a mess || brian quinn

•31•

Jess's pov

Over these past few weeks, things have been complicated. Especially between the guys, Casey and I. Drama and constant heartache seemed to plague us all. I think that's part of the reason why Murray and the guys decided to throw a big get together for thanksgiving; everyone just wanted things to be normal and in control.

I finished applying my mascara before touching up my dark red lipstick. I ran my hands through my short hair and tucked a strand of it behind my ear. Then, through the silence, I heard my ringtone. I swiftly made my way back to my room and to the nightstand where my phone sat, charging.

"Hello?" I pressed accept and held the phone to the ear.

"Hey, Jess." Casey's voice came through the speaker and I smiled.

"Hey, Cas. What's up?"

"Are you going to the party tonight?" She sounded exhausted.

"Yeah I am. Are you?" I furrowed my brow even though I knew that she couldn't see my facial expressions.

"No. I told Quinn I'd think about it, but I can't. I don't think I can handle it mentally, y'know." I knew exactly what she meant. "But I have a favor to ask."

"Sure, Cas. Anything."

"Can you just keep an eye on Brian? I trust him, but... I guess my constant paranoia tells me not to."

"Of course I will. I'll call you if anything happens, ok?"

"You're the best, Jess. Have fun tonight. I'll talk to you later on, yeah?"

"Yeah." I still had a smile on my face as I heard the 'click' signaling that she had hung up.

I pressed the lock button on my phone, bringing me to a black screen. I then slipped it into the bag I had slung over my shoulder. Tonight was going to be weird without Casey, but I knew that it would still be amazing in every other aspect.

•••

The party went on as I expected it would.
Casey wasn't there, but other than that, it was great. I was catching up with friends, drinking, opening gifts, eating delicious food; the night got better by the minute.

"Hey, guys!" I heard Murr yell from the living room.

I exited the kitchen to see what was happening.

"How about we play some spin the bottle for old times sake." People cheered in response and then a circle began to form on the carpeted floor.

I looked around at everyone participating and was surprised to see Q. But I was even more surprised when I saw that the girl he was talking to was Mallory. Cas told me to call her if something like this happened, but I chose not to mainly because I was intoxicated, and not in my right state of mind.

I continued to look around the circle, until my eyes landed on Sal's. He made eye contact with me and the corners of his lips turned upwards. I returned the smile and hoped to god that the spinning of the bottle would bring us together. And on Sal's second spin, my wish came true.

He spun the bottle hard, and when it finally slowed down, it landed on me. Sal had already used his one and only pass, so he had no choice but to kiss me. And when he did, I felt nothing but fireworks. We pulled away from each other, breaking the kiss, and went back to our places in the circle. But instead of engaging in the game, I pulled out my phone and sent Sal a text.

'Meet me in the upstairs bathroom in five minutes. I'll go up there first, and then you wait so it isn't suspicious.'

I saw him pull his phone out of the left pocket in his athletic shorts, he shot me a smirk that was accompanied by a slight nod. I then stood up without anyone questioning me and made my way through the crowd of people who were socializing rather than playing the game.