Red Flags Page 8

  I got out and ran to my phone to text Chelsea; I wanted to catch her before they left.

  to Chels

  *Hey, bring the Chi. Going to try something different tonight.*

  from Chels

  *Sweet… do you want me to do it?*

  to Chels

  *YES!*

  I threw on my mesh shorts and one of Jason’s t-shirts – it was much too large for me. I walked down the hall to the first door on the right, and found him on the phone -- staring at his computer. I wasn’t exactly sure what he was doing, but he looked up from his computer screen, smiled at me, and went right back to talking to whoever he was on the phone with. After browsing the office for what seemed like an eternity, I headed to the kitchen to get something to drink. To my surprise, Jason had the fridge stocked with beer, wine, and enough energy drinks to energize an army.

  I took a glass from the cupboard and instead of going for the wine that Jason had so thoughtfully purchased; I instead went for one of the energy drinks and coupled it with vodka. I normally didn’t drink liquor because I didn’t have much of a tolerance, but I figured a couple of drinks wouldn’t hurt anything.

  Jason sauntered out of his office, with nothing on except for his cargo shorts. His perfectly sculpted abs was a jump start to my libido. His skin looked even more luxurious and tanned, probably from swimming earlier in the day. I stopped the glass just before my lips and shamefully stared at him, he was really a sight to see. Instead of meeting my lustful gaze, he eyed the drink in my hand, and the ingredients on the counter.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Having a drink,” I responded sarcastically.

  He raised his eyebrows at me, and I wasn’t exactly sure of the emotion being conveyed – and luckily I didn’t have to figure it out because just as he was fixing his mouth to say something, the doorbell rang.

  Jason turned and stomped off to answer the door. I started drinking my concoction before he could come back and say something. Chelsea’s voice was the first voice I heard as he opened the door and welcomed them into his home.

  “Wow Bradley, you do okay huh? Bullshit, this is more than okay.”

  Even from the kitchen, I was pretty sure I could pinpoint the look on his face, and it was probably one of embarrassment or irritation.

  They all made their way to the kitchen and Mila and Chelsea came running up to me, wide eyed and full of excitement. Ryan made his way over to me, through two giddy girls, and gave me a big bear hug, then made his way over to where Hunter was standing. I took another sip of my drink, and saw Jason out of the corner of my eye shaking his head at me. He offered everyone a drink, and then set off to work as the bartender. Hunter and Ryan asked for beers, and Chelsea said she and Mila would have whatever I was having. Instead of Jason grabbing the energy drink and vodka, he grabbed his electronic wine opener, snatched out a bottle of wine from the fridge, opened it up, and poured three glasses -- handing them to us. He took my glass of my earlier mix and gulped it down.

  The guys moved out to the garage; Jason had told them about the Shelby and the motorcycle, and they were eager to get a look at them.

  Mila noticed Jason’s act and smiled kindly while looking around the kitchen. She spoke animatedly about the house.

  “Um, Pinks, your boyfriend owns this palatial mansion?”

  “No, his dad owns it, but he lives here, and does work for his dad out in this area, kind of like his payment.”

  Mila rolled her eyes as she continued wandering through the kitchen and living room. Chelsea noticed Jason take my drink and made herself the new bartender.

  “Cara. What were you drinking?”

  “That energy drink mixed with vodka," I said, motioning with my head to the already opened can in the fridge.

  She turned to the kitchen and searched for glasses. When she found them, she grabbed the vodka, the open can, and scooped some ice into my glass from the bucket.

  “Don’t let money bags run you Cara,” she said as she handed me a new drink.

  “Chels, he doesn’t.”

  Mila felt the need to throw in her two cents, probably just to make Chelsea feel better.

  “Pinks stand your ground,” she winked at me, and I was immediately annoyed with this conversation so I grabbed my drink and motioned for the girls to follow me to the bathroom.

  They were equally impressed by the bedroom/bathroom. Seriously, who wouldn’t be? This house was to die for. Mila lay down on the floor, deciding against the bed because she figured something went down in it– and she was right. Chelsea followed me into the bathroom and I took a seat in front of the vanity while she set up the hair straightener and various hair serums.

  Chelsea was a whiz with the Chi and did wonders to my hair that I could never pull off. I filled the girls in on how much Jason adored my curly hair, but that I was straightening it to see his reaction. There was a knock on the door.

  “Hey Cara, I need to come in and get something.”

  I panicked, not wanting Jason to see my half straightened half curly fry head. “What do you need?”

  I could hear his sigh, and he was probably livid that he couldn’t get into his own room but I didn’t care.

  “What are ya’ll doin’ in there?”

  Chelsea piped in, because, well, she was able to shout out a tone that I couldn’t.

  “We are working on something in here -- girl stuff. What do you need Bradley?”

  I laughed because it was a bit ridiculous that he couldn’t get into his own bedroom, in his own house. He shouted that he needed his cellphone, but something in me said otherwise. If I knew Jason, he was just trying to be nosy. I told Mila to grab the phone and hand it to him, but not the let him in the room. She did as told, and just as I suspected, Jason tried to peek in to see exactly what we are doing – good thing Chelsea had me towards the back of the bathroom, so he couldn’t see anything.

  Approximately 20 minutes later, Chelsea was finished, Mila was adding serum to my hair, to keep my fly a ways down, and I was impressed by the creature staring back at me in the mirror. My hair straightened had always been a much more pleasant sight for me, but I was just too lazy to do it. My hair now reached the small of my back, and with a slightly off centered part, there was a fresh cascade of hair flowing across the right side of my face. I told Mila that she could let Jason in now.

  He was out with the guys in the backyard, shooting the breeze about who knows what. Mila told him he could come into the room, and he must have sprinted into the house because he was there in a flash, and slightly out of breath. When he saw me, his face was impassive, and I was flustered by his reaction. I thought for sure that he would love the look.

  “Do you like it?” I asked with a subtle smile on my face.

  “Um, yeah. It’s different.”

  I felt it, he didn’t like it.

  “Thought you would like something different…” I stopped, noticing the disappointment on Chelsea’s face. She worked hard on my hair, and Jason’s less than enthusiastic reaction was irking her. She grabbed my drink and stepped out of the bathroom.

  Jason stepped behind me and ran his finger through my hair. I was at a loss with him. I didn’t understand his likes, dislikes, or any of the in-betweens.

  “Hey Cara, I like it, it’s just different. I’m used to your curly hair.”

  ‘Well, sometimes the curly look gets old, and I want to do something else,” I paused and looked at him, and started to feel the buzz of the vodka.

  He leaned in and kissed me, but immediately stepped back, and I knew it was because he could taste and smell the vodka on my breath.

  “Did you drink more vodka?” he asked with anger in his voice.

  “Yeah, because you took mine.”

  “What did you do with the wine I gave you?”

  “I drank it.”

  He winced, trying desperately to stifle his rage.

  “Cara, you told me yourself that you are a wine drinker. I’m not going to take
you out drunk off your ass. I don’t care to be around that shit,” he scolded in a very aggressive manner. Then he walked into the closet, grabbed some clothes, and walked out.

  I had one drink, well, two if you count the glass of wine -- but I was an adult and could drink what I damn well pleased. I kept telling myself that, trying to make sense of yet another temper tantrum.

  Shortly after Jason’s abrupt exit, Chelsea and Mila came back into the room, looking very curious as to what had just taken place.

  “What the hell just happened?” asks Chelsea, with one hand on her hip, as she babysat her drink in the other.

  “Yeah, Jason walked by us in a pissy mood. Seriously, was he that mad about your hair?”

  I rolled my eyes, but felt the need to explain because if I didn’t, I would be interrogated all night.

  “No, it wasn’t the hair… well, not exactly,” I paused, and both of them stared at me intently, waiting for me to finish. “He was mad because I drank that vodka. He doesn’t think I can handle it, plus the wine.” Both girls looked at me completely flabbergasted, and Chelsea could no longer contain her anger.

  “Seriously Cara? He needs to get a fucking grip. I think you can handle a drink.” Chelsea had hit pissed off and I had to make her promise not to say anything to Jason – because if I didn’t, she would.

  We got dressed in record time. I had on my frayed jean shorts, the white tank top, covered by the sheer lavender top. The belt I picked up matched nicely and the cowboy boots were just the right touch. Mila had on tight, dark skinny jeans, a red strapless top and brown cowboy boots. Her bone straight hair was thrown into a messy side braid, while Chelsea was in black shorts, a white t-shirt, and black cowboy boots. We looked pretty damn sexy, and luckily for the guys, they would be with us all night. We headed out to the living room area and found the guys, submerged in guy talk, with drinks in hand. Jason walked over and grabbed me by the hand, turned me around to get a good look at me, and whispered in my ear something dirty enough to make me blush. Mila -- Ms. Life of the Party, went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of dark liquor.

  “Alright, shots all around, pre-gaming it before Wranglers.”

  Everyone darted in Mila’s direction, and Jason gently grabbed me by the elbow.

  “No shots,” he gave a subtle warning, but from the icy glare in his eyes, I knew he was serious.

  “Why can’t I have one shot?”

  “Because you already had wine and vodka? Now you want shots? Are you going to be fucking conscious tonight – at all?”

  “I think I’ll be fine Ja…” and before I could even finish what I was trying to say, he gave me the death stare and walked towards the others in the kitchen to have a shot. As pissed off as he was making me, I couldn’t help but be slightly aroused by the fact that he looked absolutely delicious in his fitted jeans, white button up that was hanging out of his pants, and brown boots. I looked around the room and took a mental note that everyone except me was drinking. I had no desire, and would not be relegated to designated driver -- not on a night where five other people were fully, and happily intoxicated.

  “Hey… how are we getting there?” I yelled, startling them from their drunken laughter.

  “I have a driver coming to get us,” Jason yelled back.

  Mila, Ryan, and Chelsea were leading the pack on the shots, and were challenging Jason and Hunter to meet them. The five of them indulged in their shot taking, and I was watching, laughing at the fact that Hunter, who was not much of a shot taker and was spilling most of it on the counter due to lack of ability to open his throat. Hunter was more of a wine drinker and it showed.

  Within a few moments, the doorbell rang. We grabbed our things and headed out to the big black Expedition waiting in the driveway. The driver greeted Jason in a very casual manner, giving some secret handshake, and tipping his hat. He was a tall African–American man, by the name of Patrick. He was in his late 40’s, with a hint of grey in his goatee. He wore a suit, and looked impeccable in it. He opened the door and we all scrambled in. Jason and I took the very back, and he nuzzled himself into my hair, commenting on how appetizing it smelled. I reminded him that the reception my hair received from him was less than welcoming, and he apologized, saying he was just shocked by it. The response was unwarranted, and I wondered why something as silly and trivial as straightened hair would spark such a reaction.

  The ride to Wranglers was rather loud and obnoxious, and that was probably because I was the only truly sober person in the car – besides Patrick. By the time we arrived at the club, I just wanted out of the car, figuring once we were inside, they could be as loud and obnoxious as they wanted – away from me. We walked right in, right past the line. Jason high fived the bouncer at the door, and we were ushered in, past the line of people waiting to get in. I noticed Ryan and Mila holding hands as they went in and headed straight for the dance floor. It was then that I realized that there was more to them than I had previously thought. Hunter and Chelsea followed me and Jason to what looked like a cornered off VIP section. Once seated, the guys got up and yelled over the music, asking what we wanted to drink. Chelsea asked for a Whiskey Sour, and I seconded her request. The guys left and their exit gave us girls some time to chitchat.

  “So Cara, how do you like Bradley?” She watched me, looking to see if she could intimidate me into an answer.

  “I really like him. I wish I didn’t, but I do.” My answer threw her off guard, as she sat back, mouth falling open.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Just because it’s been so easy to fall for him, and so quick.” I tried to reassure her, but she didn’t look appeased.

  “And, let’s not forget the fact that he is completely, fucking overbearing.” The alcohol filled Chelsea was out in force and her angry side was starting to pour out of her. She was yelling at a level that was unnecessary, even given the loud music blaring throughout the club.

  “Chels, he isn’t that bad. Trust me, if he were, I wouldn’t be with him,” I tried to assure her, but I think I was doing a piss poor job of it. She gave me a strange look, but didn’t say anything more, instead just shook her head and allowed her silence to speak for her.

  The guys were back with the drinks, and Mila and Ryan finally joined us at the table. Ryan sat down next to me, and I finally had my long awaited opportunity to speak to my brother. I leaned over to speak in his ear, hoping that no one else would hear our conversation.

  “So, Mila? Is it serous?”

  He took a gulp of his beer, smiled, and shrugged his shoulders.

  “What happened to Grant? I haven’t talked to her since I last saw him a couple of nights ago.”

  “I don’t know. I don’t care. I asked her out, she said yes, and she has been all over me ever since. Not even going to worry about that fucker,” and he gave me that sly grin that told me that he was up to no good.

  “Ryan. Grant is a nice guy,” I scolded him in my most sincere voice.

  “Oh well, nice guys finish last,” he shrugged again, and scooted closer to Mila to start whispering something in her ear. I sat speechless and tried hard to contain my shock.

  Jason snapped me out of my trance, and questioned what had me so dazed. I lied, and told him nothing, just taking in the music, and he leaned back over to speak to Hunter. Their conversation looked quite intense, and at the end of it, they shook hands in a most business-like manner. What was that about? There was a waiter/bartender at our table asking for drink orders. The guys had just gotten us drinks so I thought having this waiter here was a waste of time. Jason thought otherwise and ordered another round of what everyone had, plus waters. The table conversations continued, the drinks arrived, and we finished them in record time.

  Mila asked a random person to snap a picture of us all with her phone. Pretty soon her inner photographer was out and she was taking pictures of the couples, the guys, and of us girls all together. She was a social network junkie, and immediately posted the pictures to ev
ery social networking site that she had an account to. My phone buzzed, informing me of a notification, and showed a notification for the pictures that I was tagged in. I tagged Jason in the picture of the two of us sitting together. He looked so sexy with the low lighting, and his tanned skin. My phone buzzed again, only this time there was a comment on the picture of us together from Jacob Bradley.

  *WOW! Can’t wait to meet her bro!*

  Jason must not have been getting notifications sent to his phone because he hadn’t checked it. He didn’t like his brother, so I wondered how this would go over. I decided not to say anything at the moment because I didn’t want to ruin what was turning out to be a pretty good night. Another round of drinks came to the table. Jason passed them out, but gave me a glass of water.

  “Drink this. You’ve had too much alcohol tonight,” he yelled over the music.

  “No I haven’t, I’m fine. I’m probably the most sober out of the crew.” I eyed him warily, knowing an argument could have been brewing, especially given the fact that he had been drinking.

  “Do I need to go over everything you’ve had tonight? Two Whiskey Sours here tonight. I’d say enough,” he said as he slid the water in front of me.

  I looked up and saw Chelsea eyeing me -- lips pursed, and I took her expression as a sign to be bold. I grabbed her drink, gulped it down, and heard Jason curse under his breath. He grabbed his beer and stalked off for the outdoor deck. Ryan and Hunter were in a deep conversation. Mila looked at us both, and then scooted in to figure out what had just happened.

  “Um, What the fuck was that?”

  Chelsea jumped in before I had an opportunity to say anything, “Bradley is pissed because Cara dared to defy him.” The sarcasm in her tone was as thick as the tension that was in the air.

  "What? With the drink?”

  I nodded my head and Mila laughed.

  “Um, okay. So drink the damn water after this drink.”

  I took that opportunity to ask Mila some questions of my own.