Page 4 of The Keeper
My face quickly scrunches up in disgust.
“Wow that’s… like, really disgusting.” But then I smile again. “You sure you don’t wanna put a ring on it? She sounds like amazing wifey material.”
Mack lets out a rich laugh, his smile continuing to grow. “Nah, I’m all set, thanks.”
We stand there in silence, just staring at each other, smiling lightly, for about twenty more seconds before I start to feel awkward. But I can’t look away.
I’ve never felt so awestruck by someone before. It’s not even just his looks. It’s that deep rumble of a laugh that hits me right in the chest, and the easy smile and kind eyes. His eyes are glued to me too, the crinkles in the corners remaining even though his smile has dimmed slightly.
Luckily, someone comes around the corner and claps Mack on the back in greeting, drawing his eyes away from me and offering me a reprieve.
“Well, I’ll just head back out, then. Come find me if you need rescuing again.” I quickly turn and dart out of the hallway without looking back.
As I enter the main living area of Jeremy’s massive loft, I’m pulled out of the little bubble Mack and I created in the past few minutes and thrust right back into a party I don’t want to be at. I’m also reminded that I didn’t wear a costume.
I head for the kitchen and grab a Jarritos soda out of a cooler, stoked when I find the last Tamarind flavor at the bottom. I pop the top of the bottle with a lighter sitting on the counter and take a long drink before looking out at the room.
My initial assessment of fifty people wasn’t even close. There are at least a hundred people here. I didn’t know that was even possible in a downtown loft, but Jeremy did get a monstrosity of a bachelor pad. I’m seeing lots of scantily clad cheerleaders and referees. Dresses so short I can see ass creases, and make-up so thick I wonder if an artist was involved in the process. That shit is painted on.
It’s the male costumes that draw my attention and remind me why Halloween season can be so fun. There are a bunch of fun things like old-school baseball uniforms and 70’s basketball gear. There are even a few soccer players.
I quickly spot Jeremy on the balcony and can’t help the loud bark of laughter that leaves me. He’s dressed as 80’s tennis star John McEnroe, ridiculous hair, short-shorts and all. My laugh somehow catches his attention, even over the music.
“Rach!” He shouts with a smile, waving me over to him and the crowd he’s standing with. He whispers something into the ear of the redhead draped on him and gives her ass a squeeze.
I gag. But only slightly.
She passes me as she walks back inside, gives me an overly bright smile, and trots off to a few friends lurking in the corner of the kitchen.
When I walk through the sliding doors to his large patio, Jeremy steps away from his group and greets me with a big toothy smile.
“Favorite brother!” I shout, flinging my arms around his shoulders in a tight squeeze. The hug feels like home, and I realize seeing Jeremy once a week isn’t nearly enough to satisfy me.
“Favorite sister!” he shouts back enthusiastically. “I’m so glad you came! I wasn’t sure if you would actually come tonight.” He pulls away to grab his beer off of the table he walked away from and takes a pull. “I saw Charlie come in alone, so I figured maybe you just dropped her off and bailed.”
“I almost did. But then I decided I didn’t want to waste all of the time and effort I put into my super creative costume.” Jeremy looks me up and down, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. He didn’t catch my heavy sarcasm over the music that’s making my ears bleed. “I’m a fan,” I say in mock enthusiasm. “Go team!” I punch a little fist into the air.
Jeremy lets out a little snort and shakes his head.
“God, you are fucking ridiculous. Okay, the game is currently at half-time, so go grab a drink and get a good seat to watch the second half. I’ll be back inside in a minute. I’m a little busy.” He smirks and then gives a little finger crook to the redheaded cheerleader he was ass-grabbing when I first spotted him and she slinks her way back onto the patio, giving him a seductive grin.
Rolling my eyes, I step back inside and am immediately accosted by Charlie.
“Where have you been?” she fumes.
“Uhm, the bathroom?”
“Well, while you were in the bathroom, Melody got grabby and latched her fangs into your brother. You’ll be lucky if you see him at all for the rest of the night. It’s disgusting.” Her eyebrows are pulled together in a scowl, and her lips are tight. I notice she said thatIwould be lucky to see him and didn’t make any mention of herself.
Part of me wants to say that I saw Jeremy with who I can only assume is Melody the vampire. The other part of me wants to tease her because this is the first time in years that she’s admitted Jeremy’s slutty ways bother her. But I know neither of those things are a good idea.
“Want me to help get you giggly?” I ask with a smile.
“I thought you’d never ask.” And she stalks off to the kitchen to, I’m assuming, drown herself in Grey Goose.
* * * * *
About an hour later, I’m sitting next to Charlie in front of Jeremy’s monster TV watching the Lakers and the Clippers. Just to clarify:Iam actually watching the game.Charlieis a little bit drunk and laughing like an idiot at everything the guy to her right is saying. And no, he’s not funny. He’s actually a total dickwad. I’ve been clenching my jaw at most of the things he’s been saying, but I’ve tried to focus on the game on the TV, and not on this guy trying to game on Charlie. But I swear if he says one more thing, I’ll need to invest in some serious orthodontia.
