500 Days

by Jessica Miller

  “What’s tonight?” Casper asked.

  Declan shifted uncomfortably in her seat. I swallowed. “Reece and I are going on a date tonight.”

  “Again? Didn’t you just go on a date with him?”

  “So?”

  “Isn’t that a bit soon,” he argued.

  “No, it’s not.” I went back to my lunch not happy about Casper’s sudden attitude change.

  “Where are you guys going tonight?” Declan asked, excited.

  “I don’t know yet, but I might want to borrow one of your dresses.”

  Declan clapped excitedly. “I know the perfect dress to.”

  Casper pushed his chair back and stood up. He grabbed his lunch and threw it in the trash and then walked out. I watched him leave wondering what the hell just happened. “What’s his deal?” Declan looked over at Colton. They exchanged words with just a look, but neither of them cared to elaborate. Colton just shrugged his shoulders and I went back to my lunch.

  Reece picked me up around eight and took me to a really nice restaurant. We talked all through dinner and when we talked, I felt like I was talking to a friend. Reece was someone who I was comfortable with and I liked to be around him. He was very easy going and laid back. I enjoyed his company and I was pretty sure he enjoyed mine.

  He dropped me off afterwards and walked me to my door. “Do you have any plans for this weekend?” I shook my head no. “My fraternity is having a mixer and I was wondering if you would like to go with me?”

  “Okay.”

  “Is that a yes?” he asked, not sure.

  “Yes, I’ll go with you.”

  “Great, so I’ll see you Saturday at eight?”

  “Eight is good.” He leaned in for a kiss, lingering a little longer, but not too long.

  “Goodnight Alex.”

  “Goodnight Reece.”

  I was floating on cloud nine. I felt like a giddy little school girl with my first crush. That all came crashing to a halt when I spotted Casper in the kitchen. He was hovered over a tool box. His head shot up when he heard me enter.

  I threw my purse on the counter. “What are you doing here?”

  “Hi to you too,” he said with a half-smile. He seemed to be in a better mood from earlier.

  “Sorry, hi.” I sat down on one of the stools and waited for him to answer my question. When he didn’t respond I pointed to the tool box.

  “Right,” he wiped his hands on his already dirty shirt. “Declan called and said your sink was leaking and asked if I could take a look at it.”

  I raised my brows. “You know how to fix a leaky sink?”

  “Yes, I am capable of fixing a sink. I even know how to use this nifty little hammer like thing.” He held up a wrench, a small smile twitching at the side of his lips. I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be done shortly.”

  “No rush.” I got up to grab a beer from the fridge and offered Casper one. Declan came out of her room and joined us in the kitchen.

  “Hey, so how was the date?” She clasped her hands together and rested her chin on them while leaning on the counter.

  “It was good.”

  She dropped her hands and stood up straighter. “It was good. That’s it? That’s all you’re going to tell me?” I shrugged, taking a sip of my beer. “Any sparkage”

  “Yeah,” there was a loud smack and Casper ducked out from underneath the sink rubbing his head. “You okay?” He nodded, throwing some tools in his tool box. I turned back to Declan who was waiting to hear more. “He’s so sweet and such a gentleman and so different from all the other assholes I’ve dated.”

  “Did he kiss you yet?” she asked, eyes wide.

  “He did,” I blushed, feeling giddy. Casper slammed down the lid of his tool box, making me jump.

  “And?” Declan prompted.

  “And it was nice. Just a quick kiss on the lips.” Casper made a humph noise. I narrowed my eyes at him. “What?”

  “Nothing, sounds like a tool.”

  “He is the opposite, actually, and the reason I like him.”

  “You do?” Declan asked.

  “Yeah, I do.” Casper chugged half his beer before slamming it down on the counter.

  “When are you going out again?”

  “Saturday, he invited me to his fraternity’s mixer.”

  “This Saturday?” Casper asked.

  “Yeah, why, what’s it to you?”

  He smiled, like he knew something I didn’t. “Nothing.” He picked up his tool box. “Sink is fixed.” He walked over to the door. “See ya Saturday,” he winked, closing the door behind him.

  I gave Declan a strange look. “Why would he say that?”

  She scratched her head. “Did you forget that they were in the same fraternity?”

  “No,” I shook my head. “Please tell me this isn’t happening.” I dropped my head down to the counter.

  “Uh, overdramatic, don’t you think?”

  I lifted my head to meet her eyes. “Have you forgotten that Jaxson and Jacob also now belong to that fraternity?”

  “Oh,” she said, drawing out the O. “If it makes you feel any better I’ll be there.” I rested my head in my hand. I wasn’t looking forward to Saturday any more. She patted my hand. “Hey, it might not be that bad.” I gave her a skeptical look.

  “Isn’t the third date a little too soon to meet family? I don’t want to scare him away.”

  “If he’s in the same fraternity I’m sure he’s already met them, which might be a good thing.”

  “I don’t know, maybe.”

  She squeezed my hand. “Don’t stress about it.”

  “I’m gonna go to bed.” I spun around and jumped down off the stool. Then I dragged my feet across the rough carpet on the way to my room. I got undressed and crashed into bed trying not to think about all the things that could go wrong this Saturday.

  Chapter 15

  Casper

  I accepted the fact that she had a date. I even accepted that she had a date with one of my fraternity brothers and when I found out whom, I wasn’t worried. But now that he was taking her to the mixer and I overheard the conversation of how well everything was going, I was shitting bricks. I hadn’t seen this coming and it made me nervous. I couldn’t lose her now. Especially not to that douche bag Reece.

  On the surface he was the all American good boy, but I knew it was all a show. I knew guys like him. I used to be him, but then I decided there was no point in pretending to be something I wasn’t. With me, what you see is what you get. The sad part was, I welcomed him in to the house. He was a brother from another chapter so it was a given he be accepted. I knew something was off the moment I met him, but figured what the hell? All of my brothers were a little off. I also never expected Alex to like him. He was not her type.

  I thought for sure after the other day things would change. I had planned to ask her to the mixer, but when she slipped out on me, all plans changed. I thought things were different this time. I wanted so badly to confront her about leaving, but when I saw her, I chickened out, and instead I played it off like I knew she would expect me too. Unfortunately I couldn’t reel in my temper when she talked about going out with Reece. I didn’t see this coming. I felt like I was blind-sided and the reality of possibly losing Alex was slowly seeping in. Greyson told me I should just give up. He said it wasn’t worth all this effort I was putting in just to try to get her to notice me. He was wrong. Alex was worth it. I’d never met a girl like her and I knew there would never be anyone else that could compare.

  I had the advantage on Reece. I already knew three of her four brothers and we all got along. Her cousin was dating my best friend and she loved me – most of the time. Declan even encouraged me to go for it with Alex, but after their conversation I was a little confused on who she was rooting for. Nevertheless, I had my work cut out for me.

  I made sure to run into her all week. In class I sat next to her, handing her a pen because I knew she would forget. I walked her to her ne
xt class and ate lunch with her. I visited her at work and walked her out to her car when she was done to make sure she got out safely. Those days spent with her were probably some the best times I had. It wasn’t anything special, but we were together.

  By Saturday I was ready for the day to be over. I knew tonight was going to be hard seeing her on the arm of someone else, but I just kept reminding myself I was biding my time. They wouldn’t last. I headed over to the house early so I could help set up for the party. Usually this was the pledges’ job, but I needed something to distract myself. Plus I needed to remind the pledges to not act like fucking assholes. When all was said and done I had about an hour before the party started. I headed home and hopped in the shower, taking my time so I wouldn’t be ready too early. If I had to sit and wait I knew I would drive myself nuts thinking about Reece and Alex. I would wonder what she was wearing and what they were doing together and if he was going to take her out to eat first? I didn’t need those thoughts clogging my head.

  I told Colton I would drive tonight and I was slowly regretting it. He was taking forever to get ready. I never understood how it took him so long. I really wanted a fucking beer right now, but I thought it would be wise to hold off for a bit. I stomped down the hall to his room and pounded on the door. “Just tuck your shit in and let’s go already.”

  “Relax,” he yelled back. “And you call me the pansy ass.” I kicked the door for emphasis and walked away. Ten minutes later and he was finally ready.

  “I’m telling you now. If this is how you’re going to be the rest of the night you might as well just stay home.” I rolled my eyes. “Seriously Cas, she’s going to be there with someone else. Can you handle that?”

  “Alex and I are friends. Why would I care if she’s there with someone else?”

  “Really, you’re gonna play this bullshit?” I crossed my arms in a standoff pose. “You are not friends, at least not in your head. You can’t pretend you feel nothing or it will eat at you. You need to make a choice and do it now. Either you admit to her you want to be more than friends or you give up and move on.”

  “Fine, I’ll tell her tonight.” I grabbed my keys and headed to the door.

  “You’re gonna tell her tonight?” he asked, skeptical.

  I opened the door and gestured for him to go first. “Yep, tonight.”

  He shook his head and laughed. I stuck my foot out when he walked through the door. He tripped and turned around to glare at me. “Dick,” he mumbled under his breath. I was suddenly in a better mood.

  We had to pick up Declan on our way and I was secretly hoping to get a glimpse of Alex, but apparently Reece had already picked her up. I gripped the steering wheel tight trying not to think about what they were doing. This was going to be a long night.

  There were only a handful of people at the house when we arrived. I made a promise to myself I wouldn’t drink a lot tonight. I wanted to be in the right state of mind when I talked to Alex. Within the first hour I had shots thrown at me, but I turned down every single one of them. My brothers asked what was wrong with me. I informed them I was driving and it wasn’t worth the risk, so they let me be. By ten I was on my second beer and had turned down my third girl. Alex was still a no show and I was beginning to worry. I grabbed Declan and asked her where she was. “Reece took her out to dinner first. Why are you being such a spaz?”

  “I’m not,” I spat. She narrowed her eyes at me, not appreciating the attitude.

  “He’s going to tell Alex tonight he likes her,” Colton told her. The look on Declan’s face said she didn’t think that was such a great idea.

  “What?” I asked her.

  She bit her lip and then looked at Colton before she turned back to me. “I just…I think you should leave her alone. She’s really happy and she really likes Reece and I just think if you say something now she’s going to turn you down. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but I think you should move on from Alex.”

  I took a step back. Declan was my number one supporter and now all of a sudden she was on team Reece. When the hell did that happen? “You were the one who kept telling me to go for it and not give up. You said she was just stubborn and eventually she would come around and now you’re telling me to give up?”

  “No. Yes. It’s just that it’s not the right time. She needs a good guy who will take care of her and –”

  “I’m not a good guy? You think I won’t take care of her?” I tried to keep my temper in check. Declan was right. This was not what I wanted to hear.

  “No that’s not it I…this is coming out all wrong. The timing is just off.”

  “No shit. I waited too long and now she’s dating that douche bag. I think the timing couldn’t be more perfect for me to say something now.” I walked away then. I heard enough of their ‘opinion’. I ran into Jaxson and Jacob in the kitchen.

  “Yo Cas, what’s up?” Jacob patted me on the shoulder.

  “Hey Jake, enjoying the party?” His grin widened, telling me that he definitely was. “I’d ease up on that beer. Your ass is going to be cleaning up this mess in the morning.” His smile faded and Jaxson laughed. “Don’t worry, you won’t be alone.” I slapped Jaxson on the back and he frowned.

  “Fuck,” he muttered to himself.

  “Enjoy boys, but not too much.” I went to make my way out to the back when Jaxson followed me.

  “Hey, I wanted to say sorry about Alex.” I looked at him funny. “I know you like her.” I opened my mouth to deny it, but there was no point. “It’s cool. I won’t bust your shit. I’m not as bad as the rest of my brothers and you’re pretty cool in my book, but I also know she seems to really like Reece and she deserves to be happy.”

  “Who says she won’t be happy with me?” He folded his arms across his chest. “You’re right. I like Alex, a lot. I was just too chicken to admit it, but I refuse to believe I missed my chance. They only started dating a week ago. It’s not like he’s going to ask her to marry him in the next few days.”

  “Look, I’m all for you dating my sister, but I also care more about her being happy and right now Reece makes her happy.”

  “I understand that, but I can’t just give up.”

  “I respect that. Just don’t do anything stupid,” he said with a warning.

  “That, I can’t promise.” I gave him a tap on the arm and took off for the outside. The cool blast of fresh air felt good. It helped clear the fog that was clogging my brain. I was confused more than ever. Jaxson knew I liked Alex and he was okay with it. My number one fan, Declan, was starting to root for the other team. I was having doubts. Maybe I should just leave Alex be. I wasn’t exactly relationship material, but for Alex I would try. I would do anything for her. As if my thoughts summoned her, there she was. She was walking up to the party, hand in hand with Reece. She looked absolutely stunning. She was wearing a little black dress and knee high boots. She was smiling as Reece escorted her into the house. At that moment I knew without a doubt that she was the only one I wanted.

  I made my way back inside. I found her talking to Declan, laughing, and having a good time. I decided to stay back for a moment before I went over to say hi. Reece whispered something to her and then walked away. I took this opportunity to go talk to her. I snuck up behind her and wrapped my arms around her making her jump. “Cas, you scared me.”

  “Sorry,” I said, pulling back, but keeping a hand on her hip. “You want a drink?”

  “Reece just went to get us something.” I nodded. Declan gave me a nasty look. ‘What?’ I mouthed, shrugging innocently.

  She turned her attention back to Alex. “Did you introduce him to Jacob and Jaxson yet?”

  “I thought I would wait a little bit. At least until they had some drinks in them.”

  “I don’t think it will be that bad. You should just probably get it over with.”

  “Maybe you’re right. Where are they?”

  “Why rush? I’m sure they can meet him later,” I suggested.
>
  She let out a soft breath. “You’re right. It can wait.”

  Reece had returned with their drinks. “Hey Casper, so I heard you recently became celibate,” Reece smirked behind his cup.

  Alex threw her head back laughing. “Casper, celibate, yeah okay. That would be like saying the Pope’s not catholic.”

  “Word was you turned down Hailey Bates,” Reece said with a smug smile on his face. I’m not sure what game he was playing at, but this was one battle he wasn’t going to win.

  “Who’s that?” Alex asked.

  “The town whore,” Declan growled.

  “I prefer a challenge,” I said, looking directly at Alex. “Not someone who’s been around the block more times than I have.”

  “I thought you weren’t picky?” Declan teased. I narrowed my eyes at her. Thankfully Jaxson had spotted Alex and came over to say hi, breaking the semi uncomfortable conversation.

  Jaxson gave Alex a hug, soon followed by Jacob who joined us. Reece’s face looked somewhat upset. He leaned down close to Alex. “Should I be worried that you seem to know more of my fraternity brothers than I do?”

  She placed her hand on his arm. “Oh no,” she blushed slightly. “This is Jaxson and Jacob. They’re my actual brothers.” Reece’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. He shook both their hands and introduced himself. I folded my arms over my chest, waiting for the stare down with her brothers. Jacob was the first to give Reece the once over.

  “What are your intentions with my sister?”

  Alex smacked him in the chest and I had to hide my smile. “Jacob, knock it off.” She turned to Reece looking mortified. “I’m sorry, just ignore him.”

  “It’s okay,” Reece told her, wrapping an arm around her. “Jacob, I understand your need to protect your sister and I promise you my intentions are only good.” He smiled down sweetly at Alex. I laughed, making Alex glare at me.