by Aimee Ash
Seb laughed. “Relax! I’m not going to drink it all. I’ll only drink half. I’ll sip the rest and then spit it back into the bottle. That’s how I learned not to be a social outcast.”
“Sounds like you’ve done this before. Maybe you could teach Jack your little trick,” I answered, relieved that he wasn’t planning on getting drunk.
While we talked, I lost sight of Jack and began searching for him. Everyone formed a circle when another song played, and Jack stumbled into the middle, throwing his hands in the air like a rock star. The crowd went as Jack began busting some great dance moves. The guys cheered him on and the girls screamed his name, which I didn’t like.
When Seb and I joined the circle, Jack approached us. I was looking forward to taking him home, but he grabbed Seb’s arm and pulled him into the middle of the circle with him. Seb looked horrified, but Jack waved his arms, goading the crowd to cheer Seb on too. Jack pointed to Seb’s T-shirt and had the girls chanting for him to take it off.
Seb looked at me and I shrugged; we had obviously lost the battle with Jack, so what was the point in protesting? Seb took off his T-shirt and tossed it at my feet, revealing his toned chest and his intriguing tattoo. It was four symbols linked together and went from his lower back all the way up to the back of his neck. The girls went crazy and screamed both of their names, which I liked even less.
Seb shied away from the attention he was getting and Jack was feeding off the crowd. I wasn’t happy with all the attention he was receiving from the half-naked females, but it was comforting to know that he was all mine, and he was in love with me. As I relaxed, I realized that I couldn’t deny Jack the attention he deserved, so declaring myself defeated, I joined in with the screaming and cheering.
Eventually, Jack and Sebastian danced together, showing off with front handsprings and synchronized back flips. Together, they looked amazing, and it was great to see them enjoying each other’s company rather than arguing. I wondered if this was how they used to be and hoped that tonight would help them realize that their friendship was worth fighting for.
The song ended and a few girls walked to the center of the circle hoping to join the stars of the evening, but Jack stumbled over to me and grabbed my waist. The girls crowded around Seb, each one desperately vying for his attention. Seb looked a little overwhelmed, but the intrigue I felt when I looked at him was becoming dangerously stronger.
When I awoke the next morning, I lay in my bed thinking about what Jack might remember of the previous evening at the beach party, when I was disturbed by an annoying tapping noise that I couldn’t locate. I tossed and turned, trying to ignore the sound, but it didn’t go away.
I got out of bed, following the sound, and opened the curtain. Shading my eyes from the sun, I saw Jack standing below my balcony. He was wearing a hooded jacket and was throwing tiny stones at my window to get my attention. He probably felt awful, but I smiled at him and rubbed my eyes before opening the balcony doors.
Dodging the mess of bags on my floor, I ran to the bathroom to freshen up so that I wouldn’t frighten Jack. After checking myself in the mirror, I walked out of the bathroom. Jack stood with his back to me, looking incredibly tempting in a pair of blue jeans and his hooded jacket. I walked over and hugged him from behind.
“Hey, how you feeling?” I asked, but something felt different. I let go of him and he turned around. “Seb, what are you doing here?”
“I came to see if you were okay after last night and to tell you—”
“I’ve had later nights than that; I don’t need you to check on me.” I felt stupid that I’d been caught off guard. I knew that Jack knew how to get into my bedroom without my help; he had let himself in several times without a key. I kept my voice low so nobody would hear us. “What are you doing here?” I asked again as I grabbed my robe and draped it around me.
“I came over to tell you that Jack isn’t doing too well. I think you need to come over.” He walked back to the balcony.
“What do you mean?” I asked, yawning.
“Just come back to the house with me. You need to see him,” he answered, and leapt off my balcony, landing in the grass below. It was an impressive jump, but I couldn’t let him know.
Rummaging through my closet, I threw on some khaki shorts and a red camisole, and ran downstairs and out the front door before anyone could question me. I was worried about Jack and I had to see him.
CHAPTER 18
As I approached Jack’s house, my mother was at the door talking to Lindsey. I wasn’t sure whether to go back home or hide around the side of the house and wait until she left. Then I thought that maybe it would be better if I hurried over and interrupted their conversation before my mother said something offensive. I approached them, and my mother wasn’t happy that she hadn’t been invited inside.
My mother smiled at me. “Darling, how are you this morning?” she asked.
“I’m fine, Mom. What are you doing here?”
She leaned forward and kissed my cheek. I rolled my eyes. It was obvious to everyone except my mother that I didn’t have any feelings for her—which was her fault—and now she was now making me feel uncomfortable.
“Kate, I’ve come over to invite your boyfriend’s family to your father’s birthday party tonight. I thought it might be nice for us all to meet properly.” She tilted her head and grinned at me.
I had been so preoccupied with Jack that I’d completely forgotten about my father’s birthday party, which would be elaborate, just like it was last year and every year before that. The house would be full of people that I didn’t know, but I would be reminded of how important they all were and how good contacts were crucial. Why was my mother inviting Jack and his family when she hadn’t even bothered speaking to them before? I thought. Usually her guest list was very particular—with only the most elite invited.
But then I realized that she was probably only offering the invitation to evaluate them. She must have realized that I was serious about Jack, but the thought of Jack and his family being exposed to my unconventional family and their friends made me anxious. I had to give Lindsey an out.
“Mom, with such short notice, I’m sure that Lindsey and Jonathan already have plans. Maybe another time,” I said, yanking at my lopsided top.
“Well, Lindsey, are you free? I’m sure your son will be accompanying my daughter.”
I hadn’t even told my mother about Sebastian yet.
“I’ll check with my husband and let you know later, if that’s okay,” Lindsey responded.
My mother screwed up her face. “Okay, once you have your husband’s permission, drop by and let me know so that I can inform the caterers.”
When my mother left, I stood in front of Lindsey feeling mortified. I hoped that she wouldn’t think that just because I was related to the rudest, most insulting woman in Long Beach, that I was anything like her. Thankfully, she welcomed me inside seeming much more relaxed than the last time I was there. This made me feel more relaxed too. I felt like I needed to apologize for my mother, but maybe I’d just be digging myself further into a hole.
“Lindsey, please don’t feel obligated to come to my father’s party. I know my mother can be like a steamroller and that’s putting it mildly.”
“Don’t worry, Kate. It’ll be nice to meet some new people, but I’m not sure that Jonathan will be able to come. It has been a while since I socialized with anyone accept my husband’s colleagues, who bore me to tears. But somehow, I don’t feel like I’ll be bored tonight.”
We both laughed. She had made the correct assumption about my mother and her parties. They were always entertaining, but more often than not, they were enjoyable for all the wrong reasons. Her parties were all about how much money she’d spent and how she could flaunt it.
“No, you won’t be bored, but you may be overwhelmed,” I said, remembering my mother’s last party, which was a disaster.
“Well, at least I’ll have Jack and Sebastian with me if
Jonathan can’t come,” Lindsey said, looking excited.
The mention of their names reminded me of why I was actually there, and I hoped that Jack and Seb had begun to heal their rift at the beach party. Assuming they both showed up, I didn’t want any arguments at my father’s party.
Lindsey led me into the kitchen and offered me freshly ground coffee. I sat at the kitchen table with my hands wrapped around my cup.
“Where’s Jack, Lindsey?” I asked, reaching for a slice of toast.
She continued pouring cups of coffee. “I think he’s in his bedroom. I haven’t seen him this morning. What went on last night? I heard Jack and Sebastian come home very late.”
I didn’t want to lie to her, but I also didn’t want to tell her about her son’s drunken, behavior. Before I had the chance to say anything, Sebastian walked in.
“Jack’s just catching up on some sleep,” Seb said. He took a cup of coffee and joined me at the table.
Lindsey looked at him suspiciously. “Why? What’s going on? Did something happen that I should know about?”
I was afraid that Lindsey would think I was a bad influence on Jack, so I had to think on my feet before Seb revealed his brother’s drunken behavior. Luckily, I didn’t have to make any excuses because Jack walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of black shorts that he must’ve slept in.
“Seb, what are you talking about? I’m fine. I just needed a little extra sleep this morning, that’s all. I haven’t slept in days, so I’m catching up. Nothing happened.” He also grabbed a cup of coffee and stuffed a slice of toast in his mouth.
How could he have not slept for days? I thought. I didn’t want to question him now, but I wouldn’t forget to later.
“The three of us had a good time at a beach party last night; it was just like old times,” Sebastian said, smiling.
Lindsey wasn’t sure whether to smile or not. “That’s great boys. I’m so proud of you making an effort with each other. Kate must be a good influence on you both. I hope it wasn’t quite like old times though.” She looked over at Jack.
“It was great. Kate is making an effort to get to know me; she’s been really nice,” Seb said.
Satisfied that we were all getting along, Lindsey grabbed her cup of coffee and excused herself.
As I stood up to place my cup in the sink, Jack walked over, lifted me onto the breakfast bar, and wrapped his arms around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck and tried my best to focus on him, but I couldn’t ignore the fact that Seb was watching us. Jack sensed that I was uncomfortable and looked at Seb.
“I’m not going to tiptoe around you, or try to spare your feelings, Seb. Kate and I are together and I’m not going to hide that from you or anyone else. Just for the record, what I just said was for Mom’s benefit. We aren’t back to being best buddies.” Jack pulled me closer and kissed me, but Seb wasn’t put off by his brother’s declaration.
“You don’t have to worry about my feelings, Jack. Go ahead and do what you have to do. Just don’t expect me to tiptoe around you either. Maybe you should remember that the kitchen is a public space in this house.”
Jack ignored him and continued to kiss me. Seb sipped his coffee and watched us, and I felt uncomfortable. But Seb was right; the kitchen was everyone’s space. We really should have been in Jack’s bedroom.
Seb shook his head.
“What’s your problem, Seb?” Jack asked through gritted teeth.
“I’m not the one with the problem, Jack. You are.”
I sighed. My hope that last night was the beginning of their reconciliation was crushed.
“Either accept us being together or leave us alone. This is what it’s like to be in love with someone who reciprocates.” Jack’s words were harsh and I could sense an argument coming.
“There’s nothing real about you two being together, Jack. Who are you trying to kid? Deep down, you know the truth: Kate has fallen into a trap. You could’ve prevented all of this if you weren’t so selfish.”
Jack released his hold on me and spun around at a shocking speed. I lost my balance and fell off the breakfast bar. Then Jack threw an apple at Seb, which flew through the air faster than I could blink. Seb caught it, and suddenly, there was a whirlwind of apples flying through the air toward Seb. He casually caught every one and placed them on the table behind him. Out of apples, Jack walked over to Seb, who was strangely calm.
As I got up off the floor, I was unsure of what to do. I wanted to intervene, but everything was happening so quickly that it was hard for me to keep up with them. They stood on either side of the kitchen table goading each other to make the first move. Seb was laughing and Jack was furious—so furious that I noticed that purple tinge in his eyes.
“Why are you intent on causing trouble, Seb? Is your life so pathetic and boring that you have to intervene in mine?”
They continued to walk around the table.
“I’m not here to cause trouble, Jack. I’m here to try and persuade you that you’re making a mistake. You need to stop being selfish and let Kate go. Let’s try and get along, at least for tonight at Kate’s house.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We’re all attending Mr. Harris’s birthday party tonight,” Seb said. “It sounds like it’s going to be fun, but I think you should lay off of the alcohol this evening. I’m sure Kate will agree with me on that one. I look the liberty of explaining to Kate why you were so drunk on only four beers, by the way.”
I stood open-mouthed. So Seb had supersensitive hearing too.
Jack looked at me and then looked at Seb. The expression on his face suggested that he didn’t remember anything about last night. He walked away from the table, looking at me apologetically.
“Kate, I’m sorry if I embarrassed you last night. I don’t know what happened.”
I wasn’t mad with Jack. After all, he was young just like all the rest.
“What happened was the past repeating itself, Jack,” Seb said, walking out of the kitchen.
“You’re mad with me, aren’t you, Kate?” Jack asked quietly.
“No, not mad. Just disappointed.”
“I would rather you be mad at me. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“I don’t have a problem with you drinking, Jack, but can you stick to soft drinks tonight?”
After a few seconds, he said, “Okay, Kate.”
I was dreading Jack and Seb being together at the party, but at least Jack had promised to stay sober. I just hoped that Seb wouldn’t antagonize him.
“Can we go to your bedroom?” I asked, and holding hands, we left the kitchen and headed up to his room.
Jack closed the door behind us and sat on the edge of his bed, tapping his foot. I sat beside him and placed my hand on his thigh.
“Jack, why do you allow Seb to get to you?”
He stopped tapping his foot. “I don’t know. I just can’t stand that he’s returned to my life like nothing has happened between us. I hate the way he looks at you.”
I was hesitant about telling him what happened that morning, but I took a deep breath and held his hand.
“Jack, I have to tell you something, but you have to promise me that you won’t do anything stupid.” After a couple of minutes of silence, I said, “I heard someone throwing pebbles at my window this morning. I thought it was you so I opened the doors and went into the bathroom to freshen up.” I felt Jack’s hand tense over mine, but I had to get everything out quickly before I changed my mind. “When I came out from the bathroom, I saw who I thought was you standing in my bedroom. I hugged who I thought was you, but as soon as I heard his voice, I knew it was Seb.”
Jack was up and out of his room before I had a chance to blink. I jumped up and ran after him as fast as I could, and my heart pounded at the thought of Jack doing something he was going to regret. As I rushed downstairs, Jack and Seb were in the kitchen yelling, and Jack had Seb pinned up against the wall. I froze. Purple liquid oozed from
Seb’s busted lip, and Jack’s eyes were the same color.
“You’ve crossed a line, Seb. Why the hell were you in Kate’s bedroom? She’s mine, Seb; she’ll never be yours!”
“You’re crazy, Jack. I went to tell Kate to come over and see you because you were so hung over. How was I supposed to know that she’d be in her underwear?”
“What?” Jack looked at me and I blushed.
“Why can’t you see that I’m trying to look out for you—both of you?”
Jack pushed Seb up against the wall. “The only one you’re looking out for is yourself!”
“Leave him alone, Jack! Please! Leave him alone! For me!” I begged. I still couldn’t take my eyes off the purple liquid that dripped from Seb’s lip.
“Jack, we had a great time together last night; it was like old times. Why can’t you move on, like I have?” Seb asked.
“There’s nothing great about you and me spending time together! You ruined any chance of having a brother the day you . . . you . . . .” Jack stumbled on his words. Neither of them was letting up.
“Whatever I did was because you hurt me first. You’re the cause of all this Jack, so go and look in the mirror if you want someone to blame!”
They were both right; each of them had cause to be angry with the other, but when would this vicious cycle ever end?
“Don’t so much as even look at Kate again, Seb!” Jack released his brother.
“Kate is free to have anyone in her life that she wants. You have no right to try and control her.”
They both looked hurt, angry, and unforgiving. I felt useless and responsible. With tears welling in my eyes, I had to leave and escape the craziness for a while, but as I walked away, Jack stopped me. I tried to walk around him, but he blocked me. I held my head in my hands, feeling like I wanted to scream.
“Kate, I’m sorry. I should have just let it go.”
“Let me go, Jack. I need some space,” I pleaded, but he wouldn’t allow me to leave.
