The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 30

ASHER

“Do you really think a party is going to fix Juniper’s reputation?” Axel asked, watching me organize the drinks for tonight.

“Do you have any better ideas?” I snapped. Ever since I announced the idea to my brothers, Axel had been against the idea, and it was getting on my nerves. At least I was doing something to try to help Juniper’s reputation.

ng in excess will help anything. They’re just coming for the free booze.”

“T

le will actually care about what you ha

es that me

n a personal level.”

was one of the reasons Juniper was so important to me. Even without her memory

ve a better idea, I’m all ears.” I paused to look at Axel.

ake, this works,” he said.

wanted to keep her by my side to make sure she was happy. “Hey, Axel.”

ound ser

o be my girlfriend tonight,” I said.

’t have a label. She didn’t seem like the type to date around, and she spent most of her free time with me. However,

r a moment. “You’re going to need more drinks.”

ople from my classes. This should be e

’ll go to the store to buy more. Trust me. You’ll need it.” He left before I could say anything.

ith my declaration.

pical, Father.”

Ethan assured me that Juniper was safe, and he wouldn’t let our father do anything to hurt her. I still hadn’t told her about sharing the title of valedictorian. I didn’t know how to. It felt like I was stealing something she worked hard for, and it didn’t feel fair.

of my father away. Tonight was a night to have fun and not worry about family problems.

d about ten people, and I figured if someone brought a partner, I would be set. Axel seemed to think otherwise. I didn’t kno

ed she would only be a few minutes late.

it made me start to worry that I had taken my reputation for granted. Just because I was a Burrell, it didn’t mean it guaranteed people would come over to hang out with me.

to it. When I opened the door, there was a group of people who cheered when they saw me. I only recognized one of the people in the group.

kitchen. Make yourself comfortable.”

re on a dry summer day.

***

JUNIPER

I had to double check the dorm number, thinking I went to the wrong level or something. Asher a

nock. I slipped inside after them, and it was even louder in there. The lights were dimmed, and bodies filled nearly every inch of the dorm. It looked like a completely different place with the number of people.

ling him, but it went to voicemail. He probably didn’t hear the phone go off with how loud the music was.

agine how the party got this wild in that short amount of time. From what I’d heard from Moira, parties like this only got worse as the night went on.

ed to something like this.

ing back into the crowd seemed fruitless. I sent him a text message, letting him know I was here and in the kitchen, hoping he’d see the message soon. I knew if he was by my side, everything would become easier.

was in the sophomore class, so he wasn’t old enough to drink, but I wasn’t about to police him.

omeone else,” I said, keeping a straight face.

eo where you were bullying that hot cheerleader,”

thinking of my sister.” I didn’t have a sister, but I didn’t want to continue this conversation. I hoped a fake sister might make this guy leave me alone.

empty bedroom—”

aid, grabbing my arm and stepping between me and this g

I was telling this guy that I’m not the type of girl to sleep around with just anyone.”

y. “If I were you, I wouldn’t listen to every rumor you he

of him shrank in response.

learly mistook her for someone else.”

n’t offering this guy a choice.

uickly disappeared into the crowd.

counter. His arms acted as a barrier between me and the party. “Now t

mine. For a moment, everything else seemed to disappear, and it was just Asher and myself in the room.

led away, he smiled and said, “Hi. It’s s

of the party going on behind us.

you’re here now.”

as expecting.”

tly, this wasn’t what I wanted either. I only invited a handful of people, but apparently they invited other people who invited their friends, and then this party became known as the rager of the semester.”

ed.

her glanced behind him. “And while that kind of party can be fun, I don’t think this is the kind of party that will fix your reputation.”

the mud.

d.

h the closest person. Just saying.” I looked up at Asher and batted my eyes. Normally, I wouldn’t suggest something like that in public, but that was what people did at parties like thi