500 Days

by Jessica Miller

  Okay, definitely needs more time to cool off.

  ***********************************************************************

  “Why don’t we have someone to do this for us?” Greyson complained while we packed up our equipment.

  “And miss the joy of doing it ourselves?” I joked, throwing a pic at him. “You hate it so much? Hire someone.” To be honest I didn’t know why we hadn’t before. Greyson was ecstatic. He looked like someone just handed him an invite to the Bunny ranch.

  “I’ll put an ad in the paper tomorrow,” he smiled, packing up the last of the gear before he set off to the bar.

  “You sure that’s a good idea?” Colton asked.

  “It would be nice not to have to do this every gig.”

  “Not that, giving Greyson free reign to hire someone.” I tilted my head in Greyson’s direction at the bar. He was already chatting up a few girls. My luck he would hire all chicks and require them all to wear bikinis. Not necessarily a bad thing, but definitely wouldn’t work to our benefit.

  “I’ll make sure I oversee his interviews.” I loaded my guitar into the van and joined Greyson at the bar. Alex was on the floor collecting orders for last call. I waited until she was alone before I approached her. “Can I talk to you for a second?” I asked.

  She put down her tray and turned to give me her attention. “Alex, I really am sorry. You know it was an accident, right?” She crossed her arms over her chest, not buying it. “We had a good thing going with the truce and I’d hate to destroy that because of me being a jackass.” She shifted from one leg to another, weighing her options. “What else do you want me to say?” I’ll be damned if I was going to beg for her forgiveness. “Am I supposed to let you hit me? Will that make you feel better?”

  Alex smiled, dropping her arms to her side. Before I had the chance to react she slugged me in the jaw. I stumbled back into a stool, knocking it over and falling to the floor. She bent over me. “You know what, you’re right. I do feel better, thanks.” She walked away, smiling.

  “Crazy bitch,” I mumbled to myself as I tried to pick my dignity off the floor.

  “What was that?” Alex glared, turning.

  “Nothing,” I replied quickly.

  Colton came over to help me up. He had a smug smile on his face. “You totally deserved that, you know.”

  I rubbed my jaw, clicking it back and forth. “She’s got one hell of a swing.” Colton laughed. “It’s not funny,” I growled. I walked back over to the bar ready to give Alex a piece of my mind.

  She put a beer down in front of me, followed with a pack of ice. “Beer’s on me.” I opened my mouth to comment but then she smiled, satisfied with herself. Something inside me burned, a yearning, a need to see that smile more often. To know I was the one to bring forth that painstakingly beautiful smile made my sore jaw almost worth it.

  Alex snapped her fingers in front of my face. “You okay there? I didn’t think I hit you hard enough to do brain damage.”

  “Huh?”

  She laughed. “You were staring at my lips like they were made of gold.”

  I shifted in my seat. “No I wasn’t,” I snapped. Was I?

  Colton sat down next to me and shook his head. “What?” I growled.

  “Nothing,” he smiled knowingly, taking a sip of his beer. I disregarded him and went back to trying to enjoy my beer.

  “I’m outta here. See ya Gus!” Alex shouted. “I’ll see ya at home?” Alex questioned Declan.

  “I’ll drop her off in a little bit,” Colton told Alex. She rolled her eyes and ducked under the bar.

  “Make sure Larry walks out with you,” Gus called.

  “He’s already gone. I’ll be fine,” she said, waving her hand over her head without turning around.

  “Cas, will you please walk out with her?” Declan asked.

  “You heard her, she’ll be fine. Trust me,” I pointed to my jaw.

  “Casper, please. Just go make sure she gets to her car safely or I’ll make sure you have a matching bruise on your other side.”

  I laughed, taking a sip of my beer. “You’re going to hit me? I could use a good tickle.”

  She pulled a bat from underneath the bar and tapped it on top of the wooden ledge, threatening me. “Go,” she pointed.

  “Okay, Christ. Are all you bitches crazy?” Declan’s eyes widened and she raised the bat. “I was kidding,” I said defensively. It must just run in their family. “Don’t throw out my beer. I’ll be back.”

  I followed Alex out to her car. “Really Cas, I’ll be fine. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “What are you doing this weekend?”

  She looked back at me eyebrows raised. “Not sure yet, why?”

  “My fraternity is having an end of summer party. Declan and Colton are going and I thought maybe you’d want to go.” I had no idea why I asked her. It just kind of came out. Now that I did I was really hoping she’d say yes.

  “This wouldn’t be like, a date, would it?” She looked almost repulsed.

  “No, of course not. C’mon Katherine, I do have a reputation to uphold,” I said, trying to play off my semi hurt feelings. “I just thought maybe you should try something new for a change and just think, the place will be filled with plenty of men’s souls who you can steal for your annual satanic ritual.”

  “Casper, that is so thoughtful, but that was last weekend. I just need the heart of a virgin, oh but wait, I’m sure you have a few of those lying around somewhere.” And we were back.

  “Pick you up at nine?”

  “No, I’ll go with Declan.”

  I smiled, satisfied. Alex gave me a small smile and closed the door. I waited until she was safely inside and then I took off, feeling good for the first time in a while.

  ******************************************************************************

  I had already downed a few by the time Colton arrived with the girls. I was in the kitchen setting up for the first round of body shots when they appeared. “Damn, since when did Colton become player of the month?” my brother, Pete, asked.

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “He just walked in to the party with two extremely hot chicks on his arms. The tiny redhead looks like a pin-up model and the chick on his right has this sassy fierceness in her eyes, legs for days and lips I want to sink my teeth into.” From his description I knew exactly who he was talking about. I narrowed my eyes at him. I wanted to punch him in the mouth for the last comment about Alex. I contained my anger by shoving him instead. “Dude, what the hell?”

  “That redhead is Colt’s girlfriend and the other girl is a friend of mine.” Wait, since when did I consider Alex a friend? That didn’t matter. What mattered was I didn’t like Pete’s commentary and I was going to make it known how much I didn’t appreciate him talking about Alex like that.

  “Sorry man,” he said, holding up his hands defensively. “And when did you become such a sensitive bitch?”

  “I’m not, asshole,” I said, giving him another shove.

  He laughed. “Is she single?”

  I opened my mouth to say no, before I suddenly realized what I was doing. I didn’t have any claim on Alex. “Yeah, last I checked.”

  “You think you could introduce me?” He ran his hands through his short cropped hair, straightening out his shirt.

  I smiled to myself. I didn’t think I would get to see some entertainment this early in the night, but I knew Pete’s attempt to win over Alex would definitely provide me with some laughs. Pete had no game and Alex, well, we all knew Alex wasn’t an easy one to please. “Yeah man. I’ll introduce you.”

  “Got any advice for me?”

  “Just be yourself,” I said, my grin widening. I turned around, ready to greet them as they approached. The wind was knocked right out of me and I stumbled back, gripping onto the sink. Alex walked in to the kitchen and I froze. She looked absolutely stunning. She was wearing short, black, puffy shorts with a
tight fitting, red tube top. Her hair fell into loose waves around her shoulders and her lips shined with a cherry red gloss. I swallowed the lump in my throat as she approached.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” Alex said, looking at me funny. “One of your flings tell you they’re pregnant?” she laughed and if that wasn’t the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. “Seriously, Cas. I never had a guy stare at my mouth and not my tits. You’re kind of creeping me out.”

  I snapped out of it. “Katherine, always a pleasure,” I smiled and bowed. Pete cleared his throat behind me. “Right. Pete, this is Alex. Alex this is one of my brothers, Pete.”

  Pete extended his hand to Alex and she took it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, bringing her hand to his lips. I wanted to break his fingers but the look on Alex’s face said she would beat me to it.

  “Well, thank you Pete, I thoroughly enjoy it when a guy slobbers all over my hand like a big dumb dog.” Pete’s face fell. I had to stifle my laugh.

  “Alex,” Declan chastised. Not knowing what else to say, Pete walked away, stunned. “Why do you have to be so rude?”

  “Me? He was practically panting all over me.” Alex turned to the sink to wash off her hand.

  “You just made my night,” I told Alex. She wrinkled her nose, confused.

  “Pete’s a douchebag anyways. No harm no foul,” I told Declan.

  “Takes one to know one,” Alex said.

  “Wow, I think you’re losing your touch. That was kind of weak for the queen of mean.” Alex pouted. What I wouldn’t give to be sucking on that bottom lip right now.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” Alex asked.

  I shook my head. Either I drank too much or not enough. I went with the latter and helped myself to another while I offered a drink to the girls. “No thanks, I’ll pass,” Alex said.

  “What’s the matter, afraid you’ll actually have some fun?”

  She narrowed her eyes at me and took the cup from my hands. She held it at her lips, giving me a challenge with her eyes. “It’s not poisoned, is it?” she asked, her lips giving a teasing smile.

  “Nah, not my style. I prefer my girls conscious.” Her lips touched the brim of the cup. I could see the dangerous glint of a smile in her eyes. She took a cautious sip before she tilted the cup back and finished off the drink in a few big gulps.

  “That was good,” she said, handing the cup back for a refill. “What was it?”

  “Just you’re basic blood of a virgin with a little essence of some lost souls.”

  She licked her lips. “Mmm, my favorite.” That humming sound she made vibrated through my body. I shoved my hand in my pocket to pinch my thigh before I handed her another drink. This girl was going to be my undoing.

  I leaned causally against the counter, while sipping my beer. Alex watched me with curiosity. “Feeling dizzy? A little tired?” I teased. She playfully punched me in the side and I couldn’t help but inwardly cringe. She packed a hard punch.

  Alex’s eyes examined the area, watching all the party goers and interactions. Curious to know what was going on inside that head of hers, I asked. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking I’m a little disappointed.”

  “How so?” I asked, slightly offended.

  “Well, this is a fraternity party. Where are all the naked ladies and drunken frat boys hitting on anything with tits?”

  “If you’re looking for the full frat party experience, I could give you a tour or we could skip all the dancing around and head right to my room.” I knew I was stepping into dangerous territory but I wanted to get a rise out of her.

  She let out a slow, deep breath. “Wasn’t part of our truce for you to stop your pathetic attempts to woo me?”

  “That wasn’t me trying to woo you. That was me just trying to get you naked; and no, you are wrong.” She crossed one arm over the other, looking a little puzzled. I slipped closer to her. “You lost the bet, remember. I only had to stop complementing you if I lost.”

  “That’s what you call complementing?”

  I shrugged. Complementing Alex was like trying to get a kiss from an alligator. You know you could get your face chewed off in one snap, but if you approached with gentle skill, you could get away with just a scratch. Alex put down her drink and turned her body towards mine. “Okay, how about the full party experience minus getting molested by some over grown buffoon who thinks he’s the next Adam Levine.”

  I looked over at Colton, then changed my mind, that was too easy. I handed Alex back her drink and extended an arm for her, which she accepted. “First, shots,” I said, leading her into the next room.

  Alex paused in the doorway. “Body shots, really?”

  I slipped my hand around the back of her hip and leaned in real close to her ear. “Not scared, are ya?” I could feel her body tense slightly.

  “Who’s next?” One of the girls called who was currently wiping the sticky remnants of the last participant off her neck. Alex stood up straight and walked right over to the girl with the waiting lemon in her hand. Alex took the salt shaker from the table and sprinkled some on the other girl’s neck. Not skipping a beat, the blonde placed the lemon between her lips while Alex slammed back the shot, licked off the salt, and gently pulled the lemon from her lips. I almost dropped my beer.

  I had never been so turned on in my life. The confidence and assurance that Alex carried was one of the sexiest things I have ever seen. She showed no fear. She took her turn and pulled her hair to the side for the next volunteer. My brother, Jared, stepped up ready and eager. Oh hell no. There was no way I was going to allow someone else to contaminate that beautiful skin with their rancid tongue and I’ll be damned if I let someone else kiss those lips right in front of me.

  I stepped up to push Jared aside. “Sorry brother, but this one is mine,” I said, keeping my eyes on Alex’s. When I stepped closer to her, I could feel a change. Her eyes mirrored the same nervousness mine did. I took her wrist, pulling her closer to me. I could feel her pulse racing. Her breath was still and the way she looked at me just now, made me think all that attitude was just for show. A barrier she kept up to protect herself. But under underneath it all, she was just a scared little girl. Terrified, like me, that maybe this small act would be the changing point in our relationship.

  Never taking my eyes off hers, I poured the salt onto her shoulder and grabbed a shot. Her body stilled, waiting. “Lemon,” I said.

  “What?” she whispered. I held my hand out for the fruit. I held it up for Alex. “Oh,” she breathed, her hot breath skimming across my face. I fought the shudder as she placed the lemon between her full lips. Not able to prolong it anymore, I sucked back the shot, and gave Alex a devilish smile. I licked a spot from her shoulder to her collarbone. I could feel her shake slightly beneath me, prompting me to flick my tongue out again, against her skin. For a second I thought I heard her gasp. I opened my mouth and engulfed the lemon. Our lips touched and it was like a hot poker, burning. I pressed deeper, wanting to keep those lips against mine. Alex was the one who broke away first. Her cheeks flushed red. She stepped back and the rush of cool air between us was a slap in the face.

  I dropped the lemon into my hand, waiting. “So what’s next?” Alex asked. I sighed, relieved and escorted her into the next room. She shied away from the shots for the rest of the night, but still sipped her drink. She joined in on one of the poker games and ended up cleaning house. I leaned over her shoulder. “Didn’t know you were a card shark.”

  “I’m not,” she laughed. I looked around the table at the half-naked players, thinking she was pulling one over on me. “I just happen to be better than them,” she smiled. She threw down a full house. “Sorry Bobby, looks like Little Bobby will be coming out for show and tell.” Bobby groaned as he stood, striping his boxers down to his ankles. A few passersby chuckled. “Oh, Bobby, maybe I can get someone to turn the heat up for ya. It’s looking a little cold in here,” Alex snic
kered.

  “Fuck this shit,” Bobby said, pulling his boxers back up and leaving the table.

  “Oh come on Bobby, I was just kidding,” Alex called.

  “You’re cruel Alex,” I laughed, shaking my head.

  She turned to face me, our lips mere inches apart. She looked down, licking her lips. I gripped the back of the chair, trying to control my impulses. “So what’s next on this grand tour?”

  I smiled, holding my hand out to her. I led her into the living room where the music was pumping and bodies were shaking. She found Declan and hugged her tight, pulling her into the center of everyone to dance. I stayed back with Colton enjoying the show. Alex swayed her hips to the beat and swung her arms in the air. She was dancing like she was free. Her bright smile filled the room. She waved me over to join them. I waved her off. She pushed through the mass of people and took my hands, pulling me back through the crowd.

  “Alex, I don’t really dance.”

  “Oh come on. I’ve seen you. You’re not that bad.”

  “I never said I couldn’t dance I just said I don’t.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “Just follow my lead.” She slid my hands onto her hips, pulling my body closer to hers. Her lazy smile told me she was working her way to drunk. I allowed her to guide me to the music. My hands stayed on her hips as she spun to face Declan. Pressing my fingers tightly into her sides I glided her as close to me as I could. She threw her arms behind my neck, her fingers gently grazing my skin and making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My whole body felt electrified. I was burning with a fever and the need to touch her, to keep her body against mine. I tilted my head close to her neck, inhaling her sweet scent mixed with her perspiration. The tighter I gripped her hips the harder she pushed back into me. I spread my fingers wide as my hands moved to her stomach, yanking her into me. I heard her let out a small gasp. She dropped her arms, slipping them over mine, and pulling them away so she could step out of my grip. The look in her eyes was hungry, desperate, and for the first time in my life I didn’t know what to do.