I sip my peach Long Island tea. A dark skinned-woman with pink hair sings a soul song on stage. The bar is more dead than a corpse. A few people linger on the dance floor and the lights are dim causing my eyes to strain. Nothing fancy like I’m used to.
“I need to meet Felix,” Axel says, and his words catch me off guard “I need to see if your new boyfriend is right for you. Has Dad put that shotgun to his back and told him to do right by you yet?”
My brother wears a black cotton shirt and blue denim jeans.
“Um no. I’ve been avoiding our parents,” I say before sipping my fruity drink. The alcohol soothes my throat and goes frantic in my bloodstream.
“I’m surprised that Jasper approved your relationship with him,” he says, and I glance at him with confusion. He sips from his beer and stares at Jasper, and Jasper glares at him as if you better not say shit or I’ll kill you. What is this about?
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“Because he’s i—”
I hear a thump under the table, and I look between Jasper and Axel. Jasper cuts his eyes to him and my brother has a smug look on his face.
“Are you too keeping secrets from me?”
Jealousy eats at me like a zombie snacking on a human. I thought Jasper and I shared everything. Apparently not.
They don’t answer my question.
I study the two. I know Jasper hangs out with Axel from time to time and they’ve gone to work out at the gym a few times. They’re friends, but not as close as me and Jasper.
“You better tell me what’s going on,” I say to the both of them as I take another sip from my glass.
“Nothing,” Jasper answers, his face stoic.
“Are you happy that I’m with Felix?” I ask Jasper. Ever since it came out that we’re dating, Jasp doesn’t give his input on our relationship like he did before. He doesn’t seem so happy, and he just hit me with that “Oh.” And he’s been moody lately. Last week, he got upset because I told him that he forgot to wash the dishes. I didn’t say anything because I thought it had to do with his lovers.
“Yes.” Jasper clears his voice. He lied to my face. Every time he lies, he rubs his nose repeatedly and that’s what he’s doing now. Rubbing his pointy nose as if he’s a cokehead.
I don’t get why he isn’t happy with me being with Felix. I’m not going to hound him. If he wants to talk about his feelings, he will.
“I’ve got to go. Don’t want to keep James waiting.” My brother takes out his leather wallet and throws a ten-dollar bill on the table.
He kisses me on the cheek and pats Jasper on the back, then leaves. It’s just me and Jasper. And it’s awkward. Too awkward.
He twitches his lips before taking a sip of his beer.
“Why him?” Jasper’s words catch me throws me off. “Why did you choose him? I get it, he’s a rock star and he’s rich.”
I pause for moment debating whether or not I should answer his question.
“What’s up with you?”
His demeanor is rigid and edgy like sharp glass. He eyes me, then sips his beer. “I’ve been down about finals again.” He stares at me as if I butchered him, and he rubs his nose again. Liar, liar, pants on fire.
“Whatever,” I murmur under my breath.
He flags down the bartender and order five shots of Jack Daniels. I haven’t seen Jasper this down in the dumps since his grandparents were killed in a car crash three years ago. Whatever is going on with him, I hope he gets better.
Sadie
My dad barges into my office with his golfing clothes on. Sweat licks his face. He sits in the seat facing my desk and his ocean blue eyes swim with curiosity.
“You’re dating someone? The drummer from The Wakening of Gods?” He crosses his right leg over his left thigh. Tapping his pinky nail on the sole of his shoe. I straighten my spine and chew on the end of my ball pen. Dad never really cared who I dated. As long as they weren’t chosen by my mother. That’s one of the things I like about him, he isn’t controlling like her.
“Yes. Is that a problem?” I tilt my head to the side like the Leaning Tower. I haven’t spoken to her or him over a month, and I really, really, really, want to keep it that way. Over the last five weeks, I had time to think and I’ve forgiving my dad for giving Axel the CEO position. I’m not mad at him as I’m mad at my mom. He had every right to give the business to my brother. And I don’t want any bad blood with one of the most powerful men in the US, and I don’t want to give the world a reason to shit on my family. My mom is a whole different story, and it’s ugly and filled with endless pages fill with dark emotions. I wish I could rewrite her life story so she wouldn’t turn into a cold-hearted bitch.
He shakes his head and wrinkles his mouth. “Your mother has been blowing up my phone because she can’t get in touch with you. She wants me to put an end to your relationship with him.”
My dad’s expression flashes disdain and he looks weighed down as if he’s carrying boulders on his back. I lean forward, move some paperwork to the edge of the desk.
“Is this the reason you’re here, to stop me from dating him?” I chew on my lip.
“I don’t care who you date. Unless
