Found By You (The Found Series)

by Jessika Harper

  Chapter 18

  It’s been two days since I last saw my Chubbs. Two long and very torturous days without seeing his beautiful face. After I left the guest bedroom, I all but ran to my room. I crashed face first onto my bed and let all my tears spring free. The more I thought about Chubbs, Jackson, and everything that happened, the more I just couldn’t stop crying. I put my ear buds in hoping music would cheer me up, but man am I wrong. Dead wrong. The first song that comes on is “Breaks my Heart” by Monica, and my tears just run down harder. The lyrics literally break my heart. It’s a good song, but he’s still not here right beside me, per her lyrics. Turning my IPod off and pulling the ear pieces out roughly, I throw them across my bed. I need to get out of this funk!

  Figuring I’d take a nap because I don’t want to do anything else, I get nice and comfy. Just as I’m about to drift off to sleep, my phone buzzes. Thinking it just might be Jackson, I flip my covers off and try to fly out of the bed. My damn legs get tangled in my blankets and I’m trying so hard to get them off, but I can’t do it fast enough. Just as I free my legs, I’m running to my phone that’s on the dresser across the room. I slip on a shoe, fall, and busted my ass. It hurt really bad, like when you hit your funny bone. It hurts like hell, but is funny afterwards, that’s how this moment is. So not only am I almost in tears, but I answer my phone.

  “Hello?” I say trying to pull myself together. “Are you still crying? Ugh, I’m almost at your house, so I’m just calling to let you know, okay? Bye!” Okay, so it wasn’t who I hoped and wished it would be, instead it was my bestie. She is not going to let me just sit and cry. She is going to make me do something stupid, or worse, go out. I really don’t want to do a damn thing, but hold a certain handsome little one.

  Hearing a door slam, I know it’s going to be none other than Britnie. She knows better than to knock. We’ve had an open door policy since we were old enough to have sleepovers. The one time she did knock, Ma yelled at her and told her she is already like family and she better not knock again. She was 7 and scared shitless.

  “Heyyyyyyy Lover! What’s up?” Britnie says. She is always bubbly. I usually am too, but not lately. She followed me to college because she said she had no idea what it was she wanted to do, so she took the same classes as I did and we both have the same degree. She loves children, but not like I do. When I asked her why she didn’t just wait until she figured out what she wanted to do, she simply said, “I’m not wasting anytime. I hate school, but want to be successful. Plus, we are like twins and always in each other’s shadows, why not have fun and tag along with you?” At first I was a little freaked out that she wanted to do what I did, but in the end, she loves what she does, and who wouldn’t want their best friend right beside them at all times?

  “Hello? Are you even listening to me?” Britnie snaps her finger in front of my face breaking me out of my trance.

  “Yeah B, I’m listening to you, geez. Ease up some there.” I reply.

  “Oh really? Tell me what I just said?” Knowing I damn well didn’t hear a word she said, she repeats herself. ”I said,” she starts off, rolls her eyes and then continues, “That we are going out tonight. No bitching about it either. You are going out with me tonight and you will have fun dammit. I know you like Jackson, but honey, you have to let him deal with whatever it is he is dealing with. If he wants to come back around, he knows where you live and your number. Now, get that sexy ass in the shower or so help me, I won’t hesitate to bathe you. Don’t tempt me.” She raises her eyebrow at the last part, so I know for a fact that she isn’t joking.

  After shaving, showering and blow drying my hair, I am standing in my closet trying to figure out what to wear. I pull a pair of jeans and one of my book boyfriend T-shirts out. God I love my #ProudTuckerSlut shirt. It’s so comfy and the book is beyond amazing. The second I found out that the author, Renee Dyer, had these shirts made, I had to have it. She knows her shit! I love my talented authors.

  Getting dressed, I look for shoes and settle on my lime green Nike’s. Hmph, I’m comfy. Turning around, I see Britnie with her nose scrunched up. “What?” I say looking myself up and down.

  “I said we are going out, not going for pizza. Get your ass naked and put some slutty clothes on. Right the fuck now.”

  “Grrrr. What the fuck B? I don’t want to be slutty tonight. I’m comfy dammit. Let me be!” I say to her.

  “No lover, we are going clubbing. Slutty clothes. Now!” Knowing that I probably wouldn’t win this battle after all, I strip myself and put on the clothes she tells me to. I know she’s trying to cheer me up, but she’s making me mad too. Ugh, have to love your bestie though.

  Looking in the wall mirror at my outfit, I see the clothes are barely there and I look like a hooker! Turning towards Britnie I say, “B, I’m barely wearing clothes. I’m changing.”

  “Oh no, you are not. You look hot. You’re giving me a lady boner by showing them legs woman. You are staying just like that. Come on, please, for me?” Internally groaning, I shake my head yes and agree to wear what she wants me to. Yes, my best friend is somewhat of a bully, but I know she just wants me to have fun.

  “Cab’s here, Lover. Let’s get it on!” She says giggling while grabbing my arm. Getting into the cab, I can’t help but wish I was really staying home in my bed. Damn Britnie and her bubbly self. The cab drivers voice breaks through my train of thought. Geez, either I dazed out for a bit, or the cabbie was speeding. We got to the club fast.

  Stepping out, B walks up to the bouncer outside, and apparently he knows her because he is nodding away and is all smiles. B looks back at me and nods her head. She said to hit the bar first so we make our way there. Sitting on the stool waiting for my drink, I turn and look at the club scene. It’s not too crowded yet so people aren’t squeezing past one another. The bartender finally delivers my Miller Light. I bring it to my lips and let the ice cold brew coat my throat. Bringing the bottle back down, I see a familiar body. Grabbing Britnie’s attention, I half ask and half shout, “What the fuck is he doing here?”

  Chapter 19

  I cannot believe he is here. What the fuck is he thinking? I have never seen him here and he never wanted to come out with me. I haven’t seen him in weeks, which is a good thing, because having a stalker as an ex, is not a fun thing. I would stick my brother on his ass faster than he can even think.

  Looking at my bestie, she shrugs her shoulders and shakes her head. She knows how many times I wanted him to come here with me. When B and I turned 21, we came here every weekend. This was out “spot”. Shorty’s is a local club. It’s fun too. Not only do they play all types of music, but they play mine and B’s favorite dance, the ‘Cupid Shuffle’. We can do that shit for hours. They also play “honky tonk” music. We have a blast every time we’re here. Blake always thought it was stupid and never wanted to join. Which brings me back to the same question of, “What the fuck is he doing here?” It shouldn’t piss me off, but it does.

  Feeling my arm being pulled, I look down and see that it’s Britnie. She looks towards the dance floor and then back towards me. Knowing she wants to go and shake her ass, I smile big and nod. I love being here with her.

  Being pulled onto the dance floor, a new song starts. Britnie looks at me and we both squeal. It’s “Turn me On” by Kevin Lyttle. We love this song, and by love, I mean we watched the video a million times just to learn the dance. She gives me a knowing look and we start to do the movements to the song. We are so into the dance that we don’t realize that a circle has formed around us. Hearing the song ending, we hug each other as the crowd erupts with whoots and clapping. We smile and take little bows. We are sweaty from just one song. Needing to refuel, we head towards the bar and get another beer.

  Just as I’m about to pay the bartender, I hear a familiar voice. “I got this.” Looking to my left, I see none other than Blake. Oh yay, just the person I want to see. NOT. Ignoring him, I grab my beer and start to walk away. Just as I’m reaching t
he small table where B is sitting, her eyes widen. I’m not sure at what until I feel a hand on my back. Knowing that hand, I jerk away and continue to my best friend. Just as I sit down, Blake steps right in front of me and says, “Fancy seeing you here, princess.” I hate his pet name for me. It makes me feel like a child and he knows it.

  “Really, Blake? I seem to remember a number of times asking you to join me and Britnie, but you always turned us down, now all of a sudden, you’re here. I don’t care why you are here, but you were obviously busy before we came. Why don’t you keep it moving back to what you were doing and leave us the hell alone?” The nerve of him saying that, knowing we love this place. I wish he would just walk away. Britnie brought me out to have fun, and I was, but now I’m just pissed.

  He winks and then walks away. Well that was easy I guess. Britnie leans towards me and asks, “What the fuck was that about. He never wanted to come here and boom, he’s here. I don’t trust his ass. He left way too quickly for my liking. I don’t like him and he is definitely up to something. Do you want to leave? We can just go back to your house and have a sleepover or something. Up to you Lover.” This is why we are best friends. We have a weird twin-dar thing going on. She knows exactly how I’m feeling without saying anything. She wanted me to come out and as much as I don’t like Blake right now, I don’t think we would do something stupid, at least I hope not.

  Grabbing my best friends hand I say, “No B, we are staying and having fun. You brought me out to clear my head and it’s working, with the exception of Blake. Let’s have some fun.

  We dance our asses off to every song they play. We know just about all of them and sing as we dance. Just as we are about to head towards the bar, our theme song comes on. “No fucking way, Av! We have been waiting all damn night to do the Cupid Shuffle! I feel as though I’m about to pass out, but we are doing our dance and then getting a drink. Deal?” Britnie tells me. Knowing this is our jam, we don’t hesitate, even though we are tired and need a drink. Doing all the motions for the dance, we laugh our asses off. We really do love this song.

  As it comes to an end, we all but run to the bar. No more beer right now, we need water, and lots of it. After gulping down two full glasses of ice water, the bartender hands us a third and tells us to drink it because he’s been watching us shake our asses non-stop for a long time. Yeah, because that’s not creepy at all!! Shaking my head, we both grab it and guzzle it. B and I look at each other and both shake our heads yes, knowing it’s time to go home.

  We walk outside and the cool air hits out bodies. It feels amazing against out drenched skin. Britnie already was on the phone with the cab company the second we were almost outside. They should be here in about ten minutes or less.

  Hooking my arm thru my best friends, I lean my head on her shoulder and say, “Hey B, thanks for taking me out tonight. It was the best thing I could’ve done, so thank you. I appreciate it.” I squeeze her arm tighter.

  “Not a problem lover. I know why you are upset, trust me I do, but I don’t want to see or hear you being upset. In all honesty, you know it makes me hurt to see you hurt. It will all work itself out, I promise. Even if I have to hunt his ass down myself and make him explain. You’re not just my best friend, but also my sister. I’ll always have your back.” Looking at her I kiss her cheek and nod my head.

  Knowing we are on a drunken mushy phase, I sarcastically say, “When the fuck did we get all sentimental?” She looks at me and snorts and laughs. Seeing that our cab had arrived, B gets in first.

  Just as I’m about to get in, I feel my arm being pulled back harshly and a voice say, “Where the fuck do you think you’re going? You ain’t leaving.” Someone pulls me back roughly, making me fall straight on my ass and skim my elbows.

  Chapter 20

  Hearing Britnie scream brings me back to the current situation. I am on the ground, on my ass, with bloody elbows. Fucking great. Who the fuck pulled me so fucking hard that I landed on my ass? I’m going to kick his fucking ass!!

  Looking up, I see her in Blake’s face. So he’s the asshole who made me fall. What the fuck is his goddamn problem? Whatever it is, you bet your sweet ass I’m going to find out. I am beyond pissed right now!

  Walking fast to where my best friend is all but ripping my ex-boyfriends head off, I hear some of what she says, “...and what the fuck did you grab her for asshole? You couldn’t have just called her fucking name?! You had to pull her arm so fucking hard that she fell on her ass and hit her elbows. She could be fucking bleeding. You really are an asshole. I should call Jared and Colin right now to come down here and beat your ass. You are such a piece of shit. I cannot believe you fucking did that. Move!” She shoves him and sees me walking towards her. “Av, are you okay? Are you bleeding? Do I need to take you to the hospital?”

  She’s talking so fast and she is so mad. I know I need to calm her down. “B, I’m good. Yes, I am bleeding and it hurts like a bitch, but I am good. Calm down.” After she takes a few deep breaths, I turn to her and say, “I don’t know what the fuck he is trying to pull, but this right here,” I say pointing to my arms, “isn’t fucking cool at all. Fucking bastard.”

  Feeling anger shoot thru my veins, I stomp my ass right over to Blake and get in his face. “What the FUCK is your problem Blake? Why the FUCK are you grabbing me like that? Huh? I can’t hear you asshole. I want to know WHY and I want to know right the fuck NOW!!” I put emphasis on all the major words to get my point across. He still hasn’t said anything and it’s pissing me off more. “I want some fucking answers Blake, now!”

  He starts to laugh and says, “You’re mine and you ain’t leaving without me.” He isn’t drunk or slurring his words and that’s what scares me. “You think I’m okay with you breaking up with me because you think you know something? You don’t know shit. You tried to break up with me. You said it was over, not me. Until I kick you to the curb, you are mine. I don’t give a fuck what you say about it.”

  Spinning my head towards Britnie to see if she just heard everything I heard, she glares at him and shakes her head. “I fucking told you I didn’t trust him. He’s a fucking creeper. Who the fuck in their right mind says shit like that? A fucking creeper that’s who. You need your head examined asshole. She isn’t with you anymore and she sure as fuck isn’t leaving with you. Over my dead fucking body.”

  “That can be arranged.” Blake says with a straight face. Looking at him and hearing him say something like that, makes me realize I don’t know who he is. I have never heard him talk like that. Fuck this, I’m out of here.

  “B, fuck this. Let’s go, we are out of here.” Not wanting to stay near Blake anymore, I start to walk towards B, only to have Blake steps in front of me.

  “I just said you ain’t going anywhere.” He whispers low and I do not like how he just said that. Looking at B, I can see that she is on the phone with someone. I pray to god it’s my brother.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you Blake. I am going home with Britnie and that’s that.”

  I go to step around him and he grabs my arm again. “I said you weren’t leaving and I fucking meant it.” Trying to pull away, he grabs my arm tighter. I wince in pain, his grip is super tight.

  Just as I’m about to knee him in the balls like Jared showed me, I hear, “Get your fucking hands off her asshole.” Whipping my head to see who said that, I look into a pair of green eyes I have been dying to see for the last two days. Just seeing him brings tears to my eyes. All of my pent up feelings towards him start to come out and I am full on crying now.

  Britnie rushes over to me, but Blake pulls me back again. I’m crying my eyes out and I feel like a fucking rag doll, with all this pulling he is doing.

  “I fucking said let her go asshole. Right now. “Jackson said

  “And who the fuck are you? Mind your business buddy, run along.” Blake says back to him.

  “Avery is my business asshole and I ain’t gonna tell you again to get your fucking hands off her.
Last fucking warning.” Looking over at Jackson, I start to cry even more. I haven’t seen him and yet, here he is, coming to my rescue. People start forming outside the club and are watching what is going on, but Jackson has his hand held up, as if to say don’t come any closer.

  “She fucking you too, buddy?” I hear Blake ask with so much hate. “She isn’t really worth it in my opinion, but hey, a lay is a lay to me.” I try to jerk away and Blake pulls me more. I wince again and cry harder. I just want this nightmare to be over.

  “You are an asshole Blake. We aren’t fucking and you know that.” I say, bawling my eyes out. “I broke up with you. Now, let me the fuck go, you are seriously hurting me.”

  I notice my best friend is now crying along with me.

  Blake squeezes a final time and I look down. The next thing I hear is feet shuffling towards us and a voice booming with so much anger that says,” I fucking&^^ warned you asshole. You don’t get anymore.”

  Next thing I know, I am right back on my ass, still bleeding and crying. I have a feeling that this is not going to be good. Not at all.

  Chapter 21

  I can’t believe that I am once again on my ass and that Jackson is here. Seeing him opened up all my feelings for him. Now, I just have to deal with them.

  Hearing Britnie scream, I look up and see Blake punch Jackson. Oh my God! This cannot be happening.

  “Stop it Blake! Get off of him! Somebody help him.” No one even moves to help. They are just standing there watching this all go down. Bunch of fucking pussies. I get up and try and pull Blake off of Jackson, but he elbowed me in the face. Hard.

  “Owwww!!” I start crying all over again. Now, I’m a mess. I have bloodied elbows and probably a black eye, all thanks to Blake.