Red Flags

by C. C. Brown

  “Nice to meet you Cara, I’ve been waiting for this day.” I smiled, as much as I could under such uneasy circumstances, and reciprocated the statement. His Southern drawl wasn’t as thick as Jason’s which shocked me, considering he still lived in Texas and Jason didn’t. When he finally put me down, I backed away from him, and tugged at my clothing, making it go back to its original fitting. Mrs. Bradley must have sensed my unease because she walked over to Jacob and put her on his back, trying to diffuse the tension that had built up in the room.

  “Sorry Cara. Jake is my teddy bear. He and Jason may look alike, but personality wise, they couldn’t be more opposite.” She laughed, and while I was laughing on the outside, I was cringing on the inside. Thankfully, Jason came strolling into the room. He and Jacob looked at one another at the same time, with gazes that could have frozen the entire state of Texas. Jacob pulled Jason into a most unwelcomed hug, and glancing around the room, I caught of glimpse of Mrs. Bradley’s hopeful, yet anxious face. I wanted to be swallowed up and removed from the room, and I had only been dealing with this situation for a few minutes.

  “Don’t act so damn excited to see me bro,” Jacob snidely commented.

  “Cut the shit Jake.” Jason retorted.

  Mrs. Bradley moved in between both of her boys, and putting her arms around both of their waists, led them back into the living area. I wanted a drink, no a shot -- or two. I was starting to see why Jason hated to be home, and we had to spend another couple days here.

  Dinner was tense, the Bradley’s congratulated us on our accomplishments, but the air in the room never thinned, or made for light and airy conversation. Jason spent the bulk of the night pushing back against Jacob; Mrs. Bradley spent the night trying to diffuse the developing arguments between the two. I got the sense that Mr. Bradley rather enjoyed seeing the show as he made no attempts to break them up, in fact, he sometimes threw in small jabs that further egged Jacob on, which continued to infuriate Jason.

  The only good thing about dinner was the fact that the brisket was cooked to perfection – the Bradley’s cook was a genius -- and Abigail. No matter how wrought with dissention the room got, little Abigail’s smiles and adorable words were just the ticket to dousing the flames. It was clear that everyone in the family, no matter how much they couldn’t stand one another, doted on little Abby.

  Dessert had been served when Jacob, losing all manners and shoving a forkful of pecan pie into his mouth asked, “So when’s Stacey getting’ in?” My stomach dropped at the sound of her name. I was aware that she would be coming to Heath this weekend, but I wanted, just for the day, to forget about her until I had to face her. Jason grumbled something under his breath, and Heather, looking obligated to answer, turned to Jacob and politely replied, “In the morning.”

  The meal never took on a friendly tone, and after rebuffing his mom’s requests for late night drinks, Jason excused us from the table, and walked us out through the backdoor. I made sure to thank the Bradley’s for the meal, and their hospitality before leaving.

  The walk back to the guesthouse was filled with kicks of the grass, profanity, and deep sighs. Jason had been completely infuriated for the couple of hours that we spent with his family, and honestly, I was proud that he didn’t lose himself by the numerous bait attempts shamelessly put on by Jacob.

  I walked into the house and as Jason pulled two beers from the fridge, I remembered that I hadn’t let me parents know that we had made it safely. I looked at the screen to find two missed calls and numerous texts, so I sent a group text to my parents, Ryan, and Mila, letting them know that we were here, safe and sound. Jason had moved to the wooden deck that overlooked the lake and tapped on the seat next to him for me to join him. He pulled me close and rested his chin on the top of my head, and let out a deep breath that contained the hours of strain that had manifested itself in his body over the course of dinner. We sat watching the moon shine its bright light over the calm waters of the lake. We sipped, kissed, and just enjoyed the silent tranquility of being in one another’s presence. I knew another source of tension would be heading our way, in the form of Chelsea Peters.

  <>

  Our alone time lasted another 45 minutes before Patrick was walking through the doors with Chelsea and Hunter’s luggage. Chelsea came roaring through the house, screaming excitedly, and throwing herself on me. I laughed as I hugged her back, grateful for a familiar face. Jason and Hunter gave each other the non-awkward guy hug, and for the first time since we had been at the Bradley residence, I watched Jason relax and enjoy himself.

  Jason walked into the kitchen and grabbed more beers for everyone. From the looks, and smell of things, Chelsea didn’t need anything else to drink, but I guess since we were staying in for the night, it didn’t really matter. We made our way back out to the deck, and sat with our feet dangling over the edge, just shy of dropping into the water.

  “You happy to be home Bradley? You look like you’ve lost the proverbial stick that’s always up your ass.” I smacked Chelsea on the thigh, but it only made her chuckle louder. Jason took another swig of his beer, and then looked over to Hunter.

  “It would be gone if Hunter had come alone,” he replied, and I laughed if for no other reason than to keep the stale air from dinner from seeping onto the deck.

  Chelsea nudged Jason’s shoulder and shouted, “Truce,” which promoted Jason to raise his beer. I breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed. The Bradley main house had been too much, and I was in no mood to play Mrs. Bradley when it came to Jason and Chelsea.

  We spent the next couple of hours out on the deck. The humidity had died down but was still horribly thick. Luckily, now that the sun had gone down, the heat wasn’t as stifling, but it still wasn’t as comfortable as the San Diego night time breeze.

  Jason took Hunter and Chelsea on a tour of the house, and while Hunter nodded his approval, Chelsea loudly spoke hers. I wanted nothing more than to get her to bed. I was exhausted from the day, the stalemate in the Bradley home, and now Chelsea’s drunken behavior. As soon as we got to the bedrooms, Hunter read my mind and pulled Chelsea into the room. Jason mumbled something to him and that was it, the door shut, and we were marching down the hall to our own bedroom. All I wanted was to snuggle into Jason and let him rub my exhaustion away. He was so good at that; his methodical hands working ever so deftly.

  We lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling and I watched Jason rub his hands over his eyes, sighing heavily. Being home didn’t bring him the enjoyment and satisfaction that it would have brought most people. He was here out of total obligation, and felt compelled to endure the nausea inducing interactions that came along with family visits. Jacob made me squirm, and while Mrs. Bradley chalked it up to him being a teddy bear, I got the feeling that he was just a douche.

  “Tomorrow is going to be even more hectic. You’ll have to meet a bunch of smile-in-your-face big money bastards, the Mayor, and other people I could care less to see.”

  “Why did you even decide to come if your family bothers you so much?” I asked, but secretly wished that I hadn’t.

  “Honestly? Because of you. I wanted you to meet my mom. Jacob and Dad are okay in small doses, but I wanted my mom to get to know you.”

  I sat up and balanced my weight on my elbow, while Jason reached up and played with a loose tendril of my hair.

  “You could have had your mom come out to San Diego; I could have met her there.” He turned to face me, “I just don’t like seeing you stiff as a board, and it seems that’s all I’ve gotten since we got here.”

  “She would have protested and made me feel guilty about not seeing my dad and brother. Don’t worry about me. I’m worried about you.” His honesty shocked me and I scrunched my brows, prodding him to continue. “With Stacey coming in town…” I stopped him by placing my index finger over his mouth.

  “I don’t want to think, or talk about her tonight. I’m done with you being so pissy.” He looked dumbfounded, but didn’t object.
I reached down and strategically placed my hand over the zipper of his shorts and pulled it down and licked my lips in a most unattractive, and goofy way -- hoping to get Jason to laugh. He smirked, so I continued. I reached my hand into his open zipper, and started tickling him, which caused him to laugh feverishly. Mission accomplished.

  Jason was longing and wanting, and after the amount of bullshit that he had endured, I was much obliged to provide for him. He turned me over on my back and climbed on top of me, making his way up near my face. I reached down and grabbed his rock hard from his shorts, and firmly forced him into my mouth. He exhaled as I took him, and I grabbed his behind and forced him even deeper into my mouth. He let himself go, which gave me the unasked for permission to let loose on him. I started with small licks around the tip, but as he craved more, I began a more aggressive assault. The more he moaned the more determined I got. I moved my hand around his thick shaft and started a relentless stroke that sent his eyes to back of his head. He deserved a release, and I was going to make sure he got it. The licks slowly turned into sucks. I sucked with a vengeance, and the more he swiveled his hips, the more tenacious I became. My hand and mouth were moving in perfect succession, and the sight of Jason’s eyes unable to remain open excited me. He started moaning, “I’m gonna cum,” and I continued my pursuit of achieving the perfect release. He stopped me short, surprising and annoying me all at once, but quickly moved to get me ready for whatever it was that he had in mind.

  Before I even had a chance to collect myself, Jason was pulling my shirt over my head. I sat up and allowed him to unfasten my bra. He was moving at warp speed, and I tried to assist him as much as possible, to cut down on the delay. I raised my hips and he pulled down my shorts and underwear, leaving me completely naked. I tugged on his shorts, and got him to slow down enough to actually remove them.

  I pulled on his neck as I lay down, and soon, our tongues were swirling hungrily in each other’s mouths. He poured all of the day’s stresses into me, and I met him with the same level of intensity. His solid erection stabbed into my thigh, and the more I felt it, the more I wanted it. Jason reached down and guided himself into me, I groaned at the intrusion, since I was still sore from the sexual exploits from the night before. Knowing how much he was craving me, I opened my legs wider, giving him easier access. He thrust into me hard, and I moaned with each pleasurable assault. His eyes were shut and worked tirelessly. Sweat beads started to form on our skin. I moved my hands up and down his wide back, and threw my head back, giving him the invitation to take every inch of my neck.

  He took the hint, and began suckling my neck which was my undoing. My insides felt like electric shocks were going off. I grabbed hold of Jason like my life depended on it, and shook with a violent force that sent my legs into an uncontrollable quiver. My spot had been hit numerous times, and sensations were radiating from inside.

  “I need you,” Jason breathed, “cum for me baby.” It didn’t take too much longer and I was gripping his back, curling my toes, and grabbing the blankets while I came violently. Jason grabbed my hands and pinned them down to the bed while he came. I could feel the warm spurts exploding throughout me, while the aftershocks of my orgasm left me breathless.

  Jason collapsed on me, and I had no strength to move so we lay, with him inside me for a few minutes until we both gathered the strength to adjust. “Thank you,” he said, and I simply smiled back my retort. “Oh, and congratulations on your graduation.”

  “That was the best present ever, thanks!”

  We didn’t even bother to shower, just crawled under the covers, into each other’s arms, and fell into a deep, blissful sleep.

  <>

  I woke to Jason staring at me. He looked like he had been awake for a while, but still snuggled under me, just watching me sleep. I smiled and wiped my eyes, and he softly spoke his greeting I had grown to adore, “good mornin’ gorgeous.” I kissed his lips, then jumped out of bed, threw some clothes at him, and jumped into a t-shirt and shorts. The aroma of coffee was luring me to the kitchen where I found Chelsea and Hunter, laughing and sipping coffee.

  “You’re alive,” Chelsea yelled, smiling at me and then over to Jason.

  I blushed and shook my head. I knew Chelsea and Hunter were in the house, but with the way that Jason was feeling last night, I just didn’t care.

  Jason walked into the kitchen and said his good mornings, then poured us both a cup of coffee before reminding us that we had to get dressed for breakfast at the main house. Chelsea would get a glimpse of the nonsense that was Jacob, and we also had to deal with the infamous Stacey.

  We showered, probably the fastest shower we had ever taken together, and I left my hair slightly damp as I threw it up into a messy bun. Jason threw on a tight fitting t-shirt and cargo shorts, and I grabbed a white sundress from my suitcase, trying to be as light and free as possible. This was day two of the terrible Texas heat, and I wanted to be prepared.

  Chelsea over-exaggerated the heat as we walked from the guesthouse up to the main house. She continuously fanned herself, and made little comments before I shot her a warning glance. I knew Jason’s tension was building and I didn’t need her contributing to it.

  “Well shit, I’m sorry. It’s hotter than the devil’s breath out here,” she whined, and I laughed -- dramatic or not -- she was probably right.

  We walked into the house and were met by Mr. and Mrs. Bradley. Jason introduced Chelsea to his parents, and reacquainted them with Hunter before Mrs. Bradley took me in her embrace. Chelsea looked around the house and nodded her approval. “Is that a Control brand chandelier?” She asked, walking towards the dining room area.

  “Yes it is, are you familiar with it?” Mrs. Bradley asked, excited over the conversation about interior design.

  “Yes, my parents have them in their house.”

  Their conversation took off from there, and Chelsea smiled as Mrs. Bradley led her on a tour of the house, describing every intricate detail of the choices she had made.

  Jason, Hunter, and I followed Mr. Bradley into the kitchen area where a crew worked diligently on country potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and freshly baked buttermilk biscuits.

  “When’s the last time you ate a real breakfast Cara? You lookin’ kinda thin there.” I didn’t know how to respond to such a blunt assertion so I just smiled and stood closer to Jason.

  He didn’t take too kindly to his dad’s comment and grimly replied, “She’s fine dad. Not everyone has to eat heavy to be healthy.” Mr. Bradley acted as if Jason hadn’t even spoken when he went to questioning Hunter about the accounting firm, and the new accounts that they were establishing.

  Chelsea and Mrs. Bradley made their way back downstairs, and as Chelsea got closer to the kitchen she said, “This is a kick ass house. When we get ours, I want to make it look like this.” Hunter rubbed his hands through his hair, probably concerned with the amount of money it would take to make a house look the Bradley’s.

  The swinging open of the front door, and a loud, “We’re here…let’s eat,” signaled the entrance of Jacob and his family. I rubbed Jason’s back to try and soothe the growing unease I could feel rising in his body. Chelsea made her way to the walkway and stuck her hand out, initiating contact with Jacob, throwing him off guard.

  “I’m Chelsea, and this is my boyfriend, Hunter.” She firmly shook Jacob’s hand, and gave Heather a warm hug. Chelsea was so much more outgoing than I could ever be, and I sensed the forward nature that she possessed threw Jacob for a loop. Heather came across as quiet and compliant, quite the opposite of my dear best friend. I timidly made my way over to say my hellos, deliberately avoiding any body contact with Jacob. The look he gave could have singed my clothing straight from my body. Mrs. Bradley’s call for everyone to make our way to the dining table felt like a save from another awkward interaction between the brothers, because Jason was watching his look, and growing angrier by the second.

  The breakfast conversation was much l
ighter and friendlier than the sour dinner conversation the night before. I envied Chelsea for her ability to command a room, and steer the conversation in her desired direction. We talked about life after college, parties, and business ventures. I finally started to relax, when there was a knock on the door. The hair on my arm stood at attention and the muscles in my face froze. Jason rubbed my back and whispered, “don’t worry about it,” knowing full well that Stacey was on the other side of the door.

  Stacey strolled into the house like she owned the place. She walked over to Mr. Bradley and gave him a big hug, and his obvious reciprocal affections for her made my stomach turn. She looked me square in the eye and gave a smug smile, which I gave right back to her. Mrs. Bradley stood and gave her a big warm hug, the same that she seemed to give everyone who made their way into her home. I peeked at Chelsea, who had her claws out ready to pounce. She connected the dots without a formal introduction ever being made. Mrs. Bradley, ever the conciliatory one, introduced Stacey to the table, unaware that I had already had the displeasure of meeting her.

  Stacey held her hand out for Hunter, who shook it stiffly. Chelsea took her hand, but snickered at her, causing her to pull back and sneer at her. If Stacey was looking for a fight, Chelsea was the wrong person to pick one with. She fixed her eyes on Jason, and after licking her lips seductively, purred, “Hi Jace. Not excited to see me?” The smile on her face was anything but innocent, and hearing that pet name made me want to expel my breakfast. Jason smiled and simply responded, “Hi Stacey,” then squeezed my thigh under the table, trying to reassure me.

  The air in the room was thick once again, only this time, Jason wasn’t radiating the heat and tension. Chelsea was fixated on Stacey, and unfortunately, Stacey was returning the stares. I tapped Jason -- he would pull us from the stalemate, and he got the clue; rising from his seat and thanking the crew and his parents for breakfast. Mrs. Bradley asked if we wanted to partake in a game of horseshoes, but Jason kindly declined and before leaving the house, he kissed his mom and little Abby.