K. Golland - Attainment

“I want to sing Brayden a song.”

I subdue a smile with pursed lips and make eye contact with Alexis. She too hides her grin. “Oh...okay.” She turns back around and addresses the room. “Um...apparently Charli has a little something she wants to share.”

“I want to sing happy birthday to Brayden,” Charli announces just a bit too loudly into the microphone, sending a high pitched tone throughout the room. “He is the best brother, ever!” she continues while squinting her eyes and poking her tongue out at Nate.

Alexis slaps her hand to her forehead.

Brayden lunges for the cake again.

Nate smacks a balloon into Charlotte’s head.

Tash screeches and dodges its rebound.

Charlotte growls.

And...I just laugh.

* * *

After Charli performs her entertaining version of Happy Birthday, Alexis and I decide to inform every one of our decision to get married in six months.

“Oh, and one last minor detail,” I express playfully, receiving an elbow to the ribs from Alexis. “We have finally set a date for the wedding! Mark out February fourth on your calendars.”

“About time!” Tash calls out from her position at the bi-fold doors, the furthest spot from the balloons.

“There’s still time to change your mind, Bryce,” Jake calls out, Johanna snorting in response.

Rick and Claire step up to us, Claire smiling meekly while Rick embraces Alexis. Months ago, I would have wanted to punch the fucker for being this close to her.

“Congratulations! Sorry, but we really need to head off. RJ has his soccer semi-final later today,” Rick explains before they make an early departure.

Approximately one month ago, Rick informed Alexis that he and Claire were expecting a child. Alexis—not surprisingly—took the news really well, being genuinely happy for the two of them. Charlotte had refused—and still does to this day—to accept that her next sibling was going to be anything other than a girl. And Nate just carried on as if an extra baby in his life was nothing new. Seeing all three of them react with pleasant attitudes, I decided there and then to let go of my grudge and anger toward Rick. If Alexis was happy, then so was I.

Re-entering the lounge area after seeing Claire and Rick out, we are both smothered by Maryann with congratulatory hugs. “Wonderful. I can’t wait. We need to sit down and start planning—“

“Mum, back off. You know what happened last time you interfered with wedding plans,” Jen cautions.

“Yeah, well...your sister isn’t as nasty as you. She wouldn’t make me wear a stupid t-shirt to her hen’s night, would you, Alexis Darling?” Maryann says with gag-worthy sweetness.

Alexis rolls her eyes at her mother’s attempt at buttering her up. “Actually, I’m not having a hen’s night.”

“Like fun you aren’t,” Carly interjects. “Trust me, you are having one whether you are in attendance or not.”

“Carly, we’ve decided to just have a get together here...” I add, taking Brayden from Alexis. “...set up the band...that sort of thing—“

“Not gonna happen, Mate,” Derek implies as he raises his beer. “Consider yourself havin’ a Buck’s night.”

Alexis turns to face me, drops her head on her my shoulder, and closes her eyes.

“Ake up, Mum,” Brayden shouts—Wiggles style.

Alexis grumbles with a laugh. “Mummy isn’t sleeping like Jeff.”

“Ake up, Mum,” he hollers, again.

I can’t help but laugh.

Five months down the track, and it is decided that yes, we are having a Hen’s night and Buck’s party. It is also decided—not by us, mind you—that Carly and Derek are in charge of the entire event.

The plans are to start off together at Opals as one big group, where Live Trepidation will dedicate their entire set to Alexis and play all of her favourite songs. Then, we are to head off our separate ways, and what’s to follow unknown to the both of us. That minor detail I did not like; I didn’t like it at all.

“I can’t believe we agreed to this,” Alexis mumbles from our walk-in wardrobe.

I’m standing in the ensuite, latching the buckle on my denim jeans and fastening the last button on my short sleeved, light grey, shirt. “We didn’t really have a choice, Hunny. Did you want to argue with Carly and Derek?”

“No,” she groans. “Hey! Maybe we could just stay at Opals together? Refuse to leave?” she suggests, a spark of renewed hope sounding in her voice.

“Yeah, don’t think that is gonna work.”

I finish off with a little gel in my hair and step out into our bedroom to put on my shoes. Sitting on the edge of the bed and bending over, I slide my foot into the black loafer. Before I can reach for the other shoe, I notice two black high-heels only centimetres from my feet.

“Can you zip me up, please?” Alexis asks.

I travel the length of her legs until I’m looking up at her with my mouth and eyes wide open. She is wearing an extremely short black, lace dress, which reveals quite a lot of her silky smooth skin, more skin than I’m willing to share the sight of with any other man. And even though she looks sexy as hell, I’ll be damned if she is going to look that good so that some loser can discreetly blow a load in his pants.

“What is that?” I ask on a choke.

“What’s what?” she asks, quickly glancing toward the roof where she thinks I am looking, her expression indicating she expects to see some type of critter.

“What you’re wearing.”

Alexis looks back down and smooths out her dress. “Um... I think it’s Dolce and Gabbana. I can check if you wan—”

“I don’t fucking care who designed it.”

Her face contorts. “You don’t like it?”

Placing my hands on her legs, I pull her toward me. “Hunny, you look sensational, too fucking sensational. It’s just...” I lean back on the bed and run my hand through my hair. Fuck, she looks irresistible. “...I’m not going to be with you all night. You can’t wear that without me.”

Climbing over my lap and straddling me on the bed, a sly grin creeps across her face. “Are you telling me what I can and can’t wear?”

“Yes, you seriously can’t wear that. Remember that time you called me Jackie Chan?”

She screws up her face then smiles. “Yeah.”

“Well, I’ll be performing Jackie-Chan’s all night if you wear that.”

Alexis laughs and leans forward, her golden blonde locks cascading around her face as she looks down at me. Even her lips are turning me on—red as a friggin’ fire truck.

“Bryce, I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. And anyhow, we have the apartment to ourselves tonight. Don’t you want to wait till we get home so that you can take this dress off and see just exactly what I’m wearing underneath?”

I glance down at her breasts, spying the tiniest hint of red lace covering her chest. Bloody Hell!

“Fuck the night out. Let’s stay here and you can show me now.”

I reach for her tits, but she jumps off and puts her hand up. “No. We are going. Now, can you please zip me up?”

Alexis turns around, baring her back to me and giving me another sneak peek of her lingerie. The sight of her red corset prompts my dick to stand at attention, poised and motionless, saluting her—military style. Having no choice but to close my eyes in order to try and gather my not so turned-on composure, I lower my eyelids and click my neck from side to side.

After a second of thinking about Dame Edna Everage—because let’s face it, she looks like a clown—I reopen them to find Alexis still standing in front of me, her head now turned back in my direction and smiling from ear to fucking ear.

Completely depleted of all will power and restraint, I grab a hold of her and drag her to the bed, pinning her down underneath me. “Hunny, if you are going to wear that then first, I need to fuck you. I need you wearing me along with it.”

* * *

Alexis and I walk into Opals nearly three quarters of an hour late, spotting our friends and family scattered around the dance floor. Will, Matt, Derek and Luce are up on stage, preparing for our gig.

“Sorry we are late,” Alexis apologises, blushing profusely.

Carly’s eyes widen as they journey up and down Alexis’ body. “No need to explain why. That...” she points to her outfit, “...speaks for itself.”

“What? There’s nothing wrong with my dress,” Alexis whines while Tash hands her a drink and a condom decorated veil. “Oh for the love of God...I am not wearing that! I’m not in my twenties and getting married for the first time.FOR.GET.IT.”

“Told you she wouldn’t wear it,” Tash says to Carly, handing her the veil.

“She’ll wear it...give it time...and alcohol.”

I shake my head, kiss Alexis’, and hoist myself up on the stage.

“Nice of you to show, Arsehole,” Derek throws my way as I pick up my guitar and begin to tune it.

“I was busy,” I answer, pulling a pick out of my jean pocket.

“Hmmm, yeah...I can see why,” Matt murmurs, glancing toward Alexis.

“Shut up, Dick. I already have to worry about every other sleaze in this joint eye-fucking my fiancé, I don’t want to have to worry about you, too.”

“She looks hot!” Lucy says with her back to me.

I turn to my sister. “Not you, too,” I grimace.

“No. I didn’t mean it like that...although, she does look hot!”

Will laughs as he taps out a light beat.

“Let’s just get started, yeah?” I grumble as I glance toward Alexis, taking in the smouldering beauty that she is. I can’t say that I really blame them all for fucking around with me, she does look exceptionally incredible tonight. And as I watch her greet her family and friends, it painfully dawns on me that my night is not going to be as laid back as hers. Not in the bloody slightest!