“Don’t deny it. From what I gather, you live at your parents’, and your car is about to give up on you.” I grab the chocolate bar, unwrap it, and take a bite of it. My dinner. “What happened? I thought that by now you’d be married to some rich and sophisticated executive, with children and a kickass career. Not to mention planning on where to send them to soccer camp; the way your mom wanted.”
Without a word, I walk around the house toward the backyard. My nosy neighbors from across the street hardly ever sleep, and the last thing I want is for them to ask questions about my evening visitor. For a PR person, sometimes I’m too introverted.
“Make yourself comfortable.” I take two of the patio table cushions out of the plastic bin and hand one to him; I place mine on one of the chairs, and slide in.
“What happened to the cookie-cutter special?” As hard as I am trying to remain neutral, I can’t help but chuckle at the memories of that fateful day at the bookstore. He believed we were meant to be together. He was wrong. I’m waiting for something to kick-in inside. Anger. Sadness. Maybe frustration that will provoke me to yell at him for… not calling? Better yet, an apology or something. “Did you become so uptight that there’s no suitor good enough?”
“If I recall, you wanted the package, not me. However, I did come close to buying into the ’burb lifestyle.” I show him a pinch measurement with my fingers, but refrain from commenting on the relief I experienced when things with Robbie ended. I don’t even understand why I’m talking to Jacob. It’s the softness in his eyes; so much different from the ice cubes that stared at me back in his office. For a moment, the boy I dated is back. “Dated a guy for five years. It wasn’t the affair of the century, but I learned to love him. He proposed a couple of years later, but you know how my family shift gears. That love wasn’t enough to sustain a lifelong relationship. We broke up right after Mom died.”
“Your mom died?” He repeats while his fingers stroke my arm with tenderness. My skin tingles. My heart thumps faster when his touch produces an electrifying sensation that runs through my entire body. “Sorry.”
“She passed away a couple of years ago.” I stare at the outgrown grass, where the dandelions replace her flowers, and leaves that have accumulated over the past two years that we still haven’t raked up. “An unexpected loss that sent me once again into uncharted territory.”
Jacob’s eyes soften. He folds his body on the chair next to me and fixes his eyes on me.
“That sucks, Twinkle.” My lungs run out of air after he says it. Twinkle. Of all the things to call me, he calls me that. Why? His hand hovers over mine for a brief moment, before he seems to think better of it and places it on top of his knee along with the other. “So, you and your dad are caring for Maeve now?”
I shake my head, releasing a laugh because everything has changed so much since I met him. There hasn’t been any trip to any exotic location. Ana Walker is in fact, more boring than the Pria he knew.
“He has Alzheimer’s—Dad.” I take another bite of chocolate, grab the tequila bottle from his hand, open it and take several gulps. Damn, I forgot the lime and salt. “Irony’s our real last name. Mae and I are caring for him. One moment, my life was under control and the next, boom.” I clap my hands and stretch them out while simulating the magnitude of the explosion that destroyed the perfection.
“Unfair, because since I was nineteen, I’ve worked so hard to make sure everything worked just right… which I’ve learned is close to impossible, but manageable when I follow an order.” I drink more tequila before I continue. “Now I’m working hard to cope with the unexpected, which I have mastered—but I’m human. Hence, I’m indulging with loads of carbs and alcohol.”
Plus the imaginary you who never existed. But damn, he’s perfect and great in bed when I invoke him.
“Have you thought about searching for a full-time job?” This is strange. Jacob doesn’t ask questions and hates to share. Tonight he’s the one asking questions and I’m uncomfortable answering. “I saw that résumé of yours. You have loads of experience. A master’s degree, and all that shit everyone looks for when hiring.”
“I need flexible hours. A full-time job requires much more than I can give right now. It isn’t fair for them to have a flaky person. Flakiness makes me anxious.”
At this pace, I should create a recording about the explanation of how my family life is creating a new chaos. Since I don’t have one, I explain to Jacob about Dad—how Dad’s taking a lot of my time, the nurses I can hire don’t last, and the ones who would last are too expensive. Before I break down, I compose myself, remembering my training and not letting my guard down. The outside shouldn’t know what’s going on with the inside. Bright face, neutral smile, and continue with your speech.
“So, you’re still giving up everything for your family?”
My head jerks and my jaw tightens as my entire body vibrates with anger.
“What happened to you, Jacob?” I switch the attention toward him. “I heard you left the band. Sounds like I’m not the only one who gave up on their dreams.
His sapphire eyes fill with such agony that my heart rips, hurting for him. By instinct I reach for his hand. “Everything is going to be fine.”
That gaze of his moves, resting on the leather cuff my pinky finger touches. He rises from his seat, and takes a step backward. His features harden, his jaw clenches. Jace is gone. The asshole from the office is back. My heart sinks; I hear it weep.
“You think you’ll be sober enough to start working for me tomorrow?” I am about to open my mouth, reminding him that working for him is a terrible idea because—well, I can’t remember why anymore. “Pria, you don’t have the luxury to turn down the job, and my father needs peace. For the company that he started to go back to the glory days, and for the shit to go away. I’ll do whatever shit you tell me to do. I’ll become a good citizen.”
“Yes.” I can’t say more about it because the alcohol is working its magic too fast. Must be the lack of food. “Tomorrow I’ll be there.”
“Give me your phone.” His cold voice mirrors his eyes. I hand it over and he taps a bunch of numbers into it, then hands it back. “There, I programmed my number. Don’t be late. I might look laid back, but I’m a class-A asshole. Oh, and Pria, never drive that piece of junk this late. Do you have any fucking idea how dangerous it is to drive at night? Next time, call me and I’ll drive you.”
He trails around the house without giving me the opportunity to say anything. Who does he think he is?
“You look sober.” Matthew is sitting at my piano when I enter the house.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I question him. Damn, I forgot he was here for a couple of days. Go back to California, buddy. “Every time I disappear doesn’t mean I’m fucking or drinking, Matthew. There’re many reasons why I leave and many places for me to go. Not everything is alcohol and women for me.”
He isn’t really wrong. Normally it is just alcohol and women.
Looking at my brother, I think about what Pria said. “I’m not the only one who gave up on their dreams.” I didn’t, did I? The band is on hiatus while Matthew decides what he wants to do with his life. Gabe really wants one of us to take over the production company, and MJ’s the one who digs that movie shit. I like it, but not as much. In order to take over, my brother moved to California, where he goes to school and works odd jobs for Dad’s company.
Both my parents want to delegate as much as they can and enjoy life—the life they denied themselves for years because they wanted to protect each other and the family from the media. Which is why I took over the record company.
Did I have any dreams? Yes, become a famous rock star, create timeless music that would become a legacy and transcend generations. Not one fucking tune of mine will make it that far. I haven’t written lyrics in years; only arranged what my brother and sister cooked up.
“Do you need me to come back home?” MJ offers, and God, I love my brother for being such a selfless bastard. “Deferment is an easy three-step process.”
“No. This is your last semester. Stay in school and follow those dreams, Matthew.” I head to the bench and hug him. “Promise that you won’t give them up—not for me or anyone else.”
My brother hugs me back and starts laughing. “How is she?” My brows pull into a frown. “I heard that Ana is Cypriana, alias Pria. How’s she doing?”
“Her life is a fucking mess, but she’s hotter.” I turn on my heel toward the glass walls, staring at the dark horizon. “She told me that everything’s gonna be fine. As if she has some magic formula.”
“She does,” my brother says matter-of-factly. My mouth spreads into a thin line. “I’m heading to bed, try to rest. Oh, and text Mrs. Princess. She’s worried, and you know she hates to be left out.”
I walk, following him to the staircase, each to our own room. As I shut my door, my phone rings. “Hello?” I don’t check the caller ID because at this time at night, it’s usually an emergency or AJ, who doesn’t give a shit about sleeping hours.
“I drank more than what I intended and didn’t eat dinner.” A female voice slurs on the other side of the line. “I’ll be at your office later…like in the afternoon.”
“That’s fine, Pria. See you at one o’clock then.” I’m about to hang up when I hear her slurry voice mumbling nonsense. “Come again?”
“I said, why didn’t you call me?” She drags her words. “I waited. Until I realized it had been just a fantasy. A fantasy I continue playing in my head. For years I’ve dreamt of the perfect man. A guy who had your voice, looked like you, but is nothing like you. I obsessed so much that one day I even bought a dog, named him Max and imagined he was ours. Later I had to give him up, like I did to all my hopes and dreams. I don’t have any—dreams. Wait, maybe I never had any real dreams.”
“You’re drunk.”
“Most definitely. That’s why I called, because I won’t be able to arrive at the office early.” Pria laughs. “Not to worry, I wrote myself a note—never again to buy alcohol or to fantasize about you. So this is the last one, ever. I’m loyal to those notes.”
Fantasize about me? Never in my life has my cock hardened this fast, and during a phone call. The things I could do to that woman. But I wouldn’t because I am loyal too. I only fuck nameless chicks.
I promised Norah to never think about Pria again. And now she is back in my life. I can’t help but think of her. Of how hot she is now. Of how my fantasies about her didn’t do her justice. Stop there, Jacob. She. Moved. On. Didn’t she?
“Both for the best, Pria. Have a good night.”
“Ana. The name is now Ana.” The line goes dead.
Ironic how I met her back when we both had dreams and believed we could take on the world, and now we both are a couple of ghosts floating with no direction. After seeing her today, I realize that the anger I carried for so long is gone. I wasn’t angry at her, but at life. The frustration of what I became remains, but my resentment against her is no longer there. It doesn’t matter. Regardless, Pria and I can never be together again. Now it’s too late. That fantasy is the last thing I need right now, anyway.
Pushing papers around my desk doesn’t help organize it, nor does it take my mind out of the gutter. Yesterday I had a fucking dream that I can’t shake. A combination of the memories of when Pria and I had our first time together, but the girl I made love to was a grown woman who sucked my cock like no one has ever done before. I woke up drenched in sweat after a wet dream. Not exactly what I expected at my age.
Fuck, she’s back—Pria. AJ said she had the perfect solution for the two of us. My sister also needs a hand. The music school is a hit and she’s expanding it. It’ll become an art academy. Gabe’s creating an acting department that he’ll oversee. We’re including dance, sculpting and drawing. Everything will come together when we buy the building next door and remodel.
“Hello, Prince Charming.” AJ opens the door after knocking twice. “Good, there’s no fornication activity to interrupt during this lovely afternoon. I confess, your messy desk reminds me of your old room décor. Pigsty, ‘oink, oink.’”
“What up, Princess?” I snarl at her and check the time. One o’clock.
AJ steps in, placing a hard copy of C. Ana M. Walker’s resume on top of my desk. I read it again. She has a business degree with a minor in graphic design, and a master’s degree. She is a Certified Image Consultant. She worked for several department stores during college, then Microsoft and some consultant company I’ve never heard of before. She has experience in accounting, office management, public relationships, and corporate events. I’m impressed. Pria obviously works hard, yet has a clunker for a car and lives with her father.
“Is she here?” AJ answers with a nod, and opens the door wider.
My cock swells even more at the sight of her plump lips. They’re the stuff of fucking dreams, fantasies, and yes, memories of our week together.
The woman entering wears a black suit skirt, a pair of black high heels, and her hair is tightened into a sleek bun. Professional. My eyes dart toward those lips again. They’re covered with a soft color of lipstick that matches her eyeshadow. The dark eyes are covered by those big, thick eyelashes that reach the sky.
“Are you going to tell me why she bolted yesterday?” AJ points at Pria. “And why you became a prime asshole; not to mention why you keep calling her Pria?”
She’s going to do this now? In front of Pria? What the hell? I give her a stern glare. Pria stares at me.
“You slept with her and never called, didn’t you? What else is new with you?”
Pria’s lashes lower, covering her eyes and not letting me look into them. Her entire body tenses and I want to kill my sister for embarrassing her.
“Out.” I order AJ to leave, pointing at the door. “You’ve no idea what you’re talking about, AJ.”
Her eyes become a couple of slits. She glares from me to Pria a couple of times, sizing up the situation.
“One thing I noticed is that her eyes are dark—like the night.” I gulp. AJ smirks and her intelligent eyes grow wide, as if she solved the riddle that kept her up all night long. Then she scans my office one more time and tsks. “You’d think that after that messy incident, you’d have at least learned to organize and clean. Ten years and you’ve learned nothing, my little grasshopper.”
She whistles the tune of a song I wrote for Pria.
“Who told you?” That was between MJ and me. Well, Mason too, because I asked him to search for Pria, but I made both promise not to say anything.
“Mattie, of course.” She laughs, that evil laugh that never fails to tell me that she’s one step ahead of me. “I’m not stupid, Jacky.”
She tilts her head slightly and looks at Pria.
“I knew we had a connection, Ana. My beloved Prince Charming, I believe now you’re entering uncharted territory. Good luck.” AJ leaves my office, laughing and closing the door behind her. “This is going to be a blast.”
I stare at the door, dumbfounded. My sister’s instability is reaching unimaginable places. Having her committed to an institution is impossible, as her husband wouldn’t allow that. Damn Bradley. I should suggest he takes that woman away to some exotic location for a year or two—at least until I fix the crap we have with the media.
“Wow, you’re scared of your sister.” Pria’s voice drags my attention from the closed door. Her raspy voice travels from my ears down through my nervous system and shocks my heart. God hates me. “I think I like her even more than I did before, Jacky.”
I scratch the bridge of my nose and stare at the résumé, searching for a way to cool down.
“Uh…we have to set a few rules, Pria.”
“Ana, the name is Ana.” She looks up to the c
eiling and twists her lips to the side. “Déjà vu. No, I don’t think I’ve said that before.”
“Yes, you did after drunk-calling me, Pria.” She cringes as I say her name and it brings me some sick satisfaction. Or maybe the cringing was about the call. It doesn’t matter. I have the upper hand here. “When you told me about your notes.”
“Oh no, I did it again. See, that’s why I forbade myself to drink.” The comment about the note is long gone. “After Robbie and I broke up, I called him too. Not the best call ever.”
A foolish instinct makes my insides roar when I hear the name of her ex-fiancé.
“I told him that sex with him sucked.” She laughs. “Which it did, not that I have much experience. But my one and only before made me feel a lot more in one weekend than Robbie did in years.”
Satisfaction runs through my veins. She didn’t sleep around after me? Then I feel anger because someone else touched her. And the douche couldn’t satisfy her. Pria clamps her lips and her hands become two perfect fists. I rise from my seat and walk to where she stands, towering over her, pinning her down. Her eyes become pitch black. There’s the twinkle. My twinkle.
“Maybe it wasn’t him, but you. By my assessment, you’re frigid, tight, and edgy. Nothing good can happen with that kind of personality.” I bring my hand close to her face and caress her jaw with my index finger.
“I promised your sister I’d loosen that tight ass of yours. My fingers know the way in, and how you like them to move inside you.”
Her hitched breathing picks up in speed, but she doesn’t move. This is fun. Torturing her for all those nights my soul agonized because of her imprisonment.
“I doubt he knows how much you enjoy dirty talk. Did he ever make you wet by murmuring in your ear?” I whisper, my lips caressing her earlobe. Pria doesn’t move. “Did he take your ass? No. I’m thinking that’s also up for grabs. Another place I can claim as mine.”
Uncharted (Unexpected Book 3) Page 19