Date = 17 April
Place = San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport) (SFPD Bayview Station)
POV – Enrique
I miss my brother already. But I understand it’s what he needs right now. That fucking girl messed him up real good. Guess she was his voodoo pussy girl. So I accept that he needs to get this out of his system. I just hope that he manages to heal quick and come back to us.
“Ooh, ET came home,” Dean says, his eyes on the screen in his hands. What?
“Since the news broke about a possible UFO sighting over New York last night, more and more videos are released, claiming that the flying lights in the air was indeed some kind of space ship.”
The news-reporter’s voice sounds calmly from the iPad in Dean’s hands. I stare at the footage of some blinking lights swooping through the air of The Big Apple. And just as I’m on my way there to shoot an advertisement for Pepsi.
“Crap,” Dean giggle-swears in the seat next to me, “with the bad luck you guys have, it will be unusual if we DON’T walk smack into an alien invasion.”
I guess adversities do befall my family, more than others. After all, just look at everything that happened to us so far … it’s as if we’re cursed or something. But then again, being abducted by aliens might just be the vacation I need at this point. I’m dead tired. These last few days I didn’t get much sleep. But I did get in a few straight nights of worrying though.
Firstly, Leyla isn’t responding to the treatment as we hoped she would. The doctor is thinking that a bone-marrow transplant might be the next step. They’re going to test Aria, Noah and Jesse for a hopeful match this week, since they’re the closest relatives she has. And secondly, we still don’t have much information about the person targeting us. I’m afraid for the girls’ safety.
I lean my head back against the seat, waiting for them to call us to board our plane to New York. I wish I could just cancel this job … especially since finding out who my co-star is, but Dean (still pissed because I handed the movie role over to Brian) re-fucking-fused. He, not so calmly, mentioned that if I canceled I would be breaking the contract I signed with them, not only can they sue me for millions of dollars, but it also damages my reputation AND he won’t find me another job EVER. A little dramatic if you ask me, but that’s Dean for you.
Anyway, for me, it’s not about the money … it never is, it’s about the job. I love my job. But my reputation (although slowly climbing up the steps since I started ‘dating’ Aria) is still not peculiarly strong at this moment. So I can’t afford any mishaps if I want to continue my work. And I would really like to keep doing it.
But I also need to keep Aria safe … and away from Brian. And that’s not gonna happen if she keeps working at Inferno. I wish she would just accept my help and do that fucking life streams from home. She really doesn’t need to work. I sigh. But that’s not who Aria is. She loves her make-up streams and judging by the amount of followers she have … she must be doing something right. Noah told me that Aria had to give up all of her dreams so he can study to get a good job and provide for his sisters. There was no money left in the will – it was all ceased because of some fraud claim against his father. He didn’t elaborate much … but I know he’s sad because of their fate … especially Aria’s cruel reality.
“Hey, what are you thinking, pretty boy,” Dean asks. He might be my agent, but he’s also a friend. “If you’re worried about the aliens, I’ve heard they’re mostly friendly.”
“Aria,” I start.
“Ah, yes, with you it’s always a girl. But I must admit … I get the feeling this one is special. You should keep her.” I give him a lopsided grin. I plan too. Keep her, that is.
“I want to help her … and I need to get her out of the club … but I don’t know how exactly.” I’m looking for some advise.
“Okay, so help her.” That’s his advice. I pull a face at him.
“How? She’s too stubborn to accept my money.” He pouts for a moment and stare at the airport ceiling.
“What does she like to do?”
“She has this make-up channel … so I guess she likes doing make-up.” Do I really know this little about my own girlfriend? The girl I really like?
“So why don’t we find her a job then? I mean … we know everybody who is a somebody and every show or shoot needs make-up artists. I could make a few calls for you if you want?” I could seriously kiss this man right now. But kissing my gay agent in a full airport is not going to be good for either of our reputations.
“Thanks, I would really appreciate that.” I say instead.
“And don’t you have that famous San Francisco Boys video channel with that millions and millions of followers? Why don’t you boost her channel on there?” I never thought about that. And it gives me a brilliant idea. She can face paint us for our next stunt – we never reveal our faces … nobody knows who the San Francisco Boys truly are … and we can put in a link to her page.
“You’re early,” a voice says and I cringe, not even lifting my head. Why off all people did Pepsi decide Amanda is the perfect match to star with me in their advertisement?
“Enrique dropped his brother.” Why is he even explaining anything to her?
“Coffee?” she asks, forcing me to open my eyes. “I stopped at Starbucks.” I don’t want anything from her … especially not after the stunt she pulled on Instagram. But I can really do with some caffeine right now. Without a word, I hesitantly take one cup from the container. I’m not fully convinced that it’s not drugged or something. These days I’m not trusting anyone outside my group … especially not someone that’s friends with Brian. She plops down on a chair opposite us, eagerly staring at me as if waiting for me to start a conversation. I don’t. Instead I take out my phone and intentionally call Aria.
“Hello,” she answers almost immediately.
“Hi, darling,” I accent the last word, deliberately for Amanda to hear.
“I guess the B is close by, right?” She immediately catches on. I’ve told her that Amanda would be going with us, I didn’t want to lie to her. And I told her to ignore any posts the hoe might post on her status, or to at least first talk to me about it. I don’t want any more misunderstandings to occur between me and her.
“Yep, and how’s Leyla?” That’s the reason I actually called.
“Tired … sleeping … Noah is with her. I’m taking a shower and feeding Leyla’s zoo. And boy, am I frickin glad someone thought up that feeding tunnel gadget so I don’t actually have to open Petunia’s den. Now that is one bug that really makes my hair stand on end.” Should I tell her a spider is not considered a bug. Nah. Who cares. “Anyway, I’m just going to upload a video before I go back to the hospital again.” I smile, loving to hear her sounding a little more cheerful. She’s been through a lot these last couple of weeks.
“Okay, fairy-girl, but make sure you get enough sleep. I’m gonna need you well rested when I return,” I look at Amanda’s scorned face and then add, “I’m gonna miss you.” Although I might have done it to piss off the bitch, it’s also the truth. I am going to miss Aria … the whole of her and not just her body.
“I’ll miss you too, Sport.” Does she really mean that? Or did she just say it back?
“One day you’ll have to tell me the meaning of that.”
Her giggle in my ear sounds like music. “One day. Promise.”
“I’ll phone you when we land … ” I smile and get up, walking away from preying ears “maybe you could … eh … help me get something down.” I hear a soft gasp and then there’s a minute of silence. Someone giggles in the background. Sounds like Mel. Some scrambling noises and then her voice is in my ear … louder than before.
“You were on fucking speakerphone doofus,” she chastise me, but I don’t mind. I love when she gets all worked up. I can even imagine the fire in her eyes right now.
“And I’m not having phone sex with you,” she whisper-yells.
“Are you sure about that?” Another deep intake of breath. Is she biting her lip right now? I need to know.
“Are you biting your lip?” This time she snorts. Then she swears softly “Shit” before she answers.
“Eh … n n no.” The small hesitation, combined with the stutter tells me she’s lying … she so is!
“So I’ll phone you from my hotel room later … be ready.” I put down the phone before she can answer me. I wanted to tease her, but it backfired … now I’m full-on ready … in an airport waiting room. Just great. I pull out my shirt and roll my eyes. Fucking ginger … it’s all her fault. I go back to my chair next to Dean.
I look over at Amanda and my heart does nothing. My stomach doesn’t knot. And the uncomfortability in my pants, in fact, die right down. Not that these should be indications of if you want someone or not. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never felt shit about any girl before, but I still fucked them. I didn’t know any better. But now I do.
I peer at my screensaver – a photo of Aria – and it’s a whole different ballgame. I feel so many things all at once it’s downright weird. My palms sweat. My heart hammers in my chest. My guts turn, my jeans are seriously restricted – again. As if I’m childishly happy. And all this is what scare the absolute shit out of me. Or rather the meaning behind it … that word. That fucking word.
But at least I know where my happiness lies, the problem now, how do I get that person on board? Or rather, how do I make the contract real.
“What did you do now?” Dean bumps me in the ribs and it’s only then that I notice the two men dressed in dark blue uniforms, walking our way. They’re clearly from the SF Police department … not airport security.
“I swear I didn’t do anything,” I say back. Maybe they’re here for Amanda. Oh, I hope they’re here for her.
“Enrique Blackburn?” One officer asks and Dean gives me a look. I frown. What now? I really didn’t do anything … well not in the last couple of weeks … that warrants an arrest.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“You have to come with us please. We have a warrant for your arrest.” The man takes his cuffs from his belt.
“Wait!” Dean jumps up, holding his hands in the air. “Listen … if you cuff him here it will be all over the news. Please be reasonable. We’re not armed and we will come with you peacefully.” He begs. The officers look at each other and the other one pulls up his shoulders.
“Alright … let’s go. But don’t you dare try anything.” I pull my cap more over my eyes, hoping to not be recognized and start walking. The men form a barricade around me, one on each side. Dean and Amanda trot behind us, trying to keep up. We enter the parking area where a vehicle is waiting. They cuff me and put me in the back.
“I’ll phone a lawyer and Aria and everybody and meet you at the station,” I hear Dean shout as we take off.
Apart from answering some fan-based questions and them talking about my previous movies, the drive goes by rather quietly. I know at least to keep my mouth shut … it’s clearly stated in the Miranda Warning – You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.
Since I don’t know what I’m being charged with, it’s better to not say anything … in case I say something wrong … that they’ll use against me … in court. This must be a mistake. I rush my brain … but I really can’t come up with anything that justifies this. However, I get this feeling that my brothers might have something to do with this. Maybe Ilkay’s last hoax as a going-away-present. Yeah, that must be it.
“Hey, guys, is this a prank?” Please, just don’t let them be strippers. Cause that’s something my brother would do to traitor me. Push some dicks in my face.
“Nope, we’re real officers … sorry dude. This is all real.” Great. Well, at least they’re not going to show me their willies.
At the station, I’m taken to a small interrogation room and ordered to sit down. They remove my handcuffs and then I’m left alone. I don’t wait long before a new man walks in.
“I’m Captain David Maron,” he extends his right hand, his left hand holding a file against his side. I shake his hand.
“Enrique Blackburn.”
He sits in the chair opposite from me and places the file on the table between us.
“Can you talk or do you want to call your attorney first?” he asks.
“Well, depends on what I’m being charged with.” I try to keep a level head. I still don’t know what I’m in for.
“Battery.” Fighting. Seriously. I scratch the sudden itch in my neck.
“You mean I attacked someone?” Is he serious. Does he have the right twin? “You sure it’s me?”
“Well, the person shouts out your name in the video.”
“There’s a video?” He nods. I’m confused. Majorly. The last time I was in a fight was during the whole Harry rescue mission.
“Okay,” I say slowly, trying to get my mind in order. “Who did I allegedly hit?” He opens the file and read the name from it. “Brian Cruise. ”
“Fuck.” What is he planning now?
“Friend of yours?”
“We’re not close. Can I see the video?” He gets up and walks out, just to return moments later with a laptop. He sits down again and works on the computer, then he turns it on the table so I can see the screen.
I watch Alejandro and Axel carrying a very drunk Logan between them while Jackson walks on the side. They seem to be in some or other parking area. Brian comes into the picture and talks to them. You can’t hear what he’s saying, but the next moment Jackson headbutts him right in the face. He staggers back and falls onto the floor. Jackson moves forward and Brian shouts out holding up his hands in front of his face. “Enrique, stop! You’re crazy. Enrique!” One can barely make it out … but it’s clear enough. Did he think Jackson was me? Jackson grabs him by the collar and lifts him from the floor, saying something in his face. Again it’s too soft to hear the conversation. He let’s go of Brian, straighten his clothes where his fist wrinkled it, while talking to him again. The guys walk unfaced out of the picture. Brian looks straight into the camera, wiping the blood from his nose, and his lips pull up into the smallest hint of a smile. He fucking planned this. But why?
The video ends and I look at the man across the table.
“What now?”
“Well, I would like to know what he said to you … what you said back … just to get the full picture here.” It makes sense … but the thing is I would also like to know what he said. I need to get D-boy or Axel in here. How am I going to play this?
“Eh … I think you should rather get that information from my friends … won’t that be better?” I don’t want to include Jackson at this moment. Luckily, he’s in Minnesota with his team.
“We plan on doing that … we just need to hear it from you first.” My mind runs a million miles in circles, thinking of a way out of this. There’s a knock on the door.
“Enter!” the policeman shouts. Uncle John walks in, with Matt, the Blackburn company lawyer … or attorney … not sure what he is. But he’s pretty good at what he does and helped us out of trouble loads of times.
“I would like to talk to my client in private, please,” Matt says without greeting anybody.
The captain nods and leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Matt looks at the camera in the corner and waits until the green light on it turns to red.
“What did you do?” Uncle John gets right to the point.
“I’ll show you … there’s a video.” I turn the video back on and they both watch in silence. Then Matt turns to me.
“I’m going to take a wild guess … that’s Jackson in the video?” I nod.
“I don’t want him involved in this. And Brian did it on purpose … he’s planning something again.”
“Will he go to jail?” Uncle John asks the important question.
“Well, hitting a person is a battery under California law per Penal Code 242 and it could be charged as a felony … but since the defendant is not a public servant or was not severely injured … we would most likely get away with a fine.” I can live with that. We’ll just pay and get out of here then.
“But they will still take your testimonies … and since you were not there … ” Matt states the obvious. I look at my uncle.
“Phone Axel or Alejandro … let’s hear what they talked about.” My uncle walks to one corner of the room, his phone to his ear. “We also need to know exactly when this happened and where … everything.” That’s important I suppose.
The next moment a whole commotion breaks out on the other side of the door. People are shouting.
“You can not go in there!” Must be a policeman.
“Just try and stop us, Shoestring!” I roll my eyes, recognizing the voice of my sister. The door bursts open and in walks the three girls that would most likely make me end up in an early grave … or this case jail. Following closely behind is a very VERY thin police officer. Poor Shoestring. He looks young … probably new. His face is filled with mortification.
“Eh … I’m sorry … I could not stop them,” he looks at Matt. The guy is pitiful.
“It’s alright … we know them. Just close the door.” The anorexic-case in a uniform looks rather relieved to do just that.
“What the hell did you do?” Aria points a finger at my nose. Why does everybody just assume I did something? I explain the charges and show them the video.
“I’m gonna strangle that fucking twin of yours!” Mel shouts, “Right after I kicked Brian in the balls.” I groan, remembering her little experiment not so long ago where she battered my balls. I was walking with wide legs like a gay prostitute for two days. I actually feel a little sorry for Brian … not that he doesn’t deserve it.
“I’ll help,” Kiara pats Mel on the shoulder.
“Me too. I’m so fed-up with that Fucknut.” I’m sure Aria is not even aware that she’s swearing. I lean my chin on my hand. She’s so frickin cute.
“Don’t worry … we’ll just pay the fine and this will be all over,” I try to calm them down.
“So he’s definitely not going to jail?” Aria asks looking at Matt, whose been sitting there quietly with a smug face the whole time. He’s enjoying this way too much.
“No. He’ll be out of here in a couple of hours. But you girls need to go. We don’t need more trouble.”
They reluctantly leave, mumbling between them something about how they’re not trouble and how stupid men are. My eyes follow Aria’s tight ass out. Really fucking cute.
“Okay, Alejandro told me everything … listen carefully.” Uncle John puts his palms on the table and leans over. I forget about Aria’s cuteness … this is important. I instinctively move closer and prick my ears.