Unsocial

by Dykes, Nicole

  She scoffs, “Please, you don’t understand how I feel. You’ve never felt like this about anyone. You want me to be honest with you, but you aren't honest with me.”

  Shit. Brooke is totally right about the whole bullshit thing. I think about Brooke and how fucking confused she has me, and then I decide to try to be as honest as I can with Cassie. “Well, actually that’s not true. I know exactly how you feel. I know you were young, but do you remember Julie Rhymes?”

  She shakes her head. “No.”

  “Yeah, you were probably only three or four, so that’s not surprising, but she was this pretty cheerleader I fell for my freshman year.”

  “You had a girlfriend?”

  I nod. I don’t want to rehash this shit. “Yeah, well, I thought I did. She was a senior and really into football players. Since I was a new starter, she was really into me.”

  She looks like she doesn’t believe me at all, “Dylan, don’t make things up. You never had a girlfriend; it’s not your thing.”

  “Yeah, well it’s not now, but I thought it was then.”

  I feel like a pussy admitting this shit, but Cassie is listening now, so I go on, “She was older than me, so I tried like hell to impress her every chance I got. She ended up being my first.”

  Her entire face scrunches, “Ew, gross, Dylan. I so don’t want to talk about your first time.”

  “Believe me, I don’t want to talk about it either, but you kinda opened the door to it this afternoon, and we have to talk. I need you to understand some things.”

  She looks down at the stuffed bear in her hands and says, “Okay, go on I guess.”

  “Okay, she was my first, and we fooled around all of the time. Needless to say, that made her even greater in my mind. I thought she was incredible, and honestly, I hadn’t felt anything like that before. I may have even felt like I loved her at first, but looking back at it I feel like an idiot.”

  She looks sad for me, “Why?”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose and then look at her. “Because I thought she was this amazing girl and that we would be together. It turned out that I was just a guy to fool around with until she headed off to college.”

  I don’t mention that I wasn’t the only guy on the football team she was using for just that, or that after the first moment of shock wore off I was okay with the whole situation. That’s when I realized the whole relationship thing wasn’t for me. I did enjoy the sex part, probably way too much. Not going into that part with my younger sister, though.

  She’s thinking about this. Maybe all this honesty shit is working.

  “Cassie, the point I’m trying to make is, right now you think this guy is amazing and that he cares about you, but you’re both so young, and I can almost guarantee there is only one thing on that dipshit’s mind.”

  She shakes her head, “You’re wrong. I think he likes me. And I’m not like you. I believe in love. Mom and dad loved each other. Why can’t you believe that I can be in love?”

  “Dad and your mom met when your mom was 22 and dad was 31; there is a huge difference there Cassie. This thing with you and Brent…”

  I stop when I see my sister’s face, she looks like I kicked her puppy. I don’t want to mess her up for life with one conversation. A little dramatic I know, but seriously just because I’m not sure about love and relationships doesn’t mean she shouldn’t believe. “Look, at your age it’s easy to think you’re in love, and that makes you think it’s okay to have sex, and sex only complicates things. But you don’t have to rush into these grownup games. I’m not going to lie to you. Sex is great, it’s awesome. But it can wait. There are way more important things to experience right now.”

  She pushes her lips out and looks like she is deep in thought, “Okay, I get it. I’m sorry for what I did, and it will never happen again. I’ll try not to rush everything.”

  I grin, “I know you’re feeling all grown up and mature, but I promise you someday you’re going to realize just how not grown up you were. Just enjoy being young.” I kiss the top of her head. “Now one more thing, I don’t want you seeing Brent anymore.”

  I lose her sweet and experience her sour in a matter of seconds. “Dylan! You can’t do this to me. I’m going to be smart about this, I promise. You have to trust me.”

  “This isn’t up for any debate, Cass. You lied, you skipped practice, and brought a boy back here. You’re also grounded, so it’s straight home after cheer. Do you understand?”

  “No. We talked about it, and I promise we won’t do anything like this again.”

  “Not arguing about this Cassie. You’re not seeing him again.”

  She folds her arms, pissed off, “Why not?”

  “It’s simple really,” I begin sarcastically, “the little shit talked you into skipping school and bringing you back here to have sex. Now think why I’m telling you that you aren’t to see him anymore. I’m not kidding. This is me laying down the law. If you want a boyfriend, then the next one better show you and me some respect and not try to have sex with you in my house. Is that plain enough for you, because I can’t understand how you think I would be okay with you going out with him after this fuck up. You have to be smarter than that.”

  She looks up at me for a while, and I finally see the light turn on. She nods. “You’re right, and I’m sorry, Dylan. I do deserve someone who’s going to respect my family and me.”

  “I’m glad you understand. This is not the first, and it won’t be the last mistake you make, but just make sure you learn something from them. Now wash your face and come upstairs for pizza.”

  I get up to check on the others and make sure dinner has been served. The first thing I do is grab a beer. Jax walks in while I’m sipping and thinking about this fucked up day. “You look like shit.”

  “Thanks. What are you doing here?”

  “It’s dinner time, and I’m hungry.”

  “I had Luke order pizza.”

  “Man, I miss the social worker. You cooked a hell of a lot more.” He grabs a beer and joins me at the kitchen island.

  “She has a name, dipshit.”

  “Ah, yes. Brooke. My bad. So, what’s going on? Why do you look like someone wrecked your Camaro?”

  “I caught Cassie in her room with Brent when I came home today.”

  He loses control of the drink he just took, all over the island. “What? What the fuck were they doing in her room?”

  “They were in her bed, under the covers.”

  “Did you kill him? Is that why dinner is pizza tonight because you were burying the body?”

  “No, but I think I scared the piss out of him, and his dad.”

  “Good, and that little fucker better never show his face around here again. No wonder you look like shit.”

  We hear the doorbell, “Dinner,” we both say. Soon after Luke walks in carrying four pizzas followed by Michael and Gabby. Cassie finally comes up to join us. All the usual suspects for dinner, and then time for homework and bed.

  After the kids are tucked away, Jax and I plant ourselves on the sofa with a beer. Moments like this are so familiar, and just what I need. “Okay, man, tell me about the Plymouth.”

  “Not much to tell. I bought it, and I’m gonna fix it. Probably sell it afterward, who knows.”

  “Alright, if you say so. Now, Saturday night. We’re getting you out of here.”

  “We are?”

  “Yep. The guys told me about a band playing at a bar in downtown KC, and we’re going. You need to get out and get laid.”

  My mind takes the time to drift to Brooke and our kiss this afternoon. I need a distraction, but it’s not the kind he’s thinking. Banging that skank a few weeks ago didn’t do shit for me getting my mind off Brooke, and I wasn’t doing that again. Music and beer, however, perfect. “Fine, just let me clear it with Luke.”

  “Wait, that’s it? No arguments or excuses?”

  “Nah, man. It sounds good. You’re right. I need to get to know the guys bet
ter. After we do each other’s hair and nails we can drink beer and do a little male bonding.”

  “You’re an asshole.”

  “Yup, I am.”

  Jax and I finish another beer before he heads out. That night I lie in bed and finally drift off remembering the feel and taste of Brooke.

  It wasn’t enough. That brief taste made me an addict.

  Chapter 12

  Brooke

  I walk into my apartment after work on Friday and drop my purse on the couch. “Alex?” When I get no answer, I kick out of my low heels and crash on the couch. It’s been a hell of a week, and I just need a minute of quiet. I guess Alex has late customers and isn’t home, so I’m taking advantage of this moment for as long as it will last. It’s not that I don’t love my best friend, but she loves to rehash her day from the first customer to the last, and I’m happy right now just to be sitting in the quiet.

  Work has been hell, and things with the Monroes have been crazy. I still can’t believe that Dylan caught Cassie with Brent in her bed. I haven’t talked to Cassie since then. I’m trying to trust that Dylan can take care of this after giving him advice on how to handle the situation. And I can’t say that I’m not interested in how it all played out.

  Cassie skipping school and sneaking a boy into the house is something I never saw coming, and I’m sure Dylan didn’t either. I’ve seen Dylan angry, but he was in a rage when he showed up at my work. After our talk, I think he had toned it down to something of an angry panic. As much as I want to be right by his side and help him deal with Cassie, I need them to work this out on their own.

  Of course, thinking of Wednesday and seeing Dylan, I immediately remember our kiss. I swear I can still taste him on my lips. I still can’t believe I let it happen. But what’s concerning me is the fact I didn’t want it to stop. For a brief moment, thoughts of my job and all the ethical issues of what we were doing flew out the window. He felt so damn good pressed against me and as always the clean, manly smell that is only Dylan’s overwhelmed all my good sense.

  Just then Alex walks into the room from her bedroom. “Happy Friday!”

  “Hey, where were you? I called your name when I got in.”

  “Yeah, I was on the phone with Trevor.”

  Alex loves her big brother. She’s always looked up to him. I spent a lot of time with their family while we were growing up. We were always like brother and sister, but then somewhere along the way I developed a stupid crush on Trevor. “Oh yeah, is he in town?”

  She nods happily, “Yep. He just got in today and guess what?”

  I give her a curious look. She’s acting way too excited. “What?”

  “His band is playing this weekend in KC, and we, my friend, are going. He got us passes for tonight and tomorrow.”

  I put my hands up, “No way, Alex. I’ve had a hellish week. I just want…”

  She interrupts me, frustrated, “I know, I know, you just want to take a bath, sip some wine, and go to bed. Well, Grandma Brooke, you’re 24, it’s Friday night, and Trevor is in town. We are going out, and that is final.”

  I look at Alex; she is not kidding. She has that determined look on her face that I know not to mess with. I need to give her something; it has been a long time since Trevor has been home and we’ve all gone out together. When Trevor started his band, Alex and I would go everywhere they were playing. We were their first official groupies, and now they have hundreds. To have a pass to their show is awesome in itself. It means a VIP table right in front of the stage, and best of all we get free drinks.

  Seriously, I’m finding it hard to say no because they do put on a hell of a show. And even as tired as I’m feeling, it would be awesome to hear them and hang out a little. If it’s two nights, then surely I can talk her into a short stay tonight with a promise to stay longer tomorrow night. Trevor and the band would surely get my mind off of work and the Monroes. And it would be good to see Trevor. Since he started touring internationally, he hasn’t been home since last Thanksgiving, and then he had surprised us by introducing us to his wife, Mindy. Needless to say, everyone was shocked, but she was sweet. We’ll probably be sitting with her tonight.

  “Okay, I’ll go for a while tonight and listen to them. But I want to come home after they play because I’m wiped. If I get rested up, then, that means tomorrow night we can hang as long as we want to. What time is their set?”

  “Sounds like a winner.” She grabs my hand and starts pulling me back to her room, “And it doesn’t matter what time they start, we’re heading there right after dinner.”

  In her room, she heads straight to her closet, “Now we need to find you something hot to wear. Tonight we are launching ‘Operation Distract Brooke from Dylan’.”

  I haven’t talked to Alex about Dylan since the night of Cassie’s homecoming, and I don’t want to talk about him tonight either, so I lie out my ass. “Alex, I don’t need a distraction. Why would you even think that? Can we forget the tramp-wear and just let me hang out in jeans and a tee?”

  “Nope. Not a chance, Brooke. Just let me do my thing tonight okay? Give me this one weekend with my best friend. We haven’t gone out in so fucking long, and this operation isn’t successful until we find you a man.” She pulls out a short chocolate-colored dress and tosses it to me. “You’re wearing this with these.” She disappears again and comes out with a pair of heels that I swear were a pair of stilts in a former life.

  I look at the dress in her hand, “Alex, I can’t wear that.”

  “Why not? Your legs are killer, and they’ll look great in this dress.” She grabs the sides of my boobs and pushes them together, “Not to mention the girls will be featured as well. Time to let ‘em out to breathe.” If I haven’t mentioned it before, Alex has no boundaries.

  She shoves the dress and shoes at me, and pushes me out, “Go shower, and then I’ll do your hair and make-up before you put on the dress.”

  I leave the dress on her bed and mumble down the hall about her being bossy, but the truth is I’m grateful for her. I do need a break and what could it hurt to have a couple of nights out. No angry clients, no paperwork, no thoughts of Dylan Monroe, hopefully. Yeah, this weekend will be all about good times.

  I take a shower, put on a robe, and head back to Alex’s room. She’s dressed in a robe as well, but I see a dress hanging on her closet door, which I’m guessing is her wardrobe for the night. It has more length than mine, but it looks like it’ll probably be skin tight and show off all her curves. She and I have always worn the same size and shared clothes from the time we were kids, but Alex has more going on upstairs than I do.

  She points to the chair at her vanity, “Sit.” I do what she says, and she works on my hair, mostly just drying it and putting mousse in it to bring out the natural wave. My hair goes down to the middle of my back, and it’s strange seeing it down. I usually have it up because it feels more professional to me, and well, it’s something that Will told me pretty often while we were dating. Secretly I love having my hair down. It makes me feel, wild, free, and sexy. I never wore it up in high school during my wild years.

  “I wish you would leave your hair down more. I swear you look like a librarian most of the time nowadays. And do you know how depressed it makes me as your personal hair-care specialist to see all this beauty flattened down to your head and pinned back? Hair like this is meant to be loose and free.” She proceeds in creating a masterpiece that only she can do with her favorite muse, hair.” When she spins me around, and I get a look, of course, I freaking love it. But she’s not finished, “Makeup,” she singsongs.

  “Yay,” I say with fake enthusiasm. I’m not a fan of heavy makeup, and Alex knows this. It’s just that, with the crazy ‘operation’ she’s planning, I don’t want her taking liberties and painting me up like a two-dollar hooker. So I remind her. “Are you doubting my talent? I can sexy you up in a very subtle way. Never doubt me, my friend.” There’s nothing I can do but trust her after this.

 
When she’s finished, I’m spun around again. And, just….wow. I wonder what Dylan would think of this look? And it’s time for drinks. “Alright, while you finish up your hair and makeup, I’m mixing margaritas. We are doing Mexican tonight aren’t we?” I’ve always been our official bartender. Alex goes a little heavy handed, and there have been nights when she’s behind the blender that we didn’t make it out.

  “Excellent.”

  In our kitchen, I mix up a blender full and take them back to Alex’s room. I lay on her bed and watch her work while I sip my drink. It amazes me what she can create. I’ve always thought she should get her cosmetology license as well because the girl could make a killing. Finally, she faces me, and I get the full effect. Once again, the girl never ceases to amaze me. I’m thinking Alex has her plans of her own besides this distraction plan because she looks like she’s going into seduction battle.

  “Okay, bitch. Get dressed. And don’t mess up my work,” she yells.

  In my room, I get dressed, and I have to admit, the total package of me tonight totally rocks. Alex is already in our small living room waiting. “Hey, there’s the badass Brooke I know and love.”

  I roll my eyes, “Are you sure this isn’t too much?”

  “Nope. It’s just enough. Actually, it’s perfect. You’re going to be getting a lot of attention tonight, girlfriend.”

  I laugh, “Have you ever thought maybe I don’t want attention?”

  “Yeah, every day. That’s why all the boring-ass clothes and hair.”

  “Okay, okay. Can we get out of here so we can eat and forget this week?”

  “Don’t forget the men, my friend!” she yells. I shake my head at her as she hurries out of the door to start our night. First off, food.

  We walk to our favorite Mexican restaurant and immediately get seated by Miguel, who happens to be a divine piece of eye candy. I swear the man stirs up more than one kind of appetite for all the women who come in here. He’s a huge flirt that can make you feel like the sexiest woman on earth, no matter what your age is. Personally, I think he’s the whole package, his voice alone could shed panties.