by E. S. Carter
It takes what feels an eternity to arrive at Ushuaia, I pull a few Euros from my wallet before mumbling ‘Gracias’ and jumping from the cab.
With no other plans than to drink myself into oblivion before catching the next plane out of here, I march into the foyer, straight into the path of Miss Chocolate.
She takes in the obvious rage emanating from my every pore and is not put off in the slightest; in fact my guess is she is even more turned on.
Not bothering with pleasantries I walk straight up to her and force my spare key card into her hand.
‘My room ten minutes.’ I curl her fingers around the key card and walk away without looking back, straight towards the elevators.
I know without a shadow of a doubt she will show up. It’s not cockiness, it’s a fact.
I can read women well, it’s a skill I’ve honed over the years and Miss Chocolate is a sure thing.
Well she had better be a sure thing as her lips look like they could suck my dick raw.
Sure enough, less than ten minutes later, I’m standing in my shower, arms braced on the wall in front of me, trying to calm myself the fuck down, when I hear the shower door opening and a pair of slender, tanned, arms wrap around my waist from behind.
I do not make a move until those arms move lower and a hand tightly grasps my already solid cock.
I hiss in a breath, straighten my stance slightly before growling ‘What are you waiting for darling? Suck it.’
I’m feeling more than a little apprehensive about attending the opening night at Accede.
After being blowed for twenty minutes in the shower by Miss Chocolate, my initial need to fuck her was replaced by a desperate need to get her the hell out of my hotel room.
Making excuses about a meeting I needed to attended, I practically threw her out of my room, not giving a shit that she looked at me like the devil incarnate.
‘Fucking prick!’ were her parting words before I closed the door on her furiously pissed off face but I couldn’t give a shit.
The blowy in the shower did not lessen the pain in my chest and my anger was still simmering, no fuck that, my anger was still boiling, below my surface.
Emptying the room’s mini bar was my next objective.
Taking every single bottle of strong liquor from the bar, I grabbed a glass and headed onto the balcony, intent on drowning whatever the fuck I was feeling, out of me.
Half way through a bottle of Jack I heard a loud pounding at the door and decided to ignore it.
Taking another swig straight from the bottle, I sighed as the pounding increased.
Fucking H! Why the hell couldn’t stay at the club with Nate!
Slamming the bottle down onto the table in front of me, I tiredly walk into the bedroom and throw on a pair of sports shorts, not bothering with a tee, then head straight towards the incessant and now thundering sound of someone’s fist on the door.
‘What the fuck H?’ I shout as I approach, ‘stop with the bloody banging!’
Ripping the handle down on the door and pulling it open I find Nate standing in front of me and he looks peeved.
‘Bro, fancy joining me for a drink?’
I let go of the door, walk back into the room and straight to the balcony to retrieve my friend Jack, taking another long swig. It burns nicely as it runs down my throat neat but it does not ease that pain that still remains in my chest.
‘Jake there is nothing going on with Liam and Emma, they are just friends. They met when she was travelling through Italy, she didn’t even know he was our brother until they both arrived in Ibiza. You have to stop with this shit.’ He slumps into the chair opposite me.
I glance over at him from behind my bottle but I have nothing to say to his opening statement.
‘I know the shit that happened at Acquiesce has messed with your head Bro, fuck it messed with mine but she’s good now, she’s over it and trying to get her life back on track.’ He leans over the table and cracks open the bottle of Grey Goose, pouring it into the glass that I have yet to bother with. He eyes me warily.
‘I’ve given her a job Jake, so you’re going to come into contact with her soon enough, you have to get your head together though Bro, she doesn’t deserve your pity, guilt or fuckedupness.’
My voice is no more than a whisper ‘Why the hell have you done that Nate?’ I slam the bottle back on the table before leaning towards him to stare into his eyes, my voice is significantly louder by the time I grind out ‘Are you trying to buy off your guilt about what happened to her? Do you think a fucking job, working for you in one of your clubs is what that girl needs? Fucking hell Nate, she was nearly raped at one of your clubs!’
I launch myself up from my chair, grabbing the bottle and turning towards the edge of the balcony to look out over the pool below.
‘Do you think I don’t know that Jake? She isn’t working in the main club, she’s going to manage Aurora for me and I fully explained everything to her when I offered her the job. She jumped at the chance Jake, she was desperate to get away from her old life and I was more than happy to help her do so.’
Nate walks over to me and leans with his back against the balcony, turning his head to look at me.
‘Jake what the fuck is really going on Bro? I saw you the weeks after it happened, there was more going on in your head than what happened to Emma, you think I don’t know you little brother, I do.’
His words have softened and his gaze is now on the sliding doors to the room.
I shake my head and let out a silent breath before taking another swig.
‘Shit Bro, I don’t know. Everything is moving so fast for me right now what with the VB gig. Seeing Emma for the first time since that night just…… well it fucking knocked me for six.’ I shake my head once more before I mumble ‘I forgot just how damn beautiful she is.’
Nate’s head snaps back to look at me, hearing my mumbled words.
‘I bloody knew it. My little brother, the man whore, has finally found someone he has feelings for, well fuck me!’ he gives a small laugh. ‘I saw it on your face that night Bro, she walked away from you when that Eastern Chick had her tongue down your throat and as soon as you ran after her, I knew it.’
He shakes his head again, looking at me solemnly, ‘You went after her that night because you felt it didn’t you…… and then all that horrific shit happened and you still feel it. How the fuck didn’t I work this out before now? What are you going to do about it Bro, cos I swear, I’ve grilled Liam and he says they are just friends and for what it’s worth I believe him.’
I lift my head and gaze up at the cloudless blue sky.
‘I really don’t know Nate. She’s…… I’ve…… fucking hell I can’t even get the words out!’ I stop staring at the sky and turn to face my brother.
‘Thoughts of her have consumed me for months, the memory of her before that fucker attacked her, the way she felt when I touched her, the way she looked at me when we danced, those unforgettable eyes…… it’s on a never ending loop in my brain and then like a fucking cancer it gets eaten away and replaced by visions of blood, bruises, bite marks and tears.’ My words falter a little, my breath catches and I cannot believe I am pouring out my fucking soul to Nate.
‘I caused that Nate, if it wasn’t for me she never would have gone through that. Why the fuck would she want me if she ever saw me again? I’m not good enough for her Bro, you know it, I know it and she’s bound to end up knowing it. I have nothing to offer her. I screw Nate, I do not feel and I’m happy this way.’
‘Yeah Bro, you sure look happy, in fact I’ve never seen you happier. The look on your face today, when you watched Liam mucking around with her, was sheer jubilance. In fact I’d go as far as to say you looked ecstatic!’ he takes a large drink of his vodka before placing his glass back on the table and turning to face me.
‘Listen Jake, I want all my family there tonight to celebrate with me. I’ve worked bloody hard getting Accede together and I want to
share it with you, so put the fucking Jack down and sober up.’
I turn my back to him before speaking ‘I’m leaving Bro, I can’t go back there, I’m not ready to be around her yet, just tell everyone something’s come up and I have to fly out.’
I feel a hand placed on my shoulder but I do not turn around.
‘She’s not working until 4am when Aurora opens, just come until then, leave before she arrives and she will never know you were there.’ He squeezes my shoulder a little ‘C’mon Jake, the whole family will be there and H, you can’t go ditching him Bro, it’s not cool. I promise you, Emma will not see you.’
He removes his hand from my shoulder before walking away but stops just inside the doors.
‘For what it’s worth I think you are crazy to not want to see her, she’s an incredible girl Jake. I know Liam is just a friend of hers but there are plenty of other good guys out there that will see how amazing she is and then you will have lost your chance.’
I spin around and glare at him about to tell him to mind his own business when he begins to speak again.
‘I’m just saying Jake but it’s your choice bro, I’ve said my piece now, the rest is up to you. Don’t go bailing on me tonight though, I need my wingman there before he goes off and becomes too big of a star to come to his own brother’s clubs.’
The smile on his face is genuine and I can do no more than give him a slight nod.
‘I’ll send a car over for you and H at 10pm, sober up, there is plenty booze at the club, no need to get tanked up here on your own little brother.’
Then he’s gone, I can hear the hotel door close behind him, leaving just me and my friend Jack.
I wake up, face down on my bed, an empty on the floor and the alarm clock blinking the numbers 8.22pm at me.
Tentatively moving onto my back, the whole room spins and I throw my arm over my face to block it out.
Shit I feel rough, Jack is indeed not my friend, in fact it feels like Jack has sodomised my brain and left me used and abused with not so much as a ‘Thank You’.
I push myself up off the bed and drag my arse into the bathroom to take a leak.
My phone is still on the counter where I left it earlier. One swipe of the screen shows numerous missed calls and a dozen texts all from H.
Hitting his name and pressing call I wait for the inevitable.
‘J what the fuck man? I’ve been trying to get hold of you all day. Not cool J, not fucking cool.’
Shit H sounds pissed, he’s never pissed.
‘Sorry H, I…… I mean……I fucked up OK? I didn’t mean to ditch you though, let me take a quick shower and we can go grab a bite to eat? My shout.’
H’s mood changes instantly. ‘I can never stay angry with you J, especially when you are offering to fill my belly, you know that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach right?’
I do not deserve this guy, I mean he has every right to be pissed at me for far longer than that.
‘I know the way to your heart is through your belly man, besides I think Bella has you on a diet, I’ve never seen so few love handles.’
He guffaws into the phone ‘She does try, she’s got me on some low carb crap but I have a secret stash in my work desk for emergencies. I feel bad that she can’t understand why the scales never go down when I jump on.’
I laugh, imagining Bella’s peeved face at being unable to get H to trim down. I mean he’s not fat and has plenty of solid muscle from all the working out he does but I’m guessing Princess Bella is just trying to control his diet like she controls everything else in his life. God that woman is such a bitch.
‘Well let’s fill up on carbs then, we have a heavy night ahead of us and I for one need to line my stomach, I’ll give you a shout when I’m ready to head out.’
‘Affirmative Mr Manwhoring, I’m ready when you are, I’ll meet you in the bar downstairs.’
The call disconnects and I drag myself into a cold shower, brushing my teeth at the same time to try and remove all traces of that bastard, Jack.
H and I arrive at Accede at a little past 10pm, the place is jam packed proving Nate has another hit on his hands.
‘Bloody hell J, did Nate ship these girls in? I swear most of these ladies grace the pages of my Playboy collection. If you ever breathe a word of the secret playboy stash in the vicinity of Bella mind, all bets are off.’
H is leaning over the railing that separates the VIP section from the club and is ogling the smorgasbord of delectable females that are spread out before him on the dance floor.
Being in Ibiza has its perks; women are wearing less clothing than in the UK, due to the heat and looking around the club at the male customers, it is very much appreciated.
I, on the other hand, am sat back nursing my bottle, having no interest in checking anyone out tonight, in fact I cannot wait for my family to all arrive so I can say Hello, followed by a swift Goodbye.
H does not take long to notice my shitty mood.
‘J man, cheer up would you!’ he takes a seat next to me on the long leather couch that surrounds our section of the VIP.
‘This is me being cheery H.’ I give him a fake grin and swig the rest of my bottle.
‘Listen J, I know what went down earlier today, I get why you left but you can’t avoid Emma forever, she’s a really cool girl and I bet she’d love to see you again after everything. Liv assures me she’s doing really well and if you didn’t notice man, that girl is HOT with a capital H. I’m surprised your little bro Liam hasn’t tried his luck but Liv said they are just friends, which is cool I guess.’
H raises his hand to call over our waitress for more drinks.
‘I’m not going there with her H, you know me, I fuck ‘em and leave ‘em, Emma does not need a man like me in her life in any capacity, even as a friend’.
H leans closer to me, his face unusually serious ‘I know you J, yes you are a man whore but things change, people grow up, someone can come along and sweep the floor out from under you. That’s all it’s gonna take and I for one can’t wait for that day to come. I saw how you looked at Emma that night, it was more than just a hook up and you are a liar if you say otherwise.’
Well shit! Words of wisdom from H. Have I stepped into an alternate universe?
‘Not happening H, so leave it there.’
H nods once before resuming his perusal of any female form in the area. Someone catches his eye and he jumps from his seat with a massive grin spread across his face and his arms opened wide in welcome.
Walking towards us, being guided by Nate, is the entire Fox-William clan. My mother spots H first and her eyes light up. She always did have a soft spot for my crazy friend. H launches himself at her and proceeds to pick her up and spin her around before placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
My mother gently slaps his arm in jest before smoothing down her dress and laughing heartily.
She spots me over H’s shoulder and her smile widens. It has been months since we have seen each other and it is not until now that I realise how much I’ve missed her.
I stand to greet her and she cups my face, placing a soft kiss to my cheek.
‘My handsome Jake has forgotten all about us now he’s a big movie star.’ She places both hands on my arms and studies my face like she has not seen me in years.
‘It’s not a movie Mum, it’s a TV show, so I’m not a movie star yet.’ I lean down to give her a kiss and she wraps her arms tightly around my back, giving it a quick pat. When I release her she surreptitiously wipes at her eyes.
‘God Mum, don’t cry, it’s only been a few months.’ I motion for her to take a seat and look up to greet my father who is standing behind her.
‘Good to see you son.’ He leans over for a brief man hug before patting my shoulder.
Everyone says I’m the one who looks most like my Dad and it has always pleased me, for an older man even I can tell he has got it going on and by all accounts, Dad was a bit of a player too during hi
s pre-mum days. I guess the apple never really does fall far from the tree.
Everyone else fills the area and begins to take a seat, I nod hellos to all my brothers and even get a smile out of Laura, before she takes a seat in-between Josh and Liv. Liam though, has not looked my way once. In fact I would say he is actively avoiding making eye-contact with me and it is starting to piss me off.
Just friends? Yeah fucking right! His behaviour blows that theory right out of the water but who am I to judge, I have no claims on Emma, he does.
The night goes quickly and is surprisingly good fun. It is not often I get to catch up with all my family at the same time and everyone is buzzing with talk of my new job and Accede.
Nate is revelling in his new success and I am secretly enjoying having my family be proud of my achievements too.
My parents leave at around 12.30am, closely followed by Josh and his wife Laura, leaving me with H, Nate, Liv, Isaac and Liam.
H is out on the dance floor somewhere with Liv, leaving just the 4 of us around the table. This has changed the atmosphere somewhat.
Isaac is oblivious to it, he is busy eye fucking some petite, tattooed, 50’s throwback chick with red hair. Yeah she has a banging body on her and a really pretty face but the tatts and the piercings are a bit of a turn off for me. Each to their own though and Isaac seems smitten.
Nate is leaning back enjoying his empire, his eyes barely straying from Liv and Liam is giving me the blatant cold shoulder.
It is time for me to make a move. I do not want to go falling out with my little brother over a girl I have no intentions of chasing.
‘Liam, fancy coming to the bar with me?’
He looks over at me, weighing up his answer. Without speaking he stands and strides towards the bar.
‘Okay then, I guess that’s a yes.’
Following him the short distance, I join him at the bar and motion for the bartender to serve us.
‘Liam, listen I’m not sure what’s going on between us but I think we need to talk.’