Beautiful Entourage (15 page)

Her eyes softened while she regarded me. They looked into mine, like they were searching for something. She tensed under my stare then unlocked the door. “Well, good night.”

“Good night, Aspen.” I wanted to hug her but I held myself back. Last time I did that, I hugged her for five minutes. I’d never done that before either. All of this was old but it was new at the same time.

She gave me a final smile before she closed the door.

I stood there for a long time before I finally walked away. I released the breath I was holding then stopped before I reached the stairs.

Aspen opened the door and yelled. “Rhett!”

I walked down the hall again. “Yeah?”

“I forgot to tell you about dinner this weekend. My dad wants to go out. That’s why I called. I just…forgot I guess.”

I hadn’t even noticed that she didn’t tell me why she called. Our conversation just took off naturally, and after talking on the phone for an hour, I invited her over for dinner where we had a great time. She never explained her purpose and I never asked for it. It just happened, like a fire naturally combusting from nothing, like the moon appearing in the sky without attracting notice, like the clouds passing overhead without further thought.

Like it was meant to happen, it did.

***

When she opened the door, I held up the bottle of maraschino cherries with a red bow on top. “Way better than flowers, right?”

She took the bottle then held it up to the light. She grinned broadly, showing all her perfect teeth. Then she brought it to her chest and hugged it like a teddy bear. “This is the best date ever.”

Her enthusiasm always made me smile. She was naturally playful, and she let that side out when she was around me. It was abundantly different than the serious side she showed when she was around her father. I wondered how many people got to see that smile and glowing eyes. “I’m glad you like them. I struggled to hand them over.”

“You always give me your cherries.”

“Somehow, I found the strength.”

She set the bottle on the counter. “As soon as this stupid dinner is over with, I’m breaking into that bottle.”

“I won’t judge you.”

“Good. Otherwise, I’d have to fire you.”

The realization that she could made me smile. “You are my boss, technically.”

“And don’t forget it.” She grabbed her clutch off the counter. She wore a pink strapless dress that stopped just above her knees. Nude pumps were on her feet, and a silver bracelet adorned her wrist. Her hair was pulled in an updo, revealing her slender neck and petite shoulders. I stared at her hard, unable to stop.

After she locked the door, she turned to me. “Ready?”

I was shattered from my gawking. “Yes.” I looked down then grinned when I noticed something interesting about her hands.

“What?” She looked down then touched her dress. “Did I spill hot sauce on my dress?”

“Hot sauce?” I asked. “Why would you spill hot sauce?”

“Well, I was eating chicken wings not that long ago…”

“Wearing that?” I asked incredulously. The image of her dressed to perfection while gnawing at a greasy chicken bone made my chest tighten in preparation for a loud laugh.

“I put on my dress first then had to do my hair. But it was wet so I had to let it dry. And I was hungry…” She pointed her finger at me. “What happened to not judging?”

“I wasn’t,” I said immediately. “I just…nevermind.”

“What?” she pressed.

I couldn’t process my thoughts into words because I didn’t really understand what I was thinking or feeling. It was more of a sensation, an awareness of how I felt. I went with the best explanation I could find. “You’re the coolest chick ever.”

“Oh.” She looked at the ground then tucked her hair behind her ear, clearly embarrassed by my words. Then she adjusted her clutch. “You’re pretty cool too…”

“Not like you,” I said. “I’m stiff and boring.”

“Are you fishing for compliments right now?” she asked. “Because it’s really annoying when people do that.”

I chuckled. “No...”

She pressed me with her look.

“Okay, maybe.”

She hit my arm playfully. “You’re the funnest person I’ve ever met. Don’t tell Harper I said that.”

I’d never gotten a compliment like that before. I usually got comments about my appearance and my physique. It was the first time someone noticed something else, and it was a nice change. “Why, thank you.”

“Are you done fishing?”

“I think I caught a pretty big one.”

“Then let’s go.” She took a step forward. “Wait, why were you staring at me like that?”

Should I tell her? “Your other nails still aren’t painted…”

She immediately looked at the nails on her right hand. “Goddammit.”

I chuckled. “I doubt anyone will notice.”

“You noticed,” she countered.

“But I was intentionally looking for it.”

“Oh well,” she said with a sigh. “It’s too late now.” She turned to me and shrugged.

When I looked into her face, I noticed something in the corner of her mouth. It was an orange spot, almost unnoticeable.

“What now?” she asked.

I tried not to laugh. “You have hot sauce in the corner of your mouth…”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course I do.” She wiped the left side of her lip.

“Other side,” I said, holding back my laugh.

She used the back of her hand to wipe the area but she missed.

Without thinking, I moved my hand to her cheek and wiped away the sauce with the pad of my thumb. When I felt her skin, warmth washed through me. Quickly, it burned and radiated everywhere. I’d never touched her this way before, and I was suddenly aware of how close we were. Her breathing was quiet a moment ago but now it was amplified, loud in my ears. Her eyes sparkled like the lights on a Christmas tree, and I was aware of the scent of peppermint on her breath. I was close, closer than I’d ever been, and like a moth to a flame, I felt like I was going to get sucked into her light even though I knew it would kill me. But I still wanted to get close.

I pulled my hand away and looked at the skin of my thumb. “There,” I said. “I got it.” I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling the buildup of unsaid words deep in my mouth.

“I’m such a slob,” she said. “Whatever.”

“Whatever?” I asked, amused.

“You know how you have flaws that you constantly try to change, but no matter what you do, you can’t get rid of them?”

“I don’t have any flaws.” I gave her a cocky grin.

She gave me a glare but the look was full of amusement. “Actually, you do. You’re a cocky son-of-a-bitch.”

“Oh.” I pretended to be surprised. “I guess there’s a first for everyone.”

She shook her head then walked away. “Let’s go and get this dinner over with. I’m starving.”

“Didn’t you just eat chicken wings?” I asked incredulously.

“Not judging, remember?”

I smiled then walked beside her, trying not to laugh.

But with her that was always difficult to manage.

***

We were a block from the restaurant when Chase called me.

“Goddammit,” I said when I looked at the screen. He could be calling me because he needed me to pick up a bag of chips or dishwasher soap, or he could be calling me because he was having a panic attack somewhere. If it was the latter, his call couldn’t come at a worse time. I wanted to ignore the call but I couldn’t.

Aspen turned her head my way. “Everything okay?”

I stopped walking and moved out of the path of walkers toward the dry cleaner shop we were standing in front of. “I’m sorry. I need to take this.”

“That’s okay.” Concern was in her eyes but she didn’t say anything more. She joined me near the building but stayed a few feet away, trying to give me privacy.

I took the call, hoping he was just inviting me over to watch the game. “Chase?” I said when I answered.

“Come get me.” His voice shook. “I’m stuck and I can’t get out.”

Now of all times? I wanted to scream and tell him I was sick of this idiotic phobia. It was controlling my life. I couldn’t move anywhere because I had to be near him, not that I wanted to, but that wasn’t the point. It was interfering with my life. I loved my brother but he didn’t have a real illness. It was all in his head. “Chase, I’m working right now.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” His voice was shaking. “I was walking down an alley when a street light came on. Now I can’t move. They’re going to get me…” Fear was heavy in his voice.

I eyed Aspen, who was watching people pass on the sidewalk, and then turned my back on her and lowered my voice. “I can’t just leave right now.”

“I know…I’m sorry. But I can’t move. I’m stuck, Rhett.”

“No, you aren’t,” I hissed into the phone. “Get up and walk away.”

“I can’t…” It came out as a shaky whisper.

“Chase, you can do this,” I said firmly. “Get up and start walking. Just go. Keep your eyes closed.”

“Please come get me,” he pleaded. “I’m sorry for calling. I wouldn’t unless I had to…”

I pinched the bridge of my nose then rubbed the area between my eyebrows. A part of me wanted to desert him and force him to figure out the situation on his own, but the other part of me was terrified something would happen to my brother. He would be mugged or beaten. If he was in an alleyway, he wasn’t safe. “Where are you?”

Relief came into his voice. “On the left side of the Chinese place we always go to.”

“I’m on my way. Just stay calm.” I hung up then turned to Aspen.

She looked at me with fear in her eyes. “Is everything alright?”

“No…” I couldn’t believe I was going to screw her over like this. I hated myself. But I couldn’t leave my brother. No matter what I decided, I abandoned someone I cared about. “I have to go. I’m sorry.”

“Why?” Surprise filled her eyes.

“My brother needs help…it’s a long story.” I knew she would be mad and tell me it was wrong for me to walk away. She paid good money for my time, and I was turning my back on her. It would piss off anyone.

“Is he okay?”

I did a double take. Did she just ask that? “I have to get him. Then he’ll be okay.”

“Let’s go.” She grabbed my arm. “Where is he?”

Wait…what?
“What about your dinner?”

“I’ll call Dad and tell him I had an emergency. I’ll put the blame on myself so he won’t dislike you.”

I couldn’t believe she was being so understanding about this. What I was doing wasn’t fair to her at all but she didn’t seem to care. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she said in an irritated voice. “Now let’s go to your brother. He needs you.”

She wanted to come with me? I didn’t want her to know I had a crazy brother but I couldn’t ditch her then tell her she couldn’t come with me. “This way.”

***

When we reached the Chinese restaurant, we turned the corner into the alleyway. Aspen looked around like she wasn’t sure what we were doing there. It was dark except for one bright streetlamp. It flooded the area between the two buildings, shining right where Chase sat against the wall, curled in a fetal position.

“Ohmygod,” Aspen said when she saw him. “Is he hurt?”

I ran over to Chase then touched his arm. “Chase, it’s me.”

He didn’t remove his arms from covering his head. “Do you have the sword?”

Aspen stopped alongside us and watched our interaction.

“I got it,” I said. “They won’t hurt you. Let’s go.”

“Are you sure?” Chase whispered. “They’re about to swarm in…”

“You’re safe,” I said. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Aspen kneeled down then rested her hand on his leg. “It’s alright, Chase.”

He flinched. “Who is that?”

“Aspen,” I said. “She’s my friend, not a shadow.”

He relaxed. “Okay…”

“Now get up.” I pulled his arm from his head. “You’re sitting in an alleyway of New York City. There’s probably pigeon vomit under you.” I tried to lighten the mood by making him laugh.

Chase groaned like he was in pain.

“Come on, man.” I pulled his arms down then started to pull him up.

Aspen stepped out of the way.

Chase slowly came to his feet then leaned against my shoulder like he was a wounded soldier. “Get me out of here.”

I supported his weight with mine then walked him out of the alleyway.

Aspen came on the other side of him then put her arm around his waist.

“They’re coming,” Chase said to me.

“No, they aren’t,” I said firmly.

We made it around the corner and to the sidewalk. Neon lights were displayed over the buildings but there were no streetlights. There were no noticeable shadows anywhere.

“Chase, you can open your eyes now.”

He popped one eye open then looked around. Then he relaxed and walked forward. He kept his arm around my shoulder like he still needed me. He was still shaken up over something he didn’t actually see.