Beach Bums & the Boys From Down Under

[Michelle’s POV]

Streetlights and a couple of vehicles passed by as the car maneuvered through the desolate roads in town. Steering the wheel in the driver’s seat was, Brandon, Landon and Kaden’s older brother. Of course he happened to be gorgeous just like them. It seemed like the family genes didn’t miss anyone. Tousled blonde hair. Amazing blue eyes. A face and body like no other. These Carter siblings were all supermodels in the flesh! But to every rose there is a thorn, and just like Landon and Kaden, Brandon happened to have the exact same caring, but extremely cocky personality as his brothers.

*Flashback*
We had finally gotten off of the plane. Aly and I linked arms as soon as we were off. The excitement we both possessed was just too much for words to describe. Not to mention the fact that we were basically singing and dancing in the airport, causing people to stare at us in utter horror. But what can you do? This is Australia, people! Landon and Kaden offered to go grab our luggage, so Aly and I decided to skip on through the airport to where we would soon be picked up. We both sat at an empty bench, waiting for the boys to come back with our bags. We were in the middle of an overenthusiastic conversation when out of the corner of my eye I noticed an attractive boy sitting a few yards away from us. It made me do a double-take as I glanced over at him in awe. Aly noticed my attention was elsewhere and followed where my eyes were looking, suddenly her jaw dropped in shock as she muttered, “DAMN!” She slapped her hand over her mouth in embarrassment of her outburst, which caused the boy to look over at us. He was stunningly gorgeous as he gave us a sly smirk and stood up from his seat. My held tilted slightly sideways as I looked him over. Something was rather familiar about his features and the smirk he gave seemed quite strange, like I had seen it somewhere before. My mind was trying to unravel the answer, but he had already approached me and Aly by that time.

“Well aren’t you ladies a sight for sore eyes,” he smiled, showing off his pearly white, straight set of teeth. My jaw dropped unintentionally before I quickly closed it shut. Aly nudged my shoulder slightly, which I assumed meant that she was agreeing with me. This guy was too stunning for words, and when you added in the hot Australian accent he was just drool-worthy!

Aly gazed up at him before choking on her own words, “I…um...I’m....uhhh…umm…”

The boy laughed, a melodic sound escaping from his mouth. “The name’s Brandon,” he said, holding his hand out in front of me. I loosely shook it as I was in a slight daze and Aly followed my lead. “Do you pretty ladies have names for yourselves?” he asked, turning on his charm.

“If we told you our names we’d be forced to kill you,” I joked, rolling my eyes. I mean, ‘pretty ladies’? He could do better than that!

“I’m Aly!” Alysha said, perking herself up in her seat, “It’s nice to meet you, Brandon.”

I shook my head almost laughing at her pathetic attempt at civilized behavior.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Brandon replied. “And your friend here is?”

“Michelle,” I stammered.

“Michelle...,” he repeated, thinking it over. “Nice name.”

I giggled. Two could play at his game. “Oh yea, thanks. That’s what all the hot guys seem to tell me,” I shrugged.

Brandon chuckled before taking it upon himself to take a seat at the bench right next to me. He was awkwardly close as I felt his leg softly brush against mine as he got himself more comfortable.

“So what brings you hot American girls here to Australia?” he questioned, slyly moving his arm so it was almost hanging over my shoulder. My eyes widened in horror.

“Were here for Christmas break,” Aly answered as she seemed to be staring at Brandon as if he would disappear in front of her very own eyes.

“I see.” He said. He was trying to make small talk. “So, would you classify yourselves as the party type of girls? Because if you’re not doing anything in the next couple of days I’d invite you guys to the beach for a small get together that a bunch of guys and I are having.”

Was that the tips of his fingers I felt brush against my shoulder just now? I found myself almost glued into my spot. I couldn’t even move a few inches closer to Aly because she was pushing me closer to Brandon in her attempt to get within a few inches of his own space.

“Why the hell not!” Aly exclaimed in excitement, gripping onto me for support. “I’d love to go!”

Of course, she would agree. Any mention of the words ‘party’ and ‘Australian guys’ together in a sentence was bound to get her to say yes.

“What do you say, Michelle?” Brandon asked. I could feel his fingers delicately twirling through the curls in my hair. I jumped in shock from the contact. It was my turn to be speechless now, “I-I…umm...I...”

I quickly looked around and saw Landon and Kaden finally turn around the corner their hands filled with luggage. I swiftly hurtled myself off the bench and ran towards Landon almost knocking him over as I buried my face into his strong chest. The luggage slipped out of his hands as they harshly fell onto the tile floor. I was now out of breath almost to the point of hyperventilating as I felt Landon grip my shoulders and push me slightly away from his body so that I was facing him.

“What the hell, Michelle? What’s gotten into you?” Landon said in half concern and half frustration.

I shook my head. Harsh breaths escaped from my mouth. “Cute guy…Australian accent…on a bench…hitting on me!” I managed to say.

“WHAT?!” Kaden exclaimed. “Did I just hear you correctly, Michelle?” I nodded my head.
Landon looked over at Kaden, who cracked his knuckles like he was getting ready to fight someone. “Where’s Aly?!” he wondered.

“Where’s this asshole at anyway?” Landon asked as he pulled me into his chest to help me calm down. I took Landon’s hand and walked back to where Brandon was. Kaden followed closely behind as he grabbed the remainder of our bags and dragged them across the floor. I pointed towards Aly and Brandon on the bench and Kaden dropped the bags on the floor with a look of anger in his eyes. Landon pulled away from me and marched up to the bench with Kaden at his side. They looked confused when they stopped right in front of it. Aly saw me looking from the distance and skipped over towards me.

“Oh. My. God,” she enunciated each word. “Brandon was totally hitting on you! Once you ran away from us he wouldn’t even talk to me. You lucky whore!!” I laughed at her jealousy.

“Well at least you tried, my friend. It was probably the drool on the side of your mouth that turned him off. Not to mention the look you were giving him like he was some superstar,” I joked as Aly lightly pushed me in annoyance. “Whatever,” she replied as we made our way towards the three guys.

“No she’s going to meet you at the hotel with Dad,” I heard Brandon say as we approached.

“So you’re picking us up then?” asked Kaden.

“Well you can walk, little bro. I’m not here to stop you,” Brandon replied with a hint of annoyance.

“Hey babe!” said Alysha as she kissed Kaden on the cheek.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a second!” said Brandon. “You’re dating Kaden?!”

“Yea. Jealous?” asked Aly as she turned Kaden’s head and kissed him on the lips to prove her point.

“Gross!” I shook my head in disgust. “So wait…” I paused and directed my attention to Landon. “You and Kaden knew this perve and you never told me about it?!”

Brandon cleared his throat from behind me. “This perve, as you call it, has a name, you know. And of course we know each other. All three of us are brothers.” He stated as a matter of fact.

“What?!” Aly and I said in unison.

“Yea. Jealous?” Brandon replied, copying Aly’s line as she blushed in embarrassment. “Let’s just get one thing straight though. I’m the older and more handsome brother as you can already tell. And if we don’t all hurry our asses up and get out of here we are never gonna get you guys to the hotel!”

“True that,” said Kaden as he followed Landon to go grab the luggage. I looked at Aly, but I didn’t know what expression my face was showing. I had just gotten hit on by Landon and Kaden’s older brother. Awkward!!

*End flashback*

My eyes glanced over to the digital clock in the car. 11:11 it read.

“Make a wish,” Brandon said softly from the driver’s seat. I was the only one still awake in the car. Jet-lag seemed too overpowering for Aly, Kaden and Landon, who were all sitting in the back of the car fast asleep. I was wide awake sitting in the passenger seat up front. Too many thoughts were going on inside of my mind for me to fall asleep. I needed assurance that everything was going to be okay in the land down under. Everything from my parents, to Landon, to Aly, to the whole Carter family was struggling inside of the crazy labyrinth I’d like to call my mind. If I was a bomb my brain would have surely exploded by now.

“Hey, Brandon?” I said, completely ignoring his last statement.

“Yea?” he answered.

I had to get things cleared up somehow. I was still confused and uncomfortable from the recent experience at the airport. I hesitated before I spoke up. “Were you really trying to hit on me at the airport earlier today?”

Brandon chuckled from his seat, keeping his eyes straight on the road. “Even if I was to say yes, Michelle, it wouldn’t change anything. You’re with Landon and I can honestly say that he is madly in love with you. I can tell just from the way he looks at you.”

I giggled, surprised from his answer. I wasn’t expecting something so considerate to escape from his mouth like that. “Yeah right…” I sighed.

“No, Michelle, I’m serious!” he said. “He loves you! At the airport I was stupid and was following my immature male instincts. The only thing that registered through my mind when I saw you and Aly was, ‘Damn, those chicks are hot!’” he joked. I laughed, hitting his arm playfully.

He continued on, “Sorry if I came on a bit too strongly. Male hormones,” he explained, “you can’t always control them. Plus unlike your friend Aly who was checking me out the entire time you were playing hard to get, which honestly made me even more interested. Now if I would’ve known you were dating my brother at the time none of my actions would have ever occurred at the airport. So you can’t blame me for trying,” he said, looking at me and giving me a wink.

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Yea, okay, player,” I teased, “as long as that’s all cleared up now and I don’t have to worry about you trying to rape me in the middle of the night, then we’re on good terms now.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Care to start over then? Hey hot stuff, I’m Brandon.” He introduced as he took one hand off the wheel, waiting for me to shake it.

“Michelle,” I replied, taking his hand before he placed it back onto the wheel. “You’re not half bad, Brandon,” I commented.

“I get that a lot,” he smiled. “So…,” Brandon said, trying to make small talk in the dead-silent car. “How come you’re still awake? Everyone else seems dead in the back seat. Something’s up…”

I sucked in a deep breath of air. “I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Wanna talk about it?” he wondered, sincerely.

“I think I might have to figure these things out on my own,” I answered truthfully, trying to suppress a smile.

“Alright,” he agreed, “But just so you know, since we are cool now, I’m always here for you if you need someone to talk to, Michelle. And if my brother ends up messing with you and decides to be stupid I will personally kill him for you!” he teased. “That goes for Aly too if you want to spread the message for me.”

“Oh Brandon,” I sighed, “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

“Anytime, babe. Anytime.”

I heard someone stir in the back seat. I turned my head to see Landon moving a bit to get into a more comfortable position. His head was against the glass of the car window, so every time the car moved it would cause him to hit his head slightly against the door. He looked so peaceful in his sleep. I couldn’t help but notice how cute he was when dozing off.
He mumbled something quietly to himself. It was too soft for me to hear, till he repeated himself again, but a little louder this time. “Michelle…” he breathed. A small smile creeping upon his face that the streetlights seemed to illuminate as the car drove on.

“Awww,” cooed Brandon, looking over at me. “You’re blushing.”

“What?!” I stammered defensively. “N-No I’m not. I just think he looks really cute when he’s dreaming.”

“Is that a hint of red I see?” Brandon pressed, gently touching my cheek.

“It’s probably an indentation from laying my head against the seat,” I explained, “No big deal.”

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say that you are a bad liar, Michelle!”

“Lying? What? Who said I was lying? I’m not lying,” I challenged.

“Bull shit, Michelle! Landon is over there sleeping in the back seat and he just so happens to say your name. Don’t tell me you aren’t blushing!”

“Fine…I give up,” I groaned. “I was blushing. Happy now?”

He nodded his head arrogantly, glad that he had won. “What do you think he is dreaming about?” Brandon asked, raising an eyebrow at me curiously.

“I don’t know. It’s his dream, not mine.”

“I can come up with a few ideas,” Brandon said, a hint of teasing in his voice.

“Should I even bother asking?”

He shrugged. “Oh you know, he’s probably just dreaming about you and him sleeping together. Nothing big.”

“Nothing big!!” I exclaimed. “You think Landon is dreaming about having sex with me?!”

“Think?” Brandon repeated the word as if I was an idiot. “I don’t think. I just know.”

I scoffed in exasperation. “Leave it to a guy to make things all inappropriate,” I muttered.

“What?! Did you have any better ideas in mind?” Brandon questioned.

I thought about it. “No…”

“Exactly! Once again I win!” he bragged. “The benefit of being the oldest one in your party is that you’re always right!”

“Whatever,” I mumbled, crossing my arms over my chest.

Landon shifted again in the back seat. I glanced at him to see his eyes flutter open gracefully. He moved his head, taking in his surroundings. When his eyes stopped at mine he flashed me one of his amazing smiles. My heart swelled at the instant and I could feel my cheeks redden in embarrassment.

“Look who’s awake!” Brandon said. “Have any good dreams while you were out?” He taunted.

I smacked Brandon on the arm and he just chuckled. Landon looked towards me and his brother with uncertainty.

“Am I missing something?” Landon asked, glancing at me.

“Depends on what you define as missing, mate,” Brandon shrugged. I stared at Brandon in confusion.

“Explain…” I urged.

“Maybe Landon is missing something in his relationship that he can only get in his dreams,” Brandon joked.

“Oh god…” I muttered, burying my face inside of my hands.

“Okay…” Landon hesitated.

“Maybe I’m not being clear enough,” said Brandon, “Landon, do you or do you not want se-” I smacked my hand over Brandon’s mouth, interrupting him in mid-sentence.

“You’ve said quite enough!” I told Brandon while glaring at him to shut up. Kaden and Alysha jerked awake from my hand hitting Brandon’s face. Stupid light-sleepers! Three sets of eyes were now looking at me from the back seat suspiciously. I took my hand off of Brandon’s mouth before crossing my arms against my chest once again. I turned my head away from the skeptical gazes behind me.

“At least kick his ass for me when I’m awake, Michelle,” Kaden complained, “It does no good to do it when I’m asleep.”

“I’ll remember that next time,” I smirked.

“We have arrived!” Brandon exclaimed as he signaled to get off the road and turned into the hotel’s parking lot. I glanced out the window seeing a few palm trees lit by lights all around us. I saw a huge building with at least 20 floors from the looks of it. The windows on the building gave off a unique pattern, as some of the lights were turned on, the others, pitch black against the huge stucco edifice. Giant glass doors were the entrance into the mysterious building. Even from the car I could tell that the lobby was empty, meaning that everyone else was already in their room, either asleep or using their time elsewhere. The hotel’s sign was illuminated with lights across the front that read, “The Sydney Hotel.” How original, I thought. Couldn’t have come up with a more creative name? Straight across from the hotel was the ocean. I could see the outline of its waves breaking against the shore. The tide was slowly moving its way up the sand before drifting back off into the water. I sighed, taking it all in. Was this really where we were staying for a whole week? It was too perfect to be true.

Brandon parked right in front of the hotel, making it more convenient for us to unpack our bags. It wasn’t until the car had stopped when it actually dawned on me. My parents were going to be just beyond those shining glass doors of the entrance. What was I going to do?

“Are you okay, Michelle?” Landon asked in concern. He was at the passenger’s side, opening the door for me to get out. I was the last person still sitting inside of the car. How did that happen? I didn’t even hear anyone open or close their doors.

“I can’t go,” I breathed, “You guys can go on without me.”

Landon bent down to get a better look at me. I tried to force a smile, but it felt more like a grimace to me. He cupped my chin, stroking his thumb against my cheek.

“Don’t worry, Michelle. You’ll be fine,” he replied reassuringly. I closed my eyes trying to compose myself. My stomach was in knots inside of me. My muscles even felt weak for some reason. I just shook my head, telling Landon I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t even bring myself to move out of the car. With my eyes still closed I attempted to take a few deep breaths. I felt Landon tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. His lips softly kissed my forehead. I sighed when he pulled away. I slowly opened my eyes to find Landon’s face just a few inches from me. His eyes bore into mine intently.

“Please go in, Michelle,” he begged, “you’re gonna have to face them someday. It’s better to get it over with sooner rather than later.”

“I’d rather wait for later though,” I whined, looking down nervously away from his gaze.

“Please?” he asked.

“Too nervous…” I explained.

“Please?” he repeated.

“Too frightening…”

He lifted my face up to look into his shining blue eyes. “Please…” he spoke. His voice was like velvet: smooth and undeniably seductive. “For me…?” he added.

I sighed. “Ugh…too breathtaking!”

Landon chuckled, leaning in as he touched his lips to mine. My heart skipped a beat as he gave me a sweet, gentle kiss before pulling away. I groaned to myself, knowing I had given into his agreement. Stupid good-looking boyfriend. He smiled knowingly as he grabbed my hand and led me out of the car. Our bags had already been taken inside and Landon was now dragging me towards the elevator and up to mine and Aly’s room. We caught up to Aly, Kaden, and Brandon who were all waiting outside of the door impatiently.

“Took long enough!” complained Kaden.

“We wanted to wait for you guys before we…umm…went in,” Aly clarified nervously.

“Ready?” Brandon asked while taking out the room key and unlocking the door.

It opened with a click as Brandon swiftly stepped to the side to hold it open for us. The lights in the room were on, but it was practically silent other than the soft breathing you could hear from the hall that seemed to be coming from everyone around me. Everyone motioned for me to enter the threshold first. I reluctantly agreed and hesitated before taking a step into the room. I was half-expecting one of my parents to jump out and hug me, but as all of us gathered into the room it was clear that the space was quite empty. Maybe they were out I figured, trying to play off my disappointment by forcing a smile to form across my face. I looked around the room. A TV, a small closet, a few drawers for storage, a table with a few tourist books on it and hotel information, a bedside nightstand with two individual lamps each illuminating a huge bed with an assortment of comforters and pillows, but what really got my attention was a folded piece of paper placed on top of the bed closest to window. It was sitting rather conspicuously, waiting for someone to find it. I bounded over to the bed almost tripping over my own feet. Snatching the paper off the comforter I noticed my mother’s handwriting. I cursed inside of my head. This letter was just foreshadowing another let down in my life yet again. I mean the empty room, no one here to welcome us into the room. I could have seen it coming. My hands curled into fists at my sides until I heard the paper crumpling from inside of my grasp. Infuriated, I opened the letter to see what the excuse was this time. All their stupid promises and lies. I felt like ripping up the letter. Shredding it piece by piece. It was like I was on auto-pilot now. My mind was working on its accords and my body was following its directions involuntarily. The letter fell from my hands as I let go of it and let it elegantly float to the floor barely making a sound as it fell to the carpet. My vision blurred and I felt warm trails of tears escaping from my eyes. I swiftly turned around and maneuvered through the looks of sympathy and remorse around me. Bursting through the door of the room, I let it slam against the wall and then slam shut behind me as I left. Once outside of the room the walls felt extremely too small. Were they closing in on me? Where was the air? I could barely breathe. I ran down the hallway to the stairs. Taking them two at I time, I could barely see the steps in front of me. I finally reached the lobby only to see the elevator doors opening with Landon, Kaden, Brandon, and Aly exiting from them with a look of worry in their eyes. Without looking at them, I ran through the lobby, hearing my footfalls against the shiny tile floors. I rushed to the glass doors, giving myself a few bruises in the process as I knocked into them in my desperation. I shoved the doors open to feel the cool, crisp night air overtake me. I convulsed from the cold and the tears that rocked through my body. Then I did the only thing that I knew how to do:

I ran.