500 Days (11 page)

I knew he used girls for his own
gratification and I would be damned if I allowed myself to be one
of those girls. Guys didn’t use me. I used them. That was the way I
worked and I preferred it that way. Better to be the heartbreaker
than the one who gets their heart broken.

Frustrated with myself for letting my mind
get away from me, I got up to grab a beer from the fridge. Jasper’s
eyes turned down in disapproval. I brushed him off and popped the
cap. I needed to erase my mind of these thoughts.

After the movie, I had a hard time falling
asleep, plus Declan talks in her sleep. I snuck out and stole one
of Jasper’s smokes, then I headed outside. Not two minutes later I
was busted. Jack took a seat next to me and took the cigarette out
of my hand. “When did this start?”

“
I usually only have one
or two when I drink or sometimes when I’m really stressed.” He took
a puff and exhaled like it was the best thing ever. “I didn’t know
you smoked.”

“
I don’t,” he said,
handing it back to me. “Not anymore…and this is going to stop. I
quit for a reason. I don’t want you picking up my bad
habits.”

“
Jack, one or two a month
is not exactly a habit.”

“
That’s what I said.” I
exhaled, watching the smoke disperse into the air above me. “Now,
care to tell me what’s got you so stressed?”

“
I’m not stressed.” He
pulled back and tilted his head down, his eyes telling me he could
read my bullshit a mile away. I let out a long sigh. “I just worry
a lot.”

“
About what?”

“
Jacob starting college in
the fall, you being away…mom.”

His body stiffened at my last confession,
but he didn’t dare touch the subject. “Jacob will do fine. He’s
going to the same school as you and Jax so you both can keep an eye
on him, but don’t smother him.” He eyed me. I put my hands up
innocently. “Jacob can handle a lot more than you think he can. He
just needs some time to grow.”

“
But what about you?” I
asked softly.

He threw an arm over my shoulder. “You worry
too much.” He didn’t say anything to lessen my concern or to let me
know he would be alright, which made me think he wasn’t so sure
himself. Jack never lied to us. He just avoided the answer. But
right now I needed an answer. I needed to know he was coming back
in a few months even if he felt it might be a lie. “Anything else
bothering you?”

I figured I’d change the subject. “Declan
set me up on some blind date without my permission,” I grumbled.
Jack tried to hide his smile. “It’s not funny.”

“
Don’t be mad at
Declan. She’s just trying to help.”

“
So you think I’m too
pathetic to find my own dates too?”

“
No, but it wouldn’t hurt
to have someone push you in the right direction.”

“
What’s that supposed to
mean?”

“
I’ve heard about some of
your dates.” He gave me his stern, older brother look. I stifled an
eye roll. “It would be nice to know you have someone to take care
of you.”

“
I don’t need anyone to
take care of me. I can take care of myself.”

“
So I’ve noticed,” he
smiled. “It would still be nice to know you’re not all
alone.”

“
I’m not alone. I have you
guys.”

“
Alex, that’s not what I
meant.”

“
I know, but Jack, I’m
only twenty. I have plenty of time to worry about that stuff
later.”

“
I know. I just want to
make sure you don’t miss out on any opportunities. Promise me
something Alex,” I turned to look in his worry filled eyes.
“Promise me that you’ll take chances. Don’t let life pass you by.
Do what you can while you can.”

I didn’t like where this conversation was
going. It made me think he didn’t believe he was coming back. “I
promise Jack,” I said to ease his mind.

He pulled me in tight for a hug. “I love
you.”

“
I love you
too.”

“
Come on, let’s go in and
get some sleep. You look like shit.”

I laughed. “Gee, thanks.” He smiled and held
out a hand to help me up. My hand felt so small in comparison to
his. I flashed back to the first day of school, after the incident,
when Jack dropped me off. I hesitated outside the castle-like
building, afraid to go inside. Jaxson tugged on Jack’s hand not
able to wait. He told Jaxson to go play while he talked to me. He
bent down so he was eye level. “Alex, you have nothing to be afraid
of. I promise. Jaxson will be right there with you and when you’re
done I will be right here in this spot waiting for you.” I nodded
my tiny head. “And remember, don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do
something and if anyone bothers you or gives you any shit, you tell
me and I will take care of it, okay?” I nod again, giggling. He
creased his brows at me not thinking this was funny.

“
You swore,” I
whispered.

“
Oh, I did, didn’t I? I
guess I need to work on that. Don’t repeat that.”

“
I know.”

“
Alex, you are the bravest
girl I know and you can handle anything. I have a feeling one day
you’re going to surprise us all.” He smiled proud and gave me a
kiss on the forehead. Then he called Jaxson back over to us. “Jax,
watch out for your sister.”

“
Got it,” Jaxson said,
saluting him. Then he took my hand and led me into the school. I
looked back to see Jack waving goodbye to us. I got into a fight
that same day with one of my classmates. I gave one of the boys a
bloody nose for talking bad about my family and picking on Jaxson.
When Jack was called into the school to come get me, he had a hard
time keeping the smile off of his face, not helping the
situation.

“
I had a feeling I didn’t
have to worry about you,” he told me.

That was one of the few memories I loved the
most about Jack. He was always looking out for us, putting us
before all his wants and needs. “Goodnight Alex.”

“
Good night
Jack.”

In the morning there was a somber feel in
the air. No one wanted to say goodbye to Jack. We all went to
breakfast together and then took him to the airport. The two hour
drive felt like the longest two hours of my life. I’ve been here
before. The first time Jack left. This time was even harder. I
hugged him tightly to my chest not caring that everyone could see
me cry. “Be brave Alex,” he whispered.

“
Always,” I whispered
back. Then I stepped aside so the rest of my brothers could say
their goodbyes. Unable to keep the tears from falling, Jaxson stood
by my side to hold me up. Then we all waved goodbye to Jack. We
stood, huddled close together, watching him walk to his gate. He
turned around and gave us one last look and an amazing
smile.

When we could no longer see him, Jasper
pulled us away and to the car. We rode the two hours home in
silence.

We made it back just in time for my
appointment with Colby so Declan dropped me off at the tattoo shop.
“Are you gonna be okay?”

I had my hand on the handle. “Yeah,” I said,
my voice weak. I was afraid to meet her eyes for fear of crying
again.

She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I
didn’t make any other plans today. Do you want me to come with
you?”

I turned and gave a small, but genuine
smile. “That would be great.” She turned off the car and joined me
inside. I sat in the waiting room with Declan while Colby set
everything up. I was originally looking forward to this but not so
much anymore.

When Colby was ready we headed back into his
room. He pulled me aside. “We can do this another day if you’re not
up to it?” he offered.

“
Thanks, but I just rather
do it today if that’s alright.”

“
It’s fine,” he smiled,
resting a hand on my lower back and leading me into the room. I
felt this would be a nice distraction from this morning.

After the initial outline was finished, he
asked me what colors I wanted the flowers to be. Without hesitation
I said, “I want each one to be a different color. I want them to be
the birthstone colors of my brothers.” Colby and Declan smiled at
me, letting me know that was a wise choice.

Chapter 7

Casper

Colton was so worked up he was getting on my
last nerve. He already showered twice because he was sweating so
badly. He spent about an hour on his hair which was ridiculous
because it was shorter than mine. All he had to do was throw some
gel in it, but he couldn’t decide if he should spike it up and wear
it messy or down and flat. He was acting like a fucking girl. He
changed his outfit three times and on top of it he was yelling at
me to get ready. We had another hour and half before we had to meet
the girls and it would take me twenty minutes to shower and get
ready. I told him if he didn’t sit down and stop being a bitch I
would ditch his ass. I shoved a beer in his hand and told him to
relax.

By the time I showered,
threw on jeans and a
t-shirt, and ran my
hands through my messy Mohawk, Colton had downed three beers. He
was just about to open his fourth when I stopped him. “Showing up
drunk is kind of a turnoff for girls.” I put the bottle back in the
fridge. “I’m driving.”

“
I can drive.”

“
I’m not worried because
you were drinking. I’m worried because your pansy ass is gonna
freak out all the way there and I don’t want to get into an
accident because you’re a pussy.”

“
You’re a real dick. You
know that?”

“
Yes, but I’m a dick with
a pretty face.”

On the drive to the pub, Colton rubbed his
hands on his pants several times to wipe away the sweat, and then
he would run his hands through his hair. Every stop he would pull
down the visor and check out his hair and then slam the visor back
up. “You break my visor I’m going to beat your ass.”

“
Sorry,” he mumbled,
tucking his hands under his armpits.

When we got to the pub, the girls still
weren’t there yet, so we decided to wait at the bar. Colton ordered
a beer trying to calm his nerves. When he downed half the bottle in
five minutes, I took it from him and ordered him a water. Colton’s
phone beeped with a text from Declan. “They’re running about
fifteen minutes late.”

“
Well at least you don’t
have to worry anymore about her not showing.”

“
You’re not helping,” he
grumbled, taking his beer back and finishing it off. “I’m gonna
take a piss.”

Not long after Colton returned, the girls
had arrived. I saw Declan first and elbowed Colton. He turned
around and wore the same goofy smile she did. I didn’t see anyone
with her and I was beginning to think the other girl decided not to
come. I wouldn’t be upset. The bartender was eyeing me since I got
here so I had a backup plan, that was until I saw who joined
Declan. I laughed out loud and turned around, taking a long sip of
my beer. Colton gave me a dirty look for laughing. I couldn’t wait
to see the look on her face when I turned around. Declan and her
friend had now joined us at the bar. Colton got up, being the
gentleman he is. “Hey Declan, Alex,” Colton hit me in the side,
clearing his throat. I took a sip of my beer and slowly turned
around. “Alex this is –”

“
You got to be fucking
kidding me.” Her face turned into an instant scowl, but me, I
couldn’t stop smiling.

“
I take it you’ve met
before?” Colton said nervously.

She gave Declan the nastiest look. “I swear
I didn’t know,” Declan whispered.

“
Yeah, we met,
unfortunately,” Alex said, crossing her arms over her chest. Colton
stood there, not quite sure what to do. Alex pulled Declan aside
and had a few angry words with her. I couldn’t hear what they were
saying, but basically Alex was pissed and did not want to be here.
After a stomp of her foot, Declan turned her back around, and
smiled sweetly at us.

“
Shall we get a table?” I
stood up to give Declan a hug. She whispered in my ear, “I swear to
god if you try any of your bullshit I will castrate you.” When she
pulled back she still had the sweet smile. I gestured for the
ladies to go first. Alex shot me a look of disgust.

Colton stopped me. “Don’t be a dick,” he
growled. I put my hands up in surrender. I have yet to say anything
and already I’m getting chewed apart. This was going to be a long,
fucking night.

When we got our table, I did the gentlemanly
thing and pulled out a chair for Alex, but of course, she chose the
next chair over just to spite me. I stifled a groan and had a seat.
I leaned back and gave Alex the once over. She had on a jean skirt
and black tank top that cut low on her back. Her hair was pulled up
into a messy bun on top of her head, no doubt to keep it off the
new ink she had on her shoulders. She wore minimal makeup, but man,
she was still sexy. “Are you seriously trying to check out my ass
right now?”

I sat forward in my chair. Both Colton and
Declan gave me the look of death. “I was actually checking out your
new artwork, but now that you mention it,” I leaned back again. She
tried to turn away. “Nah, too flat for my taste. But no worries,
not everyone is an ass man. I’m sure there’s someone out there who
likes that kind of thing.” I lied, but I wasn’t going to give her
the satisfaction. She actually had a very nice, round ass. Not too
big not too small, but just right.