She moves closer to the side of the bed, closer to me. “If it weren’t for your music, Josephine, Eve would be alive. Which means Aedan wouldn’t have killed himself. It all started because of you!” she yells as spit spews from her lips.
Jumping off the bed, ignoring every ounce of pain screaming through my body, I stand face to face before bursting at her. “You don’t think I know that? Huh? You don’t think I can see all of it every time I close my eyes? I have nightmares, Mom! Half of the time, I’m not even asleep when they start. I know it was my dreams that killed them. I know that! And I feel guilty about it every second of every fucking day. I’m sorry! Is that what you want to hear?” I scream at her as tears leak from my eyes. My breathing is heavy, pain filling me with every breath.
“It should have been you,” she says bitterly.
“That’s enough, Alannah! How dare you say that bullshit to Jo! It is not her fault that any of this happened. It’s not any of our faults. God dammit, Alannah.” He sighs. A vein appears to pop out in his neck, and his face grows redder with every heaving breath he takes. “She is our daughter. If you can’t accept that it’s the three of us now, then you need to leave. I will not allow anyone to treat her the way that you have,” he says coldly, calmly. His eyes never leaving hers.
My mom is taken back as if his words just slapped her. “W-what are you saying?” her voice uneven with panic.
“I’m saying that you will treat her how you always should have been treating her. If you can’t, then pack your shit and leave,” he says through clenched teeth. His jaw ticking with his anger.
I can’t help but feel a twinge of joy that finally, finally, someone is choosing Eve and me over her. Well… I guess me. It’s nice for someone to put her in her place, fully. Finally.
“You’re going to choose her over me?” she asks, her eyes wide, shock apparent on her face.
“Yes,” he breathes out. His hands on his hips, separating the space between Mom and me.
She says nothing. She sends a glare that turns my veins to ice, before looking Dad up and down one more time before walking out of the room.
My dad drops his chin to his chest before letting out a loud, heavy breath. After a few long seconds, he turns to me with glistening eyes.
“Jo,” his voice cracks. He drops his gaze and slightly shakes his head. Looking back at me, he nearly whispers, “She’s wrong, you know. Completely. None of it was your fault. It wasn’t any of yours. And I’m so sorry, Joey,” he breathes out as a tear drips from his eyes. I hate seeing my dad cry. The sight alone tears me apart and makes me want to drop into a ball and cry. He’s too good to feel so low. I bite my lip and nod my head at him. My eyes swimming in matching unshed tears. “I’m sorry I let her treat you and Eve so badly for so long. I wish I could go back and change it for you. I’m sorry, Jo.”
I don’t know what to say. I don’t think there is anything I can say to ease his guilt. You can’t help who your heart loves. I really don’t think anyone has a choice in that. So, I don’t say anything at all. Instead, I walk up to him and wrap my arms around his waist, my face to his chest, and whisper, “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, sweetie,” he tells me as his arms slightly tighten around me.
We hear the back door slam. Moments later, we hear Mom’s car come to life.
Chapter Eleven
Present Day
“Joey!” I hear my best friend, Cameryn’s voice shout over the music pouring through the bar. This is the first time that I’ve been to Louey’s, but I like the atmosphere. It’s laid back, nice but casual. It reminds me of a traditional Irish bar. Brick building with green awnings on the outside and one large window allowing you to see in if you look over the green checkered curtain covering the bottom half. As you walk in, the floor is tiled, and all the woodwork, including the bar and surrounding tables, is oak with a medium tinted stain.
The place is larger on the inside than it appears to be on the outside. The bar is a straight bar on the left side from the entrance with multiple flat screens hanging on the wall behind it. It expands a good length of the room and has two shorter sides to keep patrons from behind the bar. There are high bar-top tables, and a few booths that line the right side of the place, with a jukebox, two pool tables, bathrooms, and dart boards at the back.
People are scattered everywhere, tables full, music blaring, and loud conversations fill the place. Looking around, I see all generations here—older gentleman at the front corner of the bar, college students at the tables, couples and groups of people clicking together, and as I make my way to Cameryn, who of course, is all the way at the back corner of the bar. The booth closest to him is filled with a group of men of all ages. Every single one of them has dark hair, dark eyes, and tanned olive skin. They must be related. As I get closer, one of the men sitting catches my eye. His hair is jet-black, so short that I would barely be able to run my fingers through it. His eyes are so dark they appear black from this distance. He has a masculine nose, not exactly wide, but not thin, either. His jaw is wide and strong with dark hair threatening to break through, and his lips are full and beg to be bitten. God, I need to get laid, I inwardly growl. My eyes roam toward his chest and upper arms, filling out a light blue dress shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, giving a sneak peak of the tanned, smooth skin underneath. When I look back at his face, I see his eyes are trained on me, a slow, sly grin spreading across his face displaying a perfectly white, straight smile. I flash him a small smile before strutting my way to Cameryn.
“You made it!” he nearly shouts as he throws his arms around me, pulling me into his side.
“I told you I would,” I smile back as I try to get the bartender’s attention. “Can I have a Strawberry Lemonade with Malibu, please? Tall,” I order before turning back to Cam. “So… where’s Addison? This is her party and she’s late.” I roll my eyes.
“And you’re surprised? She’s your best friend, so you should expect this by now.” He smiles teasingly at me.
“Aw. Don’t be jealous.” I fake pout as I rest my hand against his smooth cheek. “You are the closest guy friend I have.” I wink before having my attention pulled by the bartender placing my drink in front of me on the bar. “I’ve never been here before, have you?” I ask as I take a sip of my drink while glancing around.
“Nah. This was Addison’s pick,” he says as he looks around uncomfortably. His gaze stops at the table where the mysterious hottie was a few minutes ago. Turning to follow his sight, I see the hotties gaze is locked on me, all emotion vacant on his face. “I don’t think this place is the best choice,” he whispers into my ear as his hand finds its way to my lower back. I send the hot stranger a frown, which causes him to smile, and then I turn toward Cameryn to shoot him a ‘what the fuck’ look. He just shrugs before taking another drink from his beer.
“Jo!” I hear Addison’s sultry voice come up from behind me.
“Addison! Congrats, woman!” I pull her in for a big hug. Releasing her, I take a step back and take in her wardrobe. She’s wearing skin tight skinnies, a red halter top that is cut deep in the chest, with black sequence high heeled pumps. Shaking my head, I smile. “Damn, you cleanup good.”
She lets out a boastful laugh. “Thanks! So do you! I don’t remember the last time I saw you and you weren’t in sweats and a tee and running shoes.”
“Ha ha. I can’t help I like to be comfortable, and my job makes me sweat. It’s pointless to look good for it,” I tell her with an eye roll and a wave of my hand. I guess I do look better than normal, though. I, too, am dressed in dark skinnies, a flowing green tank, and black heels. My hair is left down, and lightly wavy. But, the only makeup on this face is eyeliner, mascara, and bronzer. That’s more than I usually do! “So, what made you choose this place?” I ask her.
“A coworker of mine told me she hooked up with a guy here. Best. Sex. Ever.” She winks with a shit-eating grin.
I double over in laughter. “Really?”
/> “Oh, my God. Addison, seriously?” Cameryn chimes in as he hands us each a shot of Jose.
“Yes! My sex life has sucked for five years. FIVE!” she yells as she holds up all five fingers. Reaching for her shot, she shouts, “To me!”
“To you!” we both ‘cheers’ her before throwing our heads back and downing the amber liquid.
“Jo, who’s the hottie that can’t take his eyes off you?” Addison asks as she grabs her drink that Cameryn ordered for her off the bar.
“No idea.” I shrug.
“Probably a thug,” Cameryn adds.
I turn to look at Cameryn with a puzzled expression. “Why would you say that?” I’m annoyed. Every time we go out, he acts like this. It’s getting old.
“Did you see the neighborhood we’re in? I should have brought a gun for protection,” he whispers harshly, eyes narrowed.
“Oh, my God! You’re being ridiculous! He’s dressed nicer than you are!” I throw back at him. “You can’t keep judging everyone by their looks.”
“So, when’s the wedding?” Addison happily chimes in as she raises her eyebrows. I can’t help but laugh.
“What do you think? You think he looks like a thug?” I ask her.
“Hell, no! If you don’t make a move on that tonight,” she points at me, “then I will.” She winks as she moves her pointer finger to her own chest.
“You guys are pathetic,” Cameryn says hastily with a shake of his head.
“Excuse me? That was uncalled for! Because we prefer to be open-minded, that makes us pathetic? You’re just ignorant,” I say. “Tell me, what about them makes them thugs?” I ask waving my hand toward their table.
“Shot!” Addison announces as she hands us both a shot of Blackhaus. I throw the shot back and put the empty glass on the table. With one hand on my hip while clutching my mixer in the other, I take a huge drink.
“I’m good on shots for a bit. I’m already feeling buzzed,” I tell them with a shake of my head.
“Please, we just got started!” Addison responds.
“Right, but I don’t drink nearly as often as you,” I tell her with a hair flip.
“Did you just hair flip me?” she asks, a grin freezing her thin lips on her pale face.
“Yeah,” I shrug. “I thought it kinda fit the moment.” I laugh.
“So, are you gonna do him? Or can I?” Addison asks as she shimmies up until our hips are touching.
“I don’t know!” I laugh. “The nights too young to decide anything that important yet. And I definitely need a few more of these,” I hold my cup up and give it a shake. Perfect timing, bartender saw me. Score!
“You’re not seriously thinking about doing him, are you?” Cameryn asks. Turning my eyes to him, I take in his short, medium blonde hair, just a little longer on top than on the sides. With his pale green eyes, tan, and clean shaven face, he’s the epitome of a prep boy, but with way more muscle!
I met Cameryn and Addison in college. Our senior year, Cameryn and I decided to open our own fitness training center. Well, it’s not really a center… more like a studio. That has all the proper equipment one can dream off to stay in shape, plus we make house calls. But sometimes, I just need a break from him.
“Yeah, maybe.” I shrug. “It’s been longer than I care to admit since the last time my vagina had a dick in it.” I deadpan. Addison erupts in the case of the giggles. You’d think she was high—that is if she would actually touch the shit.
“Jesus, Joey,” Cam sighs. “You need to be careful saying that so loud, especially in this place,” he whispers.
“Oh, settle down, Chachie! What are you so afraid of?” I ask in all seriousness.
“Something bad happening. You don’t know these people,” he tells me, concern taking over his face.
“Neither do you,” I jab him in the chest with my index finger. “I’ll prove to you that you’re freaking over nothing,” I tell him as I grab my drink off the bar and head to Mr. Hottie’s round booth.
Maybe I should care more and actually listen to Cameryn’s concerns. But my family is gone. I’m just waiting for my time to be up. Sure, I have Addison and Cameryn, but it’s not the same. I still go home alone at the end of every day. The closest I get to a meaningful relationship is through unemotional sex with random men that I never remember the next morning. Life sucks. I’m not even sure why I’m still alive. So for the time being, I put a fake smile on my face, pretend shit’s perfect, and I especially do things against Cam’s wishes. Why? Because, if he is right, maybe I’ll get to join my family a little faster.
Walking right up to their booth, I take a sip in mid-stride, my eyes take in the people surrounding him. The older gentleman has greying hair as well as on his face. Not that he has a full beard, more as if he didn’t shave the past two days. His hair is thinning, and his body looks to be aging, with a few extra pounds in his cheeks and belly. But he’s dressed nice, black dress shirt, and grey slacks from what I can see. Next to him is another older gentleman with dark black hair, wide nose, dark chocolate brown eyes, and a scowl on his face. A yellow gold band shines on the finger of the hand he’s holding his glass. Two other men sit with them who look younger, late twenties maybe. They both have medium brown hair, and whisky-colored eyes. God, they look like they’re all related.
Now I’m a little creeped out. Am I really going to hit on this guy in front of his family? Fuck it. I need to get laid. Besides, never said I had to hit on him. I just said I’d prove that they aren’t thugs.
Reaching the table, I stop just shy of where my thighs would touch the edge, put my drink down, and introduce myself. “Hi,” I smile as evenly as possible, meeting each one of their eyes. “I’m Joey. May I join you for a few minutes?”
Chapter Twelve
Aléssandro
My Dad’s been on my ass all night about being distracted. Damn straight! My head and eyes have been on the exotic beauty since she walked in. God, she’s gorgeous. There’s just something about her. Those eyes, the rare cerulean blue that are almost too much to look at. It’s as if when they’re turned toward you, they’re peering in you. I don’t know if I like that. I don’t like anyone looking in me. She’s tall and curvy but thin. No, not thin. Toned. Her arms are delicate yet cut, as well as the back muscles that peak through her shirt. Those jeans, God, those jeans could drop a man to his knees with the way they mold to her perfectly sculpted ass.
I could see that she was clearly eye fucking me since the moment she spotted me when she walked in. So I returned the favor. A thick mane of shiny black hair, perfect for wrapping around my fist and pulling against to expose her the way I want. And her tits, man. Her shirt is loose fitting and yet tight against her rack. Just enough cleavage peeking through to make your mouth water and your dick hard, but not enough that it leaves nothing to the imagination. This woman is pure sex appeal with class. Basing my opinion off her looks and how she carries herself, I place my bet that she’s a sex kitten in between the sheets.
I’ve been watching her all night, barely listening to the business talk that’s taking place around me. As soon as I heard the word thug and then saw kitten motion toward my table, I knew I didn’t like him. The glares and whispering were starting to piss me off. But then seeing her reaction to the prick she was with calmed me. She doesn’t know us, and yet she’s standing up for us. That’s not exactly something that happens every day around here unless you’re from here. And unless you’re known.
“Are you listening, Alé?” Dad asks frustrated. I don’t blame him. He’s had to pull me back to them quite a bit tonight.
“Yes, Sir,” I tell him before taking a drink of my Castello Lager. One of the main reasons we continue to frequent this bar, it’s one of the only places in the city that will serve an Italian beer. Returning it to the table, I look back up and see kitten walking toward us, her eyes sweeping slowly across everyone seated.
Stopping just before she would be touching the edge of the table with her thighs,
she sets her clear glass of pink liquid down on the table top, and then her bluesy voice pierces the air.
“Hi.” She smiles as her eyes meet all of ours. “I’m Joey. May I join you for a few minutes?”
I can’t help but stare, and then I think better of it, and move my eyes to the prick that she met here earlier. His pale green eyes are shooting daggers at her back. Ah, lover boy is jealous.
“Well, hello, Joey,” Dad laughs. It’s not every day that people come up to us the way she just did. This chick has some balls on her. “Of course, of course,” he starts to slide across the seat, causing all of us to slide closer together, making room for Joey to sit in his original place. Joey? What kind of parents would give such a beautiful woman a man’s name? “I’m Frank,” he introduces himself holding out his hand for her to shake. She obliges with a huge smile on her face. “Quite a grip for such a delicate woman,” Dad comments as he pulls his hand away.
Joey reaches for her drink, takes a sip and then clears her throat.
“Actually, I’m not that delicate,” she smiles. “I actually… God, now that I think about it, this is probably going to come off as rude,” she says aloud, but more to herself than to any of us.
“Well, then maybe you should just go back to where you came from,” my cousin Nikolas sneers. Looking over at him, I see his eyes narrowed in her direction. Dad’s old school and has beliefs and values that he relentlessly tries to instill in everyone else. Nikolas, however, prefers people to fear him. He thinks he’s more powerful that way.
“Nikolas, we don’t treat women with such disrespect,” I chastise him with a shake of my head.
“Alé is right, Nikolas. Maybe it is you that needs to leave,” Uncle Jack orders.
Nikolas’ eyes peer into Jack’s eyes with malice filling them. “Really?”
“Yes, Nikolas, really. We have rules. Beliefs. And until you start practicing them, maybe you’re not ready to join us during these activities,” Uncle Jack tells him. “Go on,” he waves his hand from Nikolas to the door. Without another word, Nikolas stands quickly, knocking his empty beer bottle onto the table before trudging toward the door.
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