Falling For Insanity

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Eric's POV

Life didn't always feel like this. Just about a month ago it didn't feel like this. I've never been so content in my life even with Rosie Mae just teetering on the line of giving into me. That was good enough for me, for now.

"What the f**k, Eric?!" Faith whisper yells, holding her hand against her chest. She was shocked and scared, finding someone sitting in the desk chair in her room already, though relief washed over her face when realizing it's just me. "You scared me half to death." She closed her bedroom door behind her, locking it. "What are you doing here?"

I watched her put her keys and phone on her dresser, peering over at me, waiting for my reply. "What does Blake have against you?" I ask bluntly.

She states a few moments. I can see the wheels turning in her head, as if trying to make up a fast lie but she should already know that wouldn't work on me. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, Faith." The fingers on my right hand tap my leg. "What does he have over you? Rosie Mae doesn't know about Blake's past for a reason. You're her best friend. You would've told her." She visibly swallows. "Explain."

Faith shakes her head. "I can't tell you, Eric. I swore to Blake that I'd never say anything. He'd kill me."

Literally. I wouldn't put it past Blake to go into a fit of rage and murder Faith if he found out she's about to tell me whatever they've been hiding so well and for so long. I didn't plan on spreading any news though. I planned on using it to my advantage.

I keep staring at her, expressionless. The fact she was even testing my patience right now is pissing me off.

Her head falls, hands fiddling with one another in front of her. "Please don't tell Rosie." Oh? I hold my stare longer. Faith sighs before saying, "right when Rosie and Blake started talking, Blake and I slept together." Well, well, well...if all else fails...I know how to break Rosie and Blake up. "It didn't mean anything. We were just extremely drunk. I didn't know they'd end up actually dating. Blake wasn't a relationship type of guy at the time. Until he met her. We both agreed it was a mistake."

A small smirk pulls at the corner of my lips. "Is that what you were doing the other night while Rosie was having her pain attack? f*****g your best friend's boyfriend?"

Another swallow.

"You, Faith, are quite the friend." I grunt as I stand, letting out a breath as I get to my feet. I give her a look of of mocking disappointment. "I have to say, I knew you were slutty but I didn't know you were a bitch."

Her eyes narrowed to slits as anger arose. "Don't even go there with me, Eric. There's plenty of things I could say about-"

"What, Faith?" I ask with a chuckle, stepping closer to her to get to the door. "Tell me something about myself that I won't admit to."

She crossed her arms over her chest, chewing on the inside of her lip. "Is that all you came here for, Eric? To get leverage over me?"

"Precisely." I reach forward, putting my hand on the door handle. "Not that I didn't have enough over you before."

Her eyes rise to look up at me, our closeness making me grow taller. "What do you want from me?"

"You'll know in time."

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"So what if I'm drinking at three pm!" Rosie's voice boomed from upstairs. "You can't say anything when you've been doing drugs and not even telling me!"

I hear Blake groan in frustration before yelling, "Then don't be mad at me when you're drunk all the time!"

"I can't take it with you!"

"Me?! You're the biggest hypocrite I've ever met!"

What I assume to be Blake's bedroom door slams shut. Heavy footsteps sound after that, descending the stairs before growing closer to my ears.

I can't help the grin on my face at the sound of their fight which is happening quite often these days. It's like they're inching slowly towards the end and I can't wait for it.

"You're really gonna walk away?!" Blake yells after her, the door swinging open before his footsteps sound after hers.

"The conversation is going no where!" Rosie huffs.

I step around the corner and into the hallway where they both stand. "Listen..." I take my pack of cigarettes and lighter out of my pocket, beginning to take one out of the box. "I don't want to get involved your all's issues or whatever..." I say before completely getting involved. "But let me give you two some advice." They both give me an annoyed glare. "How about you both drink and do drugs without getting pissed at the other person? You're both doing it."

I put the box back in my pocket before holding the cigarette between my middle and index finger, limp at my side. "Maybe I'm dumb...but I don't see what the f*****g issue is here."

They exchange a look. Both of them being stubborn, they have their noses turned up, not denying my words but refusing to admit to it being a ridiculous argument.

I'm such a good brother for helping them out.

"Where's Faith?" Our mother asks, kicking the front door of the house shut behind her with bags of groceries occupying her hands. "I hardly ever see you two without her not far behind." She snickers, entering father into the house, clearly not reading the room.

"I was going to ask the same thing." Blake says

His reply makes me laugh and say, "do you miss her while she's away, brother?"

"What?" Rose and Blake both ask in unison, looking at me, perplexed. The look on Blake's face almost made me laugh harder, an actual belly laugh, but I held it back. I have every intention of confronting him about him and Faith another time.

"I was only making a joke." I lie, squinting my eyes at Blake who challenges me back. He knows that I know. "No need to get defensive."

Rosie looks between the two of us, trying to read the mental conversation we're having.

"Don't mind Eric, Rosie." Mom tisks, playfully pushing my arm. "He's always poking at his brother." Rosie's uncomfortable stance shifts from side to side. "Eric!"

I laugh as my mom snatches my cigarette from my hand. "How many times have I told you to quit smoking?" She grills me with a sigh and a disappointed shake of her head. "You are going to end up killing your self with these things."

"I think that's the least of your worries." Blake mumbles under his breath, making me whip my head around to sneer at him. He shoots me a sarcastic smile.

Mom, who had either ignored or didn't hear Blake's comment, walked into the kitchen. The three of us hear the sound of the bags hit the countertop. "Rosie!" She calls out excitedly. "I got you the cutest outfit for the bonfire tonight. I saw it and just immediately thought of how cute you'd look in it."

Returning to the hallway, mom holds out a matching red, black and white plaid pajama set. "Don't you guys think she'd look the cutest?"

A smirk finds my lips. "She looks good in everything."

"I swear to f*****g-" Blake takes a long stride towards me but Rosie darts a hand out, grabbing his arm and pulling him back as she says through clenched teeth, "Blake!" He didn't fight her. He knows better anyway, I'd kill anyone who laid a hand on me...including my own brother. Call me crazy.

"Eric." My mom says my name in such a tone that makes me look at her in slight fear and shock. I was either in trouble or she wanted to have a serious conversation. Either way, I want no part of it. "Can I talk to you in the kitchen? You two go find something to do." She tells Blake and Rosie who hesitantly walk away.

I follow my mother to the kitchen who hasn't began speaking yet. She was building up the tension, something she was good at before a conversation with us. I always hated these talks. They never ended well for me.

I sit on a bar stood, clasping my hands together and setting them on the countertop. "You're stalling. What is it, mom?" She gives me a stern warning look. "Sorry...what did you want to talk about?"

She begins taking items out of the grocery bags, putting them away before returning for more. I meant ally scream, just wanting to get this over with.

"I want you to be completely honest with me, Eric." She says, stopping what she's doing and placing her palms on the counter from across from me.

Oh god.

"Do you like Rosie?"

For the first time, I felt truly surprised by a question. I don't even know what my expression could look like. Why is my own mother asking me if I like my brothers girlfriend? And how the f**k would she know?

My palms begin to get clammy under the heat of the question. "What kind of question is that?" I ask her, playing it cool.

"Don't play dumb with me, Eric. I'm your mother. I know you through and through." She tells me. "I've noticed the way you look at her. I've never seen you look that way before. About anything or anyone." She lets out a breath, thinking about her next words. "She's your brother's girlfriend first of all. But most importantly, she's seventeen. Meaning off limits to you in every way shape and form."

Which only makes me want her all the more.

I scan the countertop in thought. "She won't be seventeen much longer."

Her eyes widen a bit but then she sighs, putting her hands on her hips, poking one out to the side. "Eric." She hisses. "No. That would crush your brother. I'm sure you can tell how in love with her he is." Who wouldn't be? "Whatever little games you're trying to play, you need to stop right now before you go too far and severally hurt your relationship with Blake."

I push my hair out of my face, bending my head down a little to keep my palms rested on top of my head. Despite our rocky relationship due to my rotten behavior, my mom has always been the most caring person in the world. She's someone everyone felt comfortable opening up to, admitting things to that they couldn't say to just anyone else. Since she's like that to every human being she comes across, you can imagine how she is with her children.

"What if it's not a game?" I ask, after all this time, finally speaking about my feeling about Rosie Mae out loud.

Her ridged, stressed out features soften a bit. "You don't know her well enough to know if your playing games or not. You can't truly like someone you don't know."

Another admission. "Rosie and I have been spending a little time together...alone. I know her well enough to make a solid decision on how I feel about her."

Mom puts her face in her hands, elbows rested on top on the counter, stress now waving over her again. "Oh my god. Rosie is doing that behind his back? I just can't believe she would do something like that."

I shake my head. "Don't get the wrong impression. We aren't hanging out like that. Just as friends."

"But you're still lying." She points out, standing up straight. "And so is she. So there's something going on for her not to tell Blake that she's hanging out with his own brother." I've been fighting to make that point to Rosie. "You can't keep seeing her without telling him the truth."

"Mom...you don't understand." I shake my head, not quite sure how to put the words together myself. "The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one." She closes her eyes for a moment before reopening them. "I'm telling you right now, mom...I will marry that girl."

She stares, sympathetically and warmly. "I've never heard you talk about someone like that."

"That's because I've never felt this way before." Images of her flash through my head. "She's the most perfect form of beautiful."

She looks in the direction of the hallway, where we once stood. "I've never heard Blake talk that way about her..." she trails off, thinking. "But this isn't for you, Blake, or even me to decide. This is all up to Rosie rather you boys like it or not."

"I know what she wants. She just won't admit it."

"Oh my gosh, Rosie." She exaggerates, not needing me to explain to understand that there's been situations to let me know these are facts. "I wish you'd leave this alone but I'm sure you won't." My mom sighs again, something I make her do often. "This is going to effect you and your brother's relationship if you act in any way on your feelings."

"Sometimes brotherhood has to come second. I don't want to grow old with Blake. I want to grow old with Rosie." I explain.

She fiddles with the grocery receipt. "Just please be careful."

"I always am."

Faith ended up showing to the bonfire, much to my dismay after this mornings events. I half expected the girl to be a no show since her secret was out to me. She kept her distance from Blake a bit more than usual, enough to raise some suspicion. She will need to be taught well, her discretion wasn't very good.

I don't mind the hate she is beginning to grow towards me. Faith will be thanking me for everything I am about to do for her later.

Blake was seemingly still in a tiff with Rosie Mae, staying separated from her most of the time. He spent it slipping himself, Cory, Nathan, and Willy drinks. He got drunk behind our parent's backs, masking the negativity between himself and Rosie. Those kids cooing skills weren't the best but to be fair, neither is mine.

Rosie Mae looked even cuter than we all had imagined in our head when our mom presented the outfit earlier. It fit her snugly, not too much, just enough. Those curves prominent and makeup-less face beautiful enough to drool over. Her black beanie was cute, hair fall over her shoulders from underneath it. Her puffy black coat hung off her left shoulder, black gloves on her hands to protect her from the frigid weather.

She had no idea how she was always the center focus of a room, drawing everyone in with that sexy way about her. The way I never want to turn away is incessant.

The decorated tree and Christmas lights surrounding our backyard provided our light. Festive songs played in the background as some people made s'mores, drank hot chocolate, and mingled with one another. This was a yearly tradition, one we've done since I was old enough to remember. It was always one of our favorite things to do this time of year.

That was until Blake Killed little ol' Tanner Harper, putting a damper on our holiday spirits every time the event happens now. Needless to say, Tanner's parents don't attend anymore.

What a killer of a party.

"What are you thinking about?"

I hadn't noticed Rosie Mae approaching me, lost in random thought as I sit on a bench in the garden, where I had once talked to Rosie when we first met. I remember back to the guns smooth barrel against her stomach...yet she's still here. This only made the desire I have for her more powerful.

Rosie stands in front of me, red nosed and cheerful appearing as she gazes down at my sitting position.

"You" I answer her, reaching forwards and taking her gloved hand, pulling her closer to me. My legs are already spread where I had gotten comfortable on the bench. I brought her between them.

With an instant flush of her cheeks, Rosie's hand retreats from mine, shoving itself in her coat pocket but her feet stay put, leaving her to stand between my legs.

She sheepishly smiles, tucking her hair behind her ear and looking back the way of the party. "Stop it." The bushes behind the bench only barely covered us from people's view. Though no one was paying attention as the festivities continued.

"Do you ever think about me?" I ask, c*****g my head to the side, letting my fingertips tap against the side of her leg.

"You're crazy." She avoids the question, hugging her arms closer to her body.

"So they say."

A silence falls over us. It isn't awkward though, nor uncomfortable. We plainly look at each other. Just this little thing, I could do forever with her. If it wasn't for the possibility of someone spying, I'd warm her up myself, right here, right now.

My body aches to draw her closer, as if touching her was a necessity. Liking her is like being addicted to something I haven't even tried yet.

"I want you, Rosie Mae."

Her lips parted but no words came out as she didn't falter her stare. "I told you that Blake-"

"Don't think about Blake." I rise to my feet, causing her to take a large step back. Though I match her step, taking a large one forward. "Pretend like he doesn't exist for a minute."

Rosie's chin lifts to get a better look at me. Her nervous demeanor is cute. "Eric-"

"Shh, shh." I shake my head once. "Listen to me, Rosie Mae." She does as I say, sealing her lips shut. "Let's say you never met Blake. Let's say you're single. Would you still fight your feelings towards me so hard?"

"I'm not answering that. I don't have to."

"You kinda just did by not denying having feelings."

Her expression turns into a frustrated one. "I'm not doing this little dance with you, again. That's a ridiculous thing to ask because it's not our reality." She puffs.

"It could be."

"Actually, I have a better idea." She takes her hand from her pocket, poking a finger against my chest. "How about we pretend your feelings towards me don't exist? Maybe that'll make your life a little easier." She mocks what I had said the other day by saying something similar.

I take her hand that's poking me in mine, slowly letting it down back by her side. "Rosie Mae...don't ever do that again."

Lust flashes behind those pretty eyes. I had almost forgotten she likes the dominance I have about me. She doesn't understand how well I could satisfy her if she let me.

"You liked that, huh?"

She nibbles on her bottom lip, just the little action driving me wild. "Eric. Stop it."

"You don't really want me to."

"Boo!"

Both of our heads turn to see Cory jump out from around the bushes. It made Rosie jump but I still haven't found anything that scares me yet. Maybe getting caught and locked up the rest of my life...yeah...that scares me.

"Scare ya?" Cory laughs at Rosie's reaction. "People are starting to wonder where you two are." He glances between us with a sly smirk. "wouldn't want to give the wrong impression sneaking off all alone, don't you agree?"

Rosie rolls her eyes, brushing past, making it a point to shoulder check him as she didn't. Cory who just chuckles, watches her leave us standing there.

"She's always like that." I shake my head.

"She's always drunk."