by V. Kelly
Max scans the crowd until his eyes land on a booth in the corner of the room. With a hand on my elbow and he guides me through the people until we stop in front of it. A short, plump girl with brown eyes and curly brown hair to her shoulders is sitting there when we arrive. She looks really fun and outgoing. Her wide smile tells me she already knows who I am.
“You must be Max’s sister! I’m Maggie!” she exclaims.
“Everly,” I tell her. “Thanks for inviting me, Maggie. My brother here is a bit of a dud right now. He needs to get fucked immediately. Where’s the girl you set him up with?” I eye the tall, dark, and handsome whose arm is around her. He’s quite possibly the sexiest black man I’ve ever seen; he almost puts Shemar Moore to shame—almost. I’m wondering if they are just friends, but then he bends in and kisses Maggie’s hair. He’s got those stardust eyes I hear so much about. Stardust eyes are when a couple meet, jump straight into dating, and look into each other’s eyes like there is no one else on the planet they’d rather look at. Whoever this guy is, he definitely has stardust eyes for Maggie. They’re so cute together.
I feel Max’s glare even without looking at him. He must not be happy about the idea of being set up so soon after Breezy. Tough shit, Max. Deal with it.
“She’s running behind. She should be here in a bit. Everly, this is my boyfriend Dashawn. I practically had to drag him here. He hates karaoke.”
“How can anyone hate karaoke? Check out that chick on the stage. She’s awesome!” I yell over the music. “She’s got the donkey mating call down pat.” The overweight Asian woman is just finishing up her song. I’m practically in love with her already. She’s what I would call a professional karaoke master. She’s horrible at singing but has the stage presence of Britney Spears before her breakdown. She commands that stage and demands everyone’s attention while assaulting their ears with her incredibly off pitch, and almost queasy rendition of the song. She’s perfect and I adore her.
Maggie giggles. “Max, you never told me your sister was funny.”
“I didn’t know,” Max mumbles. He’s looking at me strangely. I wonder what he’s thinking about. There is a round of drinks on the table and Max grabs a beer, chugging it like it’s water.
“Geesh, Max, slow down,” Dashawn scolds. “Your date isn’t even here yet.” Wow, Dashawn has a sexy, deep voice. There’s a little bit of southern twang in it—just enough to make me believe he has a tiny accent hidden deep down inside of him.
“So, Everly, how long you in town for?” Maggie asks, diverting my attention away from her boyfriend.
“This weekend, but I graduate in a month and plan on moving back home. I miss it here. I gotta find a job, though, which sucks.”
“What’s your major?” Dashawn asks.
“Business, I’m not sure where I’m going to take that either.”
Dashawn’s face lights up. “Max, you didn’t tell her?”
“Tell me what?” I question while taking a sip of my drink. Maggie bought me a margarita. I must thank her for that later on. I notice that she keeps looking around the bar. I despise being the third wheel, hopefully, Max’s date will get here soon.
Maybe I can find someone to keep me company. Most of the people here aren’t very attractive. If this were a club, half these people wouldn’t be able to get in. Nevertheless, I scan the crowd. I almost give up my search for a worthy companion until my eyes meet his.
Across the room, sitting in a booth with a couple friends is quite possibly the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. He has a boyish look to him. Sandy blonde hair dangles into the most gorgeous teal-colored eyes I’ve ever seen. A light blue t-shirt cuddles each muscle across his torso. He’s not as ripped as my brother, but those arms should be bronzed and hung on my wall—they’re that hot. He smiles at me from across the room. Oh my god that smile! It’s an instant vagina wetter. He winks at me and I find myself blushing. Holy shit! God, I hope he has an accent.
“I’m getting my own gym. I asked Max here to be my partner. We’re looking for a business manager.” Dashawn’s voice interrupts the eye-fucking I’m doing of the blonde dreamboat across the bar, and it takes me a few seconds to process what he’s saying. Max is opening a gym? I’m looking for a job . . . this couldn’t be any more perfect.
“No shit? Max, why didn’t you tell me?” I yell. My karaoke goddess finishes her song and is replaced by an older gentleman with a pretty wicked beard. He starts singing some old school song—one I don’t know the name of but have heard before.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Max says, motioning for another beer. The waitress brings him his drink, and he starts gulping it down just like the first one. Mr. Killer Smile is staring at me again; I feel my cheeks warming even more. His sexiness is so distracting. I must divert my eyes from this fascinating sex god. It’s time to focus on establishing a career for myself.
“Well, I’m deciding for you. He’s in. I’m applying for your business management position. I’m organized and driven. I’m also dedicated to fitness, if you couldn’t tell. I have HR experience working for a small trucking company. If you need someone to pay your employees, I’m your girl!” I suddenly sound like I’m in the middle of a job interview, but I don’t care. Right now, I need this job.
“You’re hired,” Dashawn exclaims excitedly.
“Wait, don’t I get a say in this? There’s no way I want to work with her scrawny ass every day,” Max grumbles.
I’m not scrawny and he knows it.
“You don’t have a choice. I’m perfect for the position!” Max must see my line of vision because he turns his head and glares at my sex candy. A look of recognition flashes in my brother’s eyes and the guy waves at Max.
“Hey, isn’t that Caleb?” Dashawn asks.
“Yeah,” Max answers. Oh no, he’s coming over here. I knew I should’ve stopped eye molesting him. Now he thinks I want him. Okay, so maybe I do, but what if he doesn’t have an accent? What if my fantasy has to end now?
“Hey Max, Dashawn, how’s it hanging?” Well shit! There goes the insta-attraction I felt towards him. I can feel my pussy drying up with each word that falls from those succulent lips of his. Normal voices just don’t do it for me. He smiles at me, but I look away and sip my drink. Who cares if his biceps and shoulders look like molded works of art? Not me. Nope, I’m not drooling over those cannons.
I wipe my mouth.
“We’re hoping Max here will cheer the fuck up and get up on that stage to sing some karaoke,” Maggie answers. “I’m thinking It’s Raining Men. You and Dashawn can sing backup. I’m Maggie, by the way. I’ve seen you around the gym. You have a very nice right hook.”
“Right hook?” I ask, breaking my attempt to ignore him.
Caleb grins. “I’m a light-weight boxing champ. I’m hoping to be a professional fighter within the next year. I’m really good.” Hell yeah he’s a boxer; that smile of his practically knocked me on my ass. This won’t happen. I refuse to lower my standards just because the guy ticks off every single physical characteristic I want in a man. I try not to look him in the eyes, but the minute I do, I feel myself sigh and I freak out. Nope. Not a chance. It’s time to paint on my resting bitch face and give this guy the what for. I look up at him and roll my eyes.
Max chuckles. “This is my sister, Everly,” he introduces me. Great, now he knows my name. I didn’t want him to know my name.
“Beautiful name, for a beautiful girl.”
I almost sigh again, but I stop myself.
“Hey Caleb, it would be in your best interest not to hit on my sister while I’m in the room. I like you, but I will punch you in your goddamn mouth.” Aww, Max is trying to be tough. How cute. Too bad I can take care of my own damn self.
“Don’t worry, Max. He’s not my type. I don’t date cocky,” I smart, glaring up at Caleb.
Caleb laughs. “I’m not cocky baby, I’m honest.”
Ugh. Did he really just call me baby? If he continues to talk like this, tha
t small attraction I have for him will disappear faster than it came.
“Honestly cocky. Do you mind? We’re trying to have a good time tonight, and your ego is sucking away my buzz. Now, shoo, go away.” I dismiss him with my hands. He stares at me like I just sucker-punched him in the face. Sorry honey, but not everyone is going to fall for that shit-ton of charisma you have going on. Caleb looks at Max in confusion.
“She’s a ball buster man, what can I say?” Max tells him.
“Um, nice meeting you all,” Caleb says looking down at me. We hold each other’s stare for a few seconds before he speaks. “Especially you, with the mouth.” He’s staring at my lips like they’re made of candy. I’m suddenly feeling very warm again.
“Did you forget my name already?” I yell at him, trying to lighten the sexual tension vibrating between us.
“Nope.” He winks, turns on his heels and walks away. I admire his ass the entire time he goes. Holy crap, is that ass made out of titanium? It’s like pure muscle and perfectly sculpted.
“Ugh, are all muscled men morons?” I ask, turning towards Maggie.
“Hey, I take offense to that,” Max shouts.
I grab my brother’s t-shirt and lift it up, showing Maggie and Dashawn the bazillion pack he’s hiding behind the flimsy white fabric. “See what I mean? Muscles.” I point to Max’s head. “Moron.”
“You’re an ass,” Max scolds. He messes up my hair and I glare at him.
“I can’t help it if your IQ matches your body type.”
“One of these days your mouth is going to get you in trouble.” Oh, he wants to play like that, does he? Well, two can play this game.
“Of course, my mouth gets me into trouble. I’m awesome at giving . . .” My voice trails off, turning into a fit of giggles when Max pales.
“Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.” Max covers his ears and both Maggie and Dashawn laugh.
“You can totally tell that you two are siblings,” Maggie exclaims.
“Don’t remind me,” Max grumps.
“Aww, Max. You love me and you know it.” I know my brother loves me. He can’t help it. I’m adorable
Chapter Five
I’ve spent almost two hours staring at Caleb. I can’t help myself. There might as well be a spotlight shining down on him. His sexiness is like a magnet for my eyes. The more I drink, the stronger the magnetism gets. Sometimes, he looks back, usually, I’m quick to look away, but most of the time, he catches me staring at him and smiles. I drink more, hoping that by drowning myself in alcohol, I will stop staring at Caleb and fantasizing about him taking me home. I have a certain type of guy in mind for myself, and Caleb does not possess the most important thing—an accent.
“My friend should be here any minute,” Maggie mumbles.
My brother is totally enthralled by some red-head chick who just got done singing Somebody to Love by Queen. The entire room except me is captivated by her. Sure, she has a nice voice and is easy on the eyes, but where is the stage presence?
“Tell her not to bother coming. I’m going to talk to that red-head.”
Max gets up from the table and walks across the bar. Maggie starts to yell at him, but it’s no use. Max is gone. His sights are set on the red-head and nothing is going to deter him from his prize.
“Ugh, he’s going to ruin everything,” Maggie snaps.
“Sorry to inform you, but the only woman Max would ever wait for is Breezy. He lost interest in whatever girl you were planning on introducing him to about five drinks ago.”
“I brought Breezy here for him, but she’s too much of a chicken to get up on that stage and sing for him like she’s supposed to.”
“Breezy’s here? Where the hell is she?” My head shoots around the room, but I don’t see her anywhere.
“Near the bathrooms. I’ve tried everything I could to get her to go up there, but nothing I tell her is working.”
“I’ll be right back.” If Breezy came here to sing for my brother, then, by god, that’s exactly what she’s going to do! There’s no way I’m letting my brother leave this place with the wrong girl—not when the right girl is hiding around the corner.
I find Breezy in the hallway pacing back and forth. When she sees me, she starts crying. “Oh Everly, I’m so happy to see you,” she shrieks, throwing herself into my arms. “I don’t know if I can do this. I’m so nervous. What if he rejects me?”
I grab her shoulders and push her away from me. Her freckled cheeks are tear-stained and her green eyes are so big she looks like one of those freaky Japanese dolls that never blink.
“Breezy, do you love my brother?”
“Yes.”
“Do you honestly think my brother is going to reject you when he’s been in love with you for the last ten years? I’m pretty sure all you have to do is jump up on that stage, say Max’s name, and he’ll be all over you. However, if you don’t do it now, he’s going to leave with that Queen-singing red head and you’re going to lose that window of opportunity to tell him how you feel. Trust me, get out there, sing your ass off, and go claim your man. Even if that man is my brother.”
Breezy is looking at me like I’m crazy. I know she doesn’t want to do this, but it’s important that she does—not only for her but for my brother as well.
“I can’t do it. I’m not good with crowds.” She starts hyperventilating, and I shake her.
“Snap out of it, would you. Do you want him to go home with the red- head or with you? My brother has been a fucking zombie these last couple days and it’s all your fault. No amount of pussy is going to cure the shit going on with him. The only person that can truly fix this funk he is in, is you, Breezy. Now get the hell up on that stage, and send that red-head back to the pit she crawled out of.”
Breezy sniffs and wipes her nose with the back of her sweatshirt. Gross! She takes it off, takes a deep breath, and marches towards the stage. I follow her out and see that Max is making his way to the door.
Come on, Breezy, get up there before he leaves.
I’m about to stop Max when Breezy hops on the stage and grabs the microphone. It squeals loudly and half of the room covers their ears. She clears her voice and speaks. It’s probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen, especially when my brother stops dead in his tracks and halts the red-head.
“This song is dedicated to Max. I’m sorry I didn’t realize how much you meant to me until you were gone. There hasn’t been a moment that’s gone by in the last eight days that I haven’t been thinking about you. I was stupid to think we could never be more than friends. I’m sorry it took me ten years to realize the man I want to spend the rest of my life with has been next to me this whole time. Max, you’re my crutch, my rock, my best friend, and the love of my life. I understand if you don’t want to forgive me, but I need you to know that I’m in love with you, and if I have to, I will spend the next ten years trying to make you mine.”
I’ve taken a seat back at the table with Dashawn and Maggie. Both Maggie and I are crying, Dashawn, on the other hand, is grinning like an idiot. My brother, well, he’s still standing like a statue at the back of the bar. I have to hold back my giggles when the music starts. I’m expecting some ballad professing her love for Max, but instead, I hear the introduction of Aqua’s Barbie Girl. It’s adorable how much Max’s face lights up. Breezy looks like she’s about to vomit, but she manages to choke out the words, even though she’s crying. Her eyes are locked with Max, and now he’s making his way up to the stage. He jumps up next to her and takes the microphone away. Now he’s belting out the guy’s part like he was the original singer. I’m surprised Breezy is still upright. She’s sobbing hysterically and laughing at the same time.
This display of love and affection is puke-worthy at best, but silently I swoon. I want someone whose love is so deep for me that they would do anything to prove it. I’ve always known that Breezy and Max would end up together. Now I hope that they will seal the deal, maybe stop showing off in front of this room full
of strangers. Max drops the microphone when Breezy launches into his arms. The gross display of PDA mixed with tears makes me think of those lovey-dovey Hallmark movies. Awesome my brother finally got his Hallmark moment.
“I love you,” she screams. I can’t hear anything after she says I love you. Obviously, whatever she’s saying is making Max happy, because the more she talks, the bigger his smile gets. I find my eyes wandering around the bar. Maybe it was a sixth sense, but I could feel his eyes before I even looked at him. Sure enough, Mr. Sexy Caleb is staring at me again. I manage to look away. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea, so I quickly divert my attention back to my brother and Breezy.
What the hell? Max is on his knees. Holy crap, he’s proposing to her! How did this go from a profession of love to a straight up proposal? The look of shock and every other emotion you can possibly think of besides anger consumes her face. Breezy’s covering her mouth and crying so hard I’m surprised she’s still upright. I’m expecting her to flee in fear, but instead, she nods, and he’s kissing her again. Wow, my brother just got engaged to the woman he’s always wanted to be with.
Maggie and I look at each other and laugh. Both of us have mascara running down our faces; the only difference is she has Dashawn’s shoulder to cry on and I have no one. I have to get out of here. There’s way too much lovey-dovey nonsense going on around me. I’ll never have that. The boys I’m interested in don’t have all the qualities I’m looking for. One day, I’ll find a guy who is not only sexy, but also smart, selfless, funny, and with the sexiest accent. He’s out there somewhere. I just have to find him.
I excuse myself from the table and say my goodbyes to Dashawn and Maggie. I know if I say goodbye to Max, he won’t let me leave. So the best thing for me to do is slip out the back door, and hail a cab. At least that way, I don’t have to keep stopping myself from staring at Caleb.
Once outside, I look for where the cabs should be parked. Unfortunately, the street in front of the karaoke bar is completely deserted and the only people outside are a couple of smokers. I’m about to call for a cab when I feel someone tap my shoulder.