Betting On Beaumont: A Brooklyn Novel Part 1

Betting on Beaumont.

A Brooklyn Novel.

Danielle Jamie.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

First and foremost, I need to thank my fans! Because WOW. Did I make y'all wait for this final book or what?!.

For a while there I didn't think I would ever finish this d.a.m.n book. LOL because Dixon and Brooklyn are the most stubborn couple I've ever written and for a while they refused to speak to me.

But I've finally conquered Beaumont. The book is FINISHED! I hope you all love it. I've poured my heart and soul into this story for the last four months trying to get it perfect. No other book has stressed me out and sent me on the emotional roller coast like this one has.

Thank you to my original street teamers and supports, Kayden's Angels and Dixon's Darlin's. You girls are the reason I wrote so many Savannah books and why Brooklyn ever got a series in the first place. Now because of your support and love of these characters I'm plotting out a standalone for Xander and Jax! Eeekk!!!

OMG I can't even begin to thank Danielle's Dames. You ladies are my everything. Without y'all I would disappear into oblivion in this book world. But you ladies work your a.s.ses off every single day keeping my name out there in the book world. Especially a huge thank you to my team captain Traci Hyland. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate every single thing that you do. You ladies over the last three years have become some of my bestest friends, not just fans. I appreciate everything you have done for me <3 my="" always="" fantastic="" beta="" readers!="" amy,="" tammi,="" emma,="" sophie,="" charity,="" danielle="" and="" tabby="" i="" can't="" thank="" you="" girls="" enough="" for="" all="" that="" you="" do!="" the="" most="" important="" one="" being="" supporting="" me="" no="" matter="" what="" i="" decide="" to="" write.="" you="" girls="" are="" always="" my="" biggest="" cheerleaders.="" so="" thank="" you!="" your="" support="" and="" friends.h.i.+ps="" mean="" the="" world="" to="">

I cannot say thank you enough to my bad a.s.s author friend and editor Silla Webb who kicked a.s.s whipping this book into shape for me! You are a rock star! You kept me from completely giving up on this book. Because of your support and encouragement its finally finished.

I need to give a big thank you to my family. My husband, for supporting this dream and doing everything from housework, to cooking, to traveling with me to signings, and patiently waiting every night for me to finally make it to bed after a long day of writing.

My girls, Madison and Bailey, for being such big helpers! They help so much with ch.o.r.es and helping keep Finn happy. I don't know what I'd do with my amazing girls who are mommy's biggest cheerleaders.

A shout out to my bestie Sophie Monroe who is always there whenever I need her. No matter the time or day, if I text you and need you to cheer me up or whip my a.s.s into gear, you're always there for me.

To Danielle #2 AKA Danielle Pearl. I met you in Ft.Lauderdale at the Wicked Book Weekend signing and ever since you've been an amazing friend to me. Your support and encouragement means the world to me.

I especially want to say THANK YOU! To every single one of you who support me and purchased this book! You will never know how appreciative I am for the support I receive from every single one of you.

If you can please rate and review this novel on Goodreads and the site you purchased it from to help share Brooklyn and Dixon's books with the reader world, I would truly appreciate it.

Chapter 1.

-Brooklyn.

The last few days I've tried to work up the courage to finally tell Jax that I just want to be friends. He's so sweet, so the last thing I want to do is hurt him. I've spent the entire flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas trying to work up the courage to finally talk to him. I've done well avoiding this topic at all costs since returning from Hawaii.

It makes it even harder when I can't talk to Savannah about it. After the way things blew up between Dixon and I, she's been all Team Jax'. I'm afraid that she'll be disappointed in me for giving Dixon another chance.

I've battled with myself for a week over this decision. Sure, when I balance the pros and cons of Jax and Dixon, the smart choice is Jax. He's the safe choice. But when I listen to what my heart is telling me, it's saying that it wants Dixon. All of this is so new to me. It's like I'm venturing into unknown territory here. I'm used to casually dating guys. With that, you don't have to deal with all this crazy drama. If Dixon didn't make me so d.a.m.n crazy without him in my life, I'd cut my losses and move on. But no matter how hard I've tried, the man is simply impossible to move on from.

He's been blowing my phone up ever since I texted him, informing him that Savannah and I were flying to Vegas to track down Kayden. He's relieved they're going to kiss and make up because he said Kayden's been a miserable a.s.shole since the day Savannah left. It didn't take long for the conversation to swiftly s.h.i.+ft to Jax. He's adamant that as soon as I land in Vegas, I'm to find Jax and break things off with him.

How the h.e.l.l did I get myself into this situation? Being shoved into a d.a.m.n love triangle between two friends- no less- is not how I imagined my life. I don't want to hurt Jax, but I feel like that's what is going to happen once I break it to him that I'm not into him that way. I dread confessing to him that I want to see where Dixon and I go from here.

It's all one big mess, and I find myself wis.h.i.+ng I could climb back onto the airplane, go back to my parents' house and hide out in my blanket fort. Where I can pretend that my life isn't a big freaking mess.

Since I can't do that, instead I'm diving head first into the sand as I put off talking to Jax as long as I can while I focus on helping Savannah fix things with Kayden. Once things with them are smoothed over, then I'll tackle the situation of talking to Jax.

"Wow. Talk about sw.a.n.ky." I find myself getting dizzy as I try to take everything in as we enter Kayden's penthouse. This place is hands down the nicest suite I've ever stepped foot in. He's slumming it compared to his Penthouse suite back in Houston. I don't even want to think about the amount of money it would cost to book this suite for a night.

Shutting the door behind her, Savannah lets out a sigh of relief. "It is really nice. Being Vegas it's no shocker that it's this over the top. I'm just glad the guys are all out so we have time to clean up. I feel like I smell like airplane food right now. I'm going to take a quick shower. How about you?" she asks as she walks across the marble foyer, wheeling her luggage behind her that the bell hop brought up for us.

"Once we find the showers, I'm definitely taking one. Then after we get all dolled up, Mission: Reunite Kavannah will be set into motion."

Savannah cracks up laughing as she raises her eyebrows up toward the ceiling. "Kavannah? Did you just try to Branjelina Kayden and me?"

Shrugging my shoulder's, I give her a questionable look as I furrow my brows together. "What? You don't like it. What about Savayden? It has a nice ring to it, too."

"How about neither. But it did feel good to laugh just now, though. So thanks for that."

"I'm glad I made you laugh. Just my opinion, I really like Kavannah."

Shaking her head, Savannah walks through the suite as she attempts to find a bathroom.

"With your love life recently, you'd have a handful of stupidly-cute nicknames. Brookxon or Dixlyn for you and Dixon. Jaxlyn for Jax or BroJax is kind of funny, too. Ohh and we can't forget bad boy rocker, Xander." She glances at me over her shoulder before turning the corner and walking down a long hallway filled with doors. "You two could be Xanlyn...I can't think of anything else because his name is too hard to rhyme things with." The amus.e.m.e.nt and sarcasm in her voice is evident.

"You have quite the knack for coming up with these celebrity couple nicknames. You should so do an article in Envy about the crazy and cute couple names in Hollywood."

Rolling her eyes and making a gagging sound as she dramatically sticks her tongue out, she tells me, "How about not."

After walking around for a few minutes scoping the place out, we finally find the master bedroom and an unoccupied guest room so we get cleaned up.

Before climbing in the shower I send Dixon a quick text: We just got into Kayden's penthouse. This place is off the hook. I don't think I ever want to leave! Where u guys at?? We're going to shower quick then try to find u guys.

Not wanting to waste time waiting to hear back from Dixon-because let's face it-they're in Vegas! I won't hold my breath on hearing right back from him. I texted him this morning on our way to the airport and it took him almost an hour to get back to me because they were all out to breakfast at the restaurant downstairs and he'd forgotten his phone in his room.

Stripping out of my leggings and top, I toss them onto the floor and turn on the shower. Climbing under the warm, relaxing spray of water, I try to push the racing thoughts of Dixon and Jax from my mind. I'm going to drive myself crazy if I don't stop stressing over this.

I try to let the music playing from my phone distract me, but I swear every d.a.m.n song that comes on reminds me of Dixon.

There's no denying it. I have it bad for him. Which screams DANGEROUS in bright neon fricking colors.

Letting him have this kind of power of my body and emotions is risky. Because with Dixon, you never know what you're going to get. I'm terrified that this is going to blow up in my face somehow.

There's just something about Dixon that makes me think proceed with caution' every time I'm around him. I've never given a man my heart because I've never had the desire to. But for the first time in my life, I think I may actually be falling in love.

Of course, I have to fall for the biggest player of all time who has the power and the ability to shred my heart to pieces.

Swinging my hips, I sing along with Alex Clare as I belt out "Too Close: and curl my hair when Savannah appears in the bathroom looking drop dead gorgeous.

"Look at you, hot stuff. I don't think you're going to get a word in when we find the guys. Kayden will be too busy devouring you," I joke, letting out a flirty, "Rawrrr," as I pretend to swipe my claws at her.

"One can only hope. I can't wait to put all this drama behind us and focus on planning our wedding and just being happy."

I set the curling iron down and grab my phone turning down the music. "I hope so too, girly. After everything with Zak and Jacob and then Giselle with her Nadia bulls.h.i.+t, you two deserve to be happy."

"I'm all ready when you are. Can you text Jax and see where they are? I don't want to text Kayden and ask because I want to surprise him."

"Sure," I lie. I'm avoiding letting Jax know I am anywhere near Las Vegas until after I have a few shots of liquid courage flowing through my veins. Instead, I'm using Dixon to get all the deets on him and the guys.

"Thanks. I'm going to wait for you in the living room. You almost ready?"

I finish spraying my curls with hairspray before answering her so that I don't get hairspray in my mouth. Picking up the curling iron I finish my last strand of hair. "There. Done with my hair. I have to finish my makeup and then I'm ready to roll."

"Perfect. If you don't hear back from Jax, we can try Dixon or Braxton. One of them has to have a d.a.m.n cell phone on them."

"Don't you worry. We're going to find them and reunite you two love birds finally so everything can be right with the world once again."

I finish applying my makeup and head back into my room to dig through my oversized purse I brought on the plane. Dumping my bag onto my bed, I dig through the contents scattered. Finally, I find a spare hair tie, my favorite lip gloss, and my wallet, then stuff them all into the clutch I'll be using for the night. Kneeling on the ground, I open up my suitcase filled with all of my shoes and begin dumping everything out as I try to decide on which shoes to wear.

By the time I'm through getting dressed, the room looks like a tornado hit it-but my outfit is on point. I step into my heels and walk back into the bathroom to grab my phone and almost jump out of my skin as it suddenly begins going off. "Clarity" by Zedd begins blasting throughout the bathroom, echoing off of the walls.

Immediately, I know it's Dixon and eagerly answer it. b.u.t.terflies invade my stomach as I press answer and hear his thick, raspy drawl hit my ears.

"Hey!" I can't hide the excitement in my voice as I answer.

"Sorry I'm just getting back to you. We were out to dinner. We're getting ready to leave now and head back to the hotel. There's a party at the club tonight for one of our friends to celebrate his UFC fight in Vegas this weekend."

"Oh really, well sounds like you're having a h.e.l.l of a lot more fun than Savannah and me."

"Haa. It hasn't been all fun. We hit the casino before dinner, and I lost a few grand. But I'm determined to win it back later tonight."

"Let's hope I have better luck than you when I hit the tables later on. That's one reason why I avoid Vegas. It's so easy getting wrapped up in the fun of gambling. When you're flying high and winning big it's a lot of fun. But you always end up losing one way or another. I swear these places are rigged or something."

Dixon lets out another s.e.xy chuckle that sends my heart fluttering in my chest. "Yeah, that's why I have a love-hate relations.h.i.+p with Sin City. Well, the guys are waving at me to hurry up. Our driver just pulled up to the curb. I don't know if they're going to want to come up to the room for anything. So if you two plan on surprising Knox, I suggest y'all finish getting ready and get out of there."

"We're all ready to go, so I'll let Savannah know. Maybe we'll go hang out at the slots or something for a bit. Once you guys are at the club, shoot me a text and we'll come find you."

I hear m.u.f.fled voices filling the phone as voices grow louder around him. "Alright, I'll see you later. Okay?"

"Kay."

The second I hit end and go to toss my purse into my clutch, it vibrates in my hand. Glancing down at the screen I see it's a text from Dixon already.

I forgot to tell you that I can't wait to see you ;) r u going to talk to Jax tonight? I know I keep hounding you. It's just that no matter how exciting it is sneaking around, I'm ready to be able to touch you anytime I want to & not be worried about who sees.

The knot that had vanished only a few moments ago after talking to Dixon is now back and sending pains through my stomach. I want that more than anything also. I only wish there was a way to do it so no one would get hurt. Why couldn't Dixon realize he wanted to see where things could go with us when I was all in weeks ago. Instead, he was so focused on proving to me that he didn't have feelings for me that he practically threw me into Jax's waiting arms.

They say women are the most complicated people on the planet? I think that statement should be reevaluated because I am pretty certain that whoever came up with that statement never dealt with a man like Dixon Beaumont.

He's proven to me more times than I can count that a man can be far more confusing and a pain in the a.s.s compared to a woman.

I type back a quick response, trying to pacify him on this subject for a little while longer.

I plan on talking to him tonight after Savannah and Kayden get their love life situated. Then I'll focus on mine.

One crisis at a time, Beaumont.

Tossing my phone into my clutch, I join Savannah in the living room. She's standing in the middle of the room looking anxious, so I strut across the room effortlessly in my sky high heels and pull her in for a hug. Flas.h.i.+ng my biggest smile, I catch her up on what the plan is. "Okay, so here's the plan. Dixon said they're all leaving dinner and heading back here for some UFC party they're throwing at Vertigo. So we need to get our hot little a.s.s' out of here in case they decide to stop up here for anything beforehand."

"Dixon? Seriously, Brooklyn?" The sarcasm in her voice is evident as we head out of the suite. Savannah shakes her head at me as she yanks open the door and heads out into the hallway. I speed walk past her as we make our way down the short hallway toward the elevator. I snap my head to the side, narrowing my eyes at her over my shoulder. "Hey! Don't judge me! That guy is a rock star in the sack. Jax can rock my world; don't get me wrong, but Dixon is in a category all his own. You can tell he and Kayden are related...that's all I'll say."

I don't miss the dramatic eye roll she gives me as an aggravated moan escapes her mouth. Her eyes cut from me to the elevator doors as she watches me press the call b.u.t.ton. She avoids eye contact as her eyes grow large and she makes a cringing expression, waving her hands out in front of her.

"Brooklyn, I really don't want to hear about Dixon's p.e.n.i.s at the moment."

I can't help but laugh. This coming from the girl who loves to brag about Kayden's p.e.n.i.s and all its wondrous talents. Which, by the way, I've had to listen to firsthand since we share a beach house together.

The doors ding as the cart reaches the top floor, and as soon they slide open we waste no time stepping inside and pressing the b.u.t.ton for the lobby. I lean against the wall and fold my arms across my chest, flas.h.i.+ng her a playful smirk as she leans against the wall beside me.

"Hey, I can't allow you to be the only one able to brag about the Texas sized-d.i.c.k her boyfriend has. I've had my fair share of Oscar Mayer wieners, so when I get a large Southern sausage, I'm going to freakin' brag about it!" I playfully b.u.mp my hip into hers trying to loosen her up. She's wound up tighter than my intestines right now. I can't decide who's more stressed out? Me or her? "Chill out, Savannah. You're going to go find Kayden, have wild animalistic make-up s.e.x, and all will be right with the world again."

Chapter 2.

-Brooklyn.

It's almost impossible to not people watch while in Vegas. I mean there are all kinds of crazy people that come out at night in Los Angeles-but I am almost certain Vegas takes the cake for the amount of crazy you see in a night.

I find myself eavesdropping on people's conversations to help pa.s.s the time while we wait in line. It's quite entertaining all in itself.

There're two girls in line ahead of us wearing dresses that look like someone took a pair of scissors to them and hacked half of the fabric off. But sadly the sleaze b.a.l.l.s in line are practically undressing the barely covered girls with their sleazy stares. They're hanging on the arms of men who look like they could be their grandfathers. As I watch the old geezers grope the women's a.s.ses and whisper in their ears, I find myself holding back the urge to vomit.

I have no idea how women are able to block out the fact that they are hooking up with a guy whose d.i.c.k looks like a grape after sitting out the sun for about eighty years! It's f.u.c.king disgusting! But money makes people do some crazy a.s.s s.h.i.+t.

As we walk through the crowd of gambler's toward The Pink Taco restaurant- because I need a shot before my a.s.s goes any further-we watch an old lady who looks to be about 70 wearing a full body jumpsuit sans bra-just letting those t.i.tties of hers hang freely as she tears up the Blackjack table. It's mind-blowing watching the guys flock to her table and flirt their a.s.ses off with this old lady as she chain-smokes and gambles.

At this rate, I need to make sure I find Dixon and protect him from the thirsty ho's up in here. If they're willing to go full on hoe bag over some old rich dude-I don't even want to think about what they'd do to get into Dixon's pants. I won't think twice before I kick a b.i.t.c.h's a.s.s straight up the d.a.m.n strip.

But we did meet a fun group here in Vegas for a bachelorette getaway. They took shots with us at the bar. Savannah and I paid for their drinks and wished the bride luck. Not just for her upcoming nuptials but for surviving Las Vegas. This city isn't called Sin City for nothing. You can get yourself in all kinds of trouble in this place. Guys love finding bridal parties. They know they're an easy target for hot, meaningless hookups. Way too many brides love coming here and getting their rocks off before committing to one guy for the rest of their lives.

I say it's your last hooray! Do whatever float's your boat; just make sure you don't bring home chlamydia as one of your Vegas souvenirs.