It’s Complicated But It Doesn’t Have To Be

14

LATER THAT NIGHT

Melissa stood in her walk in wardrobe, deciding what to wear. She doesn’t want to dress up too much but she doesn’t want to wear her casual clothes.

Deciding to play it safe Melissa wore her winter dress, a thigh length wool dress, with thick black and grey hoops, with a small turtle neck long sleeves, and pantyhose, on her feet she wore Cuban heeled black knee high boots. The boots hugged her calves. It was warm and sexy all rolled into one. Melissa grabbed her wide belt and fixed it around her waist.

Leaving her hair down she curled it, and put on smoky eyes and winged eyeliner, mascara a bit of foundation and concealer to hide the grey tinge to her skin from lack of sleep and food.

Melissa’s personal mobile rang as she was at the front door.

“Yeah I was just letting the dogs in and I will come to you.” Getting towards the door the dogs ran in. Melissa frowned as she thought she saw something flash in the garden, not having time to investigate, she shrugged and locked the back door. Going towards the front she called “Be good Sully, Storm and Ebony.” And with that disappeared and locked the door.

Brock was waiting in his Prius when he saw her. She was wearing a dress, she looked amazing. Getting out of the car he opened the passenger door for Melissa.

“Oh a true gentleman.” As she passed him he caught the nice smell of her perfume. Lily and vanilla. Getting back in the car he smiled starting the engine

“Ok so there’s this bar I know. It’s a nice place and there’s dancing if you’re up for it. They also serve food if you’re hungry.” Brock raised one eyebrow at her looking her straight in the eye.

“Ok. Let’s go.” Melissa said as they started of the driveway.

Two cars behind was the black SUV following on. The driver was cursing Brock’s sudden appearance had put paid to his plans.

Their phone rang “Yes?” He said slightly annoyed.

The disembodied voice came through the phone “Not yet. We need more pictures and more I need to manipulate the voice recordings. Just keep gathering intel at the minute.”

The driver hung up, he had m*********d three times up the tree, he’d brought binoculars to get a better look. His irritation was growing, he just wanted Melissa and her business, the other voice wanted money, power and fame and to f**k Melissa’s life up, leaving her destitute and broken and hopefully pregnant as well.

Their life had been hard, growing up in an orphanage, they’d tried to study hard but got nowhere. Now they wanted what Melissa and her family had.

That notoriety was what the two men craved. This plan had been put in motion since they learned of Melissa taking over.

The two guys had applied to Hartford industries as executives only to be told they weren’t qualified, they had been offered a course to take to help but both wanted it without trying too hard.

Brock pulled into the car park, getting out he went round to the passenger side and opened the door for Melissa. Stepping out she blushed slightly Brock really was a gentleman. Unknowingly she compared the two both guys were so different Brock was a gentleman from what she could tell so far whereas Blake was a “bad boy” he didn’t open doors and he was pushy, and yet in bed he was gentle, making sure she was satisfied.

Melissa found herself wondering if Brock was the same in bed or out of it. Blushing slightly as they walked towards the door Brock gave her a questioning look and asked “Are you okay? Feeling alright?” Melissa smiled and replied “Yeah just coming out of the warm car into the cold night y’know.”

Opening the door to the bar, Blake stood against it, allowing Melissa to go first saying “Ladies first.” Getting to the little booth, fronted with glass, a hole in the middle, and a semi circle at the bottom the guy who sat there had a cigarette hanging in his mouth.

“Five dollars each, you need your hand stamped to show you’ve paid, it’s an extra $2 for coat check in.” The guys deep southern accent came out through the hole.

Brock took out his wallet and handed over $12 and gave his coat to the built security guy who stood at the coat check in door.

“Have a good night.” The check in guy said in a bored voice

Once they walked away up the stairs Melissa said in a low whisper “Smile if you like your job.” Giggling the two of them made their way into the first level of the bar.

It was quiet and had tables there were lots of middle aged and young couples, drinking and talking quietly, shutting the door Brock gently took Melissa’s elbow and guided her upstairs to where there was a booming bass line.

Opening the door Brock tilted his head and said “You want to dance?”

Melissa laughed and said “I dance like a drunk baby giraffe” both of them cracked up. “But yeah come on show me your drunk baby giraffe.”

Melissa led Brock onto the dancefloor.

Swaying her hips, the beat changed to a hot, sultry beat, Brock was a surprisingly good dancer and didn’t appear to have two left feet.

Brock made a hand gesture for “drink” and Melissa smiled and they walked over to the bar.

Brock saw Melissa going to take out her bank card to pay.

“Oh no. This is on me. A thank you.” Besides my mother raised a gentleman, I could never ask you to pay not when I was the one who asked you out.

“Erm....ok. But you have to let me buy you one beer at least.” Melissa said coyly

“We’ll see.” Brock said mysteriously.

Brock had a plan to get Melissa drunk to try and help her get over her heartbreak. He wouldn’t take advantage just take her home.

“What would you like?” He asked for the details to help

“Um.....I don’t usually drink anything other bourbon or red wine so what do you recommend?” Melissa asked

“Well because of where we are and holding it I recommend a bottle of beer.”

Brock suggested.

“Ok whatever you have I will.” Melissa said finality in her voice

“2 beers please” Brock said to the bartender and passed him some cash although Melissa didn’t see how much

Handing her the cold beer he took a swallow and watched Melissa as she drank some of hers.

Pulling a face she said “What’s this?”

Laughing Brock said “It’s beer, I’m sorry your refined pallet isn’t used to high quality bourbon or high classes red wine, us working class guys drink beer.”

Melissa picked up on the friendly teasing saying “Well you will bring me to a low class nightclub what did you expect.”

Laughing he responded quickly “Oooh shots fired.”

The evening wore on and it was full of laughing, drinking lots of drinking, goofing around, and dancing.

Melissa was feeling the buzz of the beer she had drunk, which was quite a lot, having had nothing to eat for a few days she got drunk quite quickly.

Dancing with Brock she had her back to him and started grinding her hips up against his, he was struggling to keep his hands off her.

She grabbed his hands and placed them on her hips, as she grinded against him.

Swallowing thickly he pulled her close, he wasn’t drunk, in fact he’d only had a couple, and then moved onto water, Melissa had called him a spoilsport, but she carried on drinking.

She was so close and smelt so good.

“You’re making this hard for me to just be a friend.” He whispered in her ear.

Winking over her shoulder she pulled away from him. She knew she was teasing him and right now she didn’t care.

She turned to face him, and placed a kiss on his lips. He was shocked but pulled away begrudgingly.

‘I won’t take advantage of her. She’s hurting. No matter how much I want to. I won’t be a rebound. If she wants me when she’s healed then that’s fine/ I want nothing more than to take her right now, but I can’t do that to her.’ Brock though as a shocked Melissa looked at him.

“I’m sorry.” She started to say

“Hey it’s okay. Forget it. Let’s just do the drunk baby giraffe.” He continued with a smile.

The goofiness continued long into the night. Eventually Melissa needed to sit down.

Taking a booth they sat with drinks Melissa drinking beer, Brock drinking water.

“You know Brock.” Melissa was slurring her words “You’re a good fiend.”

“A fiend? Oh you mean friend.” Brock corrected.

“Thas wut I zed. Fiend.” Melissa slurred

“Come on drunky. Let’s get you home.” Brock said standing and taking her gently by the arm, grabbing his coat and leading her to his car.

Holding her up and unlocking the car was easy for Brock “If this keeps happening I’m going to have to add more weights to my routine.” He chuckled as Melissa started to fall asleep.

Sitting down the sleepy girl and strapping her in. He got in the drivers seat, unaware their entire night had been caught on camera.

Brock walked in through the door, and met with Blake who was getting a drink.

“Late night?” Blake said as Brock hung up his coat, when he heard the door go.

Brock went to him, and punched him straight in the face.

“What the hell dude?” Blake asked shocked as he held his cheek.

“That one was for Melissa, sleeping with her and then dumping her.” Brock snarled.

“I didn’t dump her.” Blake said

“So you’re planning on texting her? Or even seeing her again?” Brock asked folding his arms across his chest.

Blake yelled at his older brother “I tried. I lost her personal cell number when my phone slipped out of my pocket at the bar when it flooded, then I brought another one with a new number. I found her business card and rang it but for some reason that stupid secretary told me Melissa was busy then the number was blocked.”

Brock was taken back to the evening and the chat they had.

Melissa and Brock are sitting in a booth. Melissa turned to Brock and said “Why? Why did he sleep with me? I wouldn’t have minded if he had made his intentions clear, but I was a virgin. Then when I told him I thought I was falling for him he left and hasn’t responded to my texts. But I know he’s read them.” Resting her head in her hands, tears fell from beneath them.

Brock’s eyes widened at this, “He took your virginity?”

“I know what you’re thinking. How did she get to 25 and still be a virgin. What a prude.” Melissa said. Leaning back, she looked off to the side, away from Brock.

Putting a hand on her shoulder, he spoke quietly over the music, but loud enough to be heard “Melissa look at me please.” No response. “Melissa please look at me.” No response “Melissa please look at me. Grabbing her chin between his thumb and index finger, he forced her to look at him, as he looked at her, he saw a tear rolling down her face.

“Melissa darling, listen to me. My brother is an ass. He has never had a serious relationship, but this is different, it’s not your fault. Blake has this sickness, he has never been in love before. You’re this sweet, fun loving, brilliant, intelligent, sexy woman, you could be with any guy you want. Please treat yourself better than this. By all means cry, but when was the last time you slept? Or ate? Is he really worth getting sick over.” Letting go of her chin, Brock looked her in the eyes, Melissa felt as if he could see right into her soul.

“I” Melissa started to say.

“I’m making it my mission to help you get over Blake.” Brock exclaimed, thumping his closed fist on the table, “And I will help you find a guy who is worthy of you.” He said with finality.

“Oh Brock. Can I have a hug? Please I feel like you’re the sweetest guy ever. Thank you for being a friend.” Melissa said and put her arms that didn’t quite reach around the broad guys back. Resting her cheek against his chest.

Coming back to the present Brock said “Well? Do you intend to see her again?”

“No. You know I’m a f**k them and leave guy if she blocks my number there isn’t much I can do anyway is there?” Blake replied monotone lying about the whirlwind inside him.

Brock pulled his fist back and hit Blake again. “DUDE!” Blake cried out.

“That was for her virginity.” Brock said as he turned to walk away.

Gathering his senses Blake snarled “Those weren’t the clothes you went out in?”

“No they aren’t. I stayed at Melissa’s.” Brock replied with an arrogant smirk.

This caused Blake to hit Brock.

“What’s the deal. I thought you were a f**k them and leave them guy.” Brock responded as he walked to his bedroom and slammed the door.

Once inside Brock grabbed his phone and brought up a website.

Floral designs by Sadie

He ordered a bouquet of yellow roses. He remembered from one of their many conversations that Melissa told him that flowers had meanings and a yellow rose is for friendship. But he remembered it had to be a small bouquet.

He paid for the bouquet and got them to deliver them tonight.

He then lay on his bed and fell asleep. Wondering what the look on Melissa’s face would be when she got the flowers.

Blake stood looking at the door shocked, he couldn’t believe it.

‘Brock had spent the night at Melissa’s?’ He was wearing different clothing so he definitely stayed overnight.

Looking at his bruised fist, from where he connected with his twins face, “Shit.” He said.

He didn’t like the thought of Brock getting close to Melissa.

But he was still confused. He didn’t know how to feel.

“f*****g Brock” Blake said as he left to go to work.

His mobile beeped

Group Chat Christmas - Mom, Dad, Blake, Brock and Andrea

Hi Boys, right about Christmas. Come over on Christmas Eve. My boss is letting me have a few days off. You can stop at the house, in your old rooms.

Blake - Why mom?

Brock - Yeah why can’t we come over Christmas Morning?

Mom - Because We have done this for years. We’re going to play games, eat lots of food and drink lots of alcohol - Except you Andrea.

Andrea- Yeah I know mom.

Mom - So I’m going to send each of you a list. We are also having a special guest. So I want all of you on your best behaviour.

Blake - Aw mom who is it? It’s not weird Uncle Mike is it?

Brock - It had better not be. Is this important because I was sleeping.

Dad - Where’s the scooping thing?

Blake - lol dads as goofy as always.

Mom - Do you mean the spoon? And why are you texting me? You’re literally in the next room. Anyway, Christmas Eve morning be there or else feel my wrath.

Brock smirked, before going back to sleep his mom and dad were the best. His dad was so goofy, his mom was came across as strict but was big hearted.

Pocketing his phone Blake left for the bar.

Christmas, Blake disliked Christmas lately. His mom was always asking him why hadn’t he settled down yet? And when was he going to give her some grandkids? To be fair Brock got the same questions, but why did he always feel like he didn’t measure up in the girlfriend department.

Going to work Blake slammed the door hoping it would wake his brother up. Now he was irritated, and his mood would last all day