by T. L Smith
Adam introduces me to Priscilla, and Tom and explains they have been handling some of his bookings for him as he works from home now. Tom eyes me up and down and I automatically look away as he’s clearly a ladies’ man that is trying way too hard. He has spiked hair and is wearing a tailored grey suit. I assume he must be in his late thirties.
Once Adam’s employees leave I ask him about Priscilla. He looks at me with raised eyebrows.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, she’s got it hot for you, as if you haven’t noticed,” I say with a smile.
“Sash, I don’t think I will ever date again, and if I do, it will be a long time. The only girl I need in my life is Kasey. Oh, and of course, you and your crazy-ass sister,” he says with a beaming smile.
“You know, when the times comes and you do want to, I’ll always support you, Adam,” I say holding his hand.
“I know, Sash, but honestly, you are all I need right now. Oh, and what about you and this Brax fella? What’s going on there?”
“Nothing,” I say in a dry tone, hoping he’ll get the hint and leave it alone.
“You know your sister has a big mouth, right? And she tells me everything, now that she doesn’t have her other culprit.” I immediately know he’s talking about Brit and I also know that she has a mighty big mouth, the nosey bitch.
“She needs to shut up. There’s nothing, he just likes to torture me.”
“And by the looks of it Sash, it works,” he says smiling from ear to ear. I choose to drop the subject and go play with Kasey. Adam decides on takeaway for dinner and goes to pick it up.
I hear my phone beep and it’s from Brax.
Thorn, are you coming on Friday?
I choose to ignore his text message and continue playing with Kasey. Adam arrives and we eat dinner in silence. I glance at him and note that he has changed so much from the man I first met. He doesn’t smile nearly as much as he used to and sometimes he gets this really sad look about him, and I just know when he gets that look he’s thinking about Brit. I hate it, and I hate that I can’t do anything to help him.
After the silence ends, he starts to grill me over dinner about Brax and I finally tell him how we met in Sydney, and how all of a sudden he’s back in my life again and I don’t know why. Adam gets this weird look on his face and stares at me.
“What?” I ask him
“Nothing, it’s nothing, don’t worry.”
I go back to eating my dinner and look back up to see he is smiling, so I repeat my question, “What, Adam?”
“Nothing.... It’s just that if he makes you feel something other than sadness, Sash, don’t throw it away,” he says in a serious tone.
“Yeah, he makes me angry, but I don’t see why I can’t throw that away,” I tell him honestly.
“It’s a feeling, other than sadness, isn’t it? And you don’t want that sadness to consume you, so if he makes you feel something more, hold on to it is all I’m saying.”
“Okay, Guru.” He laughs at me and shakes his head and we chat over the rest of dinner about Kasey and the possibility of me moving back into the house. Adam thinks it’s a brilliant idea as he was with Josh when he brought it, and he knows that it was meant for me anyways, so I should at least give it a go.
I finally manage to make it home to find that I have a brand new door installed. I open the door and find another bunch of roses sitting on my kitchen counter. Seriously? This man needs to let me breathe for a bit. I don’t even bother checking the note, I just leave them where they are and go and have a shower to get ready for bed as I’m going back to work tomorrow. I am hoping to get some normalcy back into my life.
Sasha
Work has been busy all week and I finally manage to get the next four days off in a row. Rose has popped into work to have coffee with me on Friday on my lunch break and she’s heavily pregnant, which makes me so happy. She and Dylan are perfect for each other. She told me all about her honeymoon and how fabulous and special Dylan made it for her. She asks me what my plans are for my long weekend and I tell her about the party I’m going to tonight. She raises her eyebrows at me and I just shrug. I also tell her how I might be moving back into the house, and at that little statement her eyebrows skyrocket upwards. I inform her that my cousin, who I have spoken to this week, wants to move this way and needs to find an apartment. My sister offered him a chance to move in with me as my house is big enough to take a house guest. I’ve been struggling with the decision to keep the house for a while now and have decided that I will give it a go and if it gets too hard, I can either sell it or keep it and just move out.
I head back to my apartment and start getting ready for the night. I have no idea what I’m supposed to wear to this thing tonight and I breathe a sigh of relief when Lola comes barging in. I see what she’s wearing and look at the clothes I had picked out. I realize now that I don’t have on the right clothes, because jeans and a shirt just isn’t going to cut it. I walk back into my closet and look around. I have no idea what to pick. Most of my clothes consist of jeans and few dresses, but I’ve worn them all plenty of times and don’t want to wear them again tonight. Lola comes into my room and throws a bag at me. I stare up at her with my eyebrows raised and open the bag. As I open it, to say I’m shocked would be an understatement. I pull out a dress that is stunning and gorgeous and would have cost her a fortune.
“I can’t accept this, Lola, it’s too much,” I tell her.
“Yes, you can. Go on, move it and get dressed. We’re gonna be late as it is.”
I walk over and give her a hug and then go into the bathroom to start getting ready. Once I’m showered and a light makeup is applied I pull on the dress. It’s an ivory white dress and the top half is all lace. It showcases the top of my cleavage. The bottom part of the dress hugs my ass so tightly it looks like it’s poured on me. I curl my hair. I’ve recently gotten my hair lightened, so it has more blonde highlights through it and in curls it looks fabulous. I walk out of the bathroom and do a twirl for Lola, she whistles and slaps my ass. I look back at her in her tight black dress, straight black hair and striking green eyes and think that I don’t look so bad now next to Lola. When you go out with Lola have to pull out the big guns because she can pull off anything.
* * *
We arrive at what I’m guessing is a private home. There are security guards out the front and I notice security cameras around the perimeter of the house and there are a lot of people milling around. I immediately thank Lola for the dress as I notice all the women dressed up and looking mighty fine. I, so would’ve been the odd one out because these people are all suits and cocktail dresses.
Lola grabs my hand and drags me to the front of the house where security asks for our names. Lola tells him and he ushers us through the front door. Once we’re inside I realize how big this house really is. It looks like a large nightclub, but I’m guessing it’s the living room that has been turned into a dance floor and there are people everywhere. I try not to look around for Brax, but my eyes betray me and search the area, but I cannot see him anywhere. Lola is looking around for someone she might know. She eventually gives up and pulls me across to the bar area. Once we’re there a man in his late twenties begins eyeing me up and down. I can feel his eyes roam over me and I automatically adjust my dress. I see him walking closer and that’s when I see Angelo. His gorgeous light blond hair, beautiful jaw line, toned arms; he looks like a model.
“Hi, beautiful.” I instantly cringe at that name and turn my head away. I feel him come closer to me and that’s when Brax decides to make an appearance.
“Angelo, you aren’t annoying my girl here, are you?”
What? His girl? This man does not have his head screwed on right!
“Naw, man, was trying to make conversation, you know how it is. Well, anyway catch you later, Brax.”
“I am not your girl, you ape,” I tell him and walk over to Lola. I snatch her drink from her hand and head to the dance floor.
“Thorn, stop denying what will be,” I hear him yell after me.
Lola joins me and I’m dancing away on the dance floor for a good five minutes when I feel a set of strong arms wrap around me. I turn around to see Brax. Lola raises her eyebrows and I step away from his embrace and move outside looking for some fresh air. I sit down on the bench and a girl around my age takes the seat next to me. I look up at her and smile. She is strikingly beautiful and she reminds me of Lola, except her eyes are large and brown – they look like cat's eyes. I remember her being at the club with Brax. I feel her staring at me so I turn around and introduce myself. She looks at me like I have lost my mind and I’m a bit offended as I have no idea who she is, other than she is Brax’s friend or why she would choose to sit near me if she was going to be rude.
“You don’t think I was going to shake your hand after you stole my boyfriend did you,” she snarls at me.
I’m shocked. Literally shocked. I have no idea who the fuck she is. My mouth is wide open in surprise and that’s when she decides to clarify it for me.
“Brax is mine! So, keep your mitts to yourself.” She moves close to me pointing her finger right in my face and I’m ready to slap it away.
“Get your fucking hand away from my sister, bitch, before I put you on your ass.” Lola comes barging out with Brax following close behind her. I look up at Brax and back at this nut job trying to work out their relationship.
“Who the fuck do you think you are? This bitch wants to interfere with me and Brax and I’m not having it,” she sneers at Lola.
That’s when Lola stalks over and gets right in her face so their lips are almost touching. “Listen here bitch, whatever you have going on with Brax has nothing to do with Sash, and even if it did, you obviously can’t handle your man for him to be dipping in other ponds. But be warned, you so much as look at my sister the wrong way again, your ass is gonna meet the concrete, and your pretty little face will meet my fist! You hear me, bitch?”
She looks up at Brax and I notice her face is twisted in anger. She side steps Lola and walks over to him pointing her finger into his chest. “You need to get rid of them, now! We don’t need bad publicity and obviously these people will give you just that!”
I see Brax take in a deep breath before he says, “Angela, you are my manager and nothing more and when I can rid you of that position you won’t have a say in anything. We are not together and haven’t been since you cheated on me. So, stop with your bullshit before you’re out of the job sooner rather later.”
She looks back at me and glares before storms off. I look up at Brax and I see that he is expecting some kind of reaction from me, but I don’t give him one. I turn around and sit back down where I was before I was rudely disturbed. I sit there for a little while with Lola and then she gets up to mingle. I wave my hand at her and watch her prance off. He is still here and he’s staring at me.
“What, Brax?” I ask impatiently and a little curious as well as to why he’s still here. He walks over and takes the seat where Lola was sitting, but turns so we are face to face.
“Just wanted to tell you that you look beautiful tonight,” he says staring at me. I don’t acknowledge his compliment and continue to stare off into space. I feel his hand on my thigh and I immediately look down at the warm sensation that is sending tingles up my body.
“I asked you a question, are you not going to answer me?” I look him in the eyes and give him my best ‘what the hell are you talking about’ look and he throws his head back and laughs. His laugh sends more shivers all over my body and I shake a little from the reaction. I go to stand up, so I can get a drink and feel him take my hand.
“I asked, may I kiss you?” I look up at him and smile then shake my head no. He smirks and follows me inside. Once I’m at the bar I feel his presence right next to me. He whispers in my ear again and I immediately break out in goose bumps. “May I kiss you now?”
Again, I shake my head and walk off. Brax walks with me and introduces me to a few of his mates that are also in the entertainment business. We chat for a while. I feel myself relaxing and I am really enjoying the night and that brings a smile to my face, because it started out so shitty.
“May I kiss you now?” he whispers in my ear again. His hot breath is making me jump at his nearness, and that causes his friends to laugh at me. I shake my head no, again. I tell him it’s getting late and that I need to find Lola and head home. We walk around looking for her and we can’t find her anywhere, so we go upstairs. We hear some giggling and I know it’s her straight away. I turn the door handle on a door, to what I guess is a private room, and find Lola straddling the drummer from Brax’s band. I clear my throat in an attempt to get her attention and tell her I’ll meet her at the car. Brax follows me out and walks me to my car. I feel weird being around him and not speaking, so I force myself to walk a little faster to get this night over with as soon as possible. Just as I’m about to open the door, he slams my body against the car so my back is to his chest and he nips at my ear.
“May I kiss you now?”
I fight the urge to tell him yes, but manage to shake my head no. I get in the car and not long after that Lola jumps in and we take off with Brax watching as I drive off down the road.
Sasha
I wake up Saturday morning feeling refreshed, which considering how much I drank last night is pretty good. I hop up and get ready to go to the gym to work out. Once I’m there my trainer has a go at me for not coming last week. It completely slipped my mind with everything that I had going on, so I apologize and he works me out for an hour. He tells me to calm down a few times as I take out my anger on the punching bag. He usually shakes his head at me and laughs. Eventually, he leaves me on my own and I continue to assault the punching bag. Each hit makes me feel better.
I punch for loss!
I punch for pain!
I punch for heartbreak, love and friendship!
It feels good and I’m so sweaty and worn out that I crash to the floor of the gym. I’m just lying there trying to catch my breath. I close my eyes and start to think about Josh and soon his face flashes through my mind. I quickly open my eyes and when I do I find a set of smoking hot killer eyes staring right down at me. I look up at him and don’t move; his eyes are holding me captive. Those eyes are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. I think back to last night, to him asking to kiss me over and over and a smile forms on my face. He sees this and is clearly amused and smiles back. I look straight at his lips and wish he would kiss me here and now, but I know it would be wrong because I’m afraid he could make me feel again. And feeling... yes, feeling again can only mean one thing – PAIN.
“Are you going to get up from the floor or continue to stare at my lips?” he asks in a smart-ass voice. I push myself up and turn my body away from him. I start to head for the showers when I feel him pick me up from behind. I try to slap his arms away and he just laughs at me.
“You are coming with me today,” he growls in my ear.
“No, I’m not! I’m going for a fucking shower, then I’m going home.” I try to get out of the hold he has on me and I feel him laugh in my ear.
“No, Thorn, today I have you all to myself.”
“Why do you call me that?” I ask out of pure curiosity.
“Because if someone tries to get too close you prick them like a thorn. Plus a thorn is attached to a beautiful rose, and you my darling, are stunning.”
I don’t know if I’m offended by that or happy. I finally manage to break free and I head straight to the showers. Once I’m done, I walk out and see Brax standing by the ladies door waiting for me. He has quite an audience of women staring at him. As soon as he sees me come out his eyes stare into mine and I walk up, grab his hand and take him out the front, away from prying eyes. He manages to drag me to his car, he opens the door and gestures for me to get in. I look up at him, smile my most breathtaking smile and then take off the other direction. If he honestly thinks I am go
ing with him, he is delirious. I’m not far from home. I usually try to jog to the gym and back every time I go, but today I’m hot footing it. I can hear him laughing at me, but I don’t care.
I manage to make it back to my apartment with no sign of Brax. I quickly unlock my door, run inside and go to close it, but just as I’m about to turn around I get picked up and thrown over someone’s shoulder. I’m screaming loudly and I’m terrified that this is an intruder until I feel his deep, sexy, throaty laugh.
“You fucking idiot! I thought you were a robber or something. Now, put me the fuck down.”
He continues to laugh at me and that makes me even angrier. I try my hardest to kick and punch him, but he continues to laugh at me. “I’ll put you down when you agree to come with me today,” he says, still holding me over his shoulder like a rag doll.
“Can’t you take one of your bimbos? I’m sure they’d love to go with you,” I say, using a pissed off tone.
“Oh, I don’t doubt for a second they would love to come with me.” He laughs again, and I know exactly what he is referring to, the dirty bastard.
“Seriously, take someone who is interested in you,” after I say this he slowly lets me down and as I slide down his body I can feel every inch of him, from his toned chest to his six pack and other parts I’m sure I’m not meant to be touching. I look up into his eyes and just stare, his eyes pull me in every time.
“Please don’t fight me on this. I just want you to meet some people who are dear to me,” he says with his eyes never leaving mine.
“Why would you want to take me? I’m no fun to be around at all, so please take someone else,” I say and avert my eyes away from his before I give in.
“I don’t want to take someone else. I’d like to take you, so please, grab your bag.”
I reluctantly agree and grab my bag. Once I have it his smile is so wide it’s contagious and I can’t help but smile up at him too.