Confrontation (16)
Jake
I hate the goddamn word party. If anyone thinks it is a good way for socialization then they are living in a bubble. These stupid things like parties don't do anything except making things worse.
After dropping Grace home, I got back and drove to Mason's house. And as expected, he was there on the sofa. Beer in one hand and a blonde girl on his lap making out with him. Ethan stood leaning up against the counter. He also had a can of beer in his hand. He was gulping it down now and then.
I don't understand why they were so upset about Grace and I. I never would have thought their reaction towards such a ridiculous thing as a relationship, would be like this. It's not like I married her. I pushed my hands in a pocket and walked towards the sofa. I plopped myself on it. Ethan opened the fridge and threw a beer can at me, I caught it with one hand. I opened the can and took a sip. I closed my eyes when I felt the similar burning sensation in my stomach. Beer warmed my insides and I relaxed.
“Get out.” I said to the blonde.
Mason and that blonde stopped making out. They both turned to me. Mason smiled at me. “Hey, Jake. Look I got a girlfriend on my own. Now we can have a double date.” He said to me. His taunt did not affect me at all. He was pretty drunk. Drunk enough for me to know that he'll be out of control for a while. Possibly, he drank more than he can handle.
I gave him a bored look.
“I said get out.” This time I made sure that my voice conveyed the message that it wasn't a choice for her to stay or leave. She was about to get up when Mason grabbed her ass cheeks in both hands and gave a hard squeeze. “No. Stay. It's my house. No one can ask you to leave except for me.” He told her. She looked distressed. Weighing her options between getting up and leaving or staying where she was.
I raised an eyebrow in challenge at Mason's words. He knows really well how much control I have over him or in his house. I turned towards the blonde.
“This is the last time I'm saying. Leave.” I said in a cold voice. She finally stood and Mason didn't stop her. She straightened her clothes and pinned me with a look of dismay. I ignored her and sipped through my beer. When she walked and opened the door, Mason spoke in a low but strong voice, “I wasn't serious about the girlfriend part. Don't get any ideas. Alright?” He said to the blonde.
“If you were serious about that girlfriend part, I would have already bailed out. No woman should be stuck with a sorry ass like you, anyway. What kind of hell would be that.” With that she slammed the door behind her with more force than necessary. My lips ticked up in a smile. All the while, Ethan stayed calm and sipped his beer.
“She was feisty. Where did you get her?” I asked Mason. He sipped from his beer and said, “Bar. What are you doing here? Where's your girlfriend?” I straightened and placed my beer can on the table.
“I dropped her home.” Sighing, I continued, “My father wanted me to get a girlfriend. Otherwise, no business.” I explained.
“Like he had such a nice relationship.” Mason said sarcastically.
“He's worried that I would end up like him and Mom. He's inflicting his own fears on me. Whatever it is. I had to bear with his condition. At least, until I get a hold of his business.” I said.
“Wait. Does that mean that you and Grace are not serious? How did you even convince her?” This was the first time that Ethan spoke. I looked at him.
Flashback started in my head about that night. I remembered he asked me to go and meet a hooker. He said he made a bet with someone who challenged him to ask me to meet with a Hooker. He said that his colleague was sure I wouldn't do it to save my reputation. I don't have a reputation of any sorts in the first place. I agreed to do it because I was bored and little fuck wouldn't do any harm. After I found out that it was Grace, then I drove straight to his house to talk about it. He had asked me how it was. I asked if he knew who he set me up with. He simply said that 'a prostitute.' I asked him where he got that number from, and he told me his colleague suggested it. I also confronted him about pleading. I remembered how Grace poked me for pleading to meet her. He explained that he tried to call five different numbers with no success. Then he finally made a success with a girl named Sally. Grace never told me that she worked with a different name. When he finally reached her, she sounded reluctant to agree but a tone in her voice suggested she would agree if he pushed a little. He pretended to plead until she agreed with her. Which eventually, she did.
That's when I realized nobody knows her secret except for me.
“I made a trade. Her secret about being a charity case will remain secret if she goes along with this deal.” I said. I can't reveal what I actually hold against her. When I promise something I stick with it. I promised that her secret was safe with me, so it was safe with me. As long as she remembers her side of her promise and sticks to it. Then I will be too.
Plus, she's kind of good company aside from my friends. Her annoyed look gave me deep satisfaction. I would love to see it frequently.
“When were you going to tell us this about?” Ethan asked.
“You know it now.” I replied with a smug.
“So I can still hit on her?” Mason asked.
“No. Fake or not, she is my girlfriend. I think that blonde should match your taste.” I said to Ethan.
“Right. The one that you just pissed off and asked her to leave?” He asked and I shrugged.
“Fuck you, man.” Mason said and I knew everything was back to okay between us.