500 Days

by Jessica Miller

  Jacob took a step forward and got in his face. He was only an inch shorter than Reece but gave one hell of an intimidating look. “You can wipe that smile off your face. I’m telling you now. I’ll be watching you.” Alex buried her head in her hands as Jacob walked away with Jaxson.

  “I understand if you want to leave me,” she told Reece.

  He pulled her in close. “Is this why you were so nervous at dinner? Because you thought your brothers would scare me off?” She nodded. “You have nothing to worry about. It would take an army to keep me away from you.” He bent down and kissed her. Not realizing what I was doing, I took a step forward. Colton put a hand on my arm and shook his head at me. My shoulders sagged and I took a step back.

  “You haven’t met Jack and Jasper yet,” she told him.

  “I’m not worried,” he smiled and gave her another kiss. Not able to take it anymore I took off in search of a drink.

  *************************************************************************

  “Hey, you doing okay?” Declan asked.

  “What do you care?”

  “Casper, you’re starting to look like the creeper who lurks in the dark corners waiting for his next victim.”

  “I’m not lurking,” I snapped. “I’m observing, in private.”

  “Same thing,” she said rolling her eyes. “Why don’t you come over and talk to Reece and then you can see he’s not a bad guy?”

  “You know what?” I smiled. “That sounds like an excellent idea.” I finished off my beer and threw the empty bottle in the trash.

  “Wait…Casper,” Declan warned.

  I made a detour to the kitchen and grabbed a beer and a tray of freshly made shots. “I just finished making those,” one of the pledges complained.

  “Well then you better get to work on making more,” I said, spinning around. I marched right up to Alex, Reece, and Colton. Declan was hot on my tail, ready to take me down. “Shots,” I offered, holding out the tray.

  “No man, I’m good,” Reece declined.

  “Alex?”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t.” She looked to Reece for his opinion. She was actually trying to get his approval? What the fuck?

  “It’s okay. I’m driving. I want you to enjoy yourself.” He smiled, encouraging her. He probably was hoping to get her drunk so he could take advantage of her – dick.

  Alex was just about to take the shot when Declan showed up. She barreled through everyone almost knocking Colton over. She was panting. “Declan, are you okay?” Alex asked.

  She glared at me before she answered. “Yes, fine.”

  “Shot?” I offered one to her. She took it and slammed the glass down, eyeing me suspiciously. Colton looked at her funny, she just shook her head. I set the tray aside and handed a shot to everyone but Reece. I raised my glass. “To a good night with good friends,” I said, throwing back the green, minty liquid.

  “Mmm, what was that? It tasted like mint chocolate chip ice cream,” Alex asked.

  “You like?”

  “A lot,” she smiled, licking her lips.

  “There’s plenty more where that came from.” I pointed to the tray. She hesitated, looking at Reece. I so badly wanted to punch this guy. “Come on, you’re not driving.”

  “Oh, what the hell,” she said, taking another shot.

  “So Reece, what was it like at your other chapter?”

  “Oh, you know, not much different than here.”

  “So you were bagging chicks every weekend then?”

  Alex almost choked on her beer. “Casper.”

  “Nah, I wasn’t like most of the brothers. The only reason I actually even joined was because of my father.” I knew Reece was bullshitting and I had a feeling he knew I was trying to call him out on his shit. I would have to try another tactic because he would be ready with an answer.

  “What you majoring in?”

  “Animal science.”

  “Reece is going to be veterinarian,” Alex gleamed, leaning into to him. He smiled down at her and kissed her temple.

  “What about you Casper? What’s your major?”

  “I like to keep my options open.”

  “He’s undecided,” Alex said, rolling her eyes.

  “There’s nothing wrong with that. Not everybody knows what they want to do. Some people it takes a little longer to figure it out.”

  Declan and him discussed the classes they had together and then Colton and Reece discussed music. Apparently Reece’s dad was some big music producer. Big whoop. I zoned out somewhere about ten minutes ago, but Alex was hanging on to his every word. Five more minutes with this guy and I was ready to hang myself. I needed a shot and something good. Not the weenie shit we had earlier. “Anyone need a refill?”

  “No thank you. I have to head out soon,” Reece said. The look on Alex’s face said she wasn’t aware of this.

  “You have to leave?”

  “Sorry, I thought I told you? My dad is flying down for a visit. I have to be at the airport early tomorrow to pick him up. I didn’t think you would mind.”

  “No…it’s okay.”

  My mood suddenly picked up. “Don’t worry, brother,” I slapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll take good care of her.”

  “I wasn’t planning on leaving her,” he turned to Alex. “Unless you want to stay?”

  She bit her bottom lip, contemplating. “My brothers are here and Declan and I would like to keep an eye on them. I hope you don’t mind?”

  “No, of course not,” he said, forcing a smile. “I guess I’ll talk to you later then.” I couldn’t hide the smile on my face. He bent down and gave her a kiss on the lips. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Once he was gone, I pulled Alex into the kitchen ready to have some fun. “Cas, what are you doing?”

  I searched through the bottles until I found what I was looking for. “Success,” I said when I found it. I grabbed the salt and lemons next. “Come on Alex, it’s time we had some fun.” I pulled her into the next room where they were playing a drinking game. “You know how to play?”

  She took the bottle out of my hand and had a seat at the table. “Alright, best out of three. Loser takes a walk.” She picked up the quarter and bounced it off the table. I watched as it clinked inside the glass. She smiled and winked at me. I loved this girl.

  I pulled up a chair and joined her.

  We made our rounds to all the different games. Alex was kicking ass. “Is there anything you’re not good at?”

  “Nope,” she smiled. “What’s next?” She was ready for the next game and a little tipsy.

  “Darts?” She clapped excitedly and I escorted her downstairs to where the dart board was. When I opened the door to the downstairs game room we walked right in to a cloud of smoke.

  “Holy crap. Didn’t know there was gonna be a Bob Marley tribute,” Alex joked, waving the smoke out of her face.

  “Sorry, I didn’t know they were going to be down here doing this. They’re not supposed to in the house. We can leave?”

  “Man, I think I’m getting a contact high just standing here.”

  “Come on, let’s go.” I tugged on her hand but she didn’t budge.

  “Did you hear that?” she asked, cupping her ear.

  “Hear what?” I asked, afraid maybe she inhaled a little too much.

  “Laughter.”

  “It’s just my idiot brothers. Let’s go.”

  “No, not your brothers. Mine,” she growled, charging into the room.

  “Alex, wait.” She took off around the corner and down the last few steps.

  The laughter we heard stopped. “Jaxson! Jacob!” Alex yelled. They both stood frozen. Jacob was caught red handed with a joint in his hand. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “I was just holding it for a friend,” Jacob stuttered.

  “Do I look like a fucking idiot?”

  “Alex,” I stepped in.

  “Don’t,” she held up a hand. “Give me that. N
ow.” He handed over the joint to Alex. “You’re not even doing it right,” Alex said, taking a hit. I stood there a little shell shocked.

  “Are you serious with this shit right now?” Jaxson said as surprised as I was. “You’re cool with this?”

  “No, I am not. This will be the last of your experimenting. Got it.” She smacked them both on the back of the head and then took another hit before passing it off to one of my brothers. “Ready to play some darts?”

  “Uh…yeah.”

  She tapped me on the face. “Oh, Cas, don’t act so surprised.”

  “I didn’t say anything.” She gave me a teasing smile as I walked her over to the dart board. We invited Jaxson and Jacob to play darts with us. I think Alex asked them to play so she could keep an eye on them. I thought for a second she was going to have an aneurism when she saw her brothers smoking pot, but she just keeps on surprising me.

  After an hour of playing darts and one minor incident – Alex accidently hit one of the guys in the shoulder with a dart – we decided to head back up stairs. I practically had to help carry Alex up the steps. She swung the door open and fell forward. I caught her before she did a face plant on the floor. She was hysterically laughing and it was contagious. Alex stopped laughing abruptly and I looked up to see a very irritated Declan. “What did you do to her?” she said to me.

  “Oh, Declan, unclench a little, will ya,” Alex said. I couldn’t help it. I started busting up laughing and soon Alex and her brothers joined in.

  “Jax? Jake?” Declan looked at Alex. “Really Alex. Way to set an example,” she reprimanded.

  “Hey, I was.” She stood up. “I taught them how to share.” Declan rolled her eyes while Alex straightened out her dress. She took a step forward but her heel buckled and she fell on her butt, laughing. Declan walked away having had enough. I picked her up and carried her into the kitchen.

  “How about we get you some water?” I suggested. I sat her up on the kitchen counter and dug a bottle of water out of the fridge.

  “You okay?” Jaxson asked. He witnessed Alex’s tumble.

  She waved him off like it was nothing. “Where’s Jacob?”

  “He was right behind me just a second ago,” Jaxson looked over his shoulder. “Oh, there he is. Talking to that blonde.”

  “Who is that?” Alex asked me.

  “Hailey Bates.”

  “The town whore!” Alex said a little too loudly. She tried to jump off the counter but I stopped her.

  “I’m on it,” Jaxson said, taking off. I tried to calm her down, but she was stubborn. Jaxson pulled Jacob over to Alex.

  “You stay away from that tramp. You hear me,” she lectured.

  Jacob rolled his eyes, but agreed to appease Alex. “Oh, shots.” Alex reached over my shoulder to grab one of the green minty shots we had earlier.

  “Alex, I think maybe –” Too late. The shot was gone.

  “Come on. I want to dance.” Alex dragged all three of us out to the living room to dance. I didn’t care. I was just glad she was here with me and having fun. We danced like crazy, not caring who was watching. Alex’s hands were all over my body and sweat was dripping from my forehead and chest causing my shirt to stick to me. She slipped her hands up my shirt, sliding over the slick surface. I pulled her sweaty body closer to mine. I wanted so badly to kiss her, but I knew I couldn’t. She pressed herself against me, rubbing herself up and down my thighs. She was making it hard to keep a clear head. She lifted up her damp hair exposing the skin on her shoulders. I couldn’t resist. I pressed my lips into her neck. She shivered, making me want to throw her over my shoulder and carry her straight to my room.

  “Cas,” she whispered. “Cas, stop.” I couldn’t. Once I got a taste of her I wanted more. She pulled away from me. “Cas, don’t.”

  “Alex,” I reached out for her, but she pulled away again. I dropped my hand.

  “I think I should go home.” She suddenly looked so small, fragile. I was afraid if I tried to touch her I would break her.

  “I’ll go find Declan.” I gestured for Jaxson and Jacob to keep an eye on her while I searched the party for Declan and Colton. I searched the whole house but I couldn’t find them anywhere. I took out my phone and text Colton.

  Where the hell r u?

  @home

  Fuck.

  Declan says if u hurt Alex she’ll kill u.

  Yeah. Yeah. This coming from the friend who left her with me.

  What am I supposed 2do? She wants to go home but I don’t want to leave her alone.

  There was a slight pause. Clearly he was talking to Declan on what to do.

  Bring her here

  I stuffed my phone back in my pocket and headed into the living room for Alex. She was sitting on the couch between Jaxson and Jacob, her head lolling back and forth. “Alex,” I said, shaking her gently. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled when she saw me. “Declan wants me to take you back to my place.”

  “Ha! Nice try Mr. but I’m on to you,” she said, wagging her finger at me. “I may be drunk, but I know when you’re trying to be sneaky and it’s not going to work.” She put both palms on the couch and tried to stand up, but was unsuccessful.

  “Alex, I am not trying to trick you. Declan is there with Colton. You can call her if you want?”

  She put her finger on her chin, tapping it, and thinking. “Wait! What about Lucky?” I looked at her confused. “We can’t leave him all alone. He’s just a tiny little thing.” She cupped her hands to show how small he was. “And I want my bed.”

  “Alex, why don’t you come stay with us at Jas’s,” Jaxson offered.

  “I told you I want my bed and I need to be with Lucky.”

  I rolled my eyes and picked her up, throwing her over my shoulder. “There are designated drivers outside waiting to take you where you need to go. I’m going to put Alex in one of the cars and go with her to make sure she gets inside okay, but I’m worried about leaving her alone.”

  “Jacob and I will go with her and stay. Come on Jake.”

  “What, we’re leaving?” he said disappointed.

  “Yes, dick. Let’s go.”

  They followed me out and I carefully slipped Alex in to one of the waiting cars. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow Alex,” I said, giving her kiss on her temple.

  “No, don’t leave me.” Her sudden 180 let me know just how drunk she was. My master plan had failed. I meant to loosen her up not incapacitate her.

  “Alex, Jacob and Jaxson are going to be with you. You will be fine. I promise.”

  “No Casper. I want you. Please, come home with me.”

  I stood up and scrubbed a hand down my face. F.U.C.K. She’s hammered Cas. Don’t do this. She’ll regret it in the morning and so will you. I was just about to do the right thing and tell her I couldn’t when she yanked on my arm so hard I slammed my cheek on the roof of the car. That was gonna fucking hurt tomorrow.

  “Oops,” she giggled. “I’m sorry.”

  I leaned down into the car. “That. Hurt.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “I was just trying to get you in the car so we can leave.”

  “Alex, I –” I was shoved in the back by Jaxson and sandwiched in the middle. Jacob climbed in on the other side of Alex and gave the driver directions to Alex’s house. “No guys, wait.”

  “Relax man. Alex won’t care if you crash at her house.”

  This was not good.

  Alex passed out again on the way back. She rested her head on my shoulder and I resisted the urge to touch her. We pulled up to her place and I was about to tell the driver to take me back to the frat house when Alex woke up. “Hey,” she said, smiling lazily. “You stayed.”

  Her brothers got out of the car leaving me to deal with her. Just great. I slid out of the car and then helped Alex out. Then I ducked my head back in. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” I picked Alex up and carried her upstairs to her room. I laid her down on the bed and then helped her take off her boots. I pulle
d the covers over her and kissed her cheek. “Goodnight Alex.”

  “Where are you going?” she mumbled.

  “I have to go.”

  “No, don’t go. Just lie with me for a little.” I ran my hands through my hair debating on what to do. My phone beeped in my pocket. I took it out and read the text from Declan.

  Where the hell r u?

  She wanted 2go home

  Casper I swear if u try anything

  Jacob and Jaxson r here w/her

  I got no response. Then I heard Jaxson in the other room. “Yeah, we’re here. She’s fine. Chill Declan. We won’t let anything happen.”

  I stifled a groan when my phone beeped again.

  We will b talking tom.

  I looked back down at Alex. I would be crazy to leave her now. I made a decision and called down to the waiting driver. I told him he could take off. I put my phone away and walked out to the kitchen where Jaxson and Jacob were raiding the fridge. “I’m going to keep an eye on Alex.”

  “Sure thing, man,” Jacob said in between bites, spraying food as he talked. “Whatever.”

  “I call Declan’s room,” Jaxson said, grabbing his sandwich and making a run for it.

  “Dude!” Jacob yelled, taking off after him. They wrestled a bit in the hallway but Jaxson managed to make it to the room before Jacob, closing and locking the door behind him. “Dick!” Jacob whined, kicking the door. He sulked all the way to the couch, pulling the blanket down off the top and crashing.

  I made my way back in to Alex’s room where she was trying to get out of her dress. She had it pulled up halfway. She tugged, but it wouldn’t budge. I walked over to help her. “I’m stuck.”

  “So I noticed. Let me help you.” I pulled the dress back down and turned her around so I could unzip it. Then I slid the dress off and tossed it on the hamper. Without looking at her, I searched for a t-shirt and pants. I found some on the floor. Not caring if they were clean or not, I handed them to her. She slipped on the shirt but left the pants. I helped her into bed and was ready to crash in the recliner she had in the corner when she quickly sat up.

  “Where’s Lucky?” I looked around the room. I didn’t see him when I came in.

  “I’ll find him.” I went back out into the living room. Jacob was already passed out and snoring. I quietly tried to call for Lucky. I found him on the kitchen counter eating the lunch meat the boys had left out. I picked him up and carried him back with me.