500 Days (44 page)

We played a great set and
I was on a high as I walked back into the dressing room. Everything
came to a crashing holt when I saw her standing there, restocking
our liquor supply. She was the last person I expected to see but so
happy she was there. She heard us return and looked up. Seeing me
made her finish up quicker. The guys piled in, including Jacob and
Jaxson. Alex rolled her eyes at her brothers and exchanged a few
words. By the tone of her voice and the expression on her
face
,
I knew it
wasn’t a friendly chat. I caught Jaxson and Jacob roll their eyes a
few times. Alex smacked them both. I made a judgment call and
decided to intercept.

“
Is there something I can
help with?”

Alex glared at me and laughed before she
turned back to her brothers. “I’ll be watching you both,” she
warned before she left.

I turned to the boys for an explanation.
“Alex just being Alex,” Jaxson replied.

“
Someone needs to remind
her she’s our sister not our mother,” Jacob complained. I heard
Alex arguing with someone and then returned to the dressing room
with another bucket of beer. “Jas, it’s about time you got
here.”

“
Look, I don’t need any
trouble tonight. So you stooges better behave,” Alex said, slamming
the bucket down on the table and walking out again. This time I
followed her.

“
Alex, wait.” I caught up
to her in three long strides. I spun her around to face me.
“Alex…I’m sorry.”

She ripped her arm away from me. “You got a
lot of nerve.”

“
Alex, just please hear me
out. I’m sorry. I was a dick. I overreacted. I was drunk and
thought I saw something…I just didn’t want to see you get
hurt.”

“
The funny thing is
Casper. You’re the one who hurt me.” She turned to walk
away.

“
Alex, please.”

“
I don’t have time for
this Casper. I have to get back to work.” I let her go. When I
turned around I had a crowd of spectators. My band mates and Alex’s
brothers were all standing there watching me.

“
That…was pathetic, dude,”
Jasper said while Jacob and Jaxson tried to hide their laughs. “If
I would have known you would end up having a thing for my sister I
would have beat your ass that first day in the tattoo shop. But
lucky for you, I kind of like you and surprisingly I think you
would be good for Alex. Someone needs to pry that stick out of her
ass.” I just stared at Jasper, dumbfounded. “Wipe that stupid-ass
look off your face. We don’t have a lot of time.” Jasper walked
back into the room, Jacob and Jaxson following closely
behind.

“
What the fuck just
happened?” Greyson shrugged, as clueless as I was. “And how is it
that everyone knows I like Alex, except for Alex?”

Our last set ended around
twelve. We packed up our equipment and headed to the frat house for
the party. Jasper stayed behind with Alex because she didn’t get
off until one. She insisted he didn’t have to stay because Reece
was picking her up which just made Jasper stress how he
needed
to stay. I
couldn’t help but get a little joy out of seeing Alex
squirm.

Jacob tried to convince Colton to drive them
to the frat house so he could drink. “Uh-ah lil’ bro. You got
drafted for DD so suck it up,” Jaxson laughed, shoving the keys at
him. Jacob rolled his eyes and got in, starting the car. “See ya in
ten,” Jaxson called as they peeled out of the parking lot.

The second we got to the house, I headed
straight for the beer and tequila. “You’re not going to win over
Alex if you’re drunk,” Declan said, tearing the tequila from my
hands.

“
Where the hell did you
come from?”

Colton came around the corner and wrapped an
arm around the little devil. Declan cuddled close to him letting me
know they kissed and made up. “And why the hell does she get in on
our little plan?”

“
I’m here to make sure you
don’t fuck up again.”

“
How do I know you’re not
gonna change your mind again?” She scrunched her brow at me. “One
minute your all for me being with Alex and then the next you’re
telling me to move on.”

“
Well if you would stop
being an ass I wouldn’t have to keep changing my mind.”

I glared at her. “Why change your mind
now?”

“
The boys approached me
and if they think something is off with Reece, I have to believe
they’re right.”

“
You believe them, but not
me?” I said defensively.

“
Casper, they’re my
cousins. Of course I’m gonna believe them.”

I shook my head and walked away. I didn’t
need the stress of Declan’s Jekyll and Hyde personality. I couldn’t
even be happy about her joining our side. She had a habit of
changing her mind. I made my way through the party. I had no idea
where I was going to even start or how we were going to prove this.
I knew Reece would slip up eventually. Cheaters always did.

I was about to make my way back around when
I bumped into someone. I recognized him right away, even with his
stupid costume. He was dressed up as Zorro. “Hey Casper,” Reece
coughed, taking a step away from the girl he was ‘talking’ to.

“
Where’s Alex?” I asked,
eyeing the blonde who kept inching her way closer. She looked oddly
familiar. But then again most chicks looked all the same to
me.

“
On her way.”

“
I thought you were
picking her up?”

“
Not that it’s any of your
business
,
but she
told me not to worry about it. She would have one of her brothers
drop her off since she had to work late.”

“
I guess she didn’t want
to interrupt your fun.” My eyes moved to the blonde.

“
What the hell is that
supposed to mean?” he said, taking a step closer to me.

“
It’s just a matter of
time before she sees you for the jackass you really
are.”

“
And let me guess. You’re
going to be the guy to prove it?” He laughed. “Casper Covington is
going to swoop in and save the day.” I crossed my arms tightly
across my chest. “The only problem with that scenario is who is
going to save her from you.” My arms dropped. Reece took another
step closer. “What are you going to do this time? Tattle on me
again?” he smiled smugly. “I have to thank you for that one. You
drove her right into my arms and gave me a perfect opening.” He
threw an arm over the blonde’s shoulders. “I can do what I want and
she will never believe a word you say.”

I clenched my fists at my sides. Reece
laughed, tugging the blonde as he walked past me. My rage grew. It
started in the pit of my stomach working its way up and cutting off
all oxygen to my brain. My head spun and my body reacted without my
permission. I lurched forward and turned Reece around. I didn’t
even give him the chance to glare at me. My fist was flying at his
jaw. The blonde screamed. Reece only stumbled. He stood up straight
and wiped the blood from his lip. “I’m going to fucking enjoy
this,” he said, tackling me, and knocking me into the wall.

I thrust a fist into his side. He barely
flinched. I gave him a good hit in the gut, backing him up, and
then I swung again, hitting his cheek. He regained his balance and
came at me, knocking us into a group of people. The crowd dispersed
as we fought. We wrestled our way into the kitchen. He had me
pinned up against the fridge. I blocked his punches, getting a few
swings in myself. Needing room, I pushed him back. He fell on top
of the table. People scattered as I barreled my fists into him.
“Cas!” I heard Colton shout.

“
What the hell is going
on?” I looked up at the sound of Alex’s voice. Reece took advantage
of my distraction and socked me good in the jaw. I elbowed him.
“Stop it!” Alex yelled. She tried to break us up, but Jasper jumped
in and pulled her back. Reece and I continued to exchange punches.
Colton moved in to pull me away. I struggled against
him.

“
Jaxson! Take her,” Jasper
called, stepping in to help Colton break us apart. Colton got a
good grip on my waist and yanked me back against the counter. Reece
took a swing at Jasper, not realizing who he was. Jasper shoved him
so hard he fell, breaking the table. “I’d stay the fuck down if I
were you.”

“
Let me go!” Alex yelled.
Jaxson released her and she dropped down beside Reece. “Are you
okay?” she asked him while she helped him sit up.

“
I’m fine,” Reece said,
wiping the sweat from his brow. “He hits like a girl.”

I charged for him but Colton slammed me back
against the counter again. “It’s over Cas,” he growled. “It’s
over.”

Alex turned her head to me, eyes glowing
dark with anger. Then she turned her attention back to Reece. She
helped him stand. “Should I even ask what happened?”

“
Psycho over here punched
me for no reason. I was just defending myself.”

“
Liar! He fucking admitted
it to me.”

“
Enough!” Alex turned to
Reece, running a soft hand along his jaw. “I’m sorry.”

“
I’m okay,” Reece said,
tugging her in close. He looked up at me and gave me a smug smile.
I tried to get free again, but this time Jaxson and Jacob were
blocking my way.

“
Alex, please…” I pleaded,
desperate.

She slowly pulled away from Reece and turned
her attention to me. She pushed her brothers aside and got in my
face. “It’s over Casper. I’m done. For good this time.” I grabbed
her wrist to keep her from walking away from me. She reacted by
slugging me in the face and then walked back over to Reece and took
his hand.

“
Alex,” Jasper
called.

“
I don’t want to hear it
Jas.” She led Reece outside.

I blew past everyone and followed them out.
I just couldn’t leave it like this. I couldn’t let her go. “Alex,
wait!” She handed Reece the keys and he slid into the passenger
side. She spun around so quick I skidded to a stop to keep from
running into her.

“
You just can’t let it go
can you?”

“
Not when I know I’m
right. Alex just please hear me out. I would never lie to you and
if you don’t believe me ask your brothers.”

She looked over my shoulder letting me know
we had an audience. “You three are a part of this too?” I knew she
was trying hard not to lose it. Alex was strong, but even the
strong break sometimes. “I can’t deal with this right now.”

“
Alex,” I reached for her.
“Tell me one thing and I’ll leave you go. Just one thing.” I could
feel her pulse racing. “Tell me you felt nothing when we kissed.
Tell me that when we’re together you don’t feel
something.”

She took a step closer, so close we were but
inches away. “Nothing. I felt nothing.” She tore her arm away and
walked to the car. It was like she ripped out my heart and took it
with her. Stomping on every bloody piece until there was nothing
left. My legs gave out beneath me and I fell to my knees as I
watched Alex get in the car and drive off without another glance.
That was it. It was over, for good.

“
Casper,” Declan said
softly.

I stood up and walked back into the house,
grabbing the tequila.

I followed through with my promise to
Colton. Alex told me she felt nothing for me so I had to give her
up. I had heard through the grapevine that her brothers had tried
to convince her that it was Reece that was in the wrong, but Alex
wouldn’t hear it. I told them thanks for their efforts but it was
over. I’d given up and she was no longer my concern.

I spent most my nights hanging with Johnny.
Any chance I got I was out. I wanted to feel numb. I no longer
wanted to feel anything. Hanging with Johnny during my darkest days
wasn’t the best idea, but I knew I could get what I wanted. I had
access to anything that would numb my brain.

“
We need to talk,” Colton
said as I stumbled through the door. I laughed and dragged my
drunk-ass to my room. Unfortunately Colton followed. “Casper.” I
turned to look at him. “You missed practice again this
week.”

I shrugged it off. “I know those songs like
I know the back of my hand,” I said, looking down. “Hey, where’d
that come from?”

“
Look, I get you’re pissed
we couldn’t prove Reece is a bastard.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
Just hearing his name fueled a blackness that bubbled deep down
inside me. “But this self- destructive behavior is not going to
solve your problems.”

I grabbed a handful of his shirt in my fist
and slammed him back against the wall. “You have any idea what it’s
like? You have any idea what I am going through? To see her with
that jerk who’s just using her.”

“
Then why don’t you do
something about it instead of destroying your life over some
girl.”

I punched my fist into the wall cracking the
plaster. “She’s not just some girl. You told me I had to let her
go. You told me if she didn’t feel the same then I had to move on.
That’s what I am doing. So why don’t you leave me the fuck alone.”
I let him go and marched into my room slamming the door.

“
I was wrong Cas, but I
never thought you would actually give up.” The last thing I heard
was his retreating footsteps.

Chapter 18

Alexis

It was the night before Thanksgiving and the
club was packed. Leverage was playing tonight and the fans were
rowdy. I hadn’t seen Casper since our fight at the frat House on
Halloween. I was still pissed at him for what he did. My brothers
tried to convince me Casper was right but they also had no proof. I
ended getting into a fight with them and haven’t talk to Jasper or
Jacob in three weeks. The only reason I talk to Jaxson is because
he’s my twin and we have a few classes together and because we’re
the only two who can’t stay mad at each other. Declan tried to get
me to talk to Casper, saying he was just looking out for me. I told
her it was his possessive nature coming out. He couldn’t have me so
he wanted no one else to either. When she wouldn’t leave it alone,
I started a fire with her romance books in a trash can outside. She
stopped bugging me about Casper.