Chapter 9

The train ride itself was uneventful. The shore was only a couple of hours away on train instead of a full day by car. Between falling asleep for a quick nap and reading my D23 magazine I noticed Fred and Ian were really hitting it off. At first I could tell they were uneasy at first sitting together but soon male bonding took hold and before long they found themselves finding a topic to talk about. Despite it was about the television show Project Runway at least they were getting well enough on their own. In back of us on the other hand Evan and Owen were having their own heated discussion on fashion as well; whether bikinis could have less fabric in smaller sizes this season. Rachel and I just ignored it.

Once at our destination the boys unloaded the luggage while we girls went to flag down some taxis. Fifteen-minutes later we arrived at a pretty ritzy neighborhood. Now we all knew the triplets were loaded with green but we didn't realized the extent of that till we saw the beach house. It was huge with a garden and fountain out front welcoming us in. The triplets strolled in unlocking the door as Fred, Rachel, and I followed dumbly in their footsteps. Once inside we just stopped and stared of what laid before us.

The open hallway led to several rooms on the first floor including a lounge area, kitchen, and open balcony made to party. All the rooms were open and bright with large windows to view the beautiful landscape before us. Outside was a tropical pleasure point with a swimming pool surrounded by fresh grass including a water fountain and wet bar as the beach laid a few feet away. From where we were standing there were stairs lead up to two more floors to my guess also had hidden treasures to explore and find.

Fred was the first to recover from shock closing Rachel and I's mouths shut. He went after the triplets with the luggage and asked where our rooms would be. I looked at Rachel, she looked at me, as we squealed and raced upstairs. A few moments later we found two adjoining rooms that were parallel in a beach shore style. There were enough rooms for each of us to have our own, with the triplets having their own personal space from coming here so often.

As soon as we settled in Rachel and I made our way down finding Fred and Ian in the lounge area.

I hopped on a barstool near the counter, "So Ian you're our tour guide for this trip, any specific places we should plan to head to?"

"Several," He smiled at me making me giddy; "It depends on what everyone wants to do though. We have the beach of course but there is also a boardwalk with stores and game areas."

Fred stretched out on the couch, "I'm up for anything as long as we get to hit the beach."

Rachel said, "Me too, although I am interested in hitting the stores too."

I pretended to gasp, "You're willing to spend money on seashells and plastic turtles?"

"Ha, Ha" she said dully. "You never know what treasures you might find here anyway. Besides, I didn't bring a suit and thought it would be better just to get one here."

Fred stared, "You knew we were coming to the beach and you didn't bring a suit? That's like the first thing you pack!"

"Well I haven't been to the beach in a year and I've grown taller with a woman figure," ending her argument sticking her tongue out.

"I'll say," Evan said walking in at the right moment with Owen trailing behind him.

Owen smirked, "Want some help choosing the right bathing suit?"

Rachel returned the smirked, "If you're willing to pay." She crossed her arms issuing the challenged on Owen who stared right back confidently.

Evan frowned before stepping between the two, "Then I guess we should hit the stores first then. We wouldn't want you to be left out of all the fun tonight."

Owen grinned, "Midnight beach party, sweet."

Ian nodded, "Alright then."

Rachel swaggered out of the room without glancing back at the boys. Fred shot me a look that said yes, I know Rachel is up to something but I rather not know beforehand.

Despite not having to drive up to the shore there was already a car in the garage waiting there for the boys. We climbed in as Owen took to the driver side and speeded down to the local shops. The boardwalk was mildly crowded with many tourist families out for a stroll. Before I knew it Rachel latched on to my arm dragging me to the first bathing suit store with the boys in tow. I was surprised that they didn't give an excuse to run off on their own till I saw the contents of the store. About ninety percent of the store was bikinis hung up on the racks with string. It made sense the only type of shopping boys were interested in with women were bikinis, and probably lingerie.

I stepped off to the side to let Rachel go and explore but her claws caught me again, "Oh no you don't you're picking one too."

"Me? But I brought my own suit!"

She gave me a look, "knowing you it's probably the same one-piece white suit with that attached skirt."

"It fits and more importantly it covers what I want it to cover."

Rachel hushed her voice as the boys explored the store, "Yeah but it's not good enough to flaunt to Ian."

Before I could respond Evan popped up with a red bikini and a grin on his face, "How 'bout it, Rachel. Red is in this year."

She looked at the bikini and huffed, "It could be better."

He looked down disappointed.

"But I could try it on. Along with," she grabbed a black, yellow, and orange set of bikinis, "these. The first rule of shopping is never say yes to the first piece you try on."

Evan's eyes gleamed as she took the red suit out of his hands along with me, pulling us into ladies room.

Now while I have doubts about my own body, Rachel on the other hand was made to strut her stuff. With a tone body it didn't quite fit what was seen with models but it didn't matter since Rachel knew how to carry herself. Though most of the time she hid her body with sensibly clothing it was her last weapon of choice to use on the male population to get what she wanted from them. Manipulator inside and out she knew how to get what she wanted. So when she appeared wearing the two-piece red bikini to the boys their eyes popped out slightly at the sight. Even Fred gave her a once through before turning his head away in respect.

Rachel posed with her hands on her hips jutting her hip out a bit, "I don't know." She bit her lip and turned to Owen and Evan, "I know red is really flashy but do you think I could pull this off?"

Without any doubt in my mind if she didn't have their balls in her hands, she did now.

Owen said, "Oh yeah, you can."

Evan said, "Absolutely."

Pretending to be doubtful she turned back to the mirror, "Well I want try on a few more before making my final decision. " She went back to change and continued to entertaining the two while stroking her ego at the same time.

I laughed to myself before going to find a suit for myself. I knew Rachel was right when she said I needed a new suit but I could never submit myself to a bikini like she has. Although there was a small selection of one-piece suits their quality wasn't overlooked. I was filing through what I might like when Ian snuck up on me.

"Looking for a new suit?"

Startled I pulled back, "Oh yeah. Rachel mentioned mine might be a bit too old. Besides, it doesn't hurt to look right?"

Ian smiled, "Not at all." He looked at the rack fingering through it, "Though may I make a suggestion?" He pulled out a baby blue suit, "I think this color would suit you."

"Thanks," I said blushing, "It looks like my taste."

"I thought it would. I'm pretty good a guessing color styles for people, mainly my brothers I guess."

I laughed, "But you all look the same."

"Yeah but it doesn't mean we don't suit the same style. I guess it's just personalities or something."

"Well I'm glad to have an expert opinion on the matter. Normally I can't find what suits me and just clash with recent trends. I know I don't have the looks to try what's popular."

Ian frowned, "It doesn't matter what's popular only if you feel comfortable with yourself. That's what matters. Besides I think you great whatever you're wearing."

We stared for a moment before I pushed away, mentioning about trying it on. I went back to see Rachel putting her clothes back one with her selection in her hand.

"That's a cute suit."

"I know, Ian picked it out for me."

Rachel beam, "Oh did he? Progress, progress."

"Yeah," I said going into my own cubicle to try on the suit. "He surprised me a bit." Thinking back to what he said before.

"In any case the boy got taste. You should definitely get it."

I looked at the price tag, "I don't know, it seems pretty pricy for my own taste."

Rachel waved it off, "Do what I do."

Before I could ask what she meant she saunter up to Owen and Evan with her choice. Even without hinted about her purchase Owen snatched the garment from her grasped and preceded to take it to the sales clerk. Shaking my head I knew Rachel was a piece of work but then again it wasn't as if she asked for Owen to pay for it in the first place.

I changed back and lingered with the suit wondering what I should do. Before I could put it back Ian came up and copied his brother's actions with some protest from me.

"Wait a minute, I can't afford this suit," I said trying to get it back.

Ian held it out of my reach, "But I can. Don't worry about it Brooke, it's my treat."

"I really must insist not to treat me; it isn't like I need a new suit."

"Ah but it would be a shame not to get it when you look so good in it." He gave the suit to the clerk before facing me, "Besides, I truly want to get it for you."

I faltered before relenting, "Alright but this does mean I have to pay you back somehow."

Ian grinned, "I'll be looking forward to it then."

By the time all our purchases were made Fred came back with an ice cream cone in his head. He spotted our bags, "I'm guessing all went well then?"

Rachel said, "Yep, now show us where you found that. I'm starving." Trying to bite a bit from his cone.

"Nope, mine." He patted her head like a dog as she growled.

We proceeded in claiming our own cones before heading back to the shore house. Little was said on the way back as it was a long day for all of us. So once we arrived back we all went to our own domains to rest and relaxed for our long night ahead. I hung up the suit along with the rest of my clothes before hopping unto the fluffy bed. I wanted to think about the progress with Ian but before I knew it I was sprawled out enjoying sinking into the sheets before conking out for a nice long nap.

A.N: I am back and ready to continue. I was depressed for a while even though I now live in Japan but I broke my writer's block while forcing myself to write this. I don't care if it's short, grammar wrong, or whatever people enjoy this and I enjoy making people happy. I have a few ideas where to go with this and some of the characters but it will take some time to figure it out. Until then more random fun and progress on the bet shall be made.