Jason
I couldn't wipe the smirk off my face.
Tonight had been a complete and utter success.
Other than the little incident with Dean at the end of the night, everything had gone swimmingly.
I mean I practically didn't even need to do anything. She basically did all the work.
I mean that kiss. Damn. I know all the socialites in that room are probably spreading our story all over social media as we speak.
I probably didn't even need the paparazzi, Richard was perverted enough to even take a picture which I knew he would boast about on social media.
Who would have known she would actually be useful? All I had to do was put my arm around her, it didn't hurt that I got some action out of it too. She's a good kisser, I'll admit it got to me in a way. I haven't been with a girl since we located Alex and Bella. I was so hell bent on proving myself to Bella that I practically had no eyes for any other girl. And with Anthony's plan set in place, I knew that if I even tried to sleep with another girl, it would instantly get out.
I didn't even realise how much I missed sex until I started thinking about it again tonight.
It's not like Kate turned me on or anything. Right?
I found myself doubting as I turned to look at the curly haired girl who nervously played with her hands as she remained adamantly looking out the window not looking at me.
I really didn't mind. I had gotten what I wanted from her. In fact, I was glad she wasn't pestering me. That's how I liked it.
I hate when girls get all worked up about such things. A hook up should just be a hookup.
I couldn't help but look down at her long smooth legs. I quickly looked away and ran a hand down my face.
No. It was probably the alcohol mixed with the fact that I hadn't been with anyone in so long.
Yeah. That was it.
She was Harry's girl anyway.
Harry.
He wasn't even picking up my calls anymore.
I can't believe he was actually taking his rage out on me.
Harry and I have always been closer than everyone else because we're the closest in age. I know I can confide in Anthony about anything but Anthony is the most overworked Callahan to be honest. I know he would never turn me away but I would never want to add more to his load than he already has.
But Alex and I have always been treated as equals by my father. Sure his mother has always tried to put restrictions on what he is required to do but he has and always will be Frank Callahan's son and my brother.
That's why all this sucks all the more.
I don't feel guilty about kissing Kate because I know that whatever they had is dead and gone now and can't possibly be rekindled.
I just need him to see that so that we can all move on.
But then again, moving on isn't something I'm exactly looking forward to because I really don't know what that will mean for Bella and I.
I know that we were meant to be for sure. She just needs time to heal... yes, that's all she needs.
Some how, some way everything will work out. I just know it.
I didn't realise that I had stopped driving until I heard the car door open.
My head snapped to look at her as she swung her legs out of my car but she still looked at me.
For a moment I thought she would just stare at me with those round hazel eyes and not say anything.
She looked like she wanted to say something but she seemed to decide against it and just turned to exit the car.
I rolled my eyes. She was obviously pondering about the kiss after all.
Or it could easily be Dean's little outbreak tonight.
Sure he usually is out to get me and everything I have but I didn't think he'd actually do something that desperate. The nerve.
I swear if his father wasn't one of our allies, he would be a goner by now.
I heard someone clear their throat.
I looked out my window and saw her standing there.
Bloody hell, here we go. At least I don't have to pretend to be nice to her anymore.
I lowered my window and looked up at her.
"Yes?"
She hesitated for a while.
She was shivering in the cold darkness and rubbed her arm nervously.
"Um... tonight..." she stammered.
She shut her eyes and seemed to be trying to gather her thoughts.
I sighed. "Listen, I need to get home and rest up for my hearing tomorrow so if you're going to say something. Say it. I need to go."
She seemed to frown.
"Well... If... um... If you want... I um... I just know how upset Alex was about his hearing so if... um... maybe you shouldn't be alone tonight."
I rose my brows at her. Was she suggesting that I spend the night with her?
Okay why did that get me excited?
Maybe she wasn't the prude I thought she was. Did that kiss do something to her like it had done to me?
More importantly, was she suggesting what I think she was suggesting?
Again. It was probably the alcohol or the fact that I hadn't been with a girl in so long.
I nodded at her. "Okay." I spoke briefly.
She seemed satisfied by the response.
I got out the car and locked it.
She started heading up the stairs to the apartment. I couldn't help but check her out.
Was I really going to do this? I mean was I really even considering it? She was Harry's girl.
Emphasis on 'was'.
It's not like they were together anymore, right?
She punched in the code to unlock the door and turned to look at me.
"Coming?" She whispered.
To hell with it. I had been in a dry spell for way too long.
Sometimes it's okay to just go with what you want in the moment. And God knows I needed a real stress reliever right about now.
I followed behind her.
She bent over to unbuckle her shoes.
I guess this was an invite. I moved up behind her.
She suddenly shot up and turned around. She seemed surprised by my sudden close proximity.
She took a step back and hugged her body.
"Um... so is the couch okay?" She asked nervously.
I furrowed my brows in confusion. I didn't get why she would want to do it on the couch. Sure I had had sex on couches all the time but that's only because we couldn't make it to the bed.
"What's wrong with your bed?" I asked.
"Well it's my bed. And quite frankly, it's way too comfortable for me to give up." A small smile appeared on her lips. "And let's not forget that you once let me sleep on your desk. Consider this pay back. I'll go get you some blankets and a pillow."
I watched as she started disappearing up the stairs. My jaw practically dropped and I couldn't help but feel completely and utter humiliation to how much I had misread this situation.
It was the alcohol. It must have been the alcohol.
I'm usually good - no excellent at reading situations. How did I completely misread this one?
It was the alcohol.
It must have been the alcohol.
I heard my phone start to ring. I fished the new phone out of my pocket and saw Anthony's face.
I swiped and put the device to my ear.
"Brother." I spoke.
"What the hell was that?" I heard him seethe.
I couldn't help but look around the room frantically wondering if he had secret cameras in here somewhere.
I decided against it. I would have noticed.
Besides, Anthony can be a pervert sometimes but even that's going overboard.
"The hell are you talking about?" I asked wondering if he was drunk and had just called me in the middle of the night to piss me off.
"Don't bullshit me." He snapped.
"Tony, I have no idea what you're talking about. Go to bed, okay? We'll talk tomorrow."
"Jason, I swear I could strangle you right now. I know you're going through a lot and I'm trying to be sensitive about that but you're crossing a line that really shouldn't be crossed."
"What?" I really didn't know what else to say at this point.
"Kate! Dumbass! You kissed Kate. You know, I knew there was something odd about the way you were acting all civilised with her. Now I know. You're a scumbag, you know that? That wasn't cool. What the hell were you thinking? What do you think will happen when Harry sees this story?"
My heart beat faster. I had been so focused on my revenge plot, I really didn't consider all the possible consequences.
"He wouldn't do anything stupid."
"I think we both know how far he would go for Kate."
"Tony-"
"I know, I know, you were trying to screw with father and Elizabeth. But you messed up Jase. You messed up big time."
"You don't understand what they-"
"I don't flipping care! We don't screw with family Jason!"
I honestly didn't have anything to say. He was right. That was one of our most important rules.
"I'm sorry." I let out.
I heard him sigh. "What the hell were you thinking?" He muttered again. I could practically sense his disappointment in me.
"I'm going to-"
"You've done enough." He spoke. "Just lay low, okay? This will definitely affect tomorrow's hearing but father has agreed to put me on the jury so I'll try to sway them as much as I can. And Isabella is doing damage control with Harry. He probably won't even see the story."
I frowned. "She knows?"
"Yeah."
I shut my eyes. I really didn't think this through.
I couldn't help but get defensive though. "Does it matter? They're done. We both know that."
I heard Anthony sigh. "You still don't get it little brother." He sounded more sympathetic than upset now. "Just... keep away from her for now. I'll talk to you tomorrow." He didn't even give me the chance to say anything else before he hang up.
I heard her coming back down the stairs and I couldn't help but frown.
What had I done?