“Whatever, Jordan. Are you gonna go toe-to-toe with me to defend the honor of tonight’s hook up?”
If the angered disappointment wasn’t evident by the crimson tinge growing in his face, it’s very apparent in the balled-up fists at his side.
“I don’t know what the hell’s up with you, and to be honest, I don’t know that I give a shit anymore. But you need to hear this—you’ve turned into a real dick lately. Dylan, this whole thing’s tired now, man. You need to get over yourself.”
He turns back to redhead—sorry Ava, and reaches out, offering her a hand. “How do you feel about early morning pancakes, gorgeous? There’s a twenty-four-hour breakfast house open on the other side of town.”
Taking his hand, she stands to her feet. “Sounds perfect.”
There are no ‘see you laters,’ or any other words exchanged for that matter. The two of them just make their way out, leaving me standing there.
“Did he just leave me for some one-time side piece?”
What the shit is happening around here?
It’s ten in the morning by the time my brother walks through the front door, which means I’ve been awake over twenty-four hours, making for a very agitated Dylan.
“Where in the hell have you been?” The boom of my voice startles Chase as he makes his way up.
“What the heck, Dylan? You almost scared me off the stairs.”
“You little shit, that would’ve been the least of your worries. Not once did I say you could stay over at your little whore’s place.”
Chase moves up the last of the steps squaring off with me. His height just inches to match mine, but his build nowhere near. I’m Hercules and he’s Mr. Bean—the poor bastard got his mother’s genes.
“That’s enough, Dylan. I’m seventeen, not ten. The only reason Dad gave you guardianship over me is that he no longer wanted the responsibility, not because he thought I needed any sort of guidance from the likes of you. Also, I’ve had enough of this shit attitude you have toward Velyn. She’s done nothing to you except for maybe putting you in your place a couple of times, which might I add; you needed the reality check. She’s a great person, which you would see if you gave her half a chance. And the last thing...I’m not sleeping with her. Believe what you will, but not every relationship between a guy and girl needs to lead to sex or to any other sort of intimate encounters your little imagination may conjure up.”
I open my mouth to let out the tirade of verbal beatdown I’ve been working out through his little dialogue, but he just turns and walks away. The only thing I get out is a bellowing, “You’re grounded.”
His response, “Eat shit and die, asshat.” That seems to be the running consensus around these parts lately.
Connie walks through the front door, and looking up, she catches sight of me. “What happened now?”
“Ungrateful people, that’s what happened…the whole lot of them—ungrateful. My best friend has appointed himself saint of all lost causes, and Chase thinks he’s miraculously invincible and is running his mouth off at me and has adopted an annoying self-righteous attitude.” Having finished saying what I needed too, Connie then lets out a hearty laugh. “You find this funny?”
She hangs her coat and makes her way up the stairs patting my shoulder. “Mi hijo, I think this is a ‘you problem,’ isn’t that what you always say to people.” I let out a groan as she walks by me through the living room and into the kitchen. She stops short, turning to me as she points and waves her hand around the room. “You are cleaning all this mess.”
I usually clean up after a party before she gets here, but I was distracted this time. “Yeah, I will. But how do you figure this is a me problem?”
Connie moves to the other side of the kitchen, strategically stepping around the heap of solo cups and empty beer bottles, then she looks to me with a shrug. “Superalo.”
“I can’t get over it. I have nothing to get over, they do. Connie, I’m not wrong here.”
“Mi amor, you may not see it the way they are, but I promise you, it’s two against one—this is a you problem.’”
I cross my arms over my chest. “So, you’re saying I’m wrong?”
She looks up to me, her brown eyes smiling. “Si, now you hear me. Good, glad we talk. Ahora, ve limpio, andale.”
I groan and make my way to the cupboard pulling out the garbage bags. “Isn’t this what we employ you for?” My back’s turned to Connie, so I don’t see the shoe flying Mach three at my head. “Ow, what the—” When I turn to look at her, she’s standing there with a look the devil himself would fear. “I was kidding.”
“Yeah, ahora, it’s three against one.”
I let out a sigh. I know she doesn’t mean it, although she would have every right to be mad. But Connie knows me, and apparently, she may be the only one.
The next few days turtle by with not a word from my brother or Jordan. Evidently, they’re holding out longer than usual this time. As I make my way through the quad, I spot Jordan with redhead deep in conversation.
He can’t be serious? He does know that the do-gooder charity work doesn’t have to carry on past the initial occurrence, right?
I walk toward them. It isn’t until I’m just ten feet away that redhead notices me. She taps Jordan on the arm then nods in my direction. He looks up and stands instantly to his feet, pulling her up and whispering something to her. She sneaks a glance over to me then like it’s as normal as breathing she gives him a soft kiss on the lips before walking off.
When I reach Jordan, he just shakes his head. “Don’t even start, Dylan.”
“What? I wasn’t going to say anything,” I reply with a chuckle.
“Yeah, you were. You can’t help yourself.”
I let out a dry laugh. “Jordan, man, you’re paranoid. I wasn’t going to say a word. But now that you brought it up, you do know that I slept with her, right? Like just a couple of weeks ago, she was spread out on my bed and screaming my name.”
“You can’t help it, can you? Dylan, don’t you ever get tired of this constant act you put out there?”
“Who says it’s an act?”
Jordan’s the one to laugh now. “You forget, I know you. This jackass bravado isn’t you, man. Sure, we play it out like that, but lately, with you, it’s over the top and honestly, getting real old.”
“You act like you’re not just like me. Like every weekend, you weren’t there right by my side, working the angles and laying on the charm.”
He nods. “Yeah, sure. I won’t deny I liked playing the field and did it often, but I was never a dick. It’s done, Dylan. We’re twenty-two, and for the past four years, we’ve been laying it down like freshman with not a shit in the world to give. But I’m done. I want more.”
I take a step back. Who the hell is this, and where’s Jordan? “Are you saying that you want to marry this chick?”
He lets out an exasperated breath. “Why is everything with you all or nothing? Better yet, why do you have to know the outcome of every situation before you decide to jump in?” He lets out another breath grabbing his bag off the table. “Look, I have no idea what’s going to happen with Ava, and that’s the best part—we’re just taking time to get to know one another. Am I going to marry her? Maybe or maybe not, who knows? What I do know is that she’s a great girl, and I’ve been enjoying spending time with her and intend to do more of it.”
“So, what we’re done?”
He shakes his head. “See, all or nothing. That’s up to you, man. I’m here, and for now, Ava’s going to be right here with me. Either you accept that and treat her with respect or give me a shout when you decide to grow up.”
Jordan gives me one last look with a nod then turns to leave. He makes it just pass the far side then turns back. “Oh, and Dylan, you might want to consider the same thing for Chase and his friend Velyn, or you may just end up temporarily shut out of his life too.”
Heading to the parking lot, after a moment, I can see him tak
e Ava into a hug then walk off hand in hand. I have no idea what’s gotten into him, but the one thing I do know is when he comes crawling back in tears begging for me to accept his apologies, I just may not be there to listen.
Chapter 8
Velyn
Chase and I have been sitting in the school library for what seems like hours now, and sadly the only thing I’ve accomplished is to frustrate myself even more.
“Why is it that every time I think I got it, I don’t?” I let out a groan as Chase sits opposite me, chuckling.
“That would be because you keep forgetting the formula. Velyn, the math itself is correct. You’re just getting the formula all backward.”
I look to boy genius feeling defeated. “I’m never going to remember it. I’m going to fail this course, and then I’ll have to drop out of school, causing me to resort to panhandling because no one will hire me with failure written across my forehead.”
“Dramatic much,” Chase lets out laughing. “Listen, you’re not going to be branded with anything. You’ll get this; I have faith.”
“What do you have faith in?” Chase and I look up to see Jordan standing there.
Chase offers him a slight wave, moving his books aside so Jordan can take a seat, then he explains. “Velyn’s having a difficult time with Honors Calc.”
Jordan lets out a snicker. “Yeah, no shit. Why would you even do that to yourself?”
My shoulders fall. “Because apparently, I’m a sadist. Seriously though, I didn’t think I’d lost this much taking two years off of school. I thought it would be like riding a bike, that after a while, I’d be good to go, but that’s not the case,” I groan. “This course is a prerequisite for second year, and without it, I’m done.”
Jordan looks between us. “I can ask Ava; she’s a whiz with this kind of stuff.” Chase and I look to one another, knowing we’re both thinking the same thing—Jordan’s dating someone with a brain? “Ha, ha. I see that look, and yes, she’s with me, asses,” Jordan whines.
I let out a chuckle. “That’s not what we were thinking.”
“Yes it was,” Chase confesses. I shoot him a glare, but he just shrugs in response. “Sorry.”
“It’s all good; I’m used to it,” Jordan lets out flippantly. “Seriously though, this is her shit and no offense, Chase, but she’s really good with explaining stuff to people. Ava’s even helped me with some of my courses, and she’s not even taking those.”
Chase shakes his head. “No offense taken. Whatever will help Velyn figure this out, I’m game for.”
“I don’t want to put her out,” I add.
Jordan pulls out his cell, thumbing over the screen. With it now on speaker, it rings only once before she answers. “Hey, handsome. I just pulled into the parking lot, where are you?”
The sweetest smile spreads across Jordan’s face at the sound of her voice. “Meet me in the southside library. I’m here with Chase and his girlfriend.”
Chase throws up his hands. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
I let out a chuckle at his persistence to correct everyone’s assumption. I don’t really care; let them think what they want, and I told Chase to do the same; his reply ‘I’ve never had a best friend, and I’m not about to be short-changed.’
Jordan looks over to Chase, brows pinched at his outburst then corrects, “Sorry, and his not-girlfriend.”
A snicker comes from the other end of the phone. “Okay, I’ll be there in about ten.”
Jordan pockets his cell, turning to us with a smile. His excitement’s refreshing. “She’ll be here in ten.”
“You seem to like her,” I mention.
He nods, smiling ear-to-ear. “Yeah, she’s great. I mean, we seem to click.”
Chase gives him a light pat on the back. “Wow, I’m proud of you, Jord. You finally got out of that misogynistic hole of a mindset you were in.”
“I wouldn’t say I was misogynistic; it was more that I just didn’t want to cheat all the other women out of an experience of a lifetime.”
“And now?” I ask.
With a simple shrug, he answers, “The only experiences I want to share are with Ava.”
My heart skips a beat. That may have been one of the most romantic things I’ve ever heard. There’s a tightness in my chest at the memory of my parents; that’s something my father would have said.
I take in a deep breath, trying to push down this knot in my chest. “I think that’s wonderful, Jordan.”
Chase nods his agreement. “Hey, maybe you can sprinkle some of that newfound decency on my brother.”
When I look over to Jordan, his smile disappears and is replaced with a straight lip, and eyes full of sadness. Chase noticing as well, asks,
“Are you still not talking to him?”
“Nope. I tried, but he won’t let up.” Jordan shakes his head. “I love him like a brother, and you know that. But if he can’t accept Ava as a part of my life and treat her with respect, then I’m done with him. No matter what my feelings were toward someone he was dating, I would do my part to be civil and make things so that he could have both of us in his life, but he refuses to do that for me. What does that say about how he values our friendship?”
Chase hesitates but then answers, “Just give it time. Maybe he’ll come around.”
Jordan’s less than convinced. “I wish it were that easy. Something’s going on with him and it all started when—” He looks to me, unaware that he did but then turns back quickly to Chase. “Well, let’s just say it’s been a few weeks. Ever since school started back up.”
I hold my gaze on him for a moment then ask, “Is it because of me?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
“No, but you implied it when you shot me that glare. So, tell me honestly, Jordan, do you think it’s because of me?” This time my request comes out sounding a little more hurt than anything.
“Of course not,” Chase says, reaching across the table and squeezing my hand, but it’s the look on Jordan’s face that says otherwise.
“Let it out, Jordan. I’m a big girl.”
Just as he starts, a breathtaking redhead approaches the table leaning in and landing Jordan with a kiss on the cheek—I’m assuming this is Ava.
“Hey, beautiful,” Jordan greets, standing to let her take a seat, then moving in behind her and starting with the introductions. “This is Chase, Dylan’s brother.” Ava does a doubletake of Chase, not looking all that impressed. She’s obviously had the privilege of meeting Dylan—poor girl.
Chase lets out a chuckle. “I can assure you we’re complete opposites.”
She softens up and offers him a smile, then Jordan motions to me. “And this here’s Velyn, not Chase’s girlfriend but rather his bestie.” Jordan turns to Chase, “There, did I get it right?”
Chase smiles, feeling victorious. “Yes.”
Ava offers a quick hello, and once again, Jordan continues. “So Velyn here is in first-year Honors Calc and seems to be having a bitch of a time with it.”
“Gallagher?” Ava asks. I nod in confirmation, and she lets out a snicker. “Yeah, ouch! The man’s a genius but can’t teach to save his soul. It’s like he just expects that everyone was born with the ability to grasp it at the snap of his fingers. Fyi, it isn’t any better in year four.”
I must look like a wide-eyed bobblehead as I blurt out, “You’re in fourth-year calc? Who even does that?”
Ava laughs. “I love a challenge.” She looks back to Jordan with a smile; obviously, an inside joke then turns back to me. “Do you want some help with it? I, unlike Gallagher, am quite good at teaching.”
“You wouldn’t mind? I mean, you’re probably already buried in a heavy workload of your own.”
She fluffs me off. “Nah, I’m actually ahead with most of my assignments. I’d love the change-up; sometimes going back to basics is a good refresher.”
“Did you just call first-year Honors Calc a good refresher? I think you may be ins
ane,” I add. Ava lets out another laugh, this time with the rest of us joining her. “Well, if you have the time, I could really use the help and it would be greatly appreciated.”
“Absolutely! I have no classes on Mondays, and I’m open after two every other day. I managed to get all my classes in the same time block, so my days are pretty consistent. Just let me know your schedule and we’ll set something up,” she replies.
Jordan stands from behind, offering her his hand. “Well, now with that all taken care of, let’s get out of here, babe. I’m starving and hoping we could hit up the little diner that serves up those kick-ass subs.”
“Are you talking about Subbies?” I ask.
He nods. “That’s the one. They make the best subs in town, and the rest of the menu’s pretty decent too. You and Chase should check it out.” I look to Chase and we both let out a laugh. “What, too good for diner food—are you one of those sushi eating snobs?” Jordan asks.
“No, not at all,” I quickly reply. “I love Subbie’s…I love it so much that I got a job there.”
“No shit?” Jordan lets out in a snicker. “That explains a lot.”
I sit up. “What do you mean?”
“Dylan’s the one that got me going there weeks back. Said they had these great hoagie’s and the view was optimal. I didn’t know at the time what he meant by the view was optimal, but now it all makes sense.”
Brow raised; I lean in further. “Are you trying to say that Dylan thought I was good looking.”
Jordan laughs, his hand running down his face. “It all makes sense now—what a little shit.
“What?” Ava, Chase and I all cry out in unison with a quick ‘shh’ from the librarian.
Jordan looks back down to us shaking his head, wraps his arm around Ava, then before they walk off, he says, “You don’t want to know.”
“What the—? He can’t just leave me hanging like this; I need to know what he was saying?”
Chase shakes his head. “Honestly, Vel, it could be anything and is most likely nothing. Jordan’s a nice guy but a little flighty sometimes. Who knows where his brain’s going with all that?”
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