Jaden's POV
"You better come to my house or I swear I'll burn this bitch down," I hissed through the phone. I had locked my door, and if I had a deadbolt, that would be locked too. I literally feel like the universe is fucking me over, and it's not even using lube. Just dry fucking my life.
Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating but still, that's literally how I felt.
A gum popped over the line, signifying that Neil was only partially listening to me. "Bruh, you're killing my high."
"I don't care."
"What crawled up your butt? With that tone, I'm assuming it was Daddy dearest," Neil answered. I could clearly hear him inhale -probably smoke- over the line.
"Blake's charming but stupid idea of inviting some old high school friend for dinner. C'mon, I need some support Neil. If you see this chick, you'll know what I'm talking about," I exasperated.
I was feeling particular bummed at the moment.
Her name was Shelby Norzick. She used to be chummy chummy with Blake back in High School, and now works as an amateur model for some hot-shit magazine. I know of her, trust me. Uncle Brad has told me of some of Blake's old flames, and I'm pretty sure, she was one of them.
Blake had come home from grocery shopping and knocked on my door saying we were having company for dinner. I assumed it was one of his colleagues, since it usually was. I hadn't really been on much speaking terms with Blake. I was afraid of myself and I'm still somewhat of a teenager. I still have little control over my actions, and especially when it came to Blake. I can only imagine we getting into some argument due to my shitty moods these days, and saying things that I shouldn't.
I know myself too well.
"Wait what? Let me get this straight. So you're freaking out because you're Dad invited over a presumably ex-girlfriend for dinner? Is she hot?"
"She's like what -a hard 8.5?- I won't admit to a 10 because let's face it, how am I going to compete with a 10? She came in striding with Louie heels and a red parka, flaunting her blonde hair everywhere in the kitchen. I'm still deciding if whether to skip this gag-fest," I said pacing my room frustrated.
"Wait, she's already there? In the kitchen? What are you doing locked up in your room? Are you giving them space to 'get overly friendly' with each other. Get your butt down stairs and watch the intruder like a hawk or so help me," he threatened over some shuffling. "Give me 10 mins. I'll be there."
I threw myself backward unto bed, letting my phone fall out of my hand. I trashed around childishly like a kid in a temper tantrum to get rid of some of the edginess. In a huff, I stood and headed down stairs. I could hear them talking as Blake finished cooking dinner. A giggled laughter sound traveled to me as I poked my head in the entry way of our opened kitchen.
I see on the counter table an opened bottle of wine, already halfway, and a cup in each of their hands.
Her milky clear skin almost glowed, and I glowered at the fact. Blake laughed at something she said. His lips stretching over perfect teeth as a deep chuckle came from him, making my bones shiver. He had a damn sexy laugh. If only he was that cool when he was talking to me. Don't get me wrong, I think Blake is super cool at all times, but there's something different in the way he spoke to his friends than when he spoke to me. He shifted slightly, and caught sight of me, waving me over in the process.
"Hey bud. What took you so long? I've been waiting for you," Blake said as he laid his arm across my shoulder. Yeah right, with Ms. Beauty-Queen here, I doubt you would remember about this lowly son of yours, I thought sarcastically in the back of my head. "Shelly, this here is Jaden. Jaden this is..."
"I've heard heard about a Shelby from Uncle Brad. I'm assuming it's you, right? Pleasure to meet you," I answered in a very tight-lipped fashion..
She blinked awkwardly for a minute and seemed to give me a mini assessment. She smiled brightly and responded, "Well, um... same here. Jeez, but you are your mother's son alright."
"I know right," he agreed hugging me closer to him. I can see his eyes a bit glazed over. Blake can't hold his liquor for shit which was why he barely went out drinking with his colleagues. "Dinner's gonna be ready in a bit. Hungry huh?" he asked with his hand reaching to pat my stomach but I shifted to avoid it, causing his hand to slip from my shoulder and grazed my ass.
I nearly moaned.
Playing it off with a cheeky smile, I quickly maneuvered away trying to hide my insta-hardon. "I am a little. I'll be in the living the room," I said already making my escape. Fuck watching her like a hawk. My teenage lower half was reacting against my will and I had to go and force it back down into submission. "Oh and Blake, Neil is coming over in a little to discuss a project we're to do."
He nodded and turned to check on the food on the stove. I gave a curt nod towards Shelby and she gave me this little wave with her fingers along with a weird smirk. I mentally scowled at her.
Smirk all you want! He's still mine, kinda.
I could hear their chatter as I drifted off into the living room. They were happily conversing about people whom I've never met. I'd hear Brad's name a few times and then my mom's and then back to people I don't know. Before I knew it, the doorbell rang and I ran to the front door like it depended on my life; actually, more like my sanity. Their semi-flirtatious chatter was starting to get to me negatively and my agitation was only increasing.
No sooner had I opened the door, Neil begun hounding me. "Hey sexy. You good? How are you feeling? Is she in there now? Can I see?"
"Shh. No, bad, yes and no. I don't like her. She gave me a weird look earlier. The old stink-eye," I whispered as we rounded the corner away from the living room and kitchen. We stood under the steps whispering like kids, and I felt like a little runt badmouthing a total stranger in a corner of my house.
"Stupid. You're not suppose to. She's your rival, remember?" he reminded me as he shook my shoulders. "C'mon now. Loose up. You can do this. It's a mind over matter, sort of, kind of, situation. If you want Blake to look at you as an equal, you gotta act like it. No immature business."
I made a face. "But..." Seriously, this is why I couldn't live without having Neil as my partner in crime: literally too, because technically, incest was probably one. Prepped up with Neil's reminders, I begun jogging in place comically, and shrugging shoulders, cracking my neck and fingers. Game-face Jaden! "You're right! Mind over matter," I repeated more to myself than Neil.
"Exactly. Are you gonna be shaken by some blonde fluzzy? No right! You're not gonna get your gorgeous man in the kitchen taken away from you, right?!" he pushed forward, whispering over to me in a fighting manner. "You want that man right?"
"No! And damn yes!" I declared hushly.
"Exactly. You have the control! She doesn't because he's yours... kind of."
"You're 'kind of ' absolutely right!"
"And who's gonna end..." he paused and sniffed the air suddenly and his face lit up like it usually did after eating my lunch. "Damn. Blake's cooking smells fantastic!"
"Neil! Focus," I whined.
"Oh, I was, but now I'm super focus on Blake's food."
"You have the attention span of a dog. Why do I feel like you'll betray me over food one day?"
"Because I might," he snickered and I joined in at his honest reply.
"At least deny it, stupid" I retorted still laughing. I felt relieved after laughing off the angst I was feeling. I took a breath and leaned against the wall, my back towards the living room.
"Do share the joke. The way you were laughing I'd say it was pretty funny," the voice came from behind. I nearly jumped out of my skin. Looking over my shoulder, I found the reason for my anxiousness standing in the middle of the hallway connecting the foyer to the living room.
"Well, hello there. I'm Nelson but a gorgeous lady like yourself should just call me Neil," Neil exclaimed as he looked her up from head to toe, and extended his hand.
"The name's Shelly," she smiled back, openly appreciating Nelson's lusty eyes. She looked over at me and gave me the same smirk that she had given me earlier. "You're Dad sent me over to come and get you guys. Food's ready." I wasn't too thrilled at the way she stressed the 'dad' in her sentence and I mentally rolled my eyes at her.
"Yay! I can't wait to eat some of Blake's heavenly food," Neil said passing beside Shelby.
"I see you share my obsession. In high school, his food was my religion. Truthfully, the only reason I dated him."
That comment irked me. Sure Blake cooks great, but that's not the only thing good about him, you blonde bimbo, I thought. I gave her what I hoped she knew was a fake smile, and was about to follow Neil's steps toward the dining room.
"Oh isn't that interesting," she exclaimed and reached out to brush her hand behind my ears.
I recoiled from the unexpected touch and stared at her confused. "Excuse me?"
"That birthmark behind your ears. Did you know that birthmark is the Arons stamp? All Arons have that flower-like birthmark; except Blake. He has like a ...."
"Oval shaped. I know. I'm his son," I interrupted her.
"Oh are you now? I wouldn't have guessed since you don't look like him," she throw back almost mockingly.I stared at her not hiding my scowl. "Don't give me that look sweetie. I'm harmless," she continued.
"That's not what I heard."
How long had she been standing there? Had she been eavesdropping on Neil and I's conversation? Neil gave me a side look, lifting a brow curiously at me.
"Now did dare Uncle Brad said some bad things about me?" she asked bluntly. It was rude yes but I seriously didn't want to hear anything she had to say. "If I were you, I wouldn't believe anything that weirdo says. He's not all up there if he ain't on his pills, if ya get my drift," she giggled lightly.
Then she gave us both a hearty slap on the back.
"Oh c'mon boys! Loosen up," she said winking at me, amusement dancing in her eyes. "I have lots of stories to tell."
She was rubbing me in all the wrong ways. It just had to be on purpose.
"Look at that red face of yours," she cooed and squeezed my cheeks in her cold palms. "So cute! I'm so glad I went with Red wine today. It drunks him faster. Since I'll be in town for the next couple of weeks, I'm sure you'll come to like me."
Yeah, fat chance.
"Table's ready guys," Blake announced from the kitchen.
I stared at her cursing the very ground she was trotting on and quickly taking it back because, I mean, we were in my house-which also meant my grounds.
I was intrigued despite myself. I wanted to know what Blake was like when he was young. Was this really the kind of friends Blake use to hang with? He always just seemed like such a boring guy.
"Oh. That face. You think I'm a bitch, don't you?" she laughed just as I shrugged her hand off of me, and pushed pass her into the kitchen. "Well, I'm a good bitch. So rest easy. Now, let's go practice that 'Mind-Over-Matter' thing your friend was talking about."
I froze at the door, my head swinging towards her direction. Shelby flashed me a piranha smile before winking teasingly at me. I was annoyed at the fact that this woman, might not be so bad, after all but the jury is still out on that.
Nonetheless, I still didn't like her.
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