Higher Stakes [Strings: Part 1]

Chapter 21: Cupcake Love

“I’m really sorry… Bradley, I’m really really sorry… Getting you there with me was such a mistake. I should’ve known from the start that you might get into a fight with him. I mean, he’s been a jerk lately and for sure, you’re his number one enemy by now.”

Parking outside his house now, Demi spent the last 3 minutes since the arrival wasting her breath apologizing. “I should’ve run out as fast as I could when I get the chance. And I did get the chance. I wasn’t quick enough. Now you’re hurt… you’re bleeding… we should go to the hospital.”

Rubbing his hand against his bruise, he twitched at every touch. However, that was not the only thing making him twitch.

“Stop-“ he started. Demi froze immediately. Exhaling hard, he added, “Go home Demi.”

“But-“ she drew out.

He kissed her forehead.

“Go home. Get some rest. Enough for today.” Bradley said, lightly caressed her cheek and repeated his last words. “Enough for today.” he headed out of her car and went straight to the house without looking back. She was stunned.

Inside the house, Bradley went to the kitchen and rummaged through the cupboard, looking for the first aid kit. After searching the whole cupboard, he moved to the freezer. Stuffing a plastic with ice cubes, he settled on the stool and put the bag on his neck. He groaned.

Cruising down the streets of Beverly Hills, she let the window by her rolled down letting the wind blowing sweeping her face especially her dripping tears.

“I thought having someone new in my life would change everything. But it just makes it worse. Obviously, I made Bradley mad like hell. Even with Trace. But…”

Demi stopped at the traffic lights.

“What was Trace talking about back there? What’s with the money? What is going on?”

The next day, in the hot afternoon; Demi locked inside her bedroom. She was feeling lazy. Lying in between the bed sheets even after a long morning bubble bath, she was still feeling uneasy. Her phone was not ringing as well and she was worried that Bradley was going to avoid her about the day before. She could call but the problem is… she doesn’t know his number.

Demi could ask Selena for his number but she doesn’t want to use her best friend like that. She knows she could trust her but sometimes, thing like this she would rather handle it on her own. Speaking of that, she should tell about what happened. Maybe later today she could go over to her house and tell her everything with leaving Bradley’s bit in the whole story.

She moved out of her bed and went to the balcony. The neighborhood was somewhat heated. Of course, summer was just around the corner. California will be one stop for summer holiday. In the neighborhood of Toluca Lake, Demi looked around with her hand shielding her eyes from the hot sun. She noticed her neighbor digging bit of earth and planted fresh flowers presumably sunflower.

She looked down on her own backyard. It was deserted. Not for long.

Suddenly, three young girls were running around the pool. Barefoot and all, they even had their swimsuit on. Loud cheers and laughter was heard. Demi looked at them immediately recognized one of them as her youngest sister, Madison. However, the other two remained unknown.

She leaned against the concrete and steel fence on the balcony and watched them playing around. Shooting water guns at one another, they were chasing around and then jumped into the pool making a huge splash. Once they emerged on the surface, they were laughing and waving around their hands splashing more water. Then she remembered something. She knows the other girls. They were…