Summary: Dixon is a junior music executive who has to go promote a new band. The only problem? His 18 year old sister Annie is coming to visit for the month before starting college. Dixon leaves his roommate, Liam, to watch out for her until he gets back. Lannie summer fluff.
Twenty-one year old Liam was standing out front in his bar, taking inventory when his roommate Dixon strut in. Dixon had a huge cocky grin on his face.
"Hey man! You will not believe my news!" Dixon called out in his usual chill voice.
Liam looked up from the clipboard he was holding. "Oh yeah?" He and Dixon had both taken non traditional paths after high school. Liam had started bar-tending; working his way up to assistant manager, manager, and now co-owner with Old Salty. Meanwhile, Dixon was pursuing his passion in the music industry. They both had a ton more freedom than there other friends like Teddy and Navid who were stuck in classes. Honestly, Liam didn't see the point of paying lots of money to suffer through higher education. That wasn't him, he and Dixon both wanted to make it on their own and respected each other's ambitions.
"Yeah but first I have a little favor to ask," Dixon was saying.
"I don't think so bro."
"You don't even know what I'm about to ask. Why can't you take a second to hear me out?"
"Dixon, the last two times I was asked to 'do a favor'" Liam slapped the clipboard down to air quote, "I was set-up and I don't think the third time is about to be any charm."
"Paranoid." Dixon coughed under his breath.
"Oh really? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time Navid asked for a favor, I ended up on a couple's weekend with them and Adriana's friend Naomi. I ended up pandering to her every whim while she cried over Max -"
"This is different," Dixon cut in.
"And then Teddy...'please date Silver'...forgetting to mention she's bipolar and then he falls in love with her to top it off."
"Aren't they moving in together?"
"I think so." Liam shook his head at that. Out of nowhere, Teddy Montgomery, a disciplined athlete decides Erin Silver is his soul mate? Unfathomable..
"Ok! I get that you don't want a girlfriend but this is not a set-up. I repeat this is NOT A SET-UP. You remember my sister, Annie, all I need is for you to keep her out of trouble... for a week tops."
"Come again?"
"I mean she's moving on campus this fall and staying with me...er us..starting this weekend until classes start back up."
"I think you neglected to mention that."
"Sorry, but look I have to go promote this new album for the label and it's real important."
"I don't know-"
"I'll only be away a week and she's got nowhere else. I mean our mom's going to Paris and our Dad's preoccupied with his own drama."
Liam kind of got where Dixon was coming from, family was a big deal to him but "Annie? I don't know..I mean when she was a freshman and we were seniors she had the hugest crush on me."
"All freshman girls crush on senior guys. Plus she hasn't talked about you since. Plus she makes the worst choices in guys. Have I ever told you about the psycho Jasper she dated last year? The girl definitely needs someone looking out for her interests until I get back."
Next Saturday night Liam's party was in progress. He liked inviting people and girls back after closing time. That was one perk of living upstairs from the bar. Dixon also liked having singers, bands, and music executives over and their parties tended to get pretty chaotic in the best way.
Liam opened the door to Silver and Teddy. "Tell me you two did not get married." he asked watching Teddy whisk Silver off the ground and carry her bridal style into his crowded living room.
"Not yet..just practicing," Teddy called back.
"Oh great," Liam intoned. He was about to shut the door, when some girl pushed it right in his face. She was wearing a teeny jean skirt and baby doll top. Her nails were bright blue matching her clear aquamarine eyes. Her light brown hair cascaded in endless waves.
Annie gasped and who could blame her? Liam, her oldest crush in the world, was leaning against the door jam looking hotter than ever. "Hi," she said.
"Hey." Liam looked at her, he barely recognized her as Dixon's little sister anymore. She appeared more confident and seductive than he recalled.
"Is Dixon around?" Annie asked. "The loser forgot to pick me up from the airport."
Oops. Liam knew Dixon would give him hell for forgetting to get Annie. "Well you made it didn't you?"
Annie gazed through the door at the drinking and partying, "Wait is this my welcome to LA party?" she squealed.
"Not really."
Annie's eyes narrowed a fraction.
"Dixon mentioned you'd be staying with us."
"Well he didn't mention you lived here." She surveyed the party. "This summer is just full of surprises."
"I just found out too, but whatever. I guess we can always use a hot babe to cook and clean."
"Then I suggest you hire one."
"Well then let me suggest you hire a welcoming committee if that's what you're expecting."
"Liam! Stop playing around and just tell me where my brother is. Since he didn't make it to get me, I had to take a cab and I have no money to pay the driver. He's waiting."
Liam frowned. Just perfect. Why did Dixon have to make him into some glorified babysitter? "I'll take care of it." He brushed past her, expecting her to follow him back down, but instead she went inside.
Ten minutes later, Liam returned exerting an extraordinary amount of effort hauling the numerous heavy luggage bags Annie hadn't mentioned would be waiting for him. Dixon was going to owe him big time. He glanced around not seeing her so he toted everything into Dixon's room. "Hey! What the -" his plan was to dump everything on the bed, but he was caught off guard seeing Teddy and Silver in it making out and engaged in some pretty heavy petting.
"Killer party," Teddy commented not taking his eyes off Silver, who was staring at him with her sultry mocha eyes.
Liam gave him a sarcastic grunt, dropping his load on the ground.
"What's with all the suitcases?" Silver asked.
"Oh. That's a great story. You didn't see a brunette in a short skirt around did you?"
"Is that rhetorical? Take your pick, there's about twenty girls that fit that description."
"Yeah well this one is Dixon's little sister and I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on her. Or whatever."
Silver and Teddy both shook their head. It was pretty obvious to Liam where both of their minds were at.
"You know what never mind." Liam slammed Dixon's door shut giving them back their privacy.
Snaking his way through groups of people and overlapping conversations, he eventually caught sight of Annie. She was sandwiched between two guys on a love seat. One was his bartender, Greg, sliding his hand over the hemline of her skirt and the other was a friend of Teddy's that played Lacrosse. Both were riveted to Annie. Maybe Dixon did have a point about Annie's track record with guys. Liam marched right over in his usual nonchalant swagger before anything further could precipitate. "Annie. What are you doing?"
"Just making friends," Annie beamed. "Where's Dixon at?"
"He had some music business so he's not gonna be around this week."
"He never told me that."
"Yeah clearly Dixon has communication issues. Anyway, your stuff is in his room," Liam indicated towards the bedrooms. He observed Teddy and Silver returning to the party sharing secret smiles with each other. "Anyway why don't you go hang out in there and unpack or watch tv."
"Why?"
"Cuz I'm not having some high schooler crashing my party."
"I'm 18!"
"I don't care, go in your brother's room and leave my friend's alone."
"What's your problem?" Greg complained.
"You don't have to encourage her," Liam replied brooding as he watched Annie stomp to the room.
"You sound a little jealous," Teddy's friend stated in a knowing voice.
"Be real. I am not jealous of anyone. I am not the jealous type."
"Yeah well I think you just met your match."
Liam looked back in Annie's direction. Love at first sight? That was Teddy and Silver. High school sweethearts? That was Ade and Navid. He was free and that was how things were going to stay.
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