“Besides, your dad’s really good at his job.”
I shrugged apathetically, but apparently she didn’t even pay any mind to my wrinkled shirt. Getting out of White’s room hadn’t been easy. Will almost sprained his ankle. I laughed at the sight of him limping as he walked next to his mom on the other side of the backyard.
The blond caught my attention again by putting a hand on my shoulder.
“If you come downstairs I’ll show you something.”
Under you?
I raised an eyebrow without talking.
“They set up a secluded area downstairs. It has paintings that will be exhibited next month,” she explained, trying to mask her true intentions. She wanted me. Her expensive perfume enveloped me when she came close. I studied her well cared for hand, which she’d offhandedly put on my flexed bicep, then I took a sip from her glass and took a deep breath. I could smell the sweet scent of feminine arousal in the humid fall air.
“I don’t think so,” I retorted, lifting my chin to meet her dark eyes.
Her gaze drifted quickly from my sparkling wine–glossed lips then along my shirt. It was just my imagination, I tried to convince myself, until the blond parted her lips.
“Suit yourself, it would’ve been a quick ride.”
She was older than twenty with a ring on her finger, and she wanted to fuck me.
“I gotta go,” I mumbled, before walking toward Jasper, who looked miserable.
I wouldn’t’ve minded bending her over somewhere, but seeing Jasper made me feel conflicting emotions.
“I know, the pastries are gross.”
My voice broke the spell of sadness and dreariness that seemed to have fallen over my brother. Jasper nodded timidly in agreement.
“What can you do. White’s mom doesn’t understand a thing about men, bubbly wine, or food.”
I sensed from how he turned his nose up that Jasper was still skeptical.
“But if you want we can go get your favorite pizza.”
Jasper finally stopped staring into the void and curled his lips into a small smile.
“Alone or should I call Will too?”
If there was one thing my brother had taught me over the years, it was to never surrender. When he was younger, Jasper didn’t look at or listen to anyone. You could talk to him for hours but he was like other people didn’t exist. And other than the discouragement I felt when I saw him isolated from everyone else, I also felt a sense of solitude being around someone I loved that much who didn’t give me anything in return. Not a smile, not a look.
Growing up, I thought the secret was perseverance. I’d tried and tried again until I found the right way to communicate with him. Jasper bowed his head and pointed at William’s ashy hair, communicating that he wanted him with us.
“Will, move your ass!”
Mrs. Cooper shot me a look when she heard the eloquent language I reserved for her son. After saying goodbye to her, we headed to my car. I could still taste weed in my mouth, and I could’ve sworn I had his cologne on my fingers.
I flung the car door open, then stared at the layer of leaves covering the hood of the car. November was getting closer, as well as my fucking birthday. I brought a vape pen to my lips, loosened my tie, and looked up at the window.
If only William hadn’t gotten there.
36
June
And that was how I found out the real meaning of “the wrong crowd,” because having them both in my room was enough for me to make the same mistake again.
“What the hell is going on?”
