“Don’t you dare. You’ve dated plenty of freshmen.”
“Nope!” He grins at me and I’m tempted to punch him in the face right now, and I would too, but I need to make sure the recording sounds right. “Always older bro.” His laughter sounds almost demonic. Jace’s pissed me off and I just want to get out of here.
“Let’s see how this sounds. I’ve gotta get home.”
I press play on the recording and immediately realize something messed up after I’d connected everything.
“Man that sounds like shit. When does she need it?”
“Tomorrow at five.”
“I’ll just bring my keyboard over and we can play it live.”
I don’t want to accept any more help than needed from him, but I can't let Cora down. “You sure?”
“Yea. That way she has her music and it will give you time to line everything up better. Besides, it’d be good to see her again. I haven’t seen her in months.”
I knew there now had to be an ulterior motive for Jace helping me out. I pack my stuff up and head out to the car. Thoughts of Jace’s arm wrapped around Cora like a snake while he tries to get close to her fuels a new rage, and I know, I won't be able to stand being around her and another guy. Jace isn’t just a guy, he’s the lowest form of slithering trash created. Surely her parents wouldn’t allow it, would they?
“See ya tomorrow.” He croons out as I make my way to the door.
“Yea. Tomorrow.”
The next day I walk into the studio to find Cora pacing back and forth in a panic. Thirty minutes before her lesson and she was stressed because she was supposed to turn in music that she didn’t have and neither did I, unfortunately.
“Thank God you’re here. Where’s the CD?” Her greedy little fingers outstretched pleading for a shiny silver disk.
“I wasn’t able to get it recorded properly last night.” I’d never felt like a failure before today as she helplessly looked at me.
“Jax! I have to show her this today. I’m screwed.”
“You’re not screwed Cora. Jace will be here. You’re just gonna have to do it live.”
“What do you mean live, Jackson?”
“Cora!” The studio door swings open and in walks Jace toting his keyboard and begins setting it up in the corner. Cora looks at me, tiny slits where her eyes used to be. She’s pissed. “Don’t worry, I’m here to save the day.”
Her almond slits dart between the two of us and I shrug my shoulders. She stands closer to me and whispers, “What is he doing here?”
“I asked him for help.” She rolls her eyes and it seems as if I no longer need to worry about her and Jace together. One small win for me. I know she’s never been a huge fan of his, she tolerated him because of me, but that has always been as far as that’s gone.
“Okay, well fine. Ms. Trousseau will be here, and I need to hear this at least twice, so I don’t make a complete fool of myself, so hurry up and finish setting up.” I don’t know a single fourteen-year-old that commands attention the way she does. Beccs is close, but that’s because when it comes down to it, she’s more bully than friend.
We set up in the corner and start to play. Cora glides across the floor in complete concentration, occasionally making a move here or there, but for the most part I see her putting things together in her mind.
The second run through she comes alive, twirls, and turns, leaps and grand jumps; it’s hard not to get caught up in her beauty. Even Jace seems impressed with her skills. Her moves are clean and precise. Every move has purpose behind it and it’s hard not to feel something when she dances.
The music ends and a loud startling clap comes from the doorway.
“Bravo my dear! Bravo! There are a few adjustments to be made, but outstanding work. And it’s all live, I love it.” The three of us turn towards the doorway to reveal a beaming Ms. Trousseau.
“I haven’t been able to get Cora a CD yet,” I apologize, not wanting my failure to come down on her, “But she’ll have it by Friday, ma’am.”
“Oh that’s fine dear.” She waves me off, truly not seeming to care about the music. “Cora honey, I want to put your performance last.” Taking a second to look in Jace and my direction she points, “And I want you two to perform with her. That was absolutely exquisite, and you young man, I didn’t know Cora’s big brother was so talented.”
Jace snickers and mutters ‘brother’ under his breath.
“Ms. Trousseau, Jax isn’t my—”
“It’s fine Cora.” I halt her statement and she seemed hurt by the curtness in my voice.
“So when’s this gig?”
“It’s December 22 at 7:00 p.m.”
“Sweet.”
Jace is overly excited at the idea of performing live for Cora’s review, not knowing how much pressure she puts on herself to make sure it’s perfect. The hours that will be devoted to one dance, one show.
“And you, young man, get Cora a track by Friday so she has something to practice with and I will see the two of you on the 22nd. Now out.”
Cora gives me a parting glance before starting her warm-ups while Jace elbows me in the side while we pack up our stuff.
“Brother, huh?” Almost in a fit of laughter.
“Shut up.”
“But seriously, when did Cora get hot? Shit man, I can't believe you haven’t even tried anything with her as much as y’all are together.”
I look over my shoulder at Cora. A black sports bra and black dance pants pushed up to mid-calf with pink pointe shoes, why couldn’t she have at least thrown on a sweatshirt in front of him. What was wrong with me. I hadn’t given her outfit one bit of attention, but I could tell hornball McGee over here was already undressing her.
“Shut the hell up, Jace.”
“Just sayin’ is all.” He cocks his head and shrugs, glancing back at Cora who stood on one point, her other leg raised high into the air, toe pointed over her head in a stretch. “Damn she’s flexible.” He mutters out right before I shove him into the wall causing Cora to break her concentration and falter.
What the hell have I gotten myself into? I could beat his ass right now and not feel an ounce of remorse.
Chapter Thirty-Five
After my winter review, Jax had paid gigs lined up for months, and two different record labels were interested in recording the song he had written for me.
I was ecstatic for his success, but I missed him. He always seemed to be busy, but it was fantastic to finally see his hard work paying off.
Mom and Dad took me to see one of his open mic nights, and I finally got to see just how good he was. He was a natural on stage, but seeing older girls fight for his attention wasn’t something I was prepared for.
I tried not to let my jealousy show, but it must have slipped through because when Dad asked me if I was ready to go, I couldn’t leave fast enough.
Jax asked me why we left early, and I told him I was tired and wasn’t feeling good. I couldn’t tell him it was because some redheaded, desperate bimbo had practically given him a striptease, and seeing her neon green bra soar through the air was the last straw.
Jax was older than me, a fact that I was constantly reminded of.
In Jackson’s absence, Jace and I started getting closer, and I realized that he was actually an okay guy. Definitely not Jax, but he wasn’t as horrible as I remembered him to be. He had helped Jax out with my music, and it was nice to get to know another side of him. As long as I had him to myself, he was sweet and caring and seemed to pay attention to me. He was still a grade A pig when he was around other guys, but something about him had caught my attention.
As usual, I spent two months in New York with the ballet, and this time Jax traveled with us to look at two different music schools: one in Manhattan and the other in Massachusetts.
It was nice getting to spend time with him on the plane; he and I in coach while mom and Aunt Liv flew first class. I had three hours of uninterrupted Jackson time, and I gobbled
them up like cookie monster does to a plate of chocolate chip cookies.
Jace spent the summer at different football camps and looking at different colleges as well.
* * *
After Cora’s winter review, I was stopped in the lobby by numerous people wanting me to perform at weddings, and a couple of new bar owners offered me paid gigs. Ms. Trousseau’s brother from New York offered to help me put together an original album of everything I had ever written. He claimed to have connections at both Sony Records and Warner Music Group that could help get my foot in the door.
Mom, Dad, and I talked it over and decided to see what he had to offer, but throughout the entire meeting, I couldn’t help but feel like Cora should have been sitting by my side, putting in her thoughts on the matter. We weren’t together, but my life didn’t exist without her by my side.
Robert and Presley brought Cora to one of the open mic nights I had. I could tell how uncomfortable she was being there, but she was trying to understand my way of life, trying to show her support as best she could.
After a drunk woman threw her bra at me, Cora left in a hurry.
I could see the jealousy in her eyes, and part of me kinda liked it. She cared enough to be bothered by it even though she never staked a claim on me.
Shortly after that incident, it was time for Cora to spend her two months up in New York, but I didn’t want her leaving like this – feeling threatened by other women. I’d been busy since the new year, we had hardly spent much time together, and I needed to make that up to her.
I had already turned in my acceptance to the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts, but I lied to her and told her I was unsure of where I wanted to go and needed a final look at the school in Manhattan so that I could spend time with her. I was willing to do anything just to spend a couple of hours with her without it seeming obvious.
Throughout the plane ride, we talked, laughed, and flirted before she raised the armrest and ended up falling asleep on my shoulder and I took a risk and kissed her again.
My feelings for her were just as strong as ever, if not even more so.
I knew Jace had been coming around more and he and Cora had been spending extra time together, but I knew he was only playing a game.
Cora fills me in on their time together when we occasionally talk. I can see feelings beginning to develop on her end. And as much as I hate listening to her talk about him, at least I’m still in the loop as to what’s going on.
Jace is no longer welcomed at our house. I don’t know the specifics of it all, but one day Dad said he was no longer allowed over, and he’s avoided me ever since.
It’s safe to say, we are no longer friends.
* * *
The weeks leading up to Cora’s winter thing were some of my best. I sweet-talked her into letting me play for her until Jax got her a track for her little dance number, so I saw her almost daily.
The perfect little boy had her CD ready by Friday, just as he had promised and almost messed up my plans of getting closer to her.
There are now twenty single track CDs thrown in the trunk of my car. I think he might have suspected something was up after the fifth CD disappeared. Whoops. Not sorry.
On the way out of that god-awful snore fest, several people stopped Jax and got him booked for different paying gigs.
He never once acknowledged me or thanked me. I could have been pissed but decided to use the opportunity to get closer to Cora.
He was too chicken shit to make a move on her, but after seeing her on stage and the way her costume hugged her body, little was left to the imagination, and my imagination played with her almost on a nightly basis.
Her parents are overly cautious, so I’m going to have to work my way in with them if I want to take her from Jax. I used to be in good with Jax’s mom, but when she walked in on me feeling up Emma, I hadn’t been allowed back. In my defense though, I was eager to try the twin thing.
At the beginning of the school year Becca had been scouted to play on a select soccer team, and it just so happened the team worked out at the same gym as I did. She was the self-destructive one. The impulsive one. All I had to do was flirt with her once. She already trusted me, and as I cornered her, trailing my fingers down over her tomboyish body, I knew she would be the easy one. Taking it a step further, I slid my hand over her shorts and began to rub her sex, showing her just what she was missing out on, whispering nothing but filth into her ear, smiling as I ruined her. She gave into me moments later, and fuck she felt good wrapped around my cock.
The back of my car had seen its fair share of pussy, but this was my trophy. Even once I was kicked out of their house, Beccs continued to take my cock like the desperate whore she was.
But I actually owed the Emma thing to good ole Jackson. It happened just a few days before Cora’s dance thingy, and obviously his parents haven’t said shit since I’ve been going over to Cora’s house since February.
Luckily with her gone this summer I can drop the whole good guy façade and just be myself.
Different football camps around the country, and different girls at each of them.
I’m actually looking forward to the start of senior year. I know I’m gonna have to play the long game with Cora if I’m going to sleep with her by prom, but I’ll finally have something that Jax desperately wants; his precious little Cora. She’ll be ruined before he even has a chance with her.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Good morning beautiful.”
Cora comes bounding down the stairs in leggings, converse, and one of my oversized sweatshirts. I wrap her in a tight bear-hug as she launches herself into me from the third to last step. Her arms tightly wrap around my neck as I bury my face into her hair, arms tight around her waist.
Ever since this past summer I’ve noticed that we have both been more affectionate towards one another, both of us finding little ways to touch each other and make flirtatious comments towards one another. I know I shouldn’t be encouraging any of this, but I can't help myself. I love being close to her and having her close.
She’s happy and healthy, and that matters more to me than anything after the hell I put her through a year ago.
“God I love it when you pick me up in the mornings. You’re such an ego boost.”
She giggles while sliding down my chest, moving about the house, gathering her things for school.
Now that she’s a freshman and I’m a senior, I take her to school every morning since we’re both busy in the afternoons.
Jace has been giving her a ride home in the evenings if he doesn’t have football practice. I’m not thrilled about it, but it beats her riding the bus.
“I highly doubt your ego needs any inflating, Buttercup, if anything it’s the exact opposite.”
“Good morning, Jax.”
“Morning Aunt P.”
“Breakfast?”
“No thanks. You ready, Buttercup?”
“Just...a...minute” Cora moves between the living room and kitchen shuffling pillows and looking under stacks of papers, while I shake my head in disbelief.
“What did you lose now?”
I truly believe she would lose her head if it wasn’t attached to her body. It shocks me how she can be so completely focused when she dances, but the minute her shoes come off, her brain goes out the window.
“Nothing. It’s not lost. It’s just not...where I left...aha!” She holds something high in the air before tossing it into her backpack. “Okay. Let’s go.”
“Jacket?”
“I’m fine.”
I stare at her and still can't believe the sight in front of me. “Seriously Aunt P, how has she made it this far?
“Your guess is as good as mine.” She chuckles. “Y’all have a good day.”
It was now the end of October and the mornings were definitely chilly.
“Sweet mother of pearl. It’s cold out here!”
I laugh as she bounces in front of the passenger door, rubbi
ng her hands together to try and stay warm. I purposely take my time making my way over to her, just to prove a point.
“I told you to wear a jacket.”
She scowls at me, her eyes turning to beady little dagger throwers. “Are you gonna unlock the car or do you find enjoyment out of being a dick?”
I chuckle once more. “Such a dirty mouth you have sometimes.” I stalk towards her, eyeing her like a lion locked onto its prey; she matches my flirty demeanor.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Her seductive timber does something to my insides and hell yes, I’d like to know just how dirty she’d be willing to get.
I fight the urge to adjust myself in front of her, and walk around to her side of the car, pulling her into my jacket, wrapping the flaps around her back just to hold her before opening the door for her. “Better?”
I look down on her as she angles her face upwards, wrapping her arms tight around my waist, beginning to rock us back and forth in the quietness of the morning. My eyes dart back and forth between her eyes and lips while she does the same. Her long blonde hair blowing wild in the wind, lashing at our faces.
Her breathe catches and she begins to blush.
How easy it would be to kiss her right now. To be her first kiss. I want to be her first everything but kissing her now would only complicate things more than what they already are.
“Yes. Thank you,” she whispers out as I reach for the door handle, opening it for her to slide inside.
The drive to school is quiet, but as we pull into my parking space she grabs my hand preventing me from getting out.
“Let’s go somewhere.” Her eyes drift from me to the school and then back again. “Please Jax, I can’t go in there today.” There’s a slight tremble in her voice, and just like always I know I’m about to give into her.
“Cora, what’s wrong?”
“Not here. Please.” Her tremble gives way to a break as a set of tears roll out the corner of her eyes.
Tag Fight For Me Page 28