500 Days (36 page)

I took a step back. Declan was my number one
supporter and now all of a sudden she was on team Reece. When the
hell did that happen? “You were the one who kept telling me to go
for it and not give up. You said she was just stubborn and
eventually she would come around and now you’re telling me to give
up?”

“
No. Yes. It’s just that
it’s not the right time. She needs a good guy who will take care of
her and –”

“
I’m not a good guy? You
think I won’t take care of her?” I tried to keep my temper in
check. Declan was right. This was not what I wanted to
hear.

“
No that’s not it I…this
is coming out all wrong. The timing is just off.”

“
No shit. I waited too
long and now she’s dating that douche bag. I think the timing
couldn’t be more perfect for me to say something now.” I walked
away then. I heard enough of their
‘opinion’
. I ran into Jaxson and
Jacob in the kitchen.

“
Yo Cas, what’s up?” Jacob
patted me on the shoulder.

“
Hey Jake, enjoying the
party?” His grin widened, telling me that he definitely was. “I’d
ease up on that beer. Your ass is going to be cleaning up this mess
in the morning.” His smile faded and Jaxson laughed. “Don’t worry,
you won’t be alone.” I slapped Jaxson on the back and he
frowned.

“
Fuck,” he muttered to
himself.

“
Enjoy boys, but not too
much.” I went to make my way out to the back when Jaxson followed
me.

“
Hey, I wanted to say
sorry about Alex.” I looked at him funny. “I know you like her.” I
opened my mouth to deny it, but there was no point. “It’s cool. I
won’t bust your shit. I’m not as bad as the rest of my brothers and
you’re pretty cool in my book, but I also know she seems to really
like Reece and she deserves to be happy.”

“
Who says she won’t be
happy with me?” He folded his arms across his chest. “You’re right.
I like Alex, a lot. I was just too chicken to admit it, but I
refuse to believe I missed my chance. They only started dating a
week ago. It’s not like he’s going to ask her to marry him in the
next few days.”

“
Look, I’m all for you
dating my sister, but I also care more about her being happy and
right now Reece makes her happy.”

“
I understand that, but I
can’t just give up.”

“
I respect that. Just
don’t do anything stupid,” he said with a warning.

“
That, I can’t promise.” I
gave him a tap on the arm and took off for the outside. The cool
blast of fresh air felt good. It helped clear the fog that was
clogging my brain. I was confused more than ever. Jaxson knew I
liked Alex and he was okay with it. My number one fan, Declan, was
starting to root for the other team. I was having doubts. Maybe I
should just leave Alex be. I wasn’t exactly relationship material,
but for Alex I would try. I would do anything for her. As if my
thoughts summoned her, there she was. She was walking up to the
party, hand in hand with Reece. She looked absolutely stunning. She
was wearing a little black dress and knee high boots. She was
smiling as Reece escorted her into the house. At that moment I knew
without a doubt that she was the only one I wanted.

I made my way back inside. I found her
talking to Declan, laughing, and having a good time. I decided to
stay back for a moment before I went over to say hi. Reece
whispered something to her and then walked away. I took this
opportunity to go talk to her. I snuck up behind her and wrapped my
arms around her making her jump. “Cas, you scared me.”

“
Sorry,” I said, pulling
back, but keeping a hand on her hip. “You want a drink?”

“
Reece just went to get us
something.” I nodded. Declan gave me a nasty look.
‘What?’
I mouthed,
shrugging innocently.

She turned her attention back to Alex. “Did
you introduce him to Jacob and Jaxson yet?”

“
I thought I would wait a
little bit. At least until they had some drinks in
them.”

“
I don’t think it will be
that bad. You should just probably get it over with.”

“
Maybe you’re right. Where
are they?”

“
Why rush? I’m sure they
can meet him later,” I suggested.

She let out a soft breath. “You’re right. It
can wait.”

Reece had returned with their drinks. “Hey
Casper, so I heard you recently became celibate,” Reece smirked
behind his cup.

Alex threw her head back laughing. “Casper,
celibate, yeah okay. That would be like saying the Pope’s not
catholic.”

“
Word was you turned down
Hailey Bates,” Reece said with a smug smile on his face. I’m not
sure what game he was playing at
,
but this was one battle he wasn’t going to
win.

“
Who’s that?” Alex
asked.

“
The town whore,” Declan
growled.

“
I prefer a challenge,” I
said, looking directly at Alex. “Not someone who’s been around the
block more times than I have.”

“
I thought you weren’t
picky?” Declan teased. I narrowed my eyes at her. Thankfully Jaxson
had spotted Alex and came over to say hi, breaking the semi
uncomfortable conversation.

Jaxson gave Alex a
hug
,
soon
followed by Jacob who joined us. Reece’s face looked somewhat
upset. He leaned down close to Alex. “Should I be worried that you
seem to know more of my fraternity brothers than I do?”

She placed her hand on his arm. “Oh no,” she
blushed slightly. “This is Jaxson and Jacob. They’re my actual
brothers.” Reece’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. He shook
both their hands and introduced himself. I folded my arms over my
chest, waiting for the stare down with her brothers. Jacob was the
first to give Reece the once over.

“
What are your intentions
with my sister?”

Alex smacked him in the chest and I had to
hide my smile. “Jacob, knock it off.” She turned to Reece looking
mortified. “I’m sorry, just ignore him.”

“
It’s okay,” Reece told
her, wrapping an arm around her. “Jacob, I understand your need to
protect your sister and I promise you my intentions are only good.”
He smiled down sweetly at Alex. I laughed, making Alex glare at
me.

Jacob took a step forward and got in his
face. He was only an inch shorter than Reece but gave one hell of
an intimidating look. “You can wipe that smile off your face. I’m
telling you now. I’ll be watching you.” Alex buried her head in her
hands as Jacob walked away with Jaxson.

“
I understand if you want
to leave me,” she told Reece.

He pulled her in close. “Is this why you
were so nervous at dinner? Because you thought your brothers would
scare me off?” She nodded. “You have nothing to worry about. It
would take an army to keep me away from you.” He bent down and
kissed her. Not realizing what I was doing, I took a step forward.
Colton put a hand on my arm and shook his head at me. My shoulders
sagged and I took a step back.

“
You haven’t met Jack and
Jasper yet,” she told him.

“
I’m not worried,” he
smiled and gave her another kiss. Not able to take it anymore I
took off in search of a drink.

*************************************************************************

“
Hey, you doing okay?”
Declan asked.

“
What do you
care?”

“
Casper, you’re starting
to look like the creeper who lurks in the dark corners waiting for
his next victim.”

“
I’m not lurking,” I
snapped. “I’m observing, in private.”

“
Same thing,” she said
rolling her eyes. “Why don’t you come over and talk to Reece and
then you can see he’s not a bad guy?”

“
You know what?” I smiled.
“That sounds like an excellent idea.” I finished off my beer and
threw the empty bottle in the trash.

“
Wait…Casper,” Declan
warned.

I made a detour to the kitchen and grabbed a
beer and a tray of freshly made shots. “I just finished making
those,” one of the pledges complained.

“
Well then you better get
to work on making more,” I said, spinning around. I marched right
up to Alex, Reece, and Colton. Declan was hot on my tail, ready to
take me down. “Shots,” I offered, holding out the tray.

“
No man, I’m good,” Reece
declined.

“
Alex?”

“
Maybe I shouldn’t.” She
looked to Reece for his opinion. She was actually trying to get his
approval? What the fuck?

“
It’s okay. I’m driving. I
want you to enjoy yourself.” He smiled, encouraging her. He
probably was hoping to get her drunk so he could take advantage of
her – dick.

Alex was just about to take the shot when
Declan showed up. She barreled through everyone almost knocking
Colton over. She was panting. “Declan, are you okay?” Alex
asked.

She glared at me before she answered. “Yes,
fine.”

“
Shot?” I offered one to
her. She took it and slammed the glass down, eyeing me
suspiciously. Colton looked at her funny, she just shook her head.
I set the tray aside and handed a shot to everyone but Reece. I
raised my glass. “To a good night with good friends,” I said,
throwing back the green, minty liquid.

“
Mmm, what was that? It
tasted like mint chocolate chip ice cream,” Alex asked.

“
You like?”

“
A lot,” she smiled,
licking her lips.

“
There’s plenty more where
that came from.” I pointed to the tray. She hesitated, looking at
Reece. I so badly wanted to punch this guy. “Come on, you’re not
driving.”

“
Oh, what the hell,” she
said, taking another shot.

“
So Reece, what was it
like at your other chapter?”

“
Oh, you know, not much
different than here.”

“
So you were bagging
chicks every weekend then?”

Alex almost choked on her beer.
“Casper.”

“
Nah, I wasn’t like most
of the brothers. The only reason I actually even joined was because
of my father.” I knew Reece was bullshitting and I had a feeling he
knew I was trying to call him out on his shit. I would have to try
another tactic because he would be ready with an answer.

“
What you majoring
in?”

“
Animal
science.”

“
Reece is going to be
veterinarian,” Alex gleamed, leaning into to him. He smiled down at
her and kissed her temple.

“
What about you Casper?
What’s your major?”

“
I like to keep my options
open.”

“
He’s undecided,” Alex
said, rolling her eyes.

“
There’s nothing wrong
with that. Not everybody knows what they want to do. Some people it
takes a little longer to figure it out.”

Declan and him discussed the classes they
had together and then Colton and Reece discussed music. Apparently
Reece’s dad was some big music producer. Big whoop. I zoned out
somewhere about ten minutes ago, but Alex was hanging on to his
every word. Five more minutes with this guy and I was ready to hang
myself. I needed a shot and something good. Not the weenie shit we
had earlier. “Anyone need a refill?”

“
No thank you. I have to
head out soon,” Reece said. The look on Alex’s face said she wasn’t
aware of this.

“
You have to
leave?”

“
Sorry, I thought I told
you? My dad is flying down for a visit. I have to be at the airport
early tomorrow to pick him up. I didn’t think you would
mind.”

“
No…it’s okay.”

My mood suddenly picked up. “Don’t worry,
brother,” I slapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll take good care of
her.”

“
I wasn’t planning on
leaving her,” he turned to Alex. “Unless you want to
stay?”

She bit her bottom lip, contemplating. “My
brothers are here and Declan and I would like to keep an eye on
them. I hope you don’t mind?”

“
No, of course not,” he
said, forcing a smile. “I guess I’ll talk to you later then.” I
couldn’t hide the smile on my face. He bent down and gave her a
kiss on the lips. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Once he was gone, I pulled Alex into the
kitchen ready to have some fun. “Cas, what are you doing?”

I searched through the bottles until I found
what I was looking for. “Success,” I said when I found it. I
grabbed the salt and lemons next. “Come on Alex, it’s time we had
some fun.” I pulled her into the next room where they were playing
a drinking game. “You know how to play?”

She took the bottle out of my hand and had a
seat at the table. “Alright, best out of three. Loser takes a
walk.” She picked up the quarter and bounced it off the table. I
watched as it clinked inside the glass. She smiled and winked at
me. I loved this girl.

I pulled up a chair and joined her.

We made our rounds to all the different
games. Alex was kicking ass. “Is there anything you’re not good
at?”

“
Nope,” she smiled.
“What’s next?” She was ready for the next game and a little
tipsy.

“
Darts?” She clapped
excitedly and I escorted her downstairs to where the dart board
was. When I opened the door to the downstairs game room we walked
right in to a cloud of smoke.