Bryce.
I was completely frustrated and utterly exhausted. Running my hands over my face I took in a deep breath. Shit was getting serious and it was cracking down all on me now. Raymond knows exactly how to play his cards right. Just as I think I'm getting the upper hand in this situation everything takes full circle. But I was determined as ever to ruin this man, blood or not. I glanced down at the plane tickets in my hands and sadness welled up inside me.
The more you try and keep her out of the dark with this the more you're going to put her in danger.
Even though I hated to admit it, Gwen was right. Shay has become my right hand, my voice of reason, my love and everything I can imagine all wrapped up in one. Though, Shay hasn't been though a quarter of the bullshit myself and the boys have been though in the last couple of years. Shay was the innocent one, maybe that was why I was so drawn to her from the beginning. Just seeing someone who didn't have a utter clue about the life I had slowly trapped myself in, was just beyond comforting. She was my clean slate.
I vowed to myself that I would do anything and everything to protect Shay, even if that meant staying away from her. Or in this case, shipping her out of the country for a couple of weeks. The lines have been drawn and the war flags were flying. I don't want to get Shay mixed up into my bullshit more than I already have. I just can't bare the thought of losing her over something that I was involved in.
Walking back into my office I stuffed the airline tickets into the top drawer. My stomach rumbled and I groaned realizing I haven't eaten probably in the last 24 hours. Walking into the kitchen, I tried my best to not think about the bullshit. Glancing over my shoulder at the clock on the far wall I knew it was still too early for anyone to be up right now. A figure stood in the middle of the kitchen holding a glass of orange juice.
I smiled to myself as I approached her from behind. Wrapping my arms around her slender waist I kissed her neck. Which scored a squeal out of Shay. I chuckled and allowed her to turn around still in my arms. Her face was emotionless as she removed herself from me.
"Good morning to you too then." I teased and opened the refrigerator and grabbing some milk.
"Mhm," she replied pressing the glass to her lips.
Reaching up I grabbed the Cinnamon Toast Crunch box from the pantry. Turning around I frowned down at Shay. She was now sitting on one of the stool across the island. Her whole body language was turned off to me, and I didn't have a clue why.
"Are you mad at me or something?" I asked pouring the cereal into a large bowl.
Keeping her glare away from mine she shook her head no. "Nope." she said popping the 'p'. She finished the rest of her orange juice and placed the glass on the counter top. This time she looked me dead in the eye. "Just tried of the same bullshit."
And with that she left leaving me in the kitchen, completely bewildered.
Shay. - One Week Later-
I laid on my back watching the ceiling fan go around and around and around again. Earlier, I counted how many times it rounded about, but it's kind of hard to tell when you don't know where it starts and begins. I haven't talked or seen Bryce since our little encounter last week. Besides occasionally seeing him in school and the 101 missed calls and text messages he's left me, no constant at all. Well at least on my part. As of right now I was staying with Jade and her family. Since I wasn't welcome in my own house and couldn't stay at Bryce's.
I just needed my space from everything. Just for once I just wanted everything to go back to normal. I wanted to be the quiet girl in school that nobody didn't even spare a second glance. I wanted Bryce to be some normal high school boy and we have a normal high school relationship. But, that wasn't going to happen. I was far too deeply involved with everything and there has been plenty of opportunities for me to get out when I had the chance. But I didn't want to.
I fell in love with a man that had a dark and twisted past. Who was cold and harsh on the exterior but completely warm and loving on the inside. Who would jump through hoops just to make me happy, So why wasn't that enough?
I know that I was probably wrong for just cutting Bryce off completely and throwing total shade towards him. I just needed to clear my head and get my thoughts together. I've realized now that there is no going back to normal from this point on. And maybe normal wasn't what I was meant to be. I craved the adventure, the adrenaline rushes and I got exactly that. So why am I complaining?
Sitting up in the guest bed I glanced over at the calender dangling from the wall. The 31st was in less that three weeks and I still haven't the brightest clue what to do. Raymond is a man of his word and I know he'll do just what he said he was going to do. I had a future ahead of me just as well as Bryce, do I just risk it all to be with the man I love?
Grabbing the pillow in front of me I screamed all my frustration into it until I could feel my throat hurting. Removing the pillow from my face I breathed deeply trying to caught my breath. It was time to stop dragging my feet through the sand and actually stand up and do something. I am tried of being held in the dark about just about any and everything. I'm tried of being looked upon as weak and fragile. I deserve to be apart of this, I've earned that much.
The sound of my room opening brought me back into reality. I turn my head to see a beaming Jade skipping into the room. "Are you really just going to barricade yourself in this room forever?" she asked sliding onto the bed beside me.
"Not forever," I signed. "Just until I get my head on right."
Jade nodded. Over the past week, Jade and I catch up on everything that's been happening. I told her about Raymond, Bryce and doing the deed, learning to drive, my mom, just everything. Jade flipped shit when I told her about me and Bryce having sex which I expected. She grilled my ass for at the least 3 hours. But Jade knew exactly how I felt as of now about the situation. I couldn't necessarily turn to her for advise about something like this because most people don't go through this kind of bullshit.
"Well I refuse to allow you to sit in here and sulk anymore!" she exclaimed. "We're going to go out tonight!"
I raised an eyebrow up at her. "Explain."
"Jay and I came up with the idea to get your depressed ass out of this room. We just decided you just need some quality fun with your two best friends." she smiled as she slide off the bed. "And besides you don't really have a choice in the matter. I've already taken the precautions of kidnapping you if I have to."
I rolled my eyes at her. Of course she of all people would plan to kidnap someone. "I got you an outfit and everything. It's all in the guest bathroom ready to go. We leave in an hour so you better be ready hoe!" with that she walked out of my room.
What did I really have to lose at this point? Maybe a night out is just the thing I need to clear my head.
* * * *
I'm going to kill Jade.
I stood in the full-length mirror in the guest bedroom. Apparently we were going to a black and white somewhere in the inner city. And it seems to be that she decided that I was going to wear black. I wore a black high waisted skirt that rested just above my knee caps. The skirt was glued to my body emphasizing my minimal curves. Also, I wore a black long sleeved crop top that exposed the rest of my stomach. Jade even took the liberty of picking out my shoes for me. On my feet where black open toes heels with a thick strip going down of the middle of my foot forming a T shape. Along the strip was a thick gold chain stitched into the fabric. I looked like one of those girls you see in a Forever21 ad.
This wasn't something I would personally pick out for myself, but I needed to just go with it. I needed to have fun. Besides there was no way in hell I could back out of now, might as well go along with the charade right? I straightened my hair completely. Grabbing my make-up off the counter top, I applied minimal make-up. As I was applying my plum colored lipstick, Jade burst in through the door way.
Jade was sporting an all white one shoulder dress and nude platform heels to match. Her hair was wavy caressing down over her exposed shoulder. Her pink glossy lips pulled upright to a satisfied smile. "I'm not surprised you didn't through a temper tantrum." she teased.
I rolled my eyes tossing my lipstick into my gold clutch purse. "It wouldn't make a difference would it?"
She nods. "You look great though. I think this is my finest work yet." she claps her hands excited.
"Thanks, you look amazing too Jade." I smile.
Jade links her arms though mine and tugs me out of the bedroom. "I'm so excited! We're going to have a hell of a lot of fun tonight. All your worries will soon be wiped away."
I sign. "I hope so."
When I opened the front door I could see Jay's Mercedes parked across the street. He was leaning up against the car typing away on his phone. I smiled to myself as I headed over to Jay. He snaps his head up when he hears us approaching. A giant goofy smile appears on his face and wraps me up in a hug. "Look at you! You looking like you trying to find you some new dick tonight!."
I grimaced. "Shut up Jay. Let's go."
"Okay Ms. Bossy Ass."
As I hop into the car Jay had already started the car was began fiddling with the controls on the high tech radio of his. I signed deeply to myself. I hope that this night was going to be worth it. Jay sent me a reassuring smile as if he could read my thoughts. I smile too, leave it to Jay and Jade to make me finally realize I haven't had fun in weeks. As Jay pulled off towards the city, I blocked every negative thing out of my head. Tonight was going to be about me. Not Bryce or Raymond or hell even all slut ass Gwen. It was going to be about me and my best friends.
* * * *
This is the biggest party I've ever seen. As soon as you step into the room there were white drapes hanging down from the ceiling and pined slightly to the far walls. The walls were pure white but the floor was black tiles. Everything in this room was black and white as far as the eye can see. Not one splash of color anywhere. The room was packed with people sitting at tables, sitting at the bar and on the dance floor. The perfect place to disappear for a night.
"Here put this on." Jade said causing my to snap my head in her direction.
I looked down at the mask in my hands. It really was beautiful but also sexy at the same time. It was black to match my outfit but it was made out of complete lace. I slipped it onto my face quickly and instantly. I looked over to Jade and Jay who were both slipping on their masks too. Jade had a white mask bejeweled with pearls and a white feather sticking out of the right side. Jay on the other hand was wearing a classic white Phantom of the Opera mask. It made him look much more mysterious and alluring.
"What do you wanna do?" Jay asked me.
A waiter pasted by with a tray of glasses. I grabbed the deep red one and took a swig of it. It was sweet but a little strong too, just what I needed. "Have the time of my life."
Jay and Jade both mirrored wide smiles on their face. Jay grabbed my hand and I followed behind them. One the way Jay and Jade casually talked to some people while other just stared at us. We ended up on the dance floor and Party Girls by Ludacris was blasting from the speakers. Without even knowing it my body began to sway to the music. Jade had already grabbed her victim and started dancing with him. Jay looked down at me there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
I smiled. "Dance with me Jay."
He nodded and placed his large hands on my waist and we rocked together. Jay was a good dancer too bad that I apparently had two left feet. Jay of course too the opportunity to make fun of me and my little feet. I looked over my shoulder and my eyes meet with cool grey ones. I frown as I take in the stranger. She was dressed in a beautiful long black dress with a slit all the way up her thigh. Her brown locks where in elegant curls around her heart shaped face. She looked so familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. She stared at me harshly through her mask.
What the hell was that?
"You know you don't have to stick around and babysit me Jay, " I said.
He frowns. "I'm not babysitting you. I'm hanging out with my best friend." he smiles. "You were having a hard time and I'm here to make you feel better."
I smile. "Thanks sugar lumps."
I swung us around so that now my back was to the staring stranger. "You also have an admirer." I intiated with my head nodding behind me.
Jay looks up and I swear I could see all the color run from his face. "I'm assuming you two know each other?" I chuckle.
Jay signs deeply. "Yeah."
"Is that the same girl from the diner that day?" I ask. I remember those grey eyes and how sad they looked that day the same way they looked tonight. I was getting more of the impression that she wasn't just one of Jay's nightly victims she was so much more than that to him.
He nods. "I'm sorry Shay that I haven't really been around. She's part of the reason. Her name is Chanel and we've known each other for a very long time." he looks up briefly and continues. "Me and her have a very...complicated past but to say the least she was everything I wanted and needed."
"Chanel and I didn't necessarily leave things on the best terms. Hell I didn't even know that she was here to begin with. When she left I tried my best to move on and get over her and just push her out of my mind like she was never there to begin with. But in all honest, I couldn't. It took me until a couple of weeks ago to realize that I've been distracting myself with other females to keep my mind off of her."
My heart was aching for Jay right now. "Have you told her all of this?"
He shook his head. "She hasn't return not one of my phone calls."
"It's probably because she thinks we're together! You need to go talk to her now!" I exclaim removing the hold that Jay had on me. I nudge him over into her direction but he looked back at me with a worry face. "I'll be fine I promise! You need to go fix things with Chanel first."
Jay smiles down at me before briskly pulling me into a hug. "For someone so small you sure do know how to boss people around."
I laugh slapping his arm. "Go. Jade and I will come find you in about an hour, okay?"
He nods and then sets off after Chanel. I hope everything worked out for the better for him. Jay deserves to be happy. Then it occurred to me, despite all the pain and heartache Jay been through with Chanel he still loves her nonetheless. When you love someone you just do anything and everything for that person. And sometimes that even might mean hurting them.
Jade linked her arm though mine. "Having fun yet?" she smiles.
A lump in my throat began to form just thinking about him. "I-I need alcohol." I choke out.
Next thing I know Jade and I are sitting at the bar with four empty shot glasses in front of both of us. My head was a little dizzy and I could feel my guard completely disappearing now. I didn't want to think about him...that's why I came here in the first place. Jade was clearly tipsy that girl she never retained alcohol well. She was casually slurring her words as she tried to flirt with the young bartender. I honestly think he was more amused by her than interested.
Someone tapped on my shoulder causing me to turn around. "Excuse me, but is this seat taken?"a deep velvet-like voice boomed in my ears.
I look up and see a man probably a whole foot taller than me towering over me. He was dressed down in a well trainer black suit with a white bow tie. Behind his white and black mask were pure green eyes that trapped me under their spell. His gorgeous mocha skin glowed under the dim lighting. His pink lips were turned up slightly in a smirk. He was Tall, Dark and Delicious. Though he looked oddly familiar overall.
"Do you see anyone sitting here?" I tease. Guess that was the liquid courage coming out of me.
TDD chuckles revealing his perfect white teeth. "No. I guess I don't."
I gesture to the seat next to me. "Not yourself out."
TDD slides in the seat next to me and even now that we were both sitting down he still towered over me. Hmm, he was almost as tall as Bryce. "Can I buy you a drink?" he asks there was a hint of an accent in his lips. New Orleans, maybe?
"Sure."
He smiles at me before turning to the bartender. "Can I get a Jack and Coke and whatever the lady would like."
I couldn't help but eat up this attention. "I'll have a Bloody Mary thank you."
The bartender nods and begins working on our drinks. I briefly look over my shoulder at Jade who was chatting away from the cute milk chocolate guy beside her. When I look back TDD was staring at me. I frown. "What?"
He chuckles. "Nothing. Just admiring your beauty."
I snort. "Cute. But nice try."
He smiles wide at me now. He truly was a beautiful man but there was something about him I couldn't put my finger on. The bartender handed us our drinks and I took a quick sip of my drink. It's just so funny how I quickly I got used to drinking now. "Can't blame a man for trying?"
I chuckle. "Right."
"What's you're name?" he asks.
"Shayla, but you can call me Shay." I smile.
He nods. "How old are you? If you don't mind me asking. It's just you look young."
"I'll be 18 in two months."
TDD shoots me a devilish grin. "How old are you?"
"23."
I frown. "You don't look that old."
He chuckles. "It's the facial hair."
I chuckle too. I couldn't help but get sucked in by TDD's charm. Not only was he attractive but he had this aura to him that was just...captivating. TDD leaned back slightly, craning his neck to the side. That's when I noticed the faint tattoo on his neck. I couldn't exactly read it but all I could see was a bold 'K'. "So what is a beautiful woman like yourself doing here all alone?" he asks leaning his forearms against the bar top.
I shrug. "Typically, I'm not here alone." I gesture to Jade beside me who was giggling like the idiot she is. "That's my best friend and my other best friend left to chase his girlfriend around." I laugh a little.
He nods. "Instill, you look like you're not enjoying yourself. Is my party that boring?" he teases.
I shake my head. "This is your party?" I asks.
He nods with a playful smirk on his pink lips. "Oh no no. I'm having fun. It's just a lot on my plate you know?"
TDD chuckles lightly before taking a large gulp of his drink. "Unfortunately, I know all too well. No matter how much you try and hide from the situation or even try to forget it. You can't. Yeah you can drink until your liver is black and ingest your body with various drugs but no matter what when your high goes down reality come knocking at your door with the hangover of your life."
I stared at TDD in shock. He just literally took the words right out of my mouth and spit them back at me. Here I am talking to a complete stranger and yet he knew exactly how I feeling by only knowing me for 5 minutes. I break my glance at him and take a long gulp of my drink. The alcohol burning the back of my throat. "You're completely right. How'd you know?" my voice came out a little hoarse.
"Let's just say I have a lot of experience in that department." he smirks. He sure does smile allot. "So tell me Shay would you like to dance with me?"
It's just a dance! Do it! My subconscious fired at me. She would show up at the worst times. Though, she was right. It was just a dance after all.
I lick my lips. "I'd love to."
TDD stands and extends his hand to me and I take it without hesitation. I turn and see Jade shooting me a wink and a wave my way. I shake my head as TDD leads me back on the dance floor. A$AP Rocky's voice blarred out of the speakers around me. Never letting go of my hand TDD spins me and I laugh lightly and my back connect with his hard chest. Both of his hands curled around my waist, rocking my body against his. I couldn't lie this was fun and also sexy as hell.
I closed my eyes and allowed my body to move against his. Was this wrong? Was I crossing a barrier?
After the song ended I turned in his arms smiling up at him. His green eyes glowed wide and bright. "You know you..." I started. "You never told me your name."
He chuckles. "Where's the mystery in that then?"
I roll my eyes. "You know mine."
He signs. "Fine."
"Marcus-" his eyes hardened. "-Marcus Kelly."
I gasp and in the same motion I remove myself from his embrace. Now I really took him in. Those eyes, the same skin tone, the height. The alluring charm. What in the hell have I gotten myself into. "Who are you?" I couldn't help but ask as clique as it sounded.
"I'm Bryce's older brother."
Holy shit.
A/N:
Cliffhanger! Haha I know yall mad but oh well because you can't lie none of yall asses was expexted that! I haven't decided who's going to protray the long lost Kelly Brother. But I'll probably decide by the time I put the next update out. Welp, I don't have much to say on this update...shocker. But anyways do what you guys do!
Love you guys!
x Maia