500 Days (21 page)

What the fuck?

I sat up. I did not like Alex. Colton put
this bullshit in my head. She was the most irritating person I’d
ever met. She was always sabotaging my dates and insulting me. She
was…beautiful, confident, had a killer body, a smile that would
make any guy drop to their knees, and the most piercing green eyes.
Eyes that I just wanted to get lost in.

Fuck me.

I grunted, pulling at my hair.

How the hell did this happen?

I was in trouble.

I got up and walked out into the living room
where Colton was sitting eating a bowl of Lucky Charms. Greyson was
next to him flipping through the channels in search of something to
watch. I really did not want to do this in front of Greyson, but
what other choice did I have. “Okay, if I admit it will you help me
out?”

Colton’s lips twitched into a slow grin.
“Admit what? That you’re gay?” Greyson shrugged. “I knew it would
come out eventually.” Colton and I each gave him a punch on the
shoulder. He cowardly flinched with each hit, rubbing his sore
arms.

Colton cocked his head to the side, looking
at me. “I want to hear you say it.”

What I wouldn’t give to sock him in the jaw
and knock that smug smile off his face. I clenched my fist at my
sides. “Don’t be a dick,” I growled. Colton sat back and continued
to stuff his face while he waited. Smiling with each bite knowing
what this was doing to me.

“
Fine, I fucking like her,
okay? You happy now you stupid piece of shit?”

“
For now.” Greyson looked
from me to Colton, confused. “Casper likes Alex,” he
clarified.

Greyson dropped the remote. “Is the world
going to end? Are we all going to die?” Colton almost choked on his
cereal from laughing.

I kicked Greyson and smacked Colton. “Fuck
you both.” I grabbed my keys and left, not in the mood to get shit
from these two morons. I headed to the party shop without them, to
meet with Declan.

My plan was to help Declan
arrange the party. I convinced her to have it at Angels and Demons.
I think part of that agreement was because we were playing that
night and she knew Colton would be there. I told her I would
arrange for her to take Alex and her brothers and whoever else out
to dinner wherever they wanted. Then I would set everything up at
the club so she didn’t have to worry about it. She was a little
apprehensive about letting me take the reins but I promised her it
would be perfect. I didn’t tell her about the cat
yet
,
afraid she
might say no, but I knew Colton would probably let it slip
eventually.

“
So I have to ask. Why the
big spectacle? Why do you care so much?” I shrugged, not wanting to
admit my feelings to Declan. She would be worse than the guys. I
already got enough shit from them. Her eyes got real big and she
had that same goofy smile Colton did. “You like her, don’t you?” I
narrowed my eyes at her. “That’s why you’re trying to go out of
your way for her birthday.” She giggled and covered her mouth with
her hand.

“
Knock it off.”

She laughed. “Oh Cas, you’re in for a world
of trouble. She’s not going to give in easily. And she is nothing
like those whores you go home with.”

“
I know. That’s what makes
her so appealing. She’s nothing like any of the other girls I’ve
met.”

She grabbed my arm and pinched it. “You’re
damn straight she’s not and I swear to god if you do anything to
hurt her I will cut off your dick and shove it so far up your ass
you’ll be pissing out of your mouth.”

“
Ow, okay. Jesus, Declan.”
She backed down, her cheery smile returning. I rubbed my arm,
feeling a bruise form.

“
What are your intentions
with Alex?”

“
I don’t know?” I flinched
and held up my hands. She eyed me. “I mean, I like her, but like
you said she’s different. She’s not a one night stand type of girl
and I don’t want her to be.”

“
Give her time to come
around. Show her the real Casper. The one who’s not a drunk or a
womanizer.”

Easier said than done.

After my confession to Declan, my sudden
feelings for Alex started to become like a second skin. From the
first day I met her I always knew there was something about her.
She stole my heart the moment she first glared at me with those
green eyes. At the time I just didn’t know it. And now that I did,
I was terrified. Declan assured me Alex wasn’t as tough as she came
off and most of it was an act. But I had a feeling I had a long way
to go before I could break down Alex’s walls. I was happy to know
Declan seemed okay with my infatuation with Alex and even offered
me a few pointers.

We parted ways and I was finally feeling
good about this weekend.

Chapter 10

Alexis

“
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Declan
cheered, jumping up and down on my bed. I craned my neck to look at
the time. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was reading it
right.

“
Is it really two-thirty
in the afternoon?” I asked, still a little groggy.

“
Yes, which is why I woke
you. One of your birthday gifts was to let you sleep in,” she
smiled. “But now it’s time to get up.”

“
Why thank you. I have to
say, so far, best present.” I stretched my arms above my head.
Declan was still on my bed with a goofy grin on her face. “You’re
not going to make me run are you? Because that would be
mean.”

“
No,” she smacked my leg.
“I’ve got a whole day of relaxation planned for us.”

“
Sounds
perfect.”

“
Good, get
dressed.”

“
Where are we going? To
me, relaxing would be lying in bed all day.”

“
Yes but this is better.
So let’s go.”

“
Can I at least eat first,
shower?”

“
Quickly, our appointment
is at four.” Appointment? I didn’t like the sound of that. I
skipped the shower and grabbed a bowl of Captain Crunch. I told
Declan she couldn’t rag on me because it was my birthday. She
agreed that I would get a full twenty-four hours free of lectures,
disappointed looks, and nagging. So far this was turning out to be
a pretty good way to wake up on my birthday.

“
Here, I almost forgot.
These were delivered for you this morning.” She placed a decorative
vase of brightly colored wild flowers on the kitchen
counter.

“
Who are they
from?”

She shrugged. “Maybe one of your
brothers?”

“
Really D, none of them
would send me flowers. I’d be lucky if I even got a card from any
of them.” I looked through the beautiful arrangement and found a
card stuffed in the center. I opened up the card.

Happy Birthday
Katherine.

A pre-apology gift – just
in case.

Casper

I laughed and handed Declan the card. “I
have to say this is a first.”

“
Casper sending a girl
flowers or apologizing in advance for something he may or may not
do?” I asked.

“
Both,” Declan smiled. “I
think it’s sweet.”

I rolled my eyes. “So where are we going?”
She didn’t answer me. Instead she just grinned slyly and pulled me
out to the car. I nervously buckled my seatbelt, not one for
surprises.

When we pulled up to the downtown spa I was
more than happy to oblige to her gift. Declan treated us both to
massages, manicures and pedicures. She even told me we had an
appointment to get our hair and makeup done. I was thankful for the
makeup, hoping they could cover up what was left of this black and
blue eye. I wondered where Declan had come up with the money for
all of this and when I questioned her, her reply was that she was
saving up. I let it go, not wanting to ruin what was becoming a
pretty good day.

After we finished at the spa, Declan drove
us home so we could finish getting ready for tonight. I laid out my
outfit on the bed and placed my new shoes in front of it on the
floor. Then I carefully pulled up my hair and took a quick bath.
Once dressed, I smoothed out the fabric, and slipped my newly
painted pink toes into my shoes. I grabbed my favorite black and
white checkered clutch and waited for Declan in the living room. I
had no idea why she wasn’t ready yet. All she had to do was get
dressed.

Twenty minutes later we were heading to the
restaurant to meet my brothers. I did a double take when we pulled
up to Echo. Echo was the very new and very exclusive restaurant in
town. From what I heard there was a two month waiting list just to
get reservations and not to mention how expensive it was. “Declan,
um…no offense, but we can’t afford this place.”

“
Relax, I got it covered.”
She pulled up to the valet and got out of the car. I hesitated a
moment not sure, but I knew I could trust her so I opened up my
door and followed her inside. I was a little worried for the fact I
knew this place had a dress code and Jasper was the jeans and
t-shirt type guy. I don’t even think he owned a tie. We walked
under the bright blue awning where two men dressed in suits opened
up two large, gray, tinted doors. Jasper, Jaxson, and Jacob were
already waiting in the seating area when we arrived. I had to hide
my giggle. Jasper was wearing a long sleeved, blue dress shirt,
black slacks, and a tie. His curls were semi contained and he
looked very uncomfortable. Jacob and Jaxson were dressed similar,
but managed to pull off the look a lot better than
Jasper.

Declan cleared her throat and the boys
looked up. Jaxson stood up and smiled. “Happy Birthday sis.”

“
Happy Birthday Jax.” I
returned his hug with a smile. I turned to Jasper next and the
warning look he gave me was enough to know he was not happy about
having to dress up. “Jas, don’t you look handsome.”

“
I’m only doing this for
you, you know.” He tugged at his tie, showing his
discomfort.

I readjusted it for him. “Stop fidgeting and
thank you.”

“
Happy Birthday,” he
grumbled. “And you look…well, you look older.” I let
it go knowing that would be the best compliment I
would get from him.

“
So D, who’d you blow to
get a table here?” I smacked Jaxson on the shoulder while Jasper
laughed. She ignored them both and walked up to the hostess. We
were seated at a table near the back. I picked up the menu and
cringed at the prices.

I leaned in close to Declan and whispered,
“Declan, I don’t think we’ll be able to afford anything here.”

“
Don’t worry about it.
It’s covered.”

“
Okay seriously, who are
you sleeping with?”

She kicked me under the table. I let out a
quiet yelp. “It’s being taken care of.”

“
By who?”

“
I can’t tell you.” I eyed
her warily. “I promise it’s all good. Just order whatever you
want.”

We ended up having a lovely dinner and I was
pleased. Declan had already told me ahead of time that the party
was at work and I was perfectly fine with that.

We arrived an hour before the band was about
to perform. The place was packed, but Declan had it arranged so we
had our own private area. There were purple and silver balloons,
streamers and beautifully decorated center pieces on the four
tables they had reserved just for us. Along with a banner that read
happy birthday Alex and Jaxson. There were two buckets; one was
filled with champagne while the other had a full bottle of Patron.
Declan suggested I drink beer because she warned me ahead of time I
would be consuming several shots. I was a little apprehensive but
she promised she wouldn’t let me do anything – or anyone – stupid.
I took a seat at the table.

“
Happy Birthday Alexis,”
Casper said over my shoulder. He said my name. My real name and not
some nickname he made up to insult me with.

The sound of my name from his lips was like
a smooth melody. No one called me Alexis, but when he did, I wanted
him to say it again. “Thank you and thank you for the flowers that
was…nice.”

“
You’re welcome. How was
your dinner?” I looked at him suspiciously, but he gave away no
tell.

“
It was very
nice.”

“
Good, I’m glad. Well, I
don’t want to take up too much of your time, enjoy your party.” He
turned to walk away, but I stopped him.

“
Stay. I know you have to
go on soon, but maybe you can help me with all these shots that are
getting thrown at me.”

“
That, I can do.” He
smiled and extended an arm to me. I graciously took it and led him
to the table of waiting shots. He was acting slightly strange and I
was curious to know if it had anything to do with the kiss last
weekend. I thought about playing it off like it never happened. To
me that was easiest way to go, but every time I looked at Casper
the only thing I could think about was his lips on mine and the way
he made me feel. I convinced myself it was all the alcohol we drank
that night and it was better to not bring it up. I knew the best
way to deal with Casper was play with him like I always
did.

He strolled over to the bucket of champagne
and gestured for one of the workers to help him. Casper popped the
cork and poured everyone a glass. He raised his flute to make a
toast.

“
Happy Birthday to Jaxson
and Alex,” he paused, meeting my eyes. I suddenly felt
self-conscious under his stare. “May all your wishes come true,” he
finished, never taking his eyes off mine. I downed my entire glass
of champagne making him smile.