The Last Blues We're Ever Gonna Have

Chapter 11

Luxe fidgeted nervously with her phone as she sat in the backseat of the cab. Oh my god, settle down, she told herself again. You're just...hanging out...that's all. You hang out all the time... At work. She sighed deeply, trying to exhale her jitters out of her body.
After Jem had kissed her, Luxe had been a nervous wreck. She'd flubbed her dialogue in the next scene so badly, Vaughn had handed her her script and insisted that she review her lines. It hadn't helped that she'd caught both Jem and Beck smirking at her as she begrudgingly scanned over the lines in her script. Fuckers. How dare they find amusement in her suffering! And it was their damn fault! God, what was wrong with her?
Luxe scrubbed a hand over her face, trying in vain not to think about the goddamn kiss, the feel of Jem's lips against hers, the taste of his tongue as it swept into her mouth, how...soft the kiss had been. And how guilty she'd immediately felt at being caught by Beck. And that was another thing! Why the fuck did she-should she-feel guilty? Because you like both of them, a nasty voice whispered in her brain. And, for the life of her, she couldn't deny it. She liked them both. Liked working with them, liked being around them. She liked the way she felt she was with them. Ugh, fuck.
She'd been so internally distressed that she barely even got to enjoy her second kiss with Jem again during their scene, though-in retrospect-that kiss had been amazing as well. She'd spent more than a few quite moments in bed later while trying to sleep replaying the hungry way his lips had moved on hers. Gigi had asked numerous times for Luxe to explain what had happened, what was going through her mind, why on earth she would let Jem kiss her like that and, honest to god, Luxe couldn't fucking put it into words at the time.
    How the hell had she gone from barely able to stand being in the same building as Jem...to over thinking about the way his tongue felt in her mouth and how badly she wanted to feel it again. She'd used so many brain cells thinking about that managed to light the wrong end of a cigarette during a small break from filming, thankfully no one had been around to witness that incident.
When she'd received the text from Beck, inviting her to hang out and have a few beers with every one the next evening, she'd stared at her phone-mind absolutely blank. When Gigi had peeked at the screen from across the Luxe's table as they ate their lunch and read the message, she'd cocked an eyebrow at Luxe, giving her a disapproving look.
"Luxe, I don't think you should hang out with Jem and Beck," she'd said firmly, taking another bite of her salad. She pinned Luxe with an even stare. "I feel like they're trying to play some kind of game with you." Luxe couldn't help but think maybe she was right. But, ever the glutton for bad decisions-especially when it came to men-Luxe decided to ignore her best friend's advice.
"I'm a big girl, Gigi," Luxe had defended, typing a quick reply, asking when and where everyone was meeting up. "I think I can recognize when I'm being played." Gigi snorted, looking at her incredulously. Luxe's phone vibrated again.
"You most certainly can not!" Gigi told her. Luxe looked at her phone.
<Mine and Jem's apartment.>
And so, here she was, cab pulling up to the address she'd given, butterflies swarming in her stomach as she got out and walked into the apartment building, her footfalls echoing in the large empty entryway. She headed for the elevator, walking inside and pressing the button for the eighth floor. She smoothed her hands down her thighs, plucking at a loose thread on her black skinny jeans. "Just a bunch of coworkers hanging out," she muttered again. "No reason at all to be nervous. Who cares that two men you are ridiculously attracted to are going to be there..." Ugh.
The elevator dinged, signaling that she'd made it to the right floor. She waited for the doors to open with a whoosh, before stepping out and searching for the apartment number Beck had sent her. 812...813...814. Well, here we go... Luxe tucked her hair behind her ears before reaching out and rapping her knuckles on the white door. Thirty seconds later, the door swung open and Luxe looked up at Beck's smirking face, blue eyes alight with mischief.
"Well, well, well," he drawled out. "Look who finally showed up."
"You said everyone was coming at 8:30," Luxe replied, narrowing her eyes at him.
"And it's now 8:37," Beck pointed out. "I'm afraid there's a penalty for Late Comers." Luxe watched as his gaze flicked to her mouth, his smile widening. Luxe thought she could feel her heartbeat stutter.
"A penalty?" she repeated, crossing her arms. The movement drew Beck's eyes from her lips to her breasts. Her heart definitely tripped over itself this time.
"Yep," he whispered hoarsely. He cleared his throat before continuing. "I'm afraid you can't come in unless you flash your tits." Luxe rolled her eyes and snorted, even though inside her stomach was doing cartwheels. She knew he was only teasing, but she had half a mind to just do it-if only to wipe that goddamn cocky smirk off his gorgeous face.
"You first," She challenged, a plan forming in her brain. His eyes flew back up to her face in surprise.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Show me yours first and then I'll show you mine." Beck grinned, reaching for the hem of his white t-shirt, pulling it up to reveal his chest. Luxe quickly slipped her phone out of her pocket, bringing up the camera and snapping a picture before he could drop his shirt back down.
"Hey, What the fuck!" Beck cried, dropping his shirt back down.
"Oh man, I wonder how much I could get paid for this picture," Luxe snickered, looking down at the picture. She'd done a good job, capturing the mouth watering planes of muscle on his chest and stomach, and-best of all-the look of shock on his face when he'd realized she tricked him.
"You are a goddamn sneak," Beck laughed. "Come on in." He stepped back to give her room. She stepped over the threshold and, as he let the door swing shut, Beck leaned down next to her ear and whispered "Said the Spider to the Fly." Luxe paused and looked back at him.
"Are you implying you're going to eat me, Beck?" She teased. His gaze darkened and she watched as he pulled his bottom lip between his teeth.
"Doll, say the word and I will devour you." Luxe stared at him, her breath caught in her throat. Goddamn. Goddamn. His voice, those words, the images drowning her imagination had her heart racing and her panties feeling slightly damp.
"W-what word would that be, exactly?" She asked breathlessly. Beck was leaning down, face sweeping closer to hers, and Luxe couldn't move.
"Hey! Luxe, you made it!" Wendy called, wrenching Luxe's attention away from Beck. Luxe turned to see Wendy standing on the other side of the foyer, beer in hand, hair up in a messy bun, and a bright smile on her face. Luxe smiled back, crossing the foyer and leaving Beck trailing behind her. "You want a beer?"
"Yes, I do," she answered, sneaking a look over her shoulder at the towering brunette behind her. Beck winked at her when her eyes met his and she turned back around so he wouldn't see her blush. Would it be improper to ask if I could take a couple shots of something stronger? Gigi was right, Luxe realized as she followed Wendy around a corner and into the living room. Beck and Jem were up to something. The interaction with Beck in the foyer, and Jem kissing her the night before...this was far beyond teasing. It was more like...Like they're both trying to seduce me...
"You want an IPA?" Jem asked breaking into her thoughts and making her jump slightly. She turned to see him standing by the couch.
"Actually, do you have anything else? I can't stand IPAs," she asked. Jem snorted.
"A beer snob, huh? Why am I not surprised?" He motioned for her to follow him into the kitchen and opened the fridge, peering in. "Uh, we've got a couple lagers and some Guinness." Luxe bent slightly, humming as she tried to decide.
"I'll take a Guinness," she murmured, reaching in and taking one of the dark bottles. As she straightened she looked to Jem and found him watching her.
"You look flustered," he observed and Luxe wanted to stomp her feet in frustration. Of course she was flustered! She'd nearly been ravished by Beck at the door...maybe. And she'd very nearly allowed it...maybe. And now she was in a kitchen, alone, with the man who'd kissed her mere hours ago! And for the love of everything holy, Luxe absolutely could not understand why she was allowing her self to be knocked so off kilter by these two...jackasses. She was not some wilting flower, goddammit! And she was going to tell him that!
"I'm...I'm fine." Great job, Luxe. That'll really put him in his place. Uuugh. Gigi was right. Coming here had been a bad idea.
"Hey, quit skulking in the kitchen, you two!" Wendy called. "We are gonna start playing some drinking games!"
"After you," Jem said, nodding for Luxe to ahead of him. She turned, walking out of the kitchen, trying not to overthink everything.
***
Thirty minutes later and Luxe realized she was worried about the wrong people. She should have been worried about what Wendy had in store for her. As soon as Wendy had learned that Luxe had never played the drinking game she'd suggested, she'd smiled deviously and insisted that it was high time she learned. The game, Three Man, had several rules, that Luxe was still fuzzy on, and consisted of each player rolling a pair of dice and each possible number coincided with an action that the other players must perform. But most importantly, if any one rolled a three-either as a total or if a three was in the combination, the person who had been designated as 'Three Man' had to take a drink of their beer. And of course, since she'd never played before, Luxe was nominated to be Three Man. And apparently, a three was rolled quite often.
"This game is fucking rigged," Luxe sighed as she stared at the pair of dice where they had landed on the glass coffee table. Steve had rolled a three.
"That's Three Man, Luxe!" Wendy trilled. "Drink, bitch!"
"Sadist," Luxe groaned, taking another sip of beer. She'd had to switch from Guinness to drinking the lagers that Beck and Jem had in their fridge when she'd realized that Wendy was an evil overlord, hell bent on getting everyone at the party wasted. She leaned back against the bottom of the couch, unfolding her crossed legs as she sat on the floor. Wendy and Steve sat across the table from her, while Jem and Beck sat up on the couch behind her on either side of her.
"I still can't believe you've never played this game before," Steve chuckled at her, passing the die to Wendy. "What were your college parties like?" Luxe snorted.
"I worked too many jobs to go to college parties," she sighed.
"Jesus, no wonder you're wound so tight," Beck teased.
"Fuck off, prick!" Luxe laughed, turning around to flip him off. "At least I don't yell and scream at cast mates and camera crew when I'm in a bad mood!"
"She's got a point," Wendy agreed. "Glass houses, Beck." Beck laughed and shrugged. Wendy rolled the die and Luxe watched as she rolled a two and a three.
"Mother Fucker! You guys are doing this on purpose!" Luxe whined. "I quit! Make someone else your drinking game bitch! Otherwise, one of you will be forced to hold my hair while I puke."
"Light weight," Jem chuckled and Luxe swung her gaze to him, pursing her lips in annoyance.
"Speaking of hair," Beck sighed, puffing his hair out of his face, "Any one got a spare rubber band?" Luxe looked to her wrist, but she hadn't remembered to slip a hair band onto it before leaving her apartment.
"I have an extra one," Wendy offered, pulling hers off her left hand.
"I don't know why you even bother, Beck," Steve began. "You're just gonna complain about it being in a ponytail."
"Yeah, well," he sighed, leaning forward to take the proffered red hair band from Wendy's hand, "until Mark and Vaughn say I can cut all this shit off, a ponytail is the only way i can get it out of my face."
"Want me to braid it?" Luxe asked before she realized her mouth had moved. Beck froze and looked at her.
"Oh. My. God. Please let her do it," Wendy whispered. "Beck Barnes with his hair in a pretty braid is something I need to see at least once in my life!" Steve guffawed at the thought. But Luxe kept her gaze on Beck, who-for the first time in the entire time she had known him-was speechless. Luxe raised an eyebrow at him, silently urging him to respond.
"Uh...s-sure," he stammered finally. "If it gets my hair out of my fucking face, why the hell not?"
"Yes!" Wendy crowed, shifting to pull her phone from her back pocket. "I am taking pictures of this!"
"Trade places with me," Luxe instructed, hauling herself up onto the couch and sweeping her hair to drape over her left shoulder. Beck lowered himself down onto the plush white carpet. "Sit in front of me." Beck slid over and Luxe pulled him by his shoulders so that he was leaning against the couch, moving her legs to either side of his shoulders.
"Y'know, usually when a chick's legs are around my shoulders, I'm facing the other direction," Beck muttered. Luxe yanked a lock of his hair. "Ow, shit!" Beck, twisted to glare at her.
"Sorry," Luxe apologized sweetly. "Most men between my legs enjoy having their hair pulled." Luxe wanted to laugh out loud at the shot of heat across his face.
"Okay, children," Jem cut in.
"Yeah, get braiding already," Wendy added, her phone up snapping pictures. Luxe winked at Beck before turning his head around with her hands and combing his hair back with her fingers. His hair was so much softer than she'd thought it would be, she realized as she began sweeping her fingers through the silky strands, sectioning the pieces to begin French braiding it. Distantly she was aware that there was still conversations going on between Jem, Steve, and Wendy, but she let their voices hum in the background of her attention, focusing on Beck. His shoulders were rolled forward as he sat before her, relaxed, and he was quiet-for, like, the first time ever.
"Dude, Luxe, it looks like you've hypnotized him," Wendy said, calling her attention away momentarily.
"Shut up, it feels good," Beck murmured.
"And now you know that Beck is a slut for anyone who plays with his hair," Jem chuckled.
"Please," Wendy snorted. "Beck is a slut, period."
"Says the bitch who's never gotten my dick," Beck grumbled.
"Says the girl who never wanted your dick," Wendy corrected with a snort. Luxe focused on her fingers, pushing Beck's head so that he was looking down into his lap. He made absolutely no move to resist, sighing quietly as she continued to tuck each section of hair into the braid. When she reached the nape of his neck, her fingers grazed his skin and she watched as he shivered. She smiled slyly, and 'accidentally' did it again. Her cheeks heated when she heard a very hushed curse fall from his lips. Well, I'll just keep that little bit of information for later, she thought to herself as she wound the rest of his hair and tied it off at the end.
"All done," she announced, leaning back from him. She watched as one of his hands rose and feathered over his hair. Wendy giggled.
"Y'know, it actually doesn't look that bad, Beck," she remarked, snapping more pictures. "Luxe, lean down so I can get you in the picture. Luxe bent forward, bringing her face over Beck's shoulder and smiling cheekily. "I'm so posting this to my Insta." She flipped her phone around to show the snapshot off to Luxe and Beck. Luxe leaned further over Beck's shoulder to see her face smiling back at her. Next to her face was Beck, a grin softer than any she'd seen on his face before pulling the corners of his mouth up. But he wasn't looking at Wendy's phone, instead he was looking at Luxe. Then Luxe's eyes caught Jem, just over her shoulder, leaned back and gaze locked on her and Beck, his face unreadable. "I'll send it to you," Luxe heard Wendy say.
Before she could puzzle over what his expression meant, Wendy was pulling her phone back and typing away on it. Luxe straightened, reaching first for her neglected beer on the coffee table, and bringing it to her mouth and taking a deep swig. Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. As she lowered the bottle from her lips, Beck twisted around again to look at her.
"It actually doesn't look too bad. And my hair is out of my face." Luxe smiled at him.
"You're welcome," she winked. "If your hair gets longer, I can do fancier braids." Beck laughed, scooting him self up over until he was on the floor between her and Jem.
"Okay, Luxe," Beck started, turning to face her. "If you could be any kind of bird, what would you choose?" Luxe's snort was decidedly not lady like. She cocked an eyebrow at him in confusion.
"What kind of question is that?" Beck shrugged.
"He and Jem like to play this stupid game where they ask random questions," Wendy explained, still tapping at her phone screen. Luxe looked back at Beck.
"Not always random. Jem started it back when we were kids just to kind of...distract ourselves. But, it's also an interesting way to get to know people. Questions can be as stupid or deep as you want. Or raunchy, those are fun too," he explained, bringing his beer to his mouth and tipping it up to take a drink. Luxe tried not to stare at his throat while he swallowed. She took a sip of her own beer, thinking about her answer. She could feel every one waiting on her.
"Peregrine Falcon," she said finally. She glanced over to where Jem sat on the other end of the couch, and Beck on the floor beside him. Jem met her gaze, waiting for her to elaborate. "I...I like the fact that they're tiny but still deadly. And highly adaptable." Beck stared at her a moment before his lips pulled into a lazy grin.
"Peregrine Falcon," he murmured. "I like it. Your turn to ask a question."
"Um...what's-what's your favorite animal...Steve?"
"Penguins," Steve answered. "What's the kinkiest thing you've ever done, Luxe?" Luxe nearly choked at his words. Steve laughed.
"Are you kidding?"
"Nope!"
"That's a little invasive, don't you think?" Luxe hedged, feeling her cheeks warm.
"You don't have to answer," Jem told her. "But you'll have to take a penalty."
"What's the penalty?" She asked suspiciously.
"You lose an article of clothing," Wendy supplied quickly. "And, not, like, a shoe or a sock. Like, pants or a shirt." Luxe stared at her, disbelievingly. "We've played this game a lot. So, which will it be, Luxe?" Luxe considered for a moment before taking a very large gulp of her beer. Jesus...I'm not sure which would be worse, answering or losing my clothing.
"I've-uh....I've been with a..um," Luxe stumbled over her tongue before taking a deep breath and rushing through her answer. "Ivehadsexwithanothergirlbefore." Luxe bit her cheek when she felt her face heat with her blush.
"I fucking called it!" Beck laughed loudly and Luxe felt her blush deepen.
"I mean, it was only one time," she added.
"It was Gigi, right?" Beck asked, leaning forward. Luxe looked at him in shock.
"No. No way. Gigi is...she's more like my family."
"I believe you owe me fifty dollars, Beck," Jem chuckled. Luxe glanced at him before looking back at Beck.
"You guys actually thought-"
"Oh, definitely!" Wendy laughed. "I mean, are you sure she doesn't feel that way about you?"
"I'm certain," Luxe assured her, laughing at the thought. "She's only ever dated men and she has straight up told me that I would be a disaster to date."
"Okay, but let's go back. I wanna know details about your confession," Steve interrupted. "Was this a bar hookup or, like, a slumber party with benefits?"
"Jesus, why do men always think that slumber parties are just a thinly veiled excuse for lesbianism?" Wendy groaned.
"Shut up, don't kill our dreams, Wendy," Steve shot back. He turned back to Luxe and raised his eyebrows.
"Well, I guess it was kind of a bar hookup. She was one of the dancers at the strip club I bartended at and-"
"You worked at a fucking strip club?" Beck cut her off. "No fucking way. You're fucking with us." Luxe laughed.
"Yes, I worked at a strip club-and, no, I never danced," she confirmed. "Layla was one of the dancers and she was always super flirty with me and one night she suggested I come home with her and...I figured why not. So...yeah." Luxe shrugged, looking at her cast mates as they all stared with rapt attention.
"Did you like it?" Luxe looked at Jem, noting the heated gleam in his gaze. She smiled slowly.
"I'll just say that I've never met a man better at going down than she was."
"Shit, that's so hot," Beck muttered, shifting his seat, and Luxe felt her whole body warm at his words. She glanced down at her fingers as they tapped nervously on her beer bottle.
"Okay, Luxe. It's your turn to ask a question," Jem said, calling her attention back to him. She nibbled on her bottom lip, thinking.
"Well, now that you guys are aquatinted with some of my sexual escapades, I guess I'll pose the same question to...Beck." Everyone laughed.
"You mean, you don't know?" Wendy giggled. Luxe looked at her in confusion.
"Know what?"
"Ha! Better pose the same question to Jem," Steve added, clanking his beer bottle down on the coffee table. "They have the same kink." Luxe turned her body to face the two men in question.
"Well, my curiosity is piqued," she said, quirking an eyebrow at Jem and Beck. Beck gave her a sharp grin.
"Don't you read the tabloids, Luxe? Jem and I like to share."
"Share what?" Luxe questioned. Jem cleared his throat and Beck laughed.
"Oh, you sweet, innocent little angel," Wendy laughed. Luxe raised her eyebrows.
"We like to share girls, Luxe," Beck explained, grinning widely. Luxe felt her jaw drop. Suddenly...suddenly something in her brain clicked and Luxe finally realized what sort of game Jem and Beck were playing with her.
"Not what you were expecting?" Jem asked, a grin on his face but something in his gaze made Luxe feel as though he was searching her reaction for any sign of disgust.
"I've just never...," she swallowed hard, fighting the urge to squirm in her seat. Was she drunker than she thought? Why was thought of Jem and Beck sharing a sexual partner sending bolts of lightning straight to her core? "I was honestly expecting something like, I dunno, a foot fetish or Beck was a secret Submissive...or something..." Luxe's voice trailed off, unsure of what to say next.
"If you play with my hair again, I will definitely submit to anything you say, doll," Beck chuckled. Luxe smiled.
"Is that a promise?" she asked him, surprised at the boldness in her voice.
"Uh oh, Beck," Steve broke in, standing up and walking towards the kitchen. "You better watch out, Luxe seems like the kinda girl who could get you into trouble."
"Beck gets into enough trouble on his own," Jem muttered before calling out to Steve. "Get me one too!"
"How can I get in trouble with my babysitter following me everywhere I go?" Beck snipped, shaking his head.
"You need a damn babysitter everywhere you go!" Wendy laughed, taking another sip. "Okay, Beck, it's your turn to ask a question." Beck stretched his arms up over his head, groaning. Luxe made herself look away, anywhere but at the muscles moving under his t-shirt. Muscles that she'd gotten to see up close just a few hours ago. It was sinful how sexy his body looked. She felt eyes on her and looked up to see Jem staring at her. She chewed her lip nervously. Jesus, she needed to get a hold of herself.
"Um...okay...Wendy," Beck began. Luxe should turn her attention back to the game. But Jem's gaze held her captive. "If you had to fuck one of your cast mates, who would it be?" Jem rolled his eyes, finally releasing Luxe and she felt herself exhale in relief. She turned and looked at Wendy.
"That's easy. I'd pick Luxe. She's the only one I'm certain would call me the next day." Wendy winked at her and Luxe laughed.
"Hey, at least you know she's got experience," Steve added as he walked back from the kitchen, handing Jem a beer and sitting back down on the floor.
"Experience and skill are very different," Beck pointed out. "For all you know, Luxe is a goddamn Pillow Princess." That teasing grin was back.
"What's a Pillow Princess?" Wendy asked.
"Someone who just lays back on the pillows and makes the other person do all the work," Beck explained. Luxe snorted.
"That's definitely not me."
"Do tell, Luxe?" Steve teased. She giggled.
"Let's just say I like being on top," she said coyly. "And Layla definitely sang my praises after our roll in the hay."
"Holy Fuck, you are killing me," Beck groaned. "That image is definitely going in the Spank Bank."
"You're such a pig," Wendy snorted. Luxe laughed.
"So, Luxe," Jem began, leaning forward and propping his elbows on his knees. "Have you replaced everything that was stolen from your old apartment?" Luxe stared at him for a moment before his real question, the words he wasn't saying, finally sank in. Her eyes flitted to Beck for a moment, seeing him staring hard at her." She felt her face heat.
"That's right, I forgot your apartment was broken into," Wendy interjected. "What all was stolen?"
"Uh, just s-some personal items," Luxe answered, taking a quick swig of her beer. "But, I finally got...everything replaced."
"That's good to know," Beck spoke softly, his grin like a razor blade. Oh god, she was in so much trouble...