Unsurprisingly Complicated

by Claudia Burgoa

  Mase: I know better. I do, I swear.

  That’s exactly why I stay away from you, Nine.

  I’m beginning to think that Mason and I shouldn’t occupy the same space for more than a day or two within a two or three-year span. We’re like a time paradox, but there’s no time involved. The effect produced is a catastrophe of lust and hurt that only leaves one of the two numb and confused, while the other… I have no idea what the hell happens to him.

  One moment, we’re inside this hazy world where only the two of us exist and the next, bam, the entire universe is crumbling down. I’m all for sending him to Narnia and burning down the wardrobe. My head fumes when I recall our nightclub experience. That hot and cold attitude he developed drives me crazy. The madness hit the highest note when he became this Alpha-Neanderthal ordering me around as if I belonged to him - then disposing of me like a quick fuck. Not that we fucked. I’d know if that had happened. Bet he would’ve stuck around for a few more rounds if that had been the case.

  The chemical attraction is there, but as I’m not willing to treat whatever we have as a light fling or a quickie, things won’t happen. It surprises me how Mason thinks we can fool around and continue to have the same relationship we’ve had for years. Or that he can approach me one second and reject me the next. As if the sweet girl he’s known since birth will be around like nothing had happened between us.

  During my drive from the music school, I replay the night in my head, how the possessive, crazy man marked his territory. I should thank him for not peeing on me while he was at it. Mason had been the one suggesting we put aside the craziness between us and enjoy the night. Everything was perfect until he kindly said, “You’re hot. But us? You’re not.”

  I’m not the kind of girl that he’d introduce to his parents. The girl who he’d call a girlfriend. He’d never think about me being his last call at night, and the first voice he’d want to hear in the morning. One guy did that to me already. He made sure for years to tell me I was a good lay and only his girlfriend in secret. As I later learned, Porter fucked every girl available, every day he was away from me. AJ Colthurst-Decker isn’t that girl anymore. I won’t be anyone’s plaything. Not Mason’s, or any other man.

  Clearing my mind, I focus on today. It’s a brand new day and nothing about Mason matters. I plan on ignoring him until we can go back to that friendship we used to have. I refuse to acknowledge his cyber junk. If I don’t, I’ll never move on. I’m at that place where I can’t forget about those earth-shattering-life-altering-knee-weakening kisses. God, the jerk knows how to kiss. My imagination takes me to some scenarios with what he can do with that mouth. I swerve the car to the left, but recover quickly and thank my lucky stars that there aren’t any cars around.

  As if I summoned Mason with my mind, a text of his appears on the screen of my phone as I turn off the ignition of my car. I look around to make sure he isn’t close, stalking me. That’s his job, isn’t it? Being a super ninja-stalker and saving the world?

  A picture of Lake Washington, but it’s the caption that puts a crease in my forehead. ‘Great day to go sailing. Want to join?’

  I don’t answer; instead, I turn off my phone and shove it inside my purse while I to the school.

  The view makes me regret arriving earlier than what my brothers and I had agreed. At six foot three with a lanky frame, wearing his skinny black jeans and a ratty t-shirt is Porter. Chocolate brown eyes staring at me.

  “What now, Porter?” He has been calling non-stop since yesterday, sending texts, and leaving voicemails.

  “You were with him on Thursday,” his accusatory voice startles me.

  Him knowing I was with someone was definitely creeping me out.

  “I don’t like to share,” he raves. “Mine. I claimed you long ago. One slip and you are trying to change the game. I won’t allow it, Ainsley. Not now or ever. We are one. Bradley has to stay away from you.”

  He takes a step forward, and I don’t back up. Instead, I raise my chin and stare at him. “I’m not anyone’s property,” I establish, his gaze remains fixed on me. “You have no right to. Wait… How do you know?”

  Porter places most of the weight of his body on his left side, crosses his arms and takes several breaths. He cocks his head as if self-questioning himself, or maybe reconciling what he did and what he should tell me.

  Typical Porter.

  As he works something inside that head of his, my own mind stays busy. We can have a final talk, can’t we? We’re here, might as well have a mature conversation. I can start with something like, ‘Can I punch you until I feel better?’ No, that’s the opposite of mature. There has to be a better way to come to an understanding that he has to keep his distance. The ass hurt me, he abused me. It doesn’t matter that he didn’t use physical force. Words hurt. Lies, even the littlest one of them can hurt someone. All of them, little and big, hurt me. His presence isn’t physically threatening, but drains my soul.

  “I was at Vogue with a friend.”

  The perfect example of irony. He’s telling me that I can’t see anyone while he was with one of his multiple friends. A humorless laugh blossoms, and I can’t control it.

  “Priceless, Porter,” I say between gasps because I can’t stop the amused, yet bitter chortle. “You went with your latest girl toy to Vogue. While doing whatever it is that you do, you spotted me and came to, what? Warn me? We are no longer together. Damn, you’re missing a screw.”

  The slight quirk to his eyebrow indicates his displeasure. In only a few seconds, Porter Kendrick will blow out and tell me what I should think or do.

  “If I decide to date Mason, it’s my business,” I argue. “How about you leave me alone and live your own life?”

  A scornfully raised eyebrow is the only response he can give me. That arrogance angers me. I quell the urge to slap him across his face and kick him in the shins.

  “He’s always wanted you,” Porter implies. “I won’t let him have what’s mine. Mine. I’ll be around to prevent that asshole taking away the only person I love.”

  Well, now he’s delirious. Years ago, with his actions he established that there wasn’t much love between us. That I meant close to zero, nil, nada to him.

  “This is the last time I want to see you around,” I order him. “Next time I’ll make sure to call the police. Your pursuit of me is getting close to stalking. The texts and phone calls are getting old, and I have the records that you’re harassing me.”

  “I need your help.”

  He always needs my help. Ever since my parents fostered him, it’s been me helping him and solving his problems. No more.

  “The house in Austin,” he starts. “A friend of mine is leasing it, but… it isn’t enough. I have to sell it.”

  “Sell it, then.” I give him my blessing. “I haven’t lived there for years. I don’t live in Austin anymore. I’m not with you, I don’t love you. For the love of God, leave me alone.”

  “You need to sign some papers so I can sell the house.”

  For a moment, I wonder what he’d need the money for and it clicks. Chris told me not long ago that he doubted Porter was clean. I decide not to ask what my signature is for, because if I give him what he wants he’s only going to snort it all away within a few weeks. There must be another way to get rid of him.

  “Sorry, no,” I tell him. “Leave. If you look for me, you’re going to regret it, Porter. I mean it this time.”

  “You have no idea what you’re getting us into, AJ,” he threatens me. “You’ll regret it. As usual, you’re a fucking selfish bitch.”

  There’s the man I know, and wonder why I loved for so many years. I lift my hands up in the air as I shake my head. Making a getaway, I enter the school, my legs shaking, but I regain strength right before my brothers arrive.

  “We saw Kendrick’s car,” MJ says after kissing my cheek.

  “Yeah?” I have no idea what Porter drives. “He left only a few minutes ago. The man is in his s
talker-ish prick mode.”

  My brothers laugh at the nonsense I say.

  “Why did you disappear on Thursday?” JC asks. “You and Mason didn’t…”

  “No, me and Mason nothing…,” I stop before he tries to dig up some information. These two are great at detecting lies when it comes to me. “I had a slight headache and decided to head home.”

  “Alone?” JC growls.

  I roll my eyes and decide to head to the main office—my future office. Well, kind of. My brothers and I will share it, but they won’t be in the school as often as I will.

  “Hey turn on your phone,” MJ advises. “The parents and Mason called me to check on you because they can’t get through.”

  I turn it on and sure enough, several voicemails and texts appear. Damn it.

  Mase: I take that’s a no to sailing. Not that I’m there. I’m working, but I’d take the time off if you accept.

  Mase: Stop ignoring me, please.

  PK: You are mine.

  PK: I’ll recover everything: my music, my status, and you.

  Ainse: I’m fine, parental units. I’m having issues with my phone. Text you once I solve them.

  AJ: Leave me alone, Porter.

  PK: There’s nothing you can do to stop me.

  AJ: Yes there is. This phone is no longer mine.

  I head outside the school and stop a teenager who’s walking by. “Do you want this phone?”

  “I… no, thank you.”

  “It’s free of charge,” I tell him as I reset the phone, erasing everything on it. Pictures, numbers, emails… everything. “You’re doing me a favor.” I take out the SIM card and hand it to him, brushing off my hands. Problem solved. No more Porter and… well… Mason.

  “Was that necessary?” MJ questions, and I shrug.

  “Want to head to the mall after this?” I ask them. “I think I need a new phone.”

  “She’s losing her mind,” JC says.

  “Porter threatened to stalk me. I’m taking my life back, and all the power he believes to have over me away.”

  I hope.

  “He’s alive,” Kowalski says as I exit my office after working nonstop all weekend. My only breaks were to eat and text Ainse. “Here I thought you’d be holed up at Nine’s house after the little display you two exhibited on the dance floor. Instead, you’re a grizzly bear growling at anyone who dares speak to you. What happened?”

  I rub my neck and shake my head. That display had ended in me not speaking clearly and making her think that I only wanted her for a quickie.

  “Did you get the email?” Jody asks, and I nod.

  Working as a consultant for government agencies is a pain in the ass, but it pays well and I have fun most of the time. Not this one, though. Drugs aren’t my forte—especially the drug-lords. They like to remember your face and fuck your entire family. That’s why you have to kill everyone involved—even their dog, in case they sniff your ass and bite it without mercy.

  “What email?” Kowalski asks.

  “Money laundering, drug trafficking, and all that fun shit,” I give him the highlights. “If we accept, we will be working on this side of the border and have a connection down in Mexico. Interested?”

  He drops his head, taps his foot, and seems to be deep in thought. We both know a job like this isn’t a walk in the park. If we go in, it might become a full-time commitment. A project like this can take years.

  “Yeah, I’m in.” He scratches his bald head. “Who’s going to be part of the team?”

  I shrug, because I haven’t gotten that far yet. “Before I agree, I want to meet with them,” I offer. “I want you with me in that meeting, and if we decide to go in, then you’ll help me design the team.”

  “Fair enough,” he smiles. “Are you leaving?”

  “Yeah, there’re a few things I need to fix, like handing my ass to the Deckers, who I’m sure want to kick it after what happened at the nightclub.” Neither one has contacted me, and their sister must have changed phones. I tried calling her several times on Saturday, and the same robotic voice repeated that the phone was no longer in service. A bit extreme to change phones because of what I did, but I understand. I hurt her. I can’t get over that she never changed her phone after what Porter did to her, but one night makes her do that to me.

  “They were too busy to know you were getting it on with their sister,” Kowalski tells me. “But I agree, fix that shit and come back a happy man—tomorrow—after you apologize to that lovely girl. We liked her. Karen thought she was perfect for you. Donna called the wife; she wants to organize a couple’s dinner at Wing’s place.”

  “We’re not a couple,” I correct him.

  Then I address Jody, “Have a good evening.”

  “It didn’t look like that last week,” Kowalski yells, but I ignore him.

  I arrive before seven at the Decker’s place; both of them are in the kitchen opening their takeout.

  “Look, the ass is here,” MJ nods at me. “What brings you around?”

  “You let AJ drive home on Thursday night,” JC jumps into the conversation. “You swore you’d take care of her. I mean, shit, what if Porter had stalked her that night?”

  “First, I drove behind her and made sure she arrived safely,” I poorly defend myself. “Second, what the hell do you mean Porter stalked her?”

  They both glare at me and shake their heads.

  “Is that asshole bothering her?”

  “Not anymore. She went bonkers and fixed it.” MJ takes a beer out of the fridge while talking. “The sister is tough and hates when we try to fight her battles.”

  She may be tough, but I don’t like that she has to do it by herself. That’s my job, isn’t it, to protect her? There’s that blurry line again, the one between friendship and something else I can’t define. I just know that I want to bang my chest and claim her as mine in front of the rest of mankind.

  An alarm beeps, and both of them grin, forgetting I’m right in front of them.

  JC and MJ, as if they have connected brains, speak, “Payback time.”

  I’ve seen that face multiple times. The face the triplets get when they’re about to play a prank.

  “What the fuck did you do?” I growl. “Where’s Ainse?”

  “She placed an ad for us. We wanted to hire an assistant.” JC’s voice loses force as he searches for napkins. “The ad specified twenty to thirty years of experience required… We are inexperienced and in search of the best dom on the market.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. Payback after their ‘sub’ nickname for Ainse.

  “Can you imagine the women who arrived at the interview?” MJ continues. “They thought the assistant position was faux, and the real deal was us looking for a dominatrix. One already had matching collars for us.”

  I shake my head, that’s my girl. “Wait, what did you do to her?”

  They both grin. “Blind date.” JC tilts his head to the food cartons. “Hungry?”

  “With whom?” my voice gets louder.

  “An old guy who thinks she’s a dominatrix,” JC tells me. “I’m giving her ten minutes to come over and try to cut our balls off.”

  “You assholes,” I pin MJ down since he isn’t holding food and is more likely to spill the beans faster. “Where the fuck is she?”

  “The restaurant down the street, Devon’s.” His eyes bulge. “Take it easy, it’s a joke. She can take them.”

  I don’t listen to him any longer as I’m rushing to catch up with Ainse. They have to be fucking kidding. Her first date can’t and shouldn’t be fucked up with a prank. Sprinting through the pedestrians and not waiting for the walking sign to cross the street, I make it in two minutes flat.

  Nine stands in front of the hostess and is speaking with a low voice so no one can hear her, not even me.

  “Yes, he’s waiting for you,” the hostess says. “He’s at table seven… No, you can’t see it from here. He asked for a private booth.”

  “
Nine,” I call after her. She shakes her head. “Can I have a word with you?”

  Her back expands and slumps, then she rotates, and her green eyes stare at me.

  “You already had too many words, Mason.” Those long exhales with the narrow gaze are becoming a permanent feature.

  “This can’t be your first date,” I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and speak. “That’s mine, it belongs to me. I worked fucking hard for it. I’m… Can we talk in private? I swear, after I’m done, if you don’t like what I say, you can call Kowalski and have him shoot me.”

  The left corner of her lip pulls up enough to tell me I said something right.

  “My first date is yours?” Her eyes become slits. “We’re done for now, buddy. Your choices are to take a hike or go and shoot yourself.”

  Nine takes a few steps toward the dining room, takes a peek at the table the hostess mentioned, and groans. “I hate men, and on days like this, my brothers included.” She pivots around and heads for the exit.

  “You promised,” I try appeasing her soft heart. “Nine and Ten always remain together.”

  “Agh!” She freezes, tilts up her head giving me a glaring gaze. “I think I hate you, too.”

  Don’t let her go, think fast, I order myself.

  “Nine, let’s talk like two civilized adults,” he pleads.

  My rage levels climb up to the roof as Mason gives me a cocky smile and reminds me that Nine and Ten always remain together—as if. That after claiming my first date as his, then calling me childish for not wanting to talk to him—I think that’s what he meant by ‘civilized adults.’

  “Are you high or something like that?” I step outside the restaurant walking toward Eleanor. “Because you’re the one behaving like a child, not me. The level of maturity of the kindergarten children I taught today is higher than yours. You’re driving me insane. One moment you appear out of nowhere to claim me as some kind of property; an alpha marking his territory. Which, may I remind you, I’m not yours. And with the next breath, you reject me.”

  We study each other as people pass us by. The traffic noises don’t stop and yet neither one of us moves nor talks. He doesn’t blink, and suddenly he shakes his head, takes my hand, and pulls me toward him, directing me to where I had parked Eleanor.