Red Flags

by C. C. Brown

“Hey Ryan, I have to go, but thanks.”

  “Yeah no problem. Love ya Cars.”

  “Love you too.” And with that, I hung up. Ryan gave me the advice that I needed to hear. It wasn’t always what I wanted to hear, but he was always supportive without trying to coerce me. I was still livid with Mila and Jason, and I really had no clue what I was going to do with either of them. The fact that they were communicating and conspiring made my skin crawl like a bad rash. I heard Chelsea walking down the hallway and I poked my head out.

  “Hey Chels.” I must have shocked her because she turned ghost white and nearly jumped out of her skin.

  “Whoa, good morning Cara,” she replied, holding her chest. “Why are you up so early?”

  “Sorry if I scared you. I had a long night. Why are you up and about so early?”

  “Hunter has meetings with his dad all day, so they were up early getting things ready. I decided to come home and relax. Where’s Mila?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Who knows? Probably on her way to La Jolla.”

  Chelsea’s face instantaneously moves to astonishment. “Why?”

  “Well, it seems she’s been in contact with Jason?”

  “What the fuck?”

  “I know. I came home from Buddy’s last night with Chase, only to find Jason sprawled out on my bed. Chase found him, it almost turned into an all-out brawl, and Mila helped orchestrate it.”

  “Wait – all this time that you were wondering about him, she’s been talking to him? That’s so shitty of her.”

  “I don’t know if she’s been in contact with him all this time, but within the last day or so they’ve been talking. I asked him how he got in here, and why Mila’s car was still out there, and he said they exchanged cars so I wouldn’t be suspicious when I saw his truck.”

  “Oh my fucking gosh. Seriously? That’s why you said probably on her way to La Jolla,” she giggled, then noticed the sour look on my face and stopped. “Does Ryan know?”

  “I just got off the phone with him. He had no idea. I didn’t think she would leave me in the dark on something like this.”

  “She was asking me why you were spending so much time with Chase. She said Chase is a friend that everyone hangs out with, but she didn’t get why you were practically dating him.”

  “I’m not practically dating him,” I replied, sounding unnecessarily defensive. “And besides, that’s really none of her business.”

  “I know, I’m just telling you. So where is Jason now?”

  “In La Jolla, I don’t know. I asked him to leave this morning.”

  “You let him stay the night?” She screamed -- her voice laced with disgust.

  “I was drunk, tired, and had just stopped a fight from happening in my room. We didn’t talk too much, just went to sleep. I woke up this morning thinking I had workouts and I realized I didn’t, I texted Mila but I’ve yet to hear from her.”

  “You didn’t fuck him did you?” She asks wearily.

  “No, I didn’t. And talking to him this morning was frustrating as ever.”

  “What did he have to say for his disappearing act?”

  “That’s just it; he didn’t have much to say. He acted like its normal to leave for a week, not tell me, and not even think about communicating.”

  Chelsea stood with her arms crossed and shaking her head.

  “Well good for you for making him leave. Gotta stand your ground Cara. As for Mila, you’re going to have to talk to her. Do you want me to help you?”

  I pursed my lips and shook my head. This was my problem, and even though I appreciated the offer, and I knew that Chelsea would jump through fire for me, I also knew this was something that I would have to do on my own.

  “Alrighty. I’m going to jump in the shower.”

  I looked at my phone again, eagerly awaiting a reply from Mila that still wasn’t there. I knew she was up and about, why was she deliberately ignoring me? Could it be because she felt guilty? I knew I needed to figure out exactly what I wanted to say to her. Unfortunately, I had so many thoughts swirling around in my head, that I just didn’t know where to begin. I felt horrible for the way I dismissed Chase last night and I wanted to call him, but I was certain that he wasn’t awake.

  I walked back to the vanity area of our bathroom and washed my face. As I walked out I could hear the front door opening, and I knew that Mila was home. I had seen her in action and I knew she could be quite aggressive and intimidating, but I had to get my thoughts and feelings out in the open. She glowered at me as we passed in the hallway. I felt my face flush, but I had to gather the courage to say what it was that I need to say to her.

  I headed back into my room and decided to call for her, it would be best if I were in a comfortable environment, seeing that I was completely uncomfortable confronting her. She came, her face showing no emotion, which clued me in that she had either spoken to Jason or Ryan – or maybe both.

  “You enjoy the Raptor?” I asked, giving her a half smile.

  She threw her long hair behind her shoulders, and I knew she meant business.

  “I did,” she replied, without changing her facial expression.

  “Why Mila? Why are you talking to Jason?”

  “Um, because first of all, we both thought it would be a nice surprise, and secondly, because I can.”

  If she had left it at the nice surprise, I would have been okay, but now, she was being snooty and it irked me. My face went crimson and I felt my blood start to boil.

  “So wrong Mila. You know I’ve been a wreck trying to figure out what I did wrong, why he disappeared the way he did. When he contacted you, you should have told me.” By the end of my statement, I felt my teeth grinding, and I couldn’t remember the last time I was this angry.

  “Well Cara,” and I knew she was pissed because she rarely ever referred to me by Cara, “unlike you, I don’t feel the need to tattle every little thing that happens.”

  “Are you serious Mila? You didn’t think I would be upset?”

  “I didn’t know how you would take it. I thought you might be mad, but relieved to see him, and then happy he was back. I certainly didn’t think you would go to Ryan and tell on me, like I’m some damn kid.”

  “That’s my brother, let me remind you. If you hadn’t thrust yourself into the middle of this, I would have had nothing to tell him concerning you. Do you realize that Jason and Chase almost got into a fight last night?”

  “Didn’t cross my mind,” she said, simultaneously rolling her eyes.

  “Really?” I asked, in as sarcastic a tone as I could muster.

  “Hey, Chase is not someone you should date, if it takes Jason to back him up, then so be it.”

  “Are you fucking serious Mila?” I was simmering. “You get so defensive about me having reservations about you and my brother, my brother, whom I love; yet, you can interject yourself into my life and I’m supposed to be okay with it?”

  “Cara, you are naïve most of the time, so sometimes Chelsea and I have to help you out.”

  She was resorting to insults since she knew I normally backed down from altercations, but this time it wouldn’t work. My adrenaline was building, and the more she talked, the more she built me up.

  “And yet, Chels is staying out of it. You have some nerve Mila.”

  “I don’t appreciate you telling your brother on me, if you had something to say to me, coming to me would have been best.”

  “I texted you this morning and you ignored it.”

  “This conversation needed to take place in person; I was not going to entertain the text.”

  “Look, all I am saying is stay away from Jason. What he did was so wrong on so many levels, and as my friend, I thought you would have seen that. The bullshit about surprising me and it being romantic just doesn’t fly. I think you were just being vindictive. You knew I was out with Chase, so when the opportunity presented itself, you started some shit.”

  “Cara, if it weren’t for your brother, I would
say a whole host of things to you right now, because frankly, you are being a fucking idiot. I don’t give a shit who you were with. I like Jason and I thought what he was doing was sweet. If you want to spend time with Chase then so be it, but I’m totally fucking confused as to why.”

  “It’s none of your business Mila.”

  “No it isn’t. But I was looking out for my friend,” the level of sarcasm in her voice was through the roof. “Don’t fucking worry about me sticking my nose anymore, you’ve made your point loud and clear.”

  “Did you even bother to ask Jason where he was, or why he hasn’t contacted me? You’ve been with me Mila; you saw how I was this past week.”

  “No I didn’t.”

  “I didn’t think so, because it was no concern of yours. I would appreciate you staying out of my business.”

  “You are un-fucking believable Cara.”

  “So are you.”

  And, with that statement, Mila stormed out of my room. I could hear her acknowledge Chelsea as they passed in the hallway, and Chelsea burst into my room.

  I was on my bed, still reeling from my conversation with Mila. It was preposterous that she saw no wrong in what she did, and even tried to justify it by hiding behind the I thought it was sweet card.

  “Hey Cara, I heard. Are you okay?” Chelsea looked at me like a wounded puppy that was in need of love and care.

  “I’m fine, still a little in awe of her though.”

  “You held your own, I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks,” I managed a smile, “and I did it without a single tear.”

  “I know. This is for you and Mila to sort out, and I’m sure you will so I’m staying out of it.”

  “Thanks Chels.”

  “Remember, she is dating your brother, so you have to get along, or it gets awkward for Ryan.”

  “Chels, they are so new…” she interrupted me.

  “New and smitten! He really likes her Cara, so you need to keep the peace.”

  I rolled my eyes and threw my head back on my pillow. “I need to talk to Chase. I threw him out so briskly last night and I feel horrible about it.”

  “So talk to him, I’m sure he understands? The big question is, what are you going to do about Jason?”

  “I honestly don’t know. There are so many reasons to write him off, yet, I find every reason to want to try with him.”

  “Well, I’m not going to tell you what to do; only you can figure that out. I know I don’t like seeing you hurt, so unless he can keep from hurting you, I think he should stay away.”

  “I know. I feel the same way.”

  “Well, I’m going to the cafe. Can you and Mila stay here without killing each other?”

  “I’m pretty sure we can. Thanks Chels.”

  “Always babe,” then she left the apartment. I grabbed my phone to text Chase. I needed to make sure that I didn’t lose yet another friend over the debacle with Jason.

  to Chase

  *Hey friend. How are you?*

  I sat my phone down and tried to relax while staring at the ceiling. I couldn’t remember the last time I was so angry and actually felt good about it. Mila was a big mouth, and could be threatening, but I held my own and I was satisfied. My last order of business was trying figure what I wanted to do with Jason, and that was the most thought consuming prospect of them all. He had given an overabundance of reasons to be done with him, yet there was a part of me that wanted to try. I gazed off into the nothingness surrounding me, and tried to think.

  Chapter 9

  Somehow I managed to doze off, and when I woke up, there were three text messages on my phone. They were all from Chase, telling me that he saw Chelsea at the cafe, asking me how my night went, and finally asking if everything was okay. I wanted to tell him to come over so I could fill him in, but Mila was home, and the last thing I needed to do was stir up more ammunition for her, so I texted him back and asked if he was home. He was so I went straight to his apartment.

  Every time I entered Chase’s apartment, I was reminded that he was a guy, and a bachelor at that. He and his roommates knew nothing about design aesthetic. There were beer posters, with bikini clad women adorning the walls, beer tops stuck in the popcorn ceiling, making waste of time designs, and football memorabilia all over the place. It was a far cry from our apartment, but then again, the three guys who lived there fit the décor, so I forgot about my incessant need to want to put my touch on the place. Chase opened the door and gave me a big hug as he led me into the living room. His roommates, Taylor and Drew were home, but in the back room playing video games. This gave us some much needed time to talk about what happened without their interference.

  “So how are you after last night?” I asked, wary of his response. I felt the need to brace myself for his answer since I knew I treated him badly the night before.

  “I’m good. I was wondering the same about you.”

  “I’m fine. Last night was crazy, and I felt horrible for kicking you out the way I did.”

  "Don’t worry about me. I did want to beat the shit out of him though.”

  “I know. That’s exactly what I was trying to avoid. This morning was even worse.”

  “I’m sure. Chelsea told me you were on a roll this morning,” he grinned and adjusted himself on the couch.

  “The whole Jason thing rubbed me the wrong way. Mila being a conspirator was a knife in my back. I went to her about it and she acted like I was crazy for being so angry.”

  “I think you had every right to be angry. This damn guy doesn’t talk to you for a full week, for no good reason, and when he just shows up, you’re supposed to drop to the floor for him; Mila should have known better.”

  “You would think. Instead she was completely hostile, as if I should have been thanking her. I mentioned it to Ryan, and she went berserk.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, apparently, she's a big girl and I shouldn't be going behind her back.”

  “Isn't that exactly what she did to you?”

  “Yup!” Chase’s eyes bulged. The audacity of Mila was too much to stomach. “Anyway, I don’t really think much got solved and I still don’t know what to do about Jason.”

  “You know what I’d tell you so I’ll just keep that to myself.” He looked at me, his face stern and giving nothing away.

  “I know. Unfortunately, my heart and my mind are not in the same place. I just don’t know how to approach him.”

  “Do the same thing you did with Mila.”

  “I tried that last night and this morning; it didn’t really work,” I shrugged my shoulders in a display of defeat, “Jason is much more difficult to break through.”

  “Well, whatever you do, I’m behind you.” He got up and walked off in the direction of the kitchen, grabbing two black ceramic bowls from the cupboards. “Hungry?”

  “Yes I am,” I smiled; moving eagerly to the table to eat what I was sure was the only thing Chase knew how to prepare.

  “Captain Crunch or Frosted Flakes?”

  “Frosted Flakes.” He poured our cereal and made his way to the table, sitting my bowl down in front of me.

  “Mila really doesn’t like me does she?” I was shocked that the question was even audible, given the fact that his mouth was full of Frosted Flakes.

  “At this point I don’t know. She said it had nothing to do with you.”

  “HA! Bullshit!”

  “She normally has nothing but nice things to say about you.”

  “But her actions were anything but…” he shoved another spoon full of cereal in his mouth, and I was grateful that he remembered his manners this time.

  We left that bitter conversation alone and Chase mentioned a concert coming up that weekend. I had heard about it, but didn’t give it much thought. How could I when my mind was so preoccupied? I didn’t even realize that we were on Spring break for heaven’s sake. He asked if I’d like to go, but I left my answer open-ended. I wasn’t sure where I stood with Jason
and didn’t want to make plans just yet. I could sense the frustration he felt when I told him, but I had to figure out my Jason situation before adding another guy to the mix.

  When I got home, Chelsea was back, sitting with Mila watching TV, eating a bowl of fruit. She informed me that my phone had been going off, so I rushed into my room to check and see who had been calling. There were no missed calls or text messages, but instead, two Facebook messages; both from Jacob Bradley.

  From Jacob Bradley

  Hey Cara. Give anymore thought to coming to Texas?

  From Jacob Bradley

  I do hope you and Jason are doing okay. He was a bit preoccupied while here in Heath.

  What did all of this mean? I couldn’t ask Jason since he had made it abundantly clear that he didn’t want me having anything to do with his brother. I decided to prod and see if I could get information out of Jacob, without having to go through Jason.

  To Jacob Bradley

  Hi Jacob. I have thought about Texas and it sounds like fun. I think I will try and make it, if at all possible with my softball schedule and all. Jason and I are okay, why do you ask? I know he was preoccupied, but it’s nice having him home.

  I figured, without trying to sound desperate for information, that I had put enough out there to hopefully get more out of Jacob than I was able to get out of Jason. This very conversation could start WWIII, and while I knew the consequences of our correspondence, I was much too intrigued to put a stop to it. While waiting for a response from Jacob, I decided to browse his photo albums and found more pictures of him, Abigail, and a beautiful blond woman. I figured she was his wife or girlfriend, and Abigail’s mother, since she was a carbon copy of her. They looked so happy, sitting by the lake, on a boat, and in an empty grass field. I found a picture with Jason in them, his face was indifferent, almost like he was forced to take it. I just didn’t understand him at all. I got a ping from my notifications, so I decided to hop on my laptop instead of trying to respond by phone.