500 Days

by Jessica Miller

  I got up to follow them out. I knew there was something off about this guy and I was just about to find out when I heard a familiar voice. I stopped and turned around. You got to be fucking kidding me. There in a crowd of guys, holding a beer was my sister. I stormed over ready to kill anyone in my path. I pushed aside the circle of guys and ripped the beer from her hands. To say she was surprised to see me would be an understatement. “Cas…I…”

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I growled.

  “Dude, what’s your problem?” Some dick who was about to get his ass kicked asked me. “Do you know this guy?” He looked at CiCi.

  I didn’t let her answer. I got in the guy’s face instead. “Better question is why are you hitting on a seventeen year old?”

  “You’re only seventeen?” He asked CiCi. She didn’t have an answer so the crowd dispersed.

  “What the hell Cas?”

  “Are you fucking kidding me with this shit? You’re seventeen Cecilia. You know how dangerous this is for you to be here? You could have –” I stopped myself. I couldn’t bring myself to say the word rape in the same sentence with my sister. “Let’s go. I’m getting you out of here.” I grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the club forgetting about Reece. Fuck.

  “How did you even get in here?” She glared at me refusing to answer. I stopped, already knowing the answer. “Hand it over,” I said.

  “Hand what over?” she tried to play dumb.

  “The fake ID.” She crossed her arms. “Hand it over or I tell dad.”

  “Fine,” she said, digging in her purse and slamming the fake in my hand. I grabbed her arm again and escorted her out the door.

  CiCi struggled to break free from my grip. I just held her tighter. I stopped at the door and yelled at the bouncer. “This girl is underage. Maybe if you knew how to do your fucking job you could tell the difference between a real ID and a fake one.” The bouncer just grunted at me.

  “Would you let go of me!” CiCi demanded. I held on to her until she was safely inside my car.

  “I’m taking you home,” I growled. I slammed my hands on the steering wheel. “Fuck!” I lost Reece because I was distracted by CiCi. Damn it.

  “It’s not that big of a deal,” CiCi whined, thinking I was flipping because of her. In a way I was. I was pissed that she snuck into a bar with a fake ID and because she blew my chances to see what Reece was up to.

  “You’re seventeen Cecilia.”

  “So what? If it was Cayden, you probably would have bought him a drink.” She was probably right, but I wasn’t going to start that argument. “You’ve been such a Debbie downer ever since that chick you’re in love with started dating someone else.”

  I shifted in my seat. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not in love with anyone. Where did you come up with this shit?”

  “Colton told me.”

  Son of a bitch.

  “Colton’s a pussy whipped little bitch. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

  “What was her name? It began with an A. Alice, Ally, Alex? Alex, that’s it. It’s Alex. She’s Declan’s cousin and roommate.”

  “Remind me to kill Colton when I get home, after I drop you off. And we’re not talking about Alex.”

  “Why not?” she pestered.

  “Because it’s none of your fucking business,” I snapped.

  “Chillax, don’t get your panties in a bunch,” she pouted, upset with my outburst. I didn’t care. I was not in the mood to deal with her. I put the car in drive and we drove the rest of the way in silence. I pulled up to the house and warned her if I ever caught her trying this again she wouldn’t live to see the light of day. She flipped me off and slammed the door, stomping up to the house.

  I went back to the apartment instead of the Frat house to bitch out Colton. “What’s up dude?” Greyson greeted from the couch.

  “Where’s Colt?”

  “In his room with Declan.”

  I stomped down the hall and pounded on Colton’s door. I hit and kicked it until he opened it. “What the fuck is your prob’ –” His expression said he thought I was Greyson being a douche. He was wearing only sweatpants and from the looks of the crumpled up sheets and Declan’s oversized shirt I must have interrupted something. “Cas, what the hell?” I barged past Colton and started pacing back and forth.

  “You told my sister,” I growled, stopping, and marching right over to him. I punched him in the shoulder.

  “What was that for?” he whined, rubbing his shoulder.

  “For telling CiCi about Alex.” Colton couldn’t hide the smile from his face, clearly happy that he opened his big fat mouth to the gossip queen. I raised my arm to punch him again. He flinched.

  “When did you see CiCi?” he asked confused, knowing I wouldn’t voluntarily go to my dad’s, alone.

  I laughed humorlessly. “She was at a bar.”

  “What, what bar?” he growled, just as angry as I was when I found her. “How did you find her?”

  I ran my fingers through my hair, reminding myself I would need a haircut soon. “I was following Reece out when I spotted her.”

  “Back up there,” Declan got off the bed. “You were following Reece?”

  Shit. I scrubbed a hand down my face. I wasn’t going to be able to get myself out of this one. “He was there with some chick and I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t…doing anything he shouldn’t be.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “You guys always overreact. I’m sure it was just some friend or classmate he knew.”

  “He left the bar with her,” I said, lips tight.

  “Did you see them leave together?”

  “Yes…No,” I frowned. “I was too busy with CiCi.”

  “He was probably doing the gentlemanly thing and making sure she got to her car okay.”

  “And you’re an idiot. This is why you girls make it so easy for guys to cheat on you. Because you’re too dumb and naïve to see what’s right in front of you.”

  Declan stood up fast and got in my face, not caring she was just wearing a t-shirt. “You,” she stabbed a sharp nail into my chest. “Are the biggest jackass. How dare you speak to me like that? It’s not my fault you were too much of a pussy to admit your feelings to Alex. She’s moved on. I think it’s time you did too.” Declan grabbed a pair of jeans off the floor and slipped them over her slender legs. “I’ll call you later,” she told Colton, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “No, don’t go because Casper’s a dick,” Colton said, shooting daggers at me with his eyes.

  “I have stuff to do,” she said, walking out and glaring at me.

  Something clicked in the middle of their banter. “Wait, what did you mean she moved on too?” Declan ignored me and kept walking. I chased after her but Colton stopped me, shoving me into the wall.

  “Back off,” he growled.

  “What the fuck is your problem?”

  “I’m not the one with the problem, you are.” I tried to leave, not in the mood. Colton grabbed a handful of my shirt and slammed my back up against the wall. “If you ever talk to my girlfriend like that again, so help me god I will beat the living shit out of you.” I shoved him off of me and left, fuming. I hopped in my car and drove. I had no particular destination in mind. I just drove. I drove in circles, not realizing where I was really going until I pulled into the parking lot. The neon sign reflected off the hood of my car. The word Demons shining brighter than the rest. I turned off the engine and climbed out. I greeted the bouncer with a nod and took my normal seat at the bar.

  “Hey, stranger.” I looked up at the sweet yet vile voice. “Oh, or should I say good evening, Petruchio?”

  “Crown, on the rocks, and keep it coming.”

  “Cas, I’m not in the mood to feed your ever destructive behavior. So how about you just save me the time and tell me what’s going on?”

  “I believe I asked you for a drink, not a therapy session.”

  “
Someone’s in a sour mood.”

  “And you’re not helping.” Alex walked away, hopefully to get my drink. She returned with the glass and slid it across the bar to me.

  “You visit the clinic and find out one of your skanks gave you chlamydia?” she smiled, thinking she was funny. Any other day I would give it right back to her, but today was not a good day. I picked up my glass, holding it before my lips and watching her with heavy eyes. I slammed the drink back and pushed the glass in her direction. “No,” she said. “You want to get sloshed. Do it on your own time. I’m not going to be your enabler.”

  “Just do your job and pour the damn drink.” Alex stood up straight, narrowing her eyes at me. Then she walked away from me.

  “What can I get ya, sweetheart?” asked another bartender.

  I peeled my eyes away from the retreating Alex and gave the brown eyed beauty in front of me a half smile. “Crown and make it a double.” She gave me a shy smile in return and refilled my glass.

  It was only an hour before the bar started to pack with bodies, but with the tension between me and Alex and the argument I had earlier with Declan and Colton, it just fueled the fire. I was bordering a fine line of drowning my sorrows and suppressing my anger.

  I knew the bassist in the band that was playing tonight. He invited me backstage to hang. I debated about joining him. I knew he liked to party, a little more than I did. I fought the good and bad that was boiling in my chest. I downed my drink and said fuck it, joining Johnny in the back.

  The door opened and I was greeted with a cloud of smoke. Once my vision cleared, I rubbed my eyes, thinking I stepped into another world. There was a topless girl in the corner grinding on one of the other band members and to my left was another girl in just a shirt and thong giving the drummer a lap dance. Everywhere I looked was a half-naked chick or some type of illegal activity going on. This wasn’t my type of scene. I rubbed the back of my neck. I shouldn’t be here. “Come on man, have a seat,” Johnny gestured. I never pictured Gus to be a guy to be okay with this. The only way they were getting away with this was because he didn’t know. The bouncer at the door confirmed it when I saw Johnny pay him off.

  A thick, brunette, slid her arm over my shoulder. I stepped away. “No, thanks, you’re not my type.”

  “Come on baby, I’ll show how much better it is with a bigger girl.”

  “It’s not your fat ass that’s the problem.” I twirled a piece of her dingy, over dyed hair between my fingers. “I’m just not into brunettes.” She slapped my hand away and gave me a nasty look before she walked over to her next victim.

  “That was brutal man,” Johnny laughed, throwing an arm over my shoulder and pulling me over to one of the couches. I took a seat and accepted the drink that was handed to me. Johnny apparently wanted to take the party to a new level. He dumped some powder on the table and cut a line. He handed me a rolled up bill.

  “No thanks, I’m good.” I wasn’t into that sort of thing, but clearly Johnny was. I didn’t judge, but I wasn’t going to get dragged down either by the temptation. I finished my drink and headed back out to the front. I enjoyed a good party, but this was a little too much for my taste. I thanked Johnny for the beer and told him I’d catch up with him later. I took a seat at the bar. Alex glared at me as she passed, indicating she was still pissed at me. I didn’t care at this point. Maybe having her hate me again would make it easier.

  A few girls approached me during the night. I tried to give them the attention they wanted, but Alex was making it hard with the way she was staring at me. The band was beginning to play their final set. I ordered another drink and a round of shots for my new lady friends. Then I wrapped my arms around the two closest girls and escorted them to the front of the stage. The band started to play and all I wanted to do right now was get lost. I closed my eyes and let myself get pulled in by the music. My new friends joined in by grinding up on me and groping my chest and back. I let them, relishing the feel of their hands on my body. By the time the band’s set was over I was covered in sweat and ready to get a party started with these lovely ladies.

  I ordered another round for my guests. My order was intercepted by the green eyed devil. “I think you had enough, Casper.”

  “And I think you should mind your own business.” She stomped off, but not before giving me the look of death. Oh how I missed that sharp gaze. I was sick and needed some serious help.

  I tried again to order some more drinks. Unfortunately, Alex had made it known that she flagged me and I and my guest were not to be served. I even attempted to get Gus to overrule her call, but he said he agreed and I should go home and sleep it off. I planned to do neither. Instead I rejoined Johnny in the back to continue the party. The four girls who had been attached to my side followed me back and were welcomed with open arms. I found a bottle of tequila and helped myself.

  It was just half past closing time and a few of the workers had come back to start cleaning and kick us out. Amongst one of those workers was Alex. I watched as she tossed empty bottles into the trash can. Between each throw she would glance at me and every bottle would clank a little louder as she tossed them in. Glutton for punishment, I got up and made my way over to her. “What do you want?” she snapped.

  I leaned against one of the tables and gave her a half-cocked smile. She stopped cleaning. Hands on hips she took a step closer making my heart beat double time. “Why don’t you just go back to entertaining your whores instead of bothering me?”

  “Because this is more fun,” I smirked.

  One of my groupies came over, slipping an arm around my waist. “You ready?” she asked, feeding me a come hither smile.

  “Back off, skank,” Alex said, getting in her face. I couldn’t help but be slightly amused. “The only place you’re going is home with the band of whores you brought with you.” I laughed, getting a look from the blonde. I shrugged my shoulders when she glared at me.

  “And who the hell are you?” The blonde crossed her arms in a defensive pose.

  “I’m the bitch who’s going to kick your ass if you and your STD infested friends don’t take your ugly asses out of here.”

  The blonde took a step forward, ready to start an unnecessary fight. As much as I would enjoy a good girl fight especially with Alex in the mix, I knew I had to stop this before it started. “Now ladies, no need to get hostile,” I said, stepping in between them. “I think we all remember how to share.” I threw my arms over both of them, smiling. Alex shoved me away and then went after the blonde, shoving her so hard she almost fell. The blonde came at Alex and then all hell broke loose.

  “A little help here!?!” I called, trying to keep the girls from killing each other. I kept my back to Alex while I held the blonde at arm’s length. Alex punched me in the kidney. I flinched, dropping my arms and giving Alex an opening to the blonde. Thankfully, one of the bouncer’s was already charging forward to stop the fight. He grabbed the blonde and pulled her away before Alex even had the chance to get a swing in. Pissed off for the kidney shot, I placed my arm around Alex’s waist and dragged her out of there. She struggled to get free.

  “Let me go you asshole!” I put her down. She placed both hands on my chest and shoved as hard as she could. My back hit the wall. I was beyond pissed.

  “What the hell is your problem?”

  “You! You are my problem! I’m tired of having to save your ass from doing something stupid,” she yelled.

  “I never asked you to save me.”

  “Somebody body needs to.”

  “Why do you even care?”

  “I don’t!” she argued back.

  “That was a pretty outrageous stunt you pulled in there for someone who doesn’t care.”

  I stepped away from the wall, taking a risk and moving closer to Alex. “You’re my friend Casper. I was just looking out for your best interest.”

  “And how would you know what’s in my best interest? Maybe that girl in there was perfect for me. Maybe she was
even ‘the one’.” I emphasized the last two words, trying to drive my point across. We both knew she was far from being nothing more than a one night stand.

  “That’s a load of crap and you know it.”

  “The only one who is full of shit is you. You spout all this crap about being a friend, but you and I both know that has nothing to do with it.”

  “Why else would I try to stop you from making the biggest mistake of your life?”

  I flashed a cocky smile, backing her up against the opposite wall and barricading her with each palm pressed flat on the cool stone brick. “Because you’re jealous?”

  She laughed humorlessly.

  “You have no right to interfere Alex. You can’t act like the jealous girlfriend and then spout some bullshit about being a friend. When are you going to get it that we’re not friends. We never were.” I clamped my mouth shut. It came out all wrong. I didn’t mean to say that but it was too late.

  She snapped, pounding her arms and fist against my chest. “You stupid son of a bitch!”

  I wrestled with her wrists until I was finally able to pin them to the wall. “Jesus Alex!” Both of us were panting heavily. I looked down into her deep green eyes and before I could stop myself, my lips were crushing hers. The tension in her arms relaxed. I let go of her wrists so I could slip my hand behind her neck and deepen the kiss. I pressed closer to her as she tangled her hands into my hair and kissed me back. The kiss only lasted a few seconds before Alex tensed up again. She pulled back and shoved me away.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” she scowled. “You can’t do that. I have a boyfriend, Casper.”

  “You sure as fuck don’t act like it.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “Don’t stand there and pretend you didn’t kiss me back.”

  “I didn’t. You attacked me.” She scooted past me. “You know what Cas, I’m done.”

  She started to walk away again. I panicked and spit out the first thing that came to mind. “He’s cheating on you!”