“Let’s take my car,” Jackson says throwing me the keys. I unlock the yellow monster; not going to argue with him over small things. The Ferrari weaves through traffic and Jackson turns his body slightly toward me.
“So who pissed on your parade?” he asks and I pass the car in front of us before answering: “I think … no I know Aria is hiding something … she and Mel … and it has to do with Brian … ” I tell him this hoping he would focus on something other than Lee. And he’s the best at figuring stuff out, so maybe he can help.
“What do you think it can be?”
“I’m not sure … but he secretly handed her an envelope, that she’s hiding from me.” I hand him my phone.
“Check the photos. I wish I knew what was in there.”
He frowns, “If Mel is hiding something, we’ll find out soon enough,” he says and I bite my lip. Yep, my sister is not precisely the best at keeping secrets … especially from us … but in the same breath, I must add that she did a surprisingly good job of deceiving us while dating Damion behind our backs. However, we should have figured it out sooner, but we just never anticipated that Damion would ever break his rules … so that foolishly blinded us. Even when Jackson once told me that he thinks something is cooking … we never in a million years imagined our friend was actively engaged in knocking up our sister.
I park and we stroll onto Pier 39. I hand him back his keys.
“So why are we here exactly?” Jackson doesn’t look too pleased with our destination.
“Oh, you don’t know yet … they finished revamping D-boy’s pub. It’s going to open on Friday.”
“Great for him,” he says, just vaguely interested. Owning a business is not Jackson’s thing. That’s why Logan is my Inferno partner and not him. Sometimes I wonder what the fuck Jackson does with all his money … cause I never see him spending it on anything much. Most of his stuff is sponsored … like his car … and his bikes … most of his clothes … even some of his food.
The Build-a-bear sign catches my eye … Leyla! Tomorrow she’s being admitted to the hospital for treatment … and it’s almost her birthday. Despite the fact that her birthday present is already hidden and waiting in my office, I drag my reluctant brother inside.
It’s my first time in a shop like this … definitely, Jackson’s too. I smile watching my brother having just as much fun as me … I’m getting a toy stuffed while he’s picking out clothes and accessories.
We wind up leaving with a fluffy caramel floppy-eared bunny, dressed in a Ravenclaw house robe, in addition to bags and bags filled with small suitcases and backpacks stuffed with further outfits, shoes, and accessories. Okay, agreed we might have gone a little bit overboard … but there were just so many adorable things to choose from, so we bought it all one of every single outfit in the shop. I just know Leyla is gonna freak out and at least she’ll have something to keep her occupied while in the hospital.
We silently make our way to Alejandro’s pub, when Jackson suddenly stops dead. He turns to the banister next to us and with wide eyes stares down at the lower level. His knuckles turn white from his grip on the rails; his jaw drops and I swear he’s seeing some ghost or demon (with him I’ll bet on the latter).
“Lee,” the name rolls from his tongue. I quickly stand next to him and look in the direction he’s staring, but there’s no Lee on the contrary, there’s not even someone that closely resembles the little dude. Is he hallucinating? He’s not that drunk yet, is he?
I look more intently, just in case I’m missing something. Groups of people move all over the area; a small crowd is listening to some random street singer with a guitar; a girl sits on his guitar case and tapes him with her phone. Maybe my twin is going bonkers. I grab his arm to remove him from his trans.
“Hey, dude, what’s up?” He recovers from his flabbergasted state and points toward the performer.
“That’s him,” he says as if I’m supposed to know who that is. “Lee’s brother.” The one Lee went to visit? I open my mouth to ask, but Jackson is watching the fan girl with intense eyes. I stay quiet and focus on her too.
Even from this distance, I can tell the woman is beautiful … well her body at least. It’s the type of body that makes you think dirty immediately. She’s dressed in a funky gothic girly manner that reminds me of Mel, her very long auburn hair cascades down like a dark waterfall. Not that I’m fishing … but I’m not blind … she’s really easy on the eyes however NOT Jackson’s type at all. He prefers sexy experienced women that are into kink, and this girl seems like the naive virgin next door. I examine the singer with her; he might have the same characteristics as Lee – but he’s significantly taller. When the song ends, the girl claps enthusiastically, grabs the guy’s arm, and plants a big kiss on his cheek.
My brother lets out a soft grunt. If I didn’t know any better, I would think he’s jealous or something. They bow for the crowd and the Roy dude puts his guitar away before they disappear around a corner.
Jackson stares down for a while, a huge frown between his brows. I fucking know that frown. His brain is working overtime. He quickly takes out his phone and sends a message, staring at the screen as if waiting for an immediate reply … that doesn’t come. I’m getting a little worried about him. What is it with him and this Lee guy?
I’m not peculiarly fond of Lee … but I also don’t dislike him. He’s extremely cocky for someone his size … and always backchats … everybody … even my brother. But for some or other reason, Jackson hasn’t punched out any of his teeth … yet. But his witty mouth is gonna land him in some serious predicament if he doesn’t watch out.
“Bro, let’s go,” I insist and Jackson reluctantly follows me to find our friends, sitting at a corner table in the new cozy little pub called ‘Grimms’.
Mel, with Aria’s help, did a wonderful job with the interior decorating and I just love what they have done with the place; the warm earthy hues complement the rustic farmhouse design, boasting lots of wood and iron … while rough tables are arranged in spacious groups amid neutral-toned wood decor, brightly colored seating areas, and huge pots with greenery. A wooden bar fills one whole wall. The biker theme makes me smile … it’s very tastefully done and gives the place a unique countryside vibe in which you just can’t help but feel at ease and relaxed this pub is small, intimate, friendly, and warm.
Picturesque views of the bay area, including Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge, fill the windows almost like paintings, while the smell of freshly ground coffee, spicy food, and beer rides the air.
“Since everybody is here now … let’s go upstairs … it’s a bit more private,” Alejandro says before we can sit down. We follow him like sheep up a wooden staircase that leads to a loft with cozy clusters of sofas and chairs for more casual discussions. Noah is busy unpacking some stuff. He’s going to work part-time for Alejandro, who explains that this is going to become his office area for his new business something like a mixed PI bodyguard thing.
Jackson suddenly looks at his phone and then storms down the stairs. What the hell now? Both me and Axel follow him, but then my phone rings.
“Hello,” I answer trying to keep up with my brother but it’s a losing battle … he’s hasty as if he needs to catch a train, and disappears into the crowd, Axel at least on his tail. For some reason, my twin and the young boy we met at the haunted house years ago, have this strange connection … and Axel is the only one that can somewhat keep Jackson under control, in a way, not even I can.
“Enrique my boy,” my agent Dean sounds excited and I slowly make my way back into the pub, “you and that lovely girlfriend of yours are going to star in Stalkers,” he continues and I’m not sure how I should feel right now. The show takes celebrity couples to some fun locations and films everything they do for two days. It’s an honor to be invited … they’re exceedingly selective in who they choose. Personally, I always wanted to go but never had the right girl before … until now. I’ll just need to persuade that little stubborn vixen.
“Enrique … did you hear me?”
“Eh … yes … Dean I’ll get back to you … I have to talk to Aria first,” I say the most logical thing. I’m not sure how my redhead is gonna take this news. With Aria, you never know. I put my phone in my jacket and look back one last time, in case Jackson decided to return. But no such luck. Shit, what is that maniac up to now? I rush back up the stairs – time to get the cavalry.
“Hey, D-boy, we have to track down Jackson … ” I yell from the top of the stairs and Alejandro immediately responds, jumping up. We all have our darker days (which we help each other to overcome usually with an insane adrenaline rush), but Jackson’s is the worst. His outings usually involve some kind of brawl or other more serious dangerous encounter and 99% of the time someone (usually him) ends up in the hospital. I look around … including Axel, it’s only four of us … we’re a few guys short: Ilkay is at the hospital, Logan must be sleeping off his jetlag and Damion is still on his way back … but we’ll make due.
I try my brother’s phone again but it goes straight to voicemail … so does Axel’s. Fuck. The two of them alone are not the best combination … they’re both a little homicidal combined with anger issues. Alejandro grabs his keys and tells Noah to look after the pub.
We run around the pier, hoping to find them before they cause trouble somewhere. After a while, we slowly walk back to the pub. There’s nothing we can do now but wait. I try their phones again … but no luck. Then my phone rings.
“Hey bro, you better come to the hospital, Jackson and Axel were in an accident.” It’s Ilkay.
“Fuck.”
“Don’t worry, they’re fine … the car, however … it’s a goner.” I roll my eyes. This must be the fourth Ferrari Jackson has written off. And it’s not even a year old. His sponsors are not going to be happy … that’s for sure. But I also know my twin doesn’t give a fuck about his sponsors.
Time to visit the ER and it’s not even completely noon yet. At this rate … it’s going to be one hell of a long day.