"No...it's just that you said that already."
"Said what?"
"Let's get back to bed. Bri's gonna get chilly."
"No, I didn't." Jax was giving me the typical 'what are you smoking' look. "Please don't tell me the flower roll is now doing its work on you, cause if so, that's a slow-ass response time."
"What did you say before saying we should go to bed?"
"Blame Jaxsin. He's rubbing off on me. Just the edges though," he repeated.
I bit my lip and looked to my hand that held the glass of remaining whisky.
What the fuck was that all about? Am I hallucinating or something?
Jax's hand touched mine as he took the whisky from my grasp and downed it before I could attempt to call him out for it.
"My gut is telling me you don't need it." He winked and reached for my hand. "Bed. Now." He tugged on my hand and pulled me along until we were next to the bed. He pushed me to sit on my side before he walked over to the washroom to rinse the cups in the sink. Placing them back on the cart to dry on the golden towel, he stretched his arms up, giving me the perfect view of his muscular frame.
I had to swallow as if my throat were extremely dry while I mentally reminded myself to breathe. Maybe it was just the flowers and alcohol, but Jax was becoming eye candy - even for me.
He returned to the other side of the bed before we both noticed Brianne turn onto her left side while trying to pat for the blanket.
"Cold," she muttered in her sleep.
Jax gave me a smug smirk. "Told you," he replied and slid right beneath the sheets to kiss her forehead and lift the blanket to cover her properly. "Sorry, Queen. We're here."
She seemed to smile at the comment as that peaceful expression returned with the slow rhythm of her inhales and exhales.
Jax looked at me. "Bedtime?"
"Ya. I think I could use some much-needed sleep," I concluded and snuggled up so my arm was now around Brianne. I kissed her neck as her back pressed right against my chest. I loved spooning her because she was so much smaller than me and yet it felt like she fit perfectly in my hold.
Jax nodded as a yawn escaped him, and he reached out to turn the dimmed lights off. Settling into the sheets, I allowed my eyes to begin to close as the comforting warmth around us grew.
"Thanks, Jax," I whispered as my mind drifted away. "And Jaxsin."
"No problem," Jax mumbled. "Let the warmth chase the nightmares away."
Ya. Chase them away.
8
Birthday Christmas Celebration
~BRIANNE~
* * *
"AND THEN SHE SMACKED THE BITCH!"
I completely lost it, as did Mia and Miya, the three of us laughing so hard we had to place our wine glasses on the table to clutch our stomachs and try not to fall off the couch.
"Alright. It's official. You HAVE to come back just to tell us more stories of all the bitches you've hunted during your school adventures," Mia concluded.
"School adventures? That's a damn murder mystery extravaganza!" Miya emphasized as she struggled not to laugh anymore.
Alice, Mia, Miya, and I had spent the majority of the day hanging out because today was the last day before Alice returned to her universe.
We were both upset that time had breezed by and we didn't get to enjoy all we'd wished to accomplish when we found out we were sisters. Maybe the Universe had something better in mind for the future, but I guess we were all grateful that Professor Phoenix was willing to teleport her over with one of her boyfriends, Westley, to spend the final bit of Christmas at the party we'd planned to do before finding out we'd be in another country.
We weren't going to let that detour our plans. We had the perfect large space to throw a grand party, and with a trip to the city, we got all the decorations, food, and champagne needed to throw a thrilling party everyone could enjoy.
The guys were finishing up with the food while talking with Westley. It was nice to see all of them getting along like we'd all been friends for years upon years.
Professor Phoenix, Ms. Electra, and Sebastian were on sight, the three of them quietly relaxing in the second lounge spot that was mere steps from where we were hollering. They seemed to be in their own conversation and never pestered us.
It felt nice to be gathered like this. To be surrounded by loving friends and loved ones that wanted to spend such sacred moments with you. These cherished moments reminded me of how I entered Witchling Academy with just Elijah as a friend.
I wasn't the girl to be invited to parties, get-togethers, or even Christmas events. Amazing how opposite my life was now, being known by various people who were willing to spend this holiday in my company. Being loved by four amazing men while being supported by friends, professors, a sister, and her loved ones was perfect.
All this reminiscing had to be because of the approaching final semester, and though I was nervous about what was to come, I couldn't wait for it to be over. I wanted to face what was next down this path called life, and it would all depend on how this semester went.
"We should give you your present now, Alice!" Mia and Miya declared. "You have to leave during dinner, right?"
"Yes." Alice bobbed her head. "Ms. CloverSpell said we'd have to get back at a certain time because they close the universal borders or something."
"Universal borders," I pondered.
"Ya. It's some complicated shit." Alice shook her head. "But once we graduate, Ms. CloverSpell said we may have the privilege to access them. Not all the time, obviously, but she’ll request a pass for our team. As long as we're approved by her, we can plan our next visit! I can bring my friends along, too!"
"We’ll totally have to plan it so we're all on vacation or something," Mia encouraged.
"Totally! It may be difficult since we all don't know where we're going to be after graduation, but we can try!" Miya added.
"Do you guys know what you're doing after you graduate?" Alice inquired. "I personally have no clue."
"We're not sure," Mia and Miya said in unison before Mia continued, "We've been getting offers in the fashion and skincare businesses.”
"Really?" Alice and I said in unison as we stared at them with wide eyes.
They blushed, and Miya nervously laughed. "Ya. Mia's been asked by Vogue Universal to be both a model and a fashion creator. That doesn't account for the other deals outside of the industry that want her assistance magically."
"Hey. Don't forget that Etude House, which is one of the biggest makeup brands in Korea, is literally begging you to be a model with them and start a skincare brand! They've been asking all semester."
The two of us were gawking at the news, which had them both sighing.
"We didn't want to mention anything since you've all been busy," they revealed.
"When do you have to make a decision?" Alice asked.
"And does that mean you guys are going back to Korea?" I pondered.
"We have until graduation," Mia answered.
"As for whether we’ll go back to Korea, it depends. The process of creating the plans and stuff can be done over video calls, but it would make things a lot easier if we were back in Korea," Miya explained.