummed about a bad grade. They refused to let me sulk because they knew they could cheer me up one way or another.

“I’ll walk on my own two feet for now,” I say as I slide off the stool to stand between them. “Lead the way.”

Chapter two

Chapter 2: Tyler

There’s no shortage of places to dance and party at in Las Vegas, but I still do my due diligence and find us the perfect club.

Strobe lights flicker across the dance floor where there’s a crowd of people swaying and stepping to the upbeat electronic music the DJ is playing.

I lead Cassidy through the scattered groups of people who are drinking and chatting off the dance floor, my hand resting on her lower back.

I can’t believe that me and the guys are here with her right now. So much time has passed since we last saw her, and it’s unmistakable how much she has grown up and changed.

She has a whole freelancing career. She’s all dolled up in this incredible dress instead of the leggings and large t-shirts that she used to wear. She looks…incredible.

But not everything has changed.

She still looks the same when she’s upset. There’s always a crease between her brows when she frowns, and her shoulders sink like the weight of the world is on them.

I used to do all sorts of crazy things to make her laugh when we were younger. I’m willing to pull out some of those tricks even now if it makes her feel better.

“Vodka cranberry, right?” I ask her once we squeeze our way between some people to claim a spot at the busy bar.

Cassidy nods. “How’d you know?”

“I saw your drink at the other bar,” I tell her before flagging down one of the bartenders.

“He’s a club promoter,” Marcus explains to her. “He can probably look at everyone’s drinks on this bar and tell what it is.”

“I’m the CEO of a nightlife marketing company too,” I say.

“Impressive,” Cassidy replies with an intrigued look. “I remember when you were all just a bunch of troublemakers.”

“That hasn’t changed for some of us,” Jackson says, flashing me a smirk.

I let out a laugh. “Some of us like to have a little fun, captain.”

“Not everyone can spend their time saving lives like you,” Marcus adds, the air lightening with playfulness and humor.

“You’d be right,” Jackson replies with a coy expression.

Marcus and I playfully roll our eyes at him.

Once everyone gets their drinks, I rest my back against the bar next to Cassidy as we huddle together in our own little spot. “Cassidy Monroe. You’ve grown up a lot.”

Technically, we all grew up together. We’re not that far apart in age, but she has always been Ryan’s little sister.

I can’t take my eyes off her, though. Her auburn hair tumbles down her back in waves, and her thin-strapped dress hugs every curve of her body. Freckles dot her cheeks under those gorgeous green eyes of hers.

I always thought she was pretty, but she’s stunning now.

“I don’t feel that way sometimes,” she admits as she swirls her thin straw around in her glass. “Part of me feels like that aimless teenager who has no idea what she’s doing.”

I lean my shoulder against hers, able to smell her vanilla-scented perfume. “Well, it’s no fun knowing everything.”

“You don’t have to know everything,” Jackson tells her. “Nothing goes as planned anyway.”