“Did I say something wrong? I didn’t mean it disrespectfully, just that this doesn’t seem like the type of place the unknown part of society will easily hang out, unless you’re a groupie or trying to hook a celebrity” he explains, scrutinizing me, “I always think that famous people’s lives seem so fake as if they’re trying to hide from real life. It’s rather sad, you know.”
And he hits the hammer on the nail and cracks the wall … everything about this is just pretend … most of all my relationship. So how do I know if my feelings are real? Maybe it’s just a ruse and I’m simply caught up in it?
“You’re right … I’m like Cinde-fucking-rella, but without the happy ending,” I sigh without thinking. The quicker that robot gets his movie part, the better. I need to get out of this toxic situation. Enrique is dangerous for my heart and the longer I live this fantasy … the harder the fall back to reality is gonna be.
“I don’t understand … do you and Enrique have problems? You seem so happy,” he stops, forcing me to do the same. I watch the frown on his face as if he’s truly confused. I want to tell him about the contract … about my whole messed-up life … but I can’t. So instead I just wink at him with a smile and click my tongue, “Tsk, I think I’m just scared that I’ll wake up one day and it’s all a dream.”
“If that happens, I’ll drag you back to real-life, buddy.” He bumps me with his shoulder softly and a warm feeling wraps around my heart. I think I’m gonna like this guy.
Logan slides open some giant steel and wood stable-type doors to another area, equipped with a bar and casual seating zones around a water feature with lush foliage to immerse guests in an almost tropical environment like no other. The open room flows seamlessly onto the garden, a natural-looking rock pool, the private beach, and the ocean.
“Okay, that’s the whole package, I just need to show you to the VIP section and you’ve had the whole Inferno experience, so let’s … ” He’s interrupted by his ringtone and he holds up his hand gesturing for us to wait. We stand in silence, staring at the view. This place is truly magnificent and I can see why the rich and famous queue to get in here.
Logan returns, after walking up and down the garden a few times while talking on his phone.
“I need to go. Coach booked us on an earlier flight,” he sighs. Then he directs us to a wrought iron staircase that’s almost hidden in one corner of the main club area.
“You’ll find my darling little sister up there,” he says before leaving through the foyer. Still clinging to Lee, we ascend the stairs which lead to another level closed off by big glass walls, providing a more private VIP environment while still having access to the energy of the main club.
As soon as we enter the space, a dungeon-piercing scream rips through the air and then Mel gulps me into a group hug followed closely by Thalia.
“I was wondering if you were still alive after all that blow-jobs last night!” Mel shouts and Lee’s eyes grow bigger.
“The shooter, not the sexual thing,” I explain quickly before he gets the wrong idea.
“Yeah, it was all in the spirit of going big or going home,” Thalia says then.
“Oh my gosh! You have the prettiest eyes!” Kiara gulps, squeezing Lee’s cheek as if he was a cute baby and the girls turn their full attention to him.
“Are you old enough to be in here?” Thalia asks, clapping her fingers “… mm … wait … what’s that man’s name …,” then her face lightens up and she points her finger directly at Lee’s bewildered face, “D-day … you look a little like that Roy dude … don’t you think girls?” then she looks around at us for confirmation. But since I don’t have a clue who she’s talking about I just shrug my shoulders.
“Eh, he’s my brother,” Lee says sheepishly, looking down.
“No way,” Thalia gushes grabbing Lee’s hand, “it’s my favorite band ever. I love their music.”
“But who are you exactly?” Mel asks while we make our way to one of the tables.
“Girls, this is our newest addition, Lee, the new Sharks goalie AND he also just moved in with the psycho twin, poor thing.” I introduce him before he can even open his mouth.
“Goalie? For the Sharks? … eh … ” Mel pulls a strange face and looks Lee up and down. Lee snorts.
“Yeah, I’m small … I know …” he says, “but please don’t hold it against me.”
“Never! We for sure aren’t judgmental in this tiny group of ours,” Mel sweeps her hand through the air, “Oh, I’m Mel, by the way, the psycho twin’s little sister … that’s Kiara and Thalia.”
Lee frowns while looking at Mel’s tummy.
“You don’t look knocked up,” he says all seriously. The girls burst into laughter.
“Kiara is right, you’re so cute I think we’ll keep you,” Mel puts her arms around Lee and gives him a peck on the cheek. And as fate wants it, it’s the exact moment the other boys enter the room.
“What the fuck!” Damion growls from behind us, and Mel freezes, her lips still on Lee’s cheek. She slowly looks up and rolls her eyes to the ceiling, mumbling a few words, as if praying for patience.
“And the unintended sperm donor appeared,” Lee scuffs and Mel turns to face her baby’s daddy, pointing a single finger at his chest, “Shush and take a chair before I strangle you.”
Jackson pulls up his brows and gives his friend a what-the-hell-is-going-on-with-my-sister look.
“Hormones,” Damion answers his unasked question, but he quickly takes a chair when Mel gives a step towards him. His face reminds me of a toddler whose dummy was taken away, his eyes penetrating poor innocent Lee. But instead of being intimidated by the bad boy, Lee puts out his hand toward him with more boldness than all the alpha males in our group combined. He’s a feisty little thing, that’s for sure.
“Hi, I’m Lee, Jackson’s roommate.”
“Damion Grimm.” The biker hesitantly shakes his hand.
“Yeah, I know … my brother is like your biggest fan.” Lee smiles at him and I notice the deep dimple in his cheek. Mel plops down on her fiance’s lap, circling her arms around him.
“Now isn’t he just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” she asks and Damion answers with a soft grunt.
“Men are not cute,” Jackson growls with an angry-looking face. I swear I’ll never figure that dude out. He’s the most closed-off and weirdest one of the lot. I mean, I like him, but at the same time, he scares me a little. It’s as if he has this darkness in him … a darkness that gives off serious serial-killer vibes. Sexy serial killer… but still.
“Exactly … ” Damion agrees, pointing a finger at his friend.
Enrique comes over from where he’s been talking to Axel and Alejandro who are standing behind the bar cleaning glasses. They seem to be on duty for the night. That’s what I love most about this group … their tight bond and friendship; and the way they’re just there for each other all the time no matter what. No matter how rich they are, or how busy … they’re not stuck up and regularly help out here at the club.
“Where is Logan?” he asks abruptly, looking at me as if I’m hiding his brother in my bra or something. What’s his case? I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks, not sure if it’s because I’m angry or hot I mean we did make out for real IN PRIVATE this morning! But now he’s changed into a bear with a sore tooth again. Ug, freaking malfunctioning robot!
“He had to go,” Lee answers, and with some serious swearwords, and big hand gestures, my robot walks down the stairs, cursing his bro.
“You know, I’ve never met your little brother … ” Thalia ponders, looking at Mel. “It seems that we miss each other all the time.”
“Oh, don’t worry, you’re not missing much!” Jackson answers quickly and then Mel hits him on his arm.
“Hey, Logan happens to be my favorite brother for today.”
“Yeah, at least he’s not as obnoxious as you … ” Kiara says looking at both Jackson and Damion.
“And he’s way better looking too … ” Mel continues.
“Ug, let’s go get a drink,” Jackson says and then he looks at Lee. “Are you coming, roomie?”
“No, Lee is staying with us … ” I answer holding onto Lee’s arm, and the other girls nod in agreement. Jackson gives Damion a knowing look and they walk away to the bar.
“Are they always so macho?” Lee asks softly, causing Mel to shriek with laughter.
“Eh, let me try and sum these San Francisco boys up for you. There’s Ilkay, an over-serious doctor with a broken heart. Enrique is a model and actor and my unpredictable robot. Jackson is the enigmatic psychopath, Logan is an overemotional quarterback, Damion is … ” I quickly look at Mel, “… eh WAS the bad boy biker …”
“No, no … he still is … ” she interrupts before gesturing with her hand for me to continue, “and Mel’s baby daddy, Alejandro is the tough hero and lastly, Axel is the mysterious firefighter. Correct me if I’m wrong, ladies?” I look at my new friends.
“Nope, I think you’ve nailed it,” Kiara says making an okay gesture with her fingers.
“But at least, what they lack in personality, they make up in looks … ” Thalia comments, and again we’re stuck in a hoot of laughter, causing the pouting boys to stare at us from the bar.
“Hey, Grimm, can you get me an ‘unprotected sex’ before your baby dehydrates?” Mel shouts and I can only shake my head.
“Oh, and by the way, little Lee, nobody outside of this group knows that I’m pregnant … so can you keep it a secret please?”
Lee nods eagerly with a big smile.
Maybe Lee has it wrong, not all rich people have phony lives … this little group seems to face reality head-on and I’m the only fake one here.