Page 71 of The Keeper
“Don’t worry. I’m his sister. You can still make a play for his dick once I’ve left.”
The words I’m spitting out of my mouth are laced with every ounce of the frustration that has boiled along the edges of my skin as I drove here. Jeremy’s head jerks back in surprise at what I’ve said, the red mark on his face becoming more apparent as the girl quickly slips away.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“What the hell amIdoing? How about, what the hell areyoudoing?” He just continues to stare at me. “Did you threaten Mack’sjob?”
My words come out incredulous, and I’m almost hopeful that he will deny them. I’d rather be wrong and feel like an asshole for slapping my brother.
But Jeremy’s brow furrows in frustration, and I instantly know I’m not wrong.
“So that prick decided to tell you instead of doing the right thing and ending it?”
I lean in towards Jeremy, my entire body vibrating with unchecked emotions.
“No, you son-of-a-bitch.Charlietold me.”
His eyes widen, just slightly. My voice is low to keep any neighboring tables from overhearing, but loud of enough for Jeremy.
“Can you imagine what it was like to learn that mybrotherthreatened a man with his livelihood in an attempt to manipulate a situation in a way that serves himself? Do you have any idea what it feels like to be me? To know that the one person I trusted to have my back, no matter what, has stolen away the small piece of happiness that I’ve tried to carve out for myself?”
Jeremy rolls his eyes, effectively throwing gasoline on my fire.
“I think you’re being a little over-the-top here, Rach.Small piece of happiness?Come on. That’s so dramatic. The guy’s a douche.”
“You have no fucking clue what you’re talking about,” I reply. “And I am letting you know right now, Jeremy. I willneverforgive you for this. Manipulation, cruel words, apparently reveling in my distress.” I shake my head at him. “Sounds like a page right out of the Frank Jameson playbook.”
Jeremy’s face loses a little bit of color at those words, and for a moment I think he’s come to his senses. But then I see the resolve in his eyes. He stands quickly, grabbing my arm and leading me towards the door leading back inside Smoggy Tavern.
“If my words and actions don’t have any impact on you, maybe something a little more visual will do the trick.”
I can barely hear him over the loud voices and laughter as he drags me further into the throngs of people surrounding the bar. When he stops suddenly, I almost plow right into his back.
“What are you doing, Jeremy?” I shout.
He steps out of my way and when I look at him, he points to my right.
When I turn to look, I allow my eyes a minute to adjust to the dim lighting that impacted my vision the first time I walked in. When I can finally see, I wish I couldn’t. Because what I see decimates me.
Behind a roped off VIP section is a separate dance floor. It’s fairly full, but not overflowing. Right in the middle is Mack. And wrapped around him like a vine is Ronnie Kade. Their movements are so sexual that I literally can’t believe what’s happening just a few feet away and in the eyes of the general public.
Their mouths are locked together in what looks to be a deep, passionate kiss that never ends. Ronnie’s leg is wrapped around Mack’s hip, which he is gripping roughly with one hand. They’re grinding into each other in time with the music, his other hand squeezing her ass over her very,veryshort green strapless dress.
I’m rooted like a tree to the spot, staring at them. It’s awkward and uncomfortable, but it’s almost like I need to sear this visual into my brain.
When Ronnie lowers her leg and breaks their kiss, she turns in Mack’s arms and begins rubbing her ass against the front of him. One large hand grips her hip, the other splays on her stomach. I can see Mack close his eyes and lean his head back, biting his lip in ecstasy as they continue what is obviously a rousing bout of foreplay on the dance floor.
It’s a face almost identical to the one he made when we were together in front of the Recreation Centre. And seeing him just a few days later with Ronnie… well, I’ve never felt more like a cheap slut then while watching them together.
“I wanted you to see what he’s really like,” Jeremy’s voice cuts through the fog I was in. “You wouldn’t listen to me, but this is the guy he’salwaysbeen. You deserve better, Rach.”
I turn sharply away from Mack and Ronnie and stare at Jeremy. Tears fill my eyes as we just look at each other. Finally, I simply turn away from him and walk out of Smoggy Tavern, back to my car in the overpriced lot, and drive away.
The visual of Mack and Ronnie stays with me even once I’m back in my bed, and I’m wishing I could rewind the past few weeks and start over.
* * * * *
To say I don’t want to be at practice today is an understatement. My feet are sluggish, my hands are slow, and I feel like bursting into tears every time I catch sight of Mack on the sidelines as we complete rapid three-on-three drills.
