Date = 13 April
Place = San Francisco (UCSF Medical center)
POV Enrique
“So why exactly did I need to come all the way here if Mel is fine?” Logan complains with a huge yawn. Understandable … he just got off a 5-hour flight only an hour or so ago. I stuff one of the cardboard carriers holding four cups of cappuccino into his hands, another one I hand over to Jackson, while I take the single cup of hot chocolate and an additional coffee. Jackson and I came to get some refreshments while we were waiting for our youngest brother to arrive … or I guess our youngest half-brother. I wonder how he will take the news. We walk to the elevators.
“Cause you need to hear some other shit about yourself,” Jackson answers him before I can. Logan squints sternly. If you think about insensitive … my twin is right there at the top. Sometimes I wonder if he was born that way or formed into this hardcore person due to circumstances… the same way I turned into someone else … actually we all changed I suppose … or should I rather say we are all messed up; littered with demons that haunt us some a little more than others. I press the up button and we wait in silence.
“I fucking hope that Old Man guy chokes on his own spit in his sleep,” a woman’s fiery voice sounds up and we collectively peep around the corner upon hearing that name. Could it be the same mafia dude that helped us? A girl is standing with her back toward us, tucked into a small space between the lifts and the stairwell, probably for privacy. Which we’re now invading.
Her auburn hair covers most of her back, but my eyes take in her well-sculpted toned legs in some jean shorts, and a butt that will make priests drool. At her feet is a small bag with the SJ Sharks logo on it. She looks familiar. How the hell do I know this chick? I rack my brain for a name, something, anything. Did I fuck her once? I would remember a body like that. So where have I seen her? I look at the bag again. Maybe she’s a puck bunny. I’ve shared a few of them with Jackson – sometimes at the same time. Yeah, not our finest moments. And definitely not something we blab about.
“Are you shitting me now?” She seems angry at someone. She turns 90 degrees, giving us a view of her side, and at first, my eyes get stuck on the belly button ring and perfect stomach sticking out from under her top. Then my gaze moves upward, appreciating her roundings and lastly, I take in her exquisite profile. This girl is beyond beautiful alright. She’s not the type of bunny you would want to share with another guy … no … you would want to keep this one all to yourself.
“Dad, I swear, if you go near a fucking loan shark … or anyone that’s willing to give you money … I will gladly let them cut off your other fucking leg as well. No, wait, I will cut it off my fucking self. Do you know what I’m going through right now?” She’s trying not to yell, but her hands are making big gestures. She’s a feisty one alright. Wouldn’t want to get on her wrong side, that’s for sure.
“Yeah, dad, I know girls don’t swear so much … but I’m a fucking boy now, remember?!” She turns around and we quickly duck as to not get caught spying.
Luckily the lift arrives, so we get in and I press the button for the third floor where the pregnancy department is situated.
“Fuck, did you guys see that fine ass?” Logan asks immediately, “Wow, talk about fucking beautiful. Wonder if she’s getting a sex-change. Now that would be a shame.”
Jackson grunts, unexpectedly bad-tempered. His eyes look like storms.
“She looks familiar. You saw the bag … maybe she’s a bunny,” I say.
“I would not mind going down that rabbit hole,” Logan continues, probably too tired to notice his older brother’s sudden drastic mood change. Jackson moves in a flash and pins Logan to the wall of the lift with one hand. My stomach twists.
“Shut the fuck up!” Jackson is pissed.
There’s a ping … indicating that we’ve arrived at our floor and Jackson lets go of a startled Logan who stays rooted to the place; frozen. His confused eyes find mine, looking for answers. Answers I don’t have. I’m just as flabbergasted as he is. We’re used to Jackson being impulsive … but this is something new.
When the elevator doors open, Aria is waiting for us. She casts a quick glance at Logan before moving her eyes down to the floor.
“So how’s our little princess doing?” I ask, knowing she phoned her sister while we were getting coffee, trying to divert her attention from the tense atmosphere in the air, as well as the impending catastrophe that’s going to happen in room 351 soon. I move between her and my twin … just in case. Normally I would trust Jackson, he’s dark and unpredictable but would never hurt one of his own … but lately he’s changed.
“She’s fine … playing video games with Luke.” Luckily Aria doesn’t seem to notice that anything is wrong.
“Luke?” Logan asks while having a silent conversation with me over her head, and at the same time, keeping a watchful eye on our brother.
“Yes, Jesse took her to Noah at the pub, and Luke is also there,” Aria explains, “and according to my sister they’re enjoying Alejandro’s new equipment.” I listen but am focused on Logan’s expressions. He’s wondering the same thing as me … who the fuck is that girl? And why did she have an impact on our brother’s psyche like that? Or did we miss something else … maybe it has nothing to do with the girl. The Old Man then?
We proceed down the corridor, nobody saying anything.
Logan is probably too tired and shocked, Aria is probably too worried, Jackson … well he’s Jackson … and me … I’m thinking about how all this is going to affect our tight-knit family.
We find Alejandro engaged in a deep conversation with his brother in front of the door.
Damion must have come here straight from the airport … he went through a lot of trouble to get back … the poor thing got it bad for my sister. I would never let any girl rule me like that. I grin complacently at my pussy-whipped friend’s misfortune … ha ha … serves him right for falling in love, and being careless with his sperm … stupid ass! But then Aria nervously clutches my arm and my smile wilts like a rotten banana. The joke is on me – seems I’m in the same fucking boat.
“Fuck, the shackled hen-pecker with over-eager sperm returned … luckily we missed the whole soppy smoochy reunion,” Jackson scuffs playfully – another prompt attitude change – while shaking Damion’s hand. I give Logan a look and he pulls up his shoulders. Well, Jackson and his stuff can wait … now it’s time to focus on the problem at hand … the DNA test.
“Can’t help it if even my sperm is magnificently super,” Damion snaps back.
Being in love in this group means permissible ridicule from all sides … especially from the heartless devil that I shared my womb with.
I, on the other hand, fake an uneasy corner-tug smile … inwardly regretting taunting Damion in the past … only now understanding the helplessness of the situation … the meek complicated feelings that grab onto one’s heart and you can’t do shit about it.
Personally, I would give my right eye to meet the girl that can force Jackson to his knees … that is if such a girl even exists. I mean, she’ll have to be some sort of crazy, smart, fierce, and fearless. A sudden brief memory pops into my mind … when we were little kids Jackson always said that he’s gonna marry the Tomb Raider girl … and thinking about it now she would be perfect for him if she was real. Nevertheless, it would be extremely satisfying to witness his collapse. The girl downstairs crosses my mind.
I hand Damion the cup of coffee in my hand … I condense that the man needs it more than I do since he just spent roughly three days stuck on their team jet – both in the air and grounded at airports. And judging by the black rings under his eyes, he’s in an even worse state than Logan.
“Hi, guys,” a voice suddenly sounds up behind us. Jackson’s head snaps around and he gets this strange look in his eyes. A look that’s totally unfamiliar to me.
“Lee, what are you doing here?” Aria asks and leaves my arm to give the tiny man a hug. What’s so fucking special about him?
“I’ve heard my roommate was in a car accident, so I brought him some coffee. I didn’t know everybody was here.” Yes, it was me. I messaged him to tell him about Jackson. I want to find out what’s going on with my brother lately and Lee seems to be the answer. But after all that’s happened, I totally forgot about my message to Lee.
Jackson looks down and stuffs his empty hand in his pocket, while inattentively kicking Axel’s foot. His friend gives him a confused look. I must be wrong, but it almost seems as if Jackson is flustered. I would not know for sure ’cause I’ve never seen him flustered.
“But I see you already got some.” Lee takes a sip from one of the cups in his hands. Well, I just gave mine up so I hold out my hand.
“I’ll take it, thanks.” But before I can take the coffee from Lee’s outstretched hand, Jackson stuffs the holder he was carrying into Alejandro’s hands and grabs the cup from Lee.
“It’s mine,” he groans, now again in another mood. This is strange … even for him. I’m starting to wonder if firstly, my brother might really be gay and secondly, if he might be pregnant. Yeah, I know that’s crazy, but his mood swings surpass that of Mel’s – who is actually expecting. Lee’s arm is frozen; still extended, his lion-colored eyes bemused.
“Okay, then,” he draws back his arm, but Jackson grabs it and pulls him hardheadedly into the room, leaving the rest of us in a slightly stumped state.
“I swear Mel’s pregnancy is rubbing off on him,” Logan breaks the flummoxed silence.