Summer in the city 2

 

I managed to get AI to come up with this. Not sure If I'll try to continue or not.

“Hod town, summer inna cidy. 

 mm. hum. genn dirdy ann griddy. 

 been down, izz'nn it a pidy

duzzen seem t'be a shadow inna cidy

alll 'round, peeple lookin' half ded

walkin' onna sidewalk, hodder 'an a mash hed

bud ad night isssa differenn whirld

gow oud ann fine a girl

come-on come-on ann dance alll night

despite the heed it'll be alright

ann babe, doan y'know isssa pidy

thad the days canned be liyke the nighss

inna summer, inna cidy

inna summer, inna cidy”

She slurred along to the Lovin’ spoonful, and swayed to the music. It was hot tonight in the desert, and in the Wasted Grain. The party was in full swing, and the drinks were flowing. 

Her goose was a bit cooked, but she took a shot from one of the bottles of gray goose, and then resumed pouring drinks.

___

She loved her job. Sure the outfit was a bit skimpy, but it fit the club vibe and helped to keep her smoking hot body cool. So did the alcohol. Especially the alcohol. She took another shot.

Just then her boss approached. “How you doing alexis?”, her boss asked. 

“greade bozz,” she answered.

“Ok, keep it up,” her boss told her. 

Alexis flashed a lopsided grin, her eyes glinting under the neon lights of the Wasted Grain. The bar was a pulsing beast tonight, bodies packed tight, laughter and shouts mixing with the thump of the bass. Her hands moved on autopilot, slinging drinks, wiping down the counter, tossing bottles with a flair that drew cheers from the crowd. The Lovin’ Spoonful track faded out, replaced by something heavier, dirtier—a gritty rock anthem that made the floor vibrate.

She leaned over the bar, handing a frosted glass to a guy with a sunburned nose and a cowboy hat tipped back. “Enjoy, darlin’,” she said, her voice a little rough from the vodka and the late hour. He winked, dropped a crumpled twenty in the tip jar, and melted back into the sea of bodies.

The desert heat clung to everything, even inside with the AC cranked. Alexis tugged at her lace bra, the black fabric sticking to her skin. The lace bottoms of her body suit weren’t much better—barely qualified as clothing-heck she’d bought them in the lingerie section—but the tips were worth it. She caught her reflection in the mirrored wall behind the bar: messy blonde hair, smudged eyeliner, and a smirk that said she was exactly where she wanted to be.

Another shot of Grey Goose burned its way down her throat. She shook her head, letting the warmth spread, and turned to grab a bottle of tequila for a group of college kids shouting orders. They were loud, sunburned, and probably too young to be here, but Alexis didn’t care. They tipped well and kept the night interesting.

“Lex!” a voice cut through the noise. It was Tasha, the other bartender, weaving through the crowd with a tray of empty glasses. “Table five’s askin' fer yoo.  Summ guy says he nose yoo,” Tasha slurred.

Alexis raised an eyebrow, wiping her hands on a bar towel. “Nose me? liyke, *knows* me, orr juzz things he duzz?”

Tasha shrugged, her braids swinging. “Dunno, bud he’s got cash ann a vibe.  Kinna innenns.  Corner booth”

Curiosity piqued, Alexis nodded and tossed the towel aside. “Cover me furra sec?” she asked, already moving toward the edge of the bar. Tasha gave her a mock salute and slid into place, grabbing a shaker.

The crowd parted as Alexis made her way to the corner booth, her boots clicking against the sticky floor. The Wasted Grain was a maze of high-top tables, neon signs, and bodies swaying to the music. She scanned the booth and froze. There he was—Jace. Same leather jacket, same crooked smile, same piercing gray eyes that always seemed to see right through her. He leaned back, one arm slung over the booth, a half-empty beer bottle dangling from his fingers.

“Welll, damn,” Alexis said, sliding into the booth across from him. “Jace Turner. Thodded yoo skipped town fer gooond.”

He chuckled, low and rough, like sandpaper on velvet. “Miss me, Lex?”

She snorted, crossing her arms. “Missed yoo liyke a hangover on a monnay” But her lips twitched, betraying her. Jace had that effect—always had. They’d run together back in the day, two kids with too much attitude and not enough sense, tearing through town like it was their personal playground. Until he’d vanished two summers ago, no word, no trace.

“Buy you a drink, and I’ll tell you where I’ve been,” he said, leaning forward. His voice was casual, but there was something in his eyes—something heavier than the desert heat.

Alexis tilted her head, sizing him up. “Yoo got cash, i got timme.  Butsha benner mayke it quick.  Thiss place don’t slow down, ann neezer doo i.”

He slid a twenty across the table, his fingers brushing hers just long enough to send a spark up her spine. “Coke for me. And a whiskey for you, if you’re still drinkin’ like you used to.”

She smirked, pocketing the bill. “Y'know i am.” As she stood, the music shifted again, something slow and sultry, wrapping the room in a haze. She glanced back at Jace, his gaze locked on her, and felt the night tilt just a little—like maybe, just maybe, this was gonna be more than another hot summer shift at the Wasted Grain.

Along the way she bumped into her boss. “Hey, Alexis, Derks made it. You can knock off early if you want.”

Alexis blinked, her buzzed brain taking a second to process her boss’s words. “Derks is here?” she slurred, glancing back toward the bar where Tasha was already juggling bottles like a pro. The offer to knock off early was tempting—her feet ached, and the vodka was starting to make the room feel like a slow-motion carnival ride. But then her eyes flicked to Jace, still lounging in the corner booth, his gaze steady and unreadable, like he was waiting for her to make a move.

“Ssangs, bozz,” she said, waving a hand. “Got a… situashun t' hannle.” She jerked her head toward Jace, and her boss followed her gaze, raising an eyebrow.

“Alright, Lex, but don’t get too wild. We need you in one piece tomorrow,” her boss said with a knowing grin before disappearing into the crowd.

Alexis weaved her way back to the bar, her mind racing despite the alcohol haze. Jace Turner, back after two years, looking like he’d never left. What was his deal? She grabbed a bottle of whiskey and a can of Coke, pouring herself a generous shot while she was at it. The burn of the liquor steadied her, sharpening her focus as she carried the drinks back to the booth.

“Here,” she said, sliding the Coke across the table and keeping the whiskey for herself. She dropped into the seat opposite him, one leg tucked under her, and took a slow sip, watching him over the rim of the glass. “Sooo, spill.  Where’d yoo vanish t'? ann don’t give me summ bullshit 'bout ‘finnin' yourself’ inna deserd.”

Jace laughed, the sound low and warm, like it could cut through the noise of the bar. He cracked open the Coke, took a swig, and leaned back, his leather jacket creaking. “You always did get straight to the point, Lex.” He paused, his eyes flicking to the neon-lit chaos around them before settling back on her. “I was… out of state. Had some business to take care of. Family stuff.”

“Family ssuff?” Alexis snorted, twirling the whiskey glass in her hand. “Yoo ain’t got family, jace.  Lease nod the kinn thad pulls yoo away fer too damn years without a word.”

His smile faded, just for a second, and she caught it—a crack in his usual cocky armor. “Yeah, well, sometimes family finds you when you ain’t lookin’,” he said, his voice quieter now. He took another sip of Coke, his fingers tightening around the can. “Let’s just say I owed someone a favor. Took longer than I planned.”

Alexis narrowed her eyes, trying to read between the lines. Jace had always been cagey, even back when they were tearing up backroads in his beat-up Mustang, splitting cheap beers and laughing until the sun came up. But this was different. There was a weight to him now, something heavier than the boy she’d known.

“Sounns liyke a ssory,” she said, leaning forward, her elbows on the table. “Yyoo gonna stell it, orr am i gonna haffta zzrag it outa yoo?”

He smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Maybe later. Right now, I’m just tryin’ to remember how you look without all that…” He gestured vaguely at her outfit, his gaze lingering on the lace bodysuit. “Not that I’m complainin’.”

She rolled her eyes and tugged at her bra but couldn’t help the grin tugging at her lips. “Fladdery ain’t gonna gesha oudda thiss, turner.  Yoo owe me more 'an a zzrink fer ghossin’ me.”

“Fair enough,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “How ‘bout a dance, then? For old times’ sake.”

The music had shifted again, something with a heavy bassline that pulsed through the floorboards. Alexis glanced at the dance floor, where bodies swayed and collided under the flickering lights. Part of her wanted to stay put, keep pressing him for answers. But the other part—the part that was three shots deep and buzzing with the heat of the night—wanted to let go, just for a minute.

“Fine,” she said, knocking back the rest of her whiskey and standing up. “Butsha ssep on my booss, ann you’re buyin’ me a new pair”

Jace grinned, sliding out of the booth and offering his hand. She ignored it, brushing past him toward the dance floor, her hips already catching the rhythm. The crowd swallowed them, the air thick with sweat and perfume. The song was gritty, raw, and Alexis let it take over, her body moving like it was made for this. Jace kept up, closer than she expected, his hands finding her waist as they moved together.

For a moment, it was like no time had passed. They were back in that summer two years ago, reckless and free, the world nothing but a blur of neon and laughter. But then she caught his eyes again, and that weight was still there—something unspoken, something that made her heart skip in a way that had nothing to do with the music.

“Yoo gonna stell me what’s really goin’ on?” she asked, her voice low, barely audible over the bass.

Jace’s hands tightened on her waist, just for a second. “Soon,” he said, his breath warm against her ear. “But tonight, Lex, let’s just pretend the world ain’t a mess.”

She wanted to push, to demand answers, but the heat of his hands and the thrum of the music made it hard to care. For now, she let it go, let the night carry her. But deep down, she knew—Jace Turner was back, and whatever he was carrying with him, it was gonna change everything.

The song ended, and the crowd roared, but Alexis barely noticed. She pulled back, catching her breath, and fixed Jace with a look. “You’re ssickin’ 'round, ride? nooo more disappearin’?”

He hesitated, just long enough to make her stomach twist. Then he nodded, that crooked smile creeping back. “For now, Lex. For now.”

She didn’t like the sound of that, but before she could say anything, Tasha’s voice cut through the noise, more slurred than before. “Lex! need yoo back ad the bar, girl! we’re zzrownin’ over here!” So much for getting off early Alexis thought to herself.

Alexis sighed, glancing at Jace. “Dudy calls.  Don’t gow vanishin’ on me 'gain, turner”

He raised his Coke in a mock toast. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

As she pushed through the crowd back to the bar, the desert heat and the weight of Jace’s return clung to her like a second skin. The night was far from over, and something told her it was only gonna get hotter.

As Jace watched her, the reason he’d disappeared slipped up beside him. His cousin, an Ann Hathaway look alike in a loose, silken brown dress. “Hay jace.  Thiss club is grade!,” she slurred, before downing her yellow cocktail.

Jace barely turned his head as his cousin slid into the booth beside him, her silk dress catching the neon glow of the Wasted Grain. Her dark hair spilled over her shoulders, and her eyes, glassy from whatever was in that yellow cocktail, sparkled with the kind of reckless energy that reminded him of himself a few years back. He took a slow sip of his Coke, keeping his gaze fixed on Alexis as she disappeared into the throng of bodies at the bar.

“Liv,” he said, his voice low, almost drowned out by the pounding bass of the new track vibrating through the club.

Liv giggled, swaying slightly as she set her empty glass on the table with a clumsy clink. “Oh, c’mon, Jace! It’s a par-tay! All the girls are drunk” She leaned forward, squinting toward the bar. “Who’s the blonde in the lingerie getup? She’s hot. And drunk,” Liv asked, caressing Jaces leg.

Jace’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t take the bait. “She’s an old friend.

Liv’s hand lingered on Jace’s leg, her fingers tracing lazy circles as she grinned, oblivious to the tension in his posture. “Old friend, huh? Looks like she’s more than that,” she teased, her words slurring into a sing-song cadence. She leaned closer, her cocktail breath warm against his cheek. “You got that look, Jace. Like you’re *smitten*.”

Jace snorted, gently nudging her hand off his leg. “You’re seein’ things, Liv. Too many of those—” He nodded at her empty glass, the rim still sticky with neon-yellow residue. “What even is that? ”

Liv laughed, loud and unfiltered, drawing a few glances from nearby tables. “It’s called a Desert Daze, and it’s *amazing*,” she said, waving her hand dramatically. “You should try one. Loosen up a little! You’re sittin’ there like you’re plannin’ a heist instead of partyin’ in this awesome club.”

He shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite himself. Liv was a whirlwind—always had been. It was why he’d left town two years ago when she’d called, her voice shaky on the phone, begging for help with some vague “family stuff” that she’d refused to explain until he showed up. Two years of radio silence from his life here.

Across the room, Alexis was back behind the bar, her movements a little slower now but still fluid, like she was dancing to her own rhythm. She flipped a bottle, caught it mid-air, and poured a row of shots for a group of giggling girls in sparkly dresses. One of them leaned over the counter, whispering something that made Alexis throw back a shot and laugh, her blonde hair catching the light like a halo. Jace’s chest tightened. Liv wasn’t wrong—he *was* smitten. Always had been.

“Earth to Jace!” Liv snapped her fingers in front of his face, pulling him back. “You’re, like, totally zoned out. What’s the deal? You drag me to this sweaty desert town, say we’re gonna have fun, and now you’re moonin’ over some bartender like a lovesick puppy.”

Jace leaned back, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “I didn’t drag you anywhere, Liv. You’re the one who said you needed to get outta dodge. I’m just… keepin’ an eye on things.” He kept his tone light, but his eyes flicked to her, her brown hair flowing as she swayed. 

Liv pouted, crossing her arms. “You’re no fun. C’mon, let’s dance! I didn’t get all dolled up to sit in a booth all night.” She grabbed his arm, tugging with surprising strength for someone who’d just downed her who knows how many cocktails.

He hesitated, glancing back at the bar. Alexis was busy, laughing with Tasha as they tag-teamed a rush of orders. The crowd was a living thing, pulsing and swaying, and the music was loud enough to drown out the questions buzzing in his head. Maybe Liv was right—maybe he needed to loosen up, just for a minute. Let the night be what it was.

“Alright, alright,” he said, sliding out of the booth. 

She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the dance floor, her silk dress swishing with every unsteady step.

The music was a sultry mix of rock and soul now, the kind that made you feel like you were moving through molasses. Liv threw her arms up, spinning in a wobbly circle, her laughter cutting through the bass. Jace couldn’t help but chuckle, letting her drag him into the rhythm. He wasn’t much for dancing these days, but Liv’s energy was infectious, and the crowd around them was too drunk to care if he looked like an idiot.

From the bar, Alexis caught sight of them. Her hands paused mid-pour, a bottle of tequila hovering over a glass. Jace, out there on the dance floor with some brunette in a flowy dress, looking like he was actually enjoying himself. Her stomach did a weird little flip, and she frowned, shaking it off. *Two years, Lex. Don’t be an idiot.* She poured the shot, slid it to the customer, and grabbed another bottle and poured herself a shot, trying to focus on the chaos of the bar instead of the guy who’d walked back into her life like he’d never left.

Tasha bumped her hip against Alexis’s, noticing the shift in her mood. “Who’s the hottie with your boy?” she asked, her voice loud over the music.

“Not my boy,” Alexis muttered, tossing a lime wedge into a drink. “Juss some guy I used to know. Ann that’s his cousin, I think.”

Tasha raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Cousin, huh? She’s all over him. You jealous?”

Alexis scoffed, but her cheeks felt warm, and not just from the vodka. “Jealous? Pfft. I’m too busy keepin’ this place from fallin’ apart.” She gestured at the bar, where a new wave of customers was shouting orders, their voices blending into a drunken chorus.

Tasha laughed, grabbing a shaker. “Whatever you say, girl. But you keep starin’ at him like that, you’re gonna burn a hole through his jacket.”

Alexis rolled her eyes and turned back to the crowd, but her gaze kept drifting to the dance floor. Jace was spinning Liv now, her dress flaring out like a flower in bloom. Liv was laughing so hard she nearly tripped, and Jace caught her, his grin wide and easy. For a second, Alexis could almost see the old Jace—the one who’d sneak her out of her house at night, drive her to the edge of town, and talk about nothing and everything until the stars faded as she got drunk in his mustang.

The bar finally started to slow down, but Alexis’s buzz was starting to kickin. She didn’t know what Jace was doing back here, or what kind of “family stuff” had kept him away for two years. But watching him out there, laughing with his cousin like the world was just a big, messy party, she felt a pull she hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Lex!” Tasha’s voice snapped her out of it. “Table seven’s waitin’ on those margaritas. You good?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Alexis said, shaking her head to clear it. She grabbed the pitcher and started pouring, her hands steady despite the whirl of thoughts in her head. “I’m good.”

But as she worked, she couldn’t help stealing one more glance at the dance floor. Jace caught her eye this time, and for a split second, the crowd seemed to disappear. He winked, that same damn wink that used to make her heart race, and she felt it again—that spark, that trouble, that promise of a night that could go anywhere.

“Alright, Turner,” she muttered under her breath, a smile creeping onto her lips. “You wanna play? Let’s see how long you last in this heat.”

The night stretched on, the Wasted Grain alive with laughter, music, and the clink of glasses. Liv pulled Jace to the bar for another Desert Daze for her, and coke for him. As Liv leaned on the bar, her dress fell forward, giving Alexis a glimpse of Liv’s Ann Hathaway tits. 

Alexis barely suppressed a smirk as she caught sight of Liv’s dress slipping forward, the silk revealing more than intended. *Bold choice for a family reunion,* she thought, pouring a fresh Desert Daze with a flourish. The neon-yellow cocktail glowed under the bar lights, matching the chaotic energy of the night. She slid it across to Liv, who grabbed it with a squeal, nearly spilling it as she raised it in a sloppy toast.

“To hot nights and hotter fights!” Liv declared, her voice loud enough to turn heads. She downed half the drink in one go, swaying to the music that had shifted to a funky, bass-heavy groove.

Jace, still nursing his Coke, leaned against the bar beside her, his eyes flicking between Liv’s theatrics and Alexis’s steady hands. “She can drink,” he said, nodding toward his cousin with a wry grin. “Two more of those, and she’ll be singin’ show tunes on the bar.”

Alexis snorted, wiping down the counter. “I’d pay to see that. But you’re buyin’ her next one if she does.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the bar, her lace bodysuit stretching just enough to catch Jace’s attention before he looked away, clearing his throat.

“Deal,” he said, his voice warm with amusement. “But you gotta keep up with her, Lex. She’s got this… contagious thing goin’ on.”

Liv, catching the tail end of their conversation, spun around, her drink sloshing dangerously. “Contagious? Oh, I’m a *vibe*, Jace! Tell her!” She grabbed Alexis’s hand, her fingers sticky with cocktail residue. “C’mon, Lexi, dance with us! You’re too cute to be stuck behind this bar all night.”

Alexis raised an eyebrow, pulling her hand back with a laugh. “It’s Alexis, and I’m workin’, girl. Somebody’s gotta keep the drinks flowin’.” But Liv’s enthusiasm was hard to resist, and the buzz from her last shot was making the idea of the dance floor more tempting by the second.

Tasha, overhearing, stumbled over and leaned over with a grin. “Go on, Lex. Dwight and I got this for a bit. You’re half-drunk anyway—might as well join the party.” She waved a shaker like a scepter, already mixing drinks for a rowdy group of girls in cowboy boots.

Alexis hesitated, glancing at Jace. He raised his Coke in a mock challenge, his crooked smile daring her to say yes. “C’mon, Lex. One dance. You used to outdance me back in the day.”

“Used to?” she shot back, her competitive streak flaring. “Fine. But don’t cry when I school you, Turner.”

Liv cheered, grabbing Alexis’s arm and pulling her toward the dance floor before she could change her mind. Jace followed, his leather jacket a dark contrast to the neon-lit crowd. The music was a sultry, upbeat track now, all hips and heartbeats, and the three of them found a pocket of space in the sea of bodies. Liv was already spinning, her silk dress swirling like a desert mirage, her laughter bubbling over the bass.

Alexis let herself go, her body catching the rhythm like it was second nature. The alcohol made everything softer, brighter, and she moved with a reckless grace, her boots scuffing the sticky floor. Jace kept pace, closer than she expected, his movements looser than she remembered. He wasn’t the lanky kid from two summers ago—he’d filled out, his shoulders broader, his confidence quieter but more magnetic.

Liv, predictably, was a mess. She flailed her arms, nearly knocking a drink out of a passing guy’s hand, and sang along to the wrong lyrics, her voice loud and off-key. “Summer in the ciddy!” she belted, throwing her head back. Alexis laughed so hard she almost tripped, and Jace caught her elbow, steadying her with a grin.

“Still got those two left feet, huh?” he teased, his hand lingering just a second too long.

“Says the guy who’s dancin’ like he’s dodgin’ bullets,” Alexis shot back, but she didn’t pull away. The heat of the crowd, the pulse of the music, the buzz of the whiskey—it all blurred together, making the moment feel like it could stretch forever.

Liv, oblivious to their banter, grabbed both their hands and spun them in a clumsy circle, her cocktail glass miraculously still intact. “You guys are so cute!” she slurred, her Ann Hathaway smile wide and genuine. “Like, best friends forever, right? Or… more?” She waggled her eyebrows, nearly toppling over in the process.

Alexis rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed, and she hoped the dim lighting hid it. “Come on, lets get you another Desert Daze,” she said, laughing.

Jace chuckled, guiding Liv to a slightly less crowded spot of the club. “She’s harmless,” he said to Alexis, his voice low enough to feel private despite the chaos around them. “But she’s right about one thing. We *were* good together.”

Alexis’s heart did that annoying skip again, but she played it off, nudging him with her shoulder. “Yeah, well, you ditched me for two years, so don’t get all nostalgic now.” She kept her tone light, but there was an edge to it, a question she wasn’t ready to ask outright.

Jace’s smile faltered, just for a moment, and he looked like he might say something real. But then Liv stumbled back into them, draping her arms around their shoulders. “Group hug!” she declared, pulling them close. Her silk dress smelled like citrus and vodka, and Alexis couldn’t help but laugh, the tension breaking like a wave.

“Alright, alright,” Alexis said, untangling herself. “I gotta get back to the bar before Tasha starts givin’ away free shots.”

Liv pouted, but Jace gave her a gentle nudge toward the booth. “Go sit, Liv. I’ll grab your Deseret Daze.” He glanced at Alexis, his eyes holding hers for a beat. “Walk you back?”

She shrugged, playing it cool even as her pulse raced. “If you can keep up.”

They wove through the crowd, the music fading into a slower, groovier track that made the air feel thick and dreamy. At the bar, Tasha was holding court, tossing bottles and flirting with a group of guys in trucker hats. She spotted Alexis and Jace and gave a knowing smirk. “Back so soon? Thought you’d be out there all night, Lex.”

“Gotta pay the bills,” Alexis said, sliding behind the bar. She made two desert dazes, one for Liv and one for herself.

As Jace headed back to the booth, Alexis watched him go, her buzzed brain spinning with questions. Liv was a handful, sure, but she wasn’t the reason Jace had come back. There was something else—something he wasn’t saying. But for now, the bar was calling, the music was pumping, and the night was too alive to worry about tomorrow.

She turned back to the crowd, slinging drinks with a grin, the rhythm of the Wasted Grain pulling her back in. Liv’s laughter echoed from the booth, and Jace’s silhouette lingered in the corner of her eye, a promise and a mystery wrapped in leather. Whatever came next, Alexis was ready—or at least, she was drunk enough to think she was.

In the booth, a somewhat secluded booth, the spaghetti strap of Liv’s brown silk dress fell off her shoulder. Jace made to put it back, but Liv grabbed his hand and placed it on her boob. He squeezed, and she moaned. As soon as he could, Jace pulled his hand away, and covered her up. “Not here, Liv.” he told her. 

She pouted, but said, “ok.”

Liv’s pout deepened, her glossy lips puckering as she leaned back in the booth, the silk dress slipping slightly again despite Jace’s quick fix. Her eyes, hazy from the Desert Daze cocktails, sparkled with mischief as she propped her chin on her hand, staring at him like he’d just turned down a winning lottery ticket. “You’re such a buzzkill, Jace,” she slurred, her voice playful but with a hint of a whine. “Loosen up! We’re in the middle of a party!”

Jace shook his head, a half-smile tugging at his lips as he slid the fresh Desert Daze toward her. “Yeah, and you’re about one drink away from climbin’ on a table. Cool it, Liv.” His tone was light, but there was a firmness there, a line he wasn’t crossing. He leaned back, keeping his hands firmly around his Coke can, his eyes drifting back to the bar where Alexis was pouring a row of shots with her usual flair.

Liv followed his gaze, her pout morphing into a sly grin. “Ohhh, I get it. You’re savin’ yourself for the hot bartender.” She giggled, nudging him with her elbow, nearly knocking over her drink in the process. “She’s got you all twisted up, doesn’t she? I saw you two dancin’. Sparks, Jace. *Sparks*.”

Jace rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched, betraying him. “You’re imaginin’ things again, Liv. Drink your cocktail.” He took a sip of his Coke, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. Liv was too drunk to notice the shift, but she was also too drunk to let it go.

“Un-uh,” she said, wagging a finger at him. “I know that look. You’re all broody and mysterious, but you’re totally into her.” She leaned forward, her dress slipping again, and Jace unable to avert his eyes, focus. “You should just, like, *tell* her. Life’s too short, y’know?”

Jace’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, he didn’t respond. Liv’s words hit closer than he wanted to admit. He’d spent two years away, tangled up in obligations he hadn’t asked for, and now he was back, sitting in the Wasted Grain with Alexis just a few feet away, looking like she belonged in this chaotic, neon-lit world. He wanted to tell her everything—why he’d left, what had kept him away—but the words felt heavy, like they’d break the fragile rhythm of the night.

“Liv,” he said finally, his voice low, “you’re drunk. Drink your Daze and behave, alright?”

She huffed, but grabbed her cocktail and took a long sip, her eyes fluttering closed as the sweet-tart mix hit her tongue. “Fiiiine,” she mumbled, swaying slightly to the music, which had shifted to a funky, upbeat track that had the crowd cheering. “But I’m right, and you know it.”

Across the room, Alexis was in her element, slinging drinks with a grin that lit up the bar. The crowd was thinning slightly as the night edged toward the early hours, but the energy was still electric. She caught Tasha’s eye, who was wiping down the counter with a rag and a smirk. “Your boy’s still here,” Tasha said, nodding toward Jace’s booth. “And his cousin’s a mess. You plannin’ to do somethin’ about that?” She left out the fact that she and Alexis weren’t any better.

Alexis snorted, tossing a lime wedge into the trash. “Ain’t my circus, Tash. Let ’em sort themselves out.” But her eyes flicked to the booth, where Liv was leaning heavily on Jace, her head lolling against his shoulder as she giggled at something. Jace looked mildly exasperated but patient, like he was used to her chaos. Alexis felt that annoying twist in her stomach again—jealousy, maybe, or just the vodka talking. Either way, she didn’t like it.

She poured herself another shot of whiskey, the burn grounding her, and turned back to the bar. A group of girls in glittery tops waved her over, shouting for a round of tequila shots. She obliged, lining up the glasses with a practiced hand, but her mind kept drifting to Jace. Two years ago, they’d been inseparable—late-night drives, stolen kisses in the desert heat, promises whispered under the stars. Then he was gone, and she’d spent too many nights wondering what she’d done wrong. Now he was back, with his cousin and his secrets, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to punch him or pull him close.

The girls cheered as she slid the shots across the bar, and one of them, a brunette with a nose ring, leaned in. “Hey, you’re killin’ it back there,” she said, her words slurring slightly. “Come party with us! We’re headin’ to the dance floor.”

Alexis grinned, shaking her head. “Workin’, darlin’. But y’all have fun out there.” She tossed a lime to the girl, who caught it with a laugh and stumbled off with her friends.

As the crowd ebbed and flowed, Alexis stole another glance at Jace’s booth. Liv was now playing her own hair, her fingers fumbling, while Jace watched her with a mix of amusement and resignation. He looked up, catching Alexis’s eye, and for a moment, the noise of the bar faded. His crooked smile was back, and he raised his Coke in a small, silent toast. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling back, her heart doing that stupid skip again.

“Lex!” Tasha’s voice broke the moment. “We’re low on limes. Can you grab some from the back?”

“Yeah, I got it,” Alexis said, shaking off the daze. She headed toward the storage room, the sticky floor tugging at her boots. The back was cooler, quieter, a brief escape from the chaos of the bar. One of the waiters, Patty, was drunk and smoking a joint. Alexis quickly bumed a hit, befor grabbing a couple of limes. Alexis paused for a second, letting the whiskey buzz settle and weed engulf her mind. Jace was back. Liv was a handful. And the night was far from over.

When she returned to the bar, Liv was on her feet, wobbling toward the dance floor with a fresh Desert Daze in hand. Jace was trailing her, looking like a reluctant babysitter. Alexis set the limes down and leaned against the counter, watching as Liv tried to drag Jace into another spin. He dodged her, laughing, and glanced back at the bar, his eyes finding Alexis again.

Tasha nudged her. “Go on, Lex. Take a break. Dwight’s got the bar, and I’m not *that* drunk yet.” She winked, her braids swinging as she poured a beer for a guy in a flannel.

Alexis hesitated, then grabbed a bottle of whiskey from under the counter, chugging it to clear her head. “Fine,” she said, wiping her mouth. “But if Liv and I start singin’ show tunes, I’m blamin’ you.”

She slipped out from behind the bar, her boots clicking unstedily as she made her way to the dance floor. Liv spotted her and squealed, nearly spilling her drink as she threw her arms around Alexis. “Lexi! You’re back! Dance with us!”

“It’s Alexis,” she corrected with a laugh, steadying Liv before she toppled over. “And you’re gonna need a leash soon, girl.”

Jace chuckled, stepping closer. “Told you, she’s a vibe.” His voice was warm, and the way he looked at her—like she was the only person in the room—made her breath catch.

The music shifted to something slower, a bluesy rock ballad that wrapped the crowd in a hazy, intimate vibe. Liv, undeterred, kept dancing, her movements more enthusiastic than coordinated. Alexis and Jace fell into step, their bodies finding an easy rhythm, like they’d never been apart. His hand brushed her waist, and she didn’t pull away this time, letting the music and the moment carry her.

“You’re gonna tell me the truth eventually, right?” she asked, her voice soft but sharp, her eyes searching his.

Jace’s smile faded, but he didn’t look away. “Yeah, Lex-Alexis. I will. Just… not tonight, okay? Tonight’s for this.” He gestured vaguely at the crowd, the lights, the music, but his hand stayed on her waist, grounding her.

She nodded, letting it go for now. The whiskey, the heat, the pull of Jace’s presence—it was enough to make her forget the questions, at least for a little while. Liv spun into them, laughing and pulling them into a clumsy group dance, her silk dress catching the light like a firefly. Alexis laughed, her guard slipping, and for the first time all night, she felt like she could breathe.

The Wasted Grain pulsed around them, a sweaty, neon heartbeat in the desert night. Whatever Jace was hiding, whatever had brought him back, it could wait. For now, there was just the music, the laughter, and the promise of a summer night that felt like it could last forever.

The Wasted Grain was winding down, the crowd thinning as the clock ticked past last call. The neon lights still buzzed, casting a hazy glow over the sticky floor, but the energy had shifted—less frenetic, more languid, like the desert itself was exhaling into the early morning hours. Alexis leaned against the bar, her lace bodysuit clinging to her skin, her blonde hair a messy halo under the flickering lights. She was buzzing from the whiskey and the quick hit of weed from the back, her limbs loose and her grin easy. Tasha and Dwight were handling the final orders, tossing bottles and laughing with the stragglers, giving Alexis a moment to catch her breath.

She glanced at the booth where Jace and Liv were sprawled, Liv’s head resting on the table, her silk dress a crumpled puddle of brown around her, her boobs only hidden by the table, her lean thigh also exposed. Jace was sipping his Coke, his leather jacket slung over the back of the seat, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Alexis. He gave her that crooked smile, the one that always made her feel like she was sixteen again, sneaking out to meet him under the stars. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile creeping onto her lips.

“Lex!” Liv’s voice cut through the low hum of the bar, her head popping up like she’d just remembered she was alive. “C’mere! We’re goin’ home!” Her words were a slurred jumble, and she waved her empty Desert Daze glass for emphasis, nearly knocking it off the table.

Alexis raised an eyebrow, wiping her hands on a bar towel as she walked over. “Home? You sure you can even find your feet, girl?”

Liv giggled, swaying as she tried to stand, her boobs jiggling. “I’m fiiiine,” she insisted, grabbing Jace’s arm for balance. “Jace is drivin’. Right, cousin?” She poked his chest, missing by an inch and nearly toppling into his lap.

Jace caught her with a sigh, steadying her like he’d done a hundred times tonight, and pulled her dress back up over her. “Yeah, Liv, I’m drivin’. But you’re ridin’ in the back, and no singin’ this time.” He glanced at Alexis, his eyes softening. “You off soon? Could use a navigator who’s not three sheets to the wind.”

Alexis snorted, crossing her arms. “You sayin’ I’m sober? ‘Cause I’m definitely not.” She was still floating on that whiskey-weed haze, but her head was clear enough to know she didn’t want the night to end—not yet. Not with Jace back, stirring up memories and questions she wasn’t ready to let go of. “But yeah, I’m done. Tasha and Dwight got this.”

She jerked her thumb toward the bar, where Tasha was flirting with a guy in a cowboy hat, her laughter echoing over the last strains of a slow rock ballad. Dwight was stacking glasses, his movements tired but steady, the kind of rhythm you only get from years of closing down bars.

“Sweet!” Liv clapped her hands. “Ow. Okay, let’s go. Your place, Lexi? I need a couch. Or a bed. Or the floor. I’m not picky.” She grinned, her Ann Hathaway eyes sparkling despite the alcohol fog.

Alexis laughed, shaking her head. “It’s Alexis, and you’re lucky I like you, trouble.” She glanced at Jace, who was already pulling on his jacket, his movements smooth despite the late hour. “You cool with this? Drivin’ us both?”

Jace shrugged, that easy confidence back in place. “Long as you don’t puke in my car, we’re good.” His tone was teasing, but there was something warm in his eyes, something that made Alexis’s stomach flip in a way that had nothing to do with the drinks.

She grabbed her bag from behind the bar, slinging it over her shoulder as she called out to Tasha. “I’m out, Dwight! Don’t let Tash burn the place down!”

Tasha waved her off with a grin. “Get outta here, Lex. And take your boy with you!” She winked, dodging a playful swat from Dwight.

Alexis ignored the “your boy” jab, but her cheeks felt warm as she led the way out of the Wasted Grain, Jace and Liv trailing behind. The desert air hit her like a wall—still hot, even at this hour, with a dry, dusty edge that clung to her skin. The parking lot was mostly empty, just a few scattered cars glinting under the streetlights. Jace’s Mustang was parked at the far end, same beat-up black beast she remembered, though it looked like it had a new dent or two.

“Still drivin’ this thing?” Alexis asked, running a hand along the hood as Jace unlocked the doors. The metal was warm under her fingers, like it held the heat of every summer they’d spent together.

“She’s a classic,” Jace said, opening the back door for Liv, who promptly flopped inside, sprawling across the seat like a starfish. “Unlike some people, she doesn’t complain about my drivin’.”

Liv mumbled something incoherent, already half-asleep, her dress riding up as she curled into the leather. Alexis snorted, climbing into the passenger seat. “You’re gonna have to carry her inside, you know.”

Jace slid behind the wheel, his grin flashing in the dim light. “Wouldn’t be the first time.” He started the engine, the rumble low and familiar, vibrating through Alexis’s bones like a memory. The radio kicked on, some old rock tune crackling through the speakers, and she leaned back, letting the sound wash over her.

The drive to Alexis’s place was short, just a few miles through the quiet desert town, the streets lined with low-slung buildings and neon signs gone dark. Liv was snoring softly in the back, her dress riding up to expose her smooth pussy. Alexis glanced at Jace, his profile sharp against the glow of the dashboard, his hands steady on the wheel. The silence between them was comfortable but heavy, like they were both waiting for the other to say something real.

“So,” Alexis said finally, her voice soft, the buzz making her bold. “You gonna tell me what’s up with you and Liv? Why you’re back? Or you just gonna keep dodgin’ me?”

Jace’s fingers tightened on the wheel, just for a second, before he relaxed, his eyes still on the road. “Liv needed a change of scenery. Got herself into some… messy stuff back home. Nothin’ bad, just… complicated.” He glanced at her, his expression unreadable in the dark. “I’m here to keep her out of trouble. And maybe… make up for lost time.”

Alexis raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching. “Lost time, huh? That mean you’re stickin’ around?”

He didn’t answer right away, and the silence stretched, filled only by the hum of the engine and Liv’s soft snores. Finally, he said, “I’m here now, Lex. That’s what I got for tonight.”

She wanted to push, to demand more, but the whiskey and the late hour softened her edges. She nodded, leaning her head against the window, the glass cool against her cheek. “Fair enough, Turner. But don’t think you’re off the hook.”

He chuckled, low and warm. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

They pulled up to Alexis’s place, a small, weathered bungalow with a sagging porch and a cactus garden out front. The desert stretched out beyond, a dark, endless expanse under a sky full of stars. Jace cut the engine, and the sudden quiet was almost jarring. Liv stirred in the back, mumbling something about “more cocktails”.

Alexis hopped out, her boots crunching on the gravel as she opened the back door. “C’mon, princess,” she said, giving Liv a gentle shake.

Liv groaned, her eyes fluttering open. “M’fine,” she slurred, but she let Jace scoop her up, her head lolling against his shoulder as he carried her toward the house. Alexis unlocked the door, flicking on the lights to reveal a cozy, cluttered living room—mismatched furniture, a record player in the corner, and a pile of empty beer cans and half empty bottles on the coffee table.

“Nice place,” Jace said, easing Liv onto the couch. She immediately lit up, clutching a bottle of alcohol and drank, her silk dress a wrinkled mess.

“It’s home,” Alexis said, kicking off her boots and tossing her bag onto a chair. She grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge a coke, handing one beer to liv and the coke to Jace.

He took the coke, his fingers brushing hers, sending that familiar spark up her spine. “I’ll take it,” he said, popping the cap and taking a long sip, watching her with that quiet intensity that always made her feel like he could see right through her.

Alexis cracked her own beer, the cold fizz grounding her. She studied him and asked him. “So, what’s the plan? You and Liv crashin’ here, or you got some fancy hotel lined up?”

Jace laughed, shaking his head. “No fancy hotels. Couch okay for me?”

She shook her head, her heart doing that stupid skip again-damn she was drunk. She knew what she wanted. “You can share my bed, she said before kissing Jace. I got a spare blanket somewhere.” She paused, then added, “You’re lucky I’m feelin’ generous.”

His smile widened, and for a moment, it was just them, the desert night pressing in around the house, the air thick with unspoken history. “Thanks, Lex,” he said softly, and the way he said her name made her want to close the distance between them, to see if he still tasted like summer and trouble.

Instead, she took a sip of her beer, breaking the moment. “Don’t get used to it,” she said, smirking. “You’re still on thin ice, Turner.”

Liv mumbled something from the couch, rolling over and nearly falling off. Jace sighed, setting his beer down to adjust her, tucking a blanket around her shoulders. Alexis watched, a mix of amusement and something softer stirring in her chest. He was good with Liv, patient in a way that didn’t quite match the reckless kid she remembered. Whatever had happened in those two years, it had changed him—not completely, but enough to make her curious.

“C’mon,” she said, nodding toward the bedroom. “Let’s let her sleep.”

They stepped imside, his shoulder brushing hers.

“You’re gonna tell me the whole story someday, right?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

Jace turned to her, his eyes catching hers in the dark. “Yeah, Lex. Someday. But tonight…” He trailed off, his hand brushing hers where it rested on the step. “Tonight, I’m just glad I’m here.”

She held his gaze, her heart racing, and she leaned in, about closing the gap between them. Kissing him. When she broke the kiss, she told him, “Help me undress. I’m drunk, but not so drunk as to not know what I’m doing. If I don’t fuck you again to night, that I will regret.”

Jace nodded, and did as asked. As her huge tits sprong free of her black lace bra, Liv Stumbled in, nude.

“God, she’s a mess,” Alexis said, shaking her head. “And hot. Like Ann Hathaway.”

“Yeah,” Jace agreed, his grin wide and unguarded. “But she’s my mess. And you… you’re still you, Lex.” 

She nudged him with her shoulder, her smile softening. “And you’re still trouble, Turner.” And undid his belt.

Alexis’s fingers fumbled with Jace’s belt, the whiskey and weed making her movements bold but a little clumsy. The room was dim, lit only by a single lamp in the corner of her bedroom, casting soft shadows over the cluttered space—clothes strewn across a chair, a half-empty bottle of tequila on the nightstand, and a faded poster of some old rock band peeling off the wall. The air was thick with the desert heat, even with the windows cracked, and the faint hum of cicadas outside mingled with Liv’s soft snores from the living room.

Jace stood still, his breath catching as Alexis tugged the belt free, her eyes locked on his with a mix of defiance and desire. “You sure about this, Lex?” he asked, his voice low and rough, like he was giving her an out even though his hands were already resting lightly on her hips, fingers brushing the edge of her lace bodysuit.

She smirked, tossing the belt onto the bed. “Told you, Turner. I’m drunk, but I know what I want.” Her hands slid up his chest, feeling the warmth of him through his worn t-shirt, and she leaned in, kissing him again, deeper this time, all heat and memory. He tasted like Coke and something sharper, like the desert itself, and she melted into it, the years apart dissolving in the haze of the night.

Jace kissed her back, his hands tightening on her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. The lace bodysuit was already half-unraveled, and with a gentle tug, he helped her peel it off, her skin warm and flushed under his touch. Her breasts jiggled, free, and she laughed softly, a little self-conscious but too buzzed to care. “Still got it, huh?” she teased, her voice slurring just enough to soften the edges.

“Always did,” Jace murmured, his eyes tracing her curves with a reverence that made her heart skip. He kicked off his boots, and she helped him shrug out of his shirt, her fingers lingering on the new scars she noticed—a faint line across his shoulder, another on his side. Questions flickered in her mind, but the whiskey and the heat of his skin pushed them aside.

They stumbled onto the bed, a tangle of limbs and laughter, the mattress creaking under their weight. The moment was messy, imperfect, but so perfectly them—two people picking up where they’d left off, no need for words when their bodies remembered everything. It was consensual, wanted, a reunion of heat and heart that felt like summer distilled into a single night.

Just then, Liv stumbled to join them, her silk dress long gone, her body bare and swaying like she was still dancing to the music from the Wasted Grain. “Whoops!” she giggled, catching herself on the bedpost, her Ann Hathaway smile wide and unfiltered. “Is this a *private* party.”

Alexis burst out laughing, rolling onto her side, one arm draped across Jace’s chest. “Liv, what the hell? You’re supposed to be passed out on the couch!”

Liv waved a hand, nearly toppling over. “Couch was boring. And you two are *hot*.” She flopped onto the edge of the bed, completely unbothered by her nudity. “Mind if I join? I’m, like, *super* chill.”

Jace groaned, running a hand through his hair, but his grin betrayed him. “Liv, you’re gonna be the death of me,” he said, pulling the blanket over himself and Alexis for some semblance of modesty. “Go back to the couch, alright? You’re drunker than a skunk.”

Liv pouted, crossing her arms, which only made her look more ridiculous. “You’re no fun, cousin. Lexi—Alexis,” she corrected herself, pointing dramatically, “you’re cool. Let’s keep the party goin’!” She reached for the tequila bottle on the nightstand, but Alexis snatched it away, laughing so hard her sides ached. Alexis took a swig, and then said,

“Ok trouble,” Alexis said, and passed her the bottle. “God, you’re a mess,” Alexis said, as she took the bottle back from Liv. “But you’re kinda growin’ on me.” And she set the bottle aside and pulled Liv onto the bed and kissed her.

“Yeah,” Jace said, his voice soft, his eyes lingering on his cousin for a moment before turning to Alexis. “She’s got that effect. Thanks for… y’know, not kickin’ her out.”

Alexis smirked, leaning against the arm of the couch. “Night’s young, Turner. Don’t tempt me.” But her tone was warm, and when she looked at him, the spark from earlier was still there, simmering under the surface.

Hours later, as the first hints of dawn crept through the curtains, Alexis lay sprawled across Jace’s chest, her breathing steady, her body warm and heavy with sleep. The tequila bottle on the nightstand glinted, empty, its contents fueling the night’s chaotic energy. The room was quiet except for Lives snores. For the first time in a long time, Alexis felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

Jace chuckled softly, his fingers tracing lazy circles on Alexis’s back. “This is gonna be a story, isn’t it?” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

Alexis grinned, her eyes still closed. “Oh, yeah. One for the books, Turner.” She nestled closer, letting the moment linger, knowing that whatever came next—secrets, answers, or just more desert nights—she was ready for it. For now, the Wasted Grain was behind them, the summer was theirs, and the three of them, two drunk girls and messy and alive, were just getting started.

Her brain now clear, she thought back to the night before.

The desert night pressed against the walls of Alexis’s bungalow, the air thick with heat and the faint hum of cicadas. Inside, the bedroom was a haze of dim light and tangled sheets, the single lamp casting golden shadows over the cluttered space. Alexis’s lace bodysuit lay discarded on the floor, along with Jace’s belt and shirt, a trail of their reckless abandon. 

Alexis’s lips were still tingling from kissing Liv, the taste of Desert Daze and citrus lingering as she pulled back, her laugh low and throaty. Liv, sprawled on the edge of the bed, giggled, her nude form glowing under the lamp’s soft light. Her Ann Hathaway smile was all mischief, her eyes glassy but bright, like she was riding the high of the night and loving every second. “You’re a *good* kisser, Alexis,” Liv slurred, her voice a playful purr as she propped herself up on her elbows, completely unbothered by her lack of clothes.

“Damn right I am,” Alexis shot back, her own buzz making her bold, her blonde hair falling in messy waves over her shoulders. She glanced at Jace, who was leaning back against the headboard, his bare chest rising and falling with a mix of amusement and something hotter, his gray eyes locked on the two of them. “You just gonna sit there, Turner, or you joinin’ the party?”

Jace’s crooked smile spread, slow and dangerous, as he set his Coke can aside. “Oh, I’m in,” he said, his voice rough with want, sliding closer until his hand brushed Alexis’s thigh, sending a spark through her already buzzing nerves. “But you two are makin’ it hard to keep up.”

Liv giggled again, reaching out to tug at Alexis’s arm, her fingers warm and a little clumsy. “C’mon, Lex, let’s show him how it’s done.” She leaned in, kissing Alexis again, softer this time, her lips teasing and playful. Alexis let herself sink into it, the whiskey and weed blurring the edges of the world until it was just the three of them, caught in a moment that felt like it could burn forever.

The kiss deepened, and Alexis’s hands found Liv’s waist, her skin soft and warm under her touch. Liv moaned softly, a sound that sent a shiver through Alexis, and she felt Jace’s hands on her back, his fingers tracing the curve of her spine with a gentleness that contrasted with the heat in his eyes. He leaned in, kissing Alexis’s neck, his breath hot against her skin, and she gasped, caught between the two of them, the sensation overwhelming but so right.

“God, you’re trouble,” Alexis murmured against Liv’s lips, her voice slurring with a mix of alcohol and desire. She pulled back just enough to meet Jace’s gaze, her heart pounding as she saw the same fire in his eyes that she felt coursing through her. “Both of you.”

“Guilty,” Jace said, his grin wicked as he slid his hands to her hips, pulling her closer until she was pressed against him, her curves fitting perfectly against his frame. Liv, not to be outdone, shifted to straddle Alexis’s lap, her movements unsteady but deliberate, her laughter bubbling up as she nearly tipped over.

“Careful, princess,” Alexis teased, steadying Liv with a hand on her thigh. “You’re gonna take us all down with you.”

Liv stuck out her tongue, then leaned in to kiss Jace, her lips brushing his with a playful edge that made him chuckle. “See? I can keep up,” she slurred, her hands wandering over his chest, her nails grazing his skin. Jace caught her wrists, gentle but firm, and guided her back to the bed, his eyes flicking to Alexis for approval.

Alexis nodded, her own hands exploring Liv’s curves, the softness of her skin a contrast to Jace’s rougher edges. The three of them moved together, a tangle of limbs and laughter, the mattress creaking under their weight. It was messy, chaotic, and utterly consensual—a dance of desire fueled by the night’s reckless energy. Alexis’s fingers traced the lines of Liv’s body, her touch light but sure, while Jace’s hands roamed over Alexis, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was all heat and history.

Liv’s giggles turned to soft moans as Alexis’s hands wandered lower, teasing and playful, her own buzz making every touch feel electric. Jace’s fingers tangled in Alexis’s hair, pulling her into another kiss, deeper this time, his tongue exploring hers with a hunger that made her head spin. Liv’s hands were everywhere—on Jace’s shoulders, Alexis’s waist, her touch a little sloppy but eager, like she was chasing the high of the moment.

The room was a blur of sensation—skin on skin, the faint taste of tequila and citrus, the hum of the desert outside. Alexis felt Liv’s breath against her shoulder, hot and quick, as Jace’s hands slid lower, his touch igniting sparks that made her arch against him. It was a dance they all wanted, each move deliberate despite the alcohol, each touch a yes that echoed in the quiet spaces between their laughter.

“God, this is insane,” Alexis breathed, her voice catching as Liv’s lips found her collarbone, her kisses sloppy but sweet. Jace chuckled, his hand cupping her cheek as he kissed her again, slower this time, like he was savoring every second.

“Insane’s our style, Lex,” he murmured, his voice thick with want, his eyes holding hers in a way that made her feel seen, wanted, *home*. Liv, caught up in the moment, giggled and pulled them both closer, her body pressed between them, her laughter a bright thread weaving through the heat.

The night stretched on, the three of them lost in each other, the boundaries blurred by whiskey, tequila and desire. It was playful, messy, and perfect—a reunion and a discovery all at once. Alexis felt Jace’s hands steady her, Liv’s laughter grounding her, and for the first time in years, she let herself fall completely into the moment, no questions, no doubts, just the heat of the desert night and the people who made it feel like forever.

Back to the present Liv stirred, mumbling something incoherent about “best night ever,” her arm flopping over Alexis’s waist. Jace chuckled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through Alexis. “She’s not wrong,” he said, his fingers brushing through Alexis’s hair, gentle and unhurried.

Alexis grinned, her eyes half-closed, the buzz fading into a warm, contented glow. “One for the books, Turner,” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. “But don’t think this gets you outta explainin’ yourself.”

He laughed softly, his hand resting on her hip. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Lex.”

Liv snuggled closer, her warmth a comforting weight against Alexis’s side. The desert night was still out there, vast and endless, but inside, in this messy, cluttered bedroom, the three of them were tangled together, drunk on each other and the promise of more nights like this. Whatever secrets Jace was holding, whatever had brought him back, could wait. For now, the summer was theirs, and they were just getting started.

Alexis groaned softly, her mouth dry as the desert outside, and carefully extricated herself from the pile of bodies, trying not to wake either of them. Her lace bodysuit was a crumpled heap on the floor, next to Jace’s belt and Liv’s abandoned heels. She grabbed an oversized t-shirt from a chair—some faded band logo from a concert she barely remembered—and pulled it on, padding barefoot to the bathroom. The cool tiles were a shock against her feet, grounding her as she splashed water on her face, trying to shake off the haze of the night.

The mirror showed a woman who looked equal parts wrecked and alive—smudged eyeliner, flushed cheeks, and a grin she couldn’t quite suppress. Last night had been a whirlwind, a messy, perfect collision of old flames and new sparks. She ran her fingers through her hair, taming it into a loose ponytail, and decided a shower was non-negotiable. The bungalow’s water heater was finicky, but she cranked the knob and stepped under the spray, letting the lukewarm water wash away the stickiness of sweat, alcohol, and desert dust.

As the water cascaded over her, Alexis’s mind replayed fragments of the night—Jace’s hands on her hips, Liv’s playful kisses, the way the three of them had laughed until they couldn’t breathe. It had been reckless, consensual, and so damn *right*, like the desert itself had conspired to bring them together. But beneath the buzz of the memory, questions lingered. Jace’s cryptic “family stuff,” the weight in his eyes, the scars she’d noticed on his skin. Two years was a long time to be gone, and she wasn’t drunk now to let it slide.

She stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around herself, the steam curling around her like a lover’s touch. The bungalow was quiet except for Liv’s snores and the faint creak of the bed as someone shifted. Alexis peeked into the bedroom—Jace was awake, sitting on the edge of the bed in his jeans, his t-shirt in his hands, staring at Liv with a mix of amusement and love. He glanced up, catching Alexis’s eye, and his crooked smile returned, softening the morning’s edges.

“Mornin’, Lex,” he said, his voice rough with sleep, pulling the shirt over his head. “You look like you survived.”

“Barely,” she shot back, leaning against the doorframe, her towel slipping slightly. 

He chuckled, standing and stretching, his muscles shifting under the worn fabric of his shirt. “But you seemed to be enjoyin’ yourself.”

Her cheeks warmed, but she held his gaze, refusing to back down. “Yeah, well, don’t get cocky. I’m still waitin’ for that story, Turner.”

He nodded, his smile fading just a fraction. “Over breakfast. Promise.” 

Liv, who was sitting up, blinking blearily, a blanket wrapped around her like a cape. “Why is the sun so mean?” Liv whined, her Ann Hathaway pout in full effect. “I need, like, a gallon of water. And maybe a cocktail.”

“No cocktails,” Alexis and Jace said in unison, then exchanged a glance, both grinning.

“Coffee,” Alexis added, heading to the kitchen. “And you’re showerin’ before you touch my furniture again, princess.”

Liv groaned but nodded, stumbling to her feet and clutching the blanket. “Fine, but only ‘cause you’re cute when you’re bossy, Alexis.” She winked, then shuffled toward the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind her

Alexis busied herself with the coffee maker, the familiar routine grounding her as the rich aroma filled the small kitchen. Jace leaned against the counter, watching her with that quiet intensity that always made her feel like he was seeing more than she meant to show. She handed him a mug, their fingers brushing, and ignored the spark that shot through her.

“Alright, Turner,” she said, leaning against the counter opposite him, her own mug warm in her hands. “Liv’s in the shower. No more dodgin’. Where the hell you been for two years?”

Jace took a slow sip of coffee, his eyes on the steam rising from the mug, buying time. Finally, he sighed, setting the mug down. “It’s not a fun story, Lex. You sure you want it now?”

She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “I didn’t let you in my bed just for old times’ sake. Spill.”

He nodded, his expression tightening. “Liv got mixed up with some people back east. Bad decisions, worse company. Nothin’ illegal, just… messy. Her mom—my aunt—asked me to step in, get her out before things went south. Took longer than I thought. Had to move around a lot, keep her out of trouble. Ended up in a few places I didn’t plan on.” He rubbed a hand over the scar on his shoulder, a reflex he didn’t seem to notice. “Got a little banged up, but we’re here now. She’s tryin’ to start over. I’m makin’ sure she does.”

Alexis studied him, the weight of his words settling over her. It wasn’t the whole story—she could tell by the way his eyes avoided hers at the end—but it was more than she’d expected. “So you played hero for your cousin,” she said, her voice softer now. “That why you didn’t call? Not even a text?”

Jace’s jaw clenched, and he looked at her, his gray eyes raw. “I wanted to, Lex. Every damn day. But I didn’t know if I was comin’ back. Didn’t wanna drag you into it.”

She wanted to be mad, to call him out for leaving her wondering, but the sincerity in his voice dulled the edge of her anger. She took a sip of coffee, letting the silence stretch. “You’re an idiot, you know that?”

He chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Yeah, I know. But I’m here now.”

Before she could respond, Liv burst back into the kitchen, her wet hair dripping onto a borrowed t-shirt that was too big for her, her grin wide and unrepentant. “Shower’s amazing! I’m alive again!” She spotted the coffee and made a beeline for it, pouring herself a mug with youthful enthusiasm. “You guys are the best. Like, seriously. Best night ever.”

Alexis laughed, shaking her head. “You’re gonna need more than coffee, trouble. Sit down.”

Liv flopped onto a chair, sipping her coffee with a contented sigh. “You’re so nice, Alexis. I’m stealing you forever.” She glanced at Jace, her eyes narrowing playfully. “You better not screw this up, cousin. She’s a keeper.”

Jace rolled his eyes, but his smile was back, softer this time. “Noted, Liv.”

Alexis grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the fridge, then paused, her buzz from last night long gone but her curiosity reignited. “Alright, Liv, your turn What’s your deal? Why’d you need Jace to play babysitter?”

Liv’s grin faltered, just for a second, before she waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, you know, just… bad exes, worse choices. Needed a reset. Jace is my hero, even if he’s a grump about it.” She stuck her tongue out at him, then took another sip of coffee, clearly dodging the details.

Alexis raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. Instead, she pulled a bottle of vodka from the cabinet, setting it on the table with a smirk. “Well, if we’re doin’ a reset, might as well do it right. Hair of the dog?”

Liv’s eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands. “Yes! You’re my soulmate, Alexis!” She grabbed the bottle, pouring a splash into her coffee.

Jace groaned, rubbing his temples. “You two are gonna kill me.”

“Lighten up, Turner,” Alexis teased, pouring a small shot into her own coffee. “It’s just breakfast.”

The three of them settled around the table, the morning light filtering through the window, casting a warm glow over the mismatched mugs and the vodka bottle. Liv was already giggling, her coffee-vodka mix making her cheeks flush, and Alexis felt the familiar buzz creeping back, loosening her limbs. Jace watched them both, his expression a mix of amusement and something deeper, like he was seeing something he’d missed for too long.

As Liv launched into a slurred story about a disastrous karaoke night back east, Alexis leaned back, her eyes drifting to Jace. He’d told her part of the truth, enough to keep her from pushing too hard, but she knew there was more. For now, though, the vodka was smooth, the coffee was hot, and the laughter was easy. Liv was half-drunk again, Alexis wasn’t far behind, and Jace was here, his presence a promise she wasn’t ready to let go of.

“Alright, trouble,” Alexis said, nudging Liv’s foot under the table. “I’ve got work again tonight. You’re singin’ when we hit the Wasted Grain. Deal?”

Liv raised her mug, sloshing a bit of coffee-vodka onto the table. “Deal! But only if you and Jace kiss again. That was *hot*.”

Alexis laughed, her cheeks warming, and Jace just shook his head, his grin wide and unguarded. The desert stretched out beyond the bungalow, endless and unforgiving, but inside, with the clink of mugs and the hum of laughter, it felt like summer could last forever.

The morning light spilled into Alexis’s bungalow, softening the edges of the cluttered kitchen where the three of them sat, mugs clinking and laughter bubbling like the vodka in their coffee. Alexis leaned back in her chair, her tight t-shirt hugging her bare boobs, her blonde hair still damp from the shower. The buzz from the vodka was creeping back, warm and familiar, making her limbs feel loose and her grin a little wider. Liv, across the table, was a giggling mess, her borrowed oversize t-shirt sliping off her shoulder as she gestured wildly, recounting her karaoke disaster with exaggerated flair. Jace, sipping his coffee, watched them both with that quiet, crooked smile that always made Alexis’s heart skip, his gray eyes catching hers every so often, sparking memories of last night’s heat.

Liv’s story trailed off into a fit of laughter, her coffee-vodka sloshing as she leaned forward, nearly knocking over the bottle. “Okay, okay,” she gasped, fanning herself. “But, like, Alexis, you *have* to come sing with me tonight at Wasted Grain. I’m serious! We’ll do, like, a duet. Something sexy.” Her Ann Hathaway pout turned playful, her eyes glinting with mischief as she reached for the vodka again.

Alexis snorted, snatching the bottle before Liv could pour another splash. “Slow down, trouble. You’re gonna be face-down on the bar before we even get there.” She took a swig herself, the burn smooth and sweet, then passed the bottle to Liv with a smirk. “And yeah, I’ll sing, but only if you keep up with me on the dance floor first.”

“Deal!” Liv clapped, her enthusiasm infectious. She leaned across the table, her t-shirt slipping to reveal a flash of skin, and grabbed Alexis’s hand. “You’re so fun, Alexis. Like, the funnest. Jace, tell her she’s the funnest!”

Jace chuckled, setting his mug down. “She’s somethin’, alright.” His voice was warm, teasing, but there was that undercurrent of heat again, the same one that had pulled them together last night. He leaned back, stretching his arms, his t-shirt clinging to his chest in a way that made Alexis’s buzzed brain take notice. “But you two? Gonna need a leash tonight.”

“Oh, please,” Alexis shot back, kicking him lightly under the table. “You loved every second of it, Turner.” Her cheeks warmed at the memory—Jace’s hands on her hips, Liv’s playful kisses, the three of them tangled in a haze of laughter and desire. It had been reckless, messy, and so damn perfect, and the thought of round two tonight at the Wasted Grain was already lighting her up.

Liv giggled, sipping her spiked coffee. “He *did* love it. I saw his face. All smitten and stuff.” She waggled her eyebrows, then stood up, swaying slightly as she struck a dramatic pose. “Tonight’s gonna be even better. We’re gonna dance, we’re gonna drink, we’re gonna—” She paused, frowning. “What’s that word? Like, when you just go *wild*?”

“Unhinged?” Alexis offered, laughing.

“Yes!” Liv snapped up, nearly toppling over her chair. “Unhinged! That’s us tonight, baby!” She spun in a wobbly circle, her t-shirt flaring, exposing her cute bare pussy and Alexis couldn’t help but admire her energy, her curves, the way she threw herself into every moment like it was her last.

Jace shook his head, but his grin was wide, unguarded. “You two are gonna get me in trouble,” he said, standing to grab the orange juice from the fridge. He poured a glass for himself, then slid one to Alexis, their fingers brushing again, sending that familiar spark through her. “But I’m in. Gotta make sure you don’t burn the place down.”

Alexis took the glass, her eyes locked on his for a beat too long. “Oh, we’re burnin’ it down, alright. You just try to keep up.” She sipped the juice, the tang cutting through the vodka’s warmth, and felt the day stretching out ahead of them, full of possibility. The Wasted Grain was waiting, and with Liv’s chaos and Jace’s quiet fire, tonight was gonna be one for the books.

Liv flopped back into her chair, her cheeks flushed. “Okay, but we need outfits. Like, *hot* outfits. Alexis, you got anything sexier than…” She gestured at the oversized t-shirt. “This?”

Alexis raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You’re callin’ *my* wardrobe boring? Girl, I work at Wasted Grain. I got more lace and leather than you can handle.” She stood, stretching, her t-shirt riding up to show a glimpse of her toned stomach. “C’mon, let’s raid my closet. Jace, you’re on coffee duty.”

Jace saluted, already moving to refill the pot. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, his voice teasing, but his eyes followed her as she led Liv toward the bedroom, that spark still simmering between them.

In the bedroom, Alexis flung open her closet, revealing a chaotic array of clothes—lace bodysuits, ripped jeans, leather skirts, and a few sparkly tops she’d worn for nights out. Liv squealed, diving in like a kid in a candy store, pulling out a black lace crop top and holding it up to herself. “Oh my God, this is *perfect*,” she said, swaying to imaginary music. “You wear stuff like this to work? No wonder Jace couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”

Alexis laughed, tossing an emerald green ensemble on the bed. “He’s got no room to complain. You saw him last night, all broody and handsy.” She pulled out a red leather skirt “What about this for you? Matches your vibe.”

Liv’s eyes lit up, and she snatched it, holding it against her body. “Yesss! I’m gonna look so hot, Alexis. We’re gonna slay tonight.” She stripped off the t-shirt without hesitation, her curves catching the morning light as she shimmied into the skirt, giggling as she struggled with the straps of the black lace crop top. “Help me, I’m too drunk for this!”

Alexis rolled her eyes but stepped closer, adjusting the straps and smoothing the fabric over Liv’s hips. Her hands lingered for a moment, the warmth of Liv’s skin sparking memories of last night’s playful kisses. “You’re a mess,” she said, her voice soft, teasing. “But you wear it well.”

Liv grinned, spinning to check herself in the mirror. “We’re gonna be unstoppable, Alexis. You, me, Jace, the whole damn bar.” She turned, grabbing Alexis’s hands and pulling her into a spontaneous dance, their laughter filling the room as they swayed to a song only they could hear.

From the doorway, Jace leaned against the frame, a fresh mug of coffee in his hand, watching them with that quiet intensity. “Y’all plannin’ to take over the world or just the Wasted Grain?” he asked, his voice warm, his eyes lingering on Alexis in a way that made her pulse race.

“Both,” Alexis shot back, letting go of Liv to strike a playful pose in her t-shirt. “You ready to handle us, Turner?”

He chuckled, stepping into the room and setting the coffee on the nightstand. “Ready as I’ll ever be, Lex.” He moved closer, his hand brushing her waist as he passed, the touch light but deliberate, reigniting that fire from last night. “But you better save some of that energy for the dance floor.”

Liv clapped, bouncing on her toes. “Yes! Dance floor! Shots! More kissing!” She grabbed the emerald green ensemble  from the bed and tossed it at Alexis. “Put this on, Lex. We’re gonna make everyone jealous.”

Alexis caught the outfit, her grin widening. “Oh, we’re way past jealous, trouble. We’re goin’ for legendary.” She slipped into the bathroom to change, the buzz of vodka and anticipation making her skin hum. The emerald lace bralette hugged her boobs curves, and the matching green thong, garter, and sheer stocking were pure lingerie than that at the club would pass for clothes, her reflection in the mirror all confidence and heat. *This’ll do,* she thought, running her fingers through her hair to tousle it just right.

Back in the bedroom, Liv was twirling in the red skirt, her laughter infectious as she tried to convince Jace to wear something “less boring” than his usual jeans and t-shirt. “C’mon, cousin, you gotta match our vibe!” she insisted, holding up a sparkly silver mens shirt she’d found in the depths of Alexis’s closet.

Jace laughed, shaking his head. “Not a chance, Liv. I’m stickin’ with what works.” But his eyes were on Alexis as she stepped out, and the way his breath caught made her feel like the only person in the room. “Damn, Lex,” he said softly, his voice rough. “You’re gonna start a riot.”

She smirked, sauntering over to him, her hips swaying. “That’s the plan, Turner.” She leaned in, brushing her lips against his ear, her voice a teasing whisper. “You gonna keep up with me tonight?”

His hand found her waist, pulling her closer for a moment, his touch sending sparks through her. “Try me,” he murmured, his grin all trouble and promise.

Liv squealed, breaking the moment as she threw her arms around them both. “Group hug! We’re gonna be so hot tonight!” She was already buzzing again, her energy a bright, chaotic force that pulled them all together.

The day passed in a blur of laughter, coffee, and more vodka, the three of them lounging in the bungalow, swapping stories and teasing each other like they’d never been apart. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the desert sky in shades of pink and gold, they were ready for the Wasted Grain. Liv led the way, her red leather skirt catching the neon lights as they stepped into the bar, the music already pulsing through the air like a heartbeat.

The place was alive, bodies packed tight, the air thick with sweat and perfume. Tasha spotted them from behind the bar and waved, her braids swinging as she poured a row of shots. “Look at you, Lex!” she called, grinning. “And you brought the chaos crew!”

“Damn right,” Alexis shouted back, sliding onto a barstool as Liv and Jace flanked her. She ordered a round of Desert Dazes for Liv, Tasha and herself and a coke for Jace, the neon-yellow cocktails glowing under the lights, and they toasted to the night, the clink of glasses a promise of more to come.

Liv was already swaying to the music, Alexis' emerald onsomble shimmering as Liv dragged Alexis and Jace to the dance floor. The song was a sultry rock anthem, all bass and heat, and the three of them moved together, a tangle of limbs and laughter. Alexis felt Liv’s hands on her hips, playful and teasing, while Jace’s arm brushed hers, his touch electric even in the chaos of the crowd.

“Sing with me, Alexis!” Liv shouted, her voice slurring as she belted out the chorus, her Ann Hathaway smile lighting up the room. Alexis joined in, her voice rough but strong, the two of them laughing as they butchered the lyrics. Jace watched, his grin wide, his hands finding Alexis’s waist as the song shifted to something slower, pulling her close.

“You’re somethin’ else, Lex,” he murmured, his lips brushing her ear, his voice barely audible over the music. “Always were.”

She leaned into him, her buzz making her bold, her hands sliding up his chest. “And you’re still trouble, Turner,” she teased, her lips grazing his jaw before she pulled back, catching Liv’s eye. Liv was spinning her skirt giving flashes of her bare pussy, her laughter a bright thread in the neon haze, and Alexis grabbed her hand, pulling her into the dance.

The night blurred into a kaleidoscope of light and sound—shots at the bar, stolen kisses on the dance floor, Liv’s giggles as she tried to teach Jace a ridiculous dance move. Alexis felt alive, her skin humming with the heat of the desert and the pull of the people around her. Liv’s hands were everywhere, playful and warm, while Jace’s touch was steady, grounding, a reminder of the history they shared and the fire they were rekindling.

At one point, Liv climbed onto a table, her skirt unable to hide her drunk pussy drawing cheers from the crowd. Alexis laughed, climbing up to join her, the two of them swaying together, their bodies close, their laughter mingling with the music. Jace watched from below, his eyes dark with want, his grin promising more when the night spilled back to the bungalow.

“Best night ever!” Liv shouted, pulling Alexis into a sloppy, giggling kiss, her lips tasting of Desert Daze and freedom. Alexis kissed her back, the crowd cheering, the moment pure and unfiltered. Jace climbed up to join them, his hands steadying them both, his laughter low and warm.

“Alright, troublemakers,” he said, his voice thick with amusement. “Let’s take this party home before you start a full-on riot.”

They stumbled out of the Wasted Grain, the desert air hot and dry against their skin, their laughter echoing in the empty parking lot. Jace’s Mustang was waiting, and they piled in, Liv sprawling across the back seat, already half-asleep, her bralet askew. Alexis slid into the passenger seat, her boobs tumbling out, her buzz making everything feel soft and bright.

Jace started the engine, the rumble vibrating through her, and she leaned her head against the window, watching the desert roll by. “You’re stickin’ around, right?” she asked, her voice soft, the question slipping out before she could stop it.

He glanced at her, his hand resting on the gearshift, his fingers brushing hers. “Yeah, Lex. I’m here,” he said, his voice steady, a promise she wanted to believe.

Back at the bungalow, they spilled inside, Liv waking up just enough to demand one more shot. Alexis poured tequila into mismatched glasses, and they toasted again, the liquor burning sweet and sharp. Liv flopped onto the couch, her laughter fading into soft snores, her cute boobs popping out of her black bralette.

Alexis led Jace to the bedroom, her hand in his, the buzz of the night still humming in her veins. They fell onto the bed, a tangle of limbs and laughter, their kisses slow and deep, the heat of the desert wrapping around them. Liv stirred in the living room, stumbling in to join them, her giggles soft as she curled up beside them, her warmth a comforting weight.

The night was messy, perfect, a blur of touch and laughter, all consensual and wanted, a celebration of summer and connection. As dawn crept through the curtains, Alexis lay between Jace and Liv, her body warm and heavy with sleep, her heart full. The desert stretched out beyond, endless and wild, but here, in this tangled, drunken moment, they were home.

The desert night was a living thing, pulsing through the Wasted Grain with neon lights and the thump of bass. Alexis moved through the crowd, her red leather skirt catching the glow, her black lace bralette barely containing her confidence. Liv was a whirlwind beside her, her emerald bodysuit shimmering as she spun, her Ann Hathaway smile lighting up the bar. Jace followed, his leather jacket slung over one shoulder, his gray eyes tracking Alexis with a heat that made her pulse race.