Of Kings and Aces

Meeting the Family

    If Benedict Jackson was vying to be on my list of top ten most despicable people, he made a successful new entry at number five. God knew how much I wanted to call up Cara right at that moment just for spite. But I stopped myself because it was going to be my birthday soon and I did not want to upset my mother.

    “Look at what the cat dragged in,” I smirked, eyeing Seb. He was still in his uniform and it was obvious he had left the Vernazza in a hurry to get here on time.

    “You know what? Forget whatever nice thing I said about this guy. He is an ungrateful, inconsiderate d**k,” he scowled.

    “Happy birthday. I poisoned that and made sure to make it way too seafood-y for your unrefined taste,” he stretched out his arms to hand over the Pyrex dish he was holding. Unfortunately, I had my hands full.

    “Here, let me take that,” said the reason for my distress, and he reached for the dish in Seb’s hands even though he was holding a bottle of wine.

    “Nah, it’s fine. I’m just going to take this to his mom so she’s going to love me even more and disown this asshole here.” Seb took the pasta away and left us, leaving me to fend for myself.

    “Come in. Welcome to our humble abode,” I forced a smile and kept the door open for him.

    “Thanks. Are you sure you’re okay with this? Because I can just go, I don’t want to intrude,” he said hesitantly.

    “Nonsense! Any friend of my son is welcome. Come in! And who might you be?” my dad asked as he caught us by the door. He took the bottle from our guest and stuck out his hand.

    “Jacob, sir. Jacob Kingston. It’s nice to meet you,” he shook his hand.

    “I’m Ed. How did you become friends? I don’t recall Brad having a British friend,” he looked at us.

    “Work. He’s Jaxx’s – Benedict’s friend from the States, the one I mentioned that he invited to join our firm,” I explained as Jacob stepped in and took two bottles out of my hand. He did it while I was talking to my dad, making it difficult for me to argue.

    “Ah yes, Ben and my son have indeed told us a lot of impressive things about you. Bradley, could you please get some ice from the kitchen and bring it with you to the lanai?” he said and whisked him away while I was left wondering what in the world I did to deserve fate’s cruel game.

    When I got to the lanai, everybody had settled down and was busy talking to one another. Seb was charming the mothers while Jaxx was talking numbers with Chino’s dad and mine. Chino and Val were talking with Harris. I could not believe my eyes when I saw Jacob and Cole having an animated conversation. Cole was wary of new people but it seems he was really improving on his social skills. He only noticed my presence when I sat beside him.

    “Kuya!” [older brother] he gave me a half hug. “Jacob said he could beat your ass on GTA anytime.”

    “Oh please,” I scoffed and our eyes met. He wasn’t wearing his glasses so I could see his dilated pupils clearly at the center of the twinkling sea of blue. He was already in a dark blue shirt, black gym shorts, and trainers. It seemed Jaxx pulled him out of the street while he was out for a jog but he still looked well put together.

    “Only one way to find out, if your ego can take it,” Jacob smirked.

    “You’re trash-talking me in front of my brother? On my birthday? That’s low even for you, Jacob,” I bluffed but I had a strong feeling he would be able to easily whoop my ass at GTA, no matter which game because I’d be busy looking into his eyes.

    Dammit! What was I saying?

    “Speaking of,” he looked at his watch causing me to look at mine. It was midnight. Our eyes locked and once again, I did not know how to act. I was suddenly awkward as there was a funny feeling building up somewhere in my body. My heart started beating faster as his smile broadened and the dimple appeared. His teeth weren’t perfectly straight but they were pearly white. The corner of his eyes crinkled as he spoke in his low, silken voice, “Happy Birthday, Ace.”

    “Happy Birthday, kuya!” Cole shouted and raised both fists in the air as if he’d just ran the finish line, catching everyone’s attention.

    I hugged my brother. “Thanks. Thank you.” I smiled reservedly, my eyes on Jacob’s the entire time. His eyes traveled languidly across my face, stopping briefly on my mouth before he looked away. The smile on his lips slowly faded into a contented grin as he sighed.

    I pushed everything else to the back of my head for the rest of the night. Instead, I focused my energy on appreciating everyone around me. A quick movie of my childhood ran in my mind. All the fun times with my friends replayed, all the trouble we went through, Chino’s first time getting drunk and high, Val’s first heartbreak, the multiple times Jaxx and I fought but ended up still the best of friends. And the hundred times we had to cover for or hide Seb because he ended up having the most number of aggressive stalkers. Seb took the floor and was now picking on Val, which made me and everyone smile. Their constant bantering was good entertainment.

    “A penny for your thoughts?” Jake interrupted. He was comfortably seated with a glass of wine on one hand that rested on his crossed legs. He seated with his legs crossed. Maybe it was the slight buzz I had, or just the current peace that kept my soul settled after being so elusive for the past months, I decided to just let it be and go with the flow. Has he been watching me all this time?

    “I was just thinking of what I’ve been through with the guys and Val. And one other friend who is currently at the hospital right now.”

    “I hope he’s alright,” worry appearing in his eyes. “You seem to be a little nonchalant for someone whose friend is in the hospital.”

    “She,” I corrected, “is quite alright. She’s a surgical resident in training that’s why she’s still at the hospital, working.” I did not need to explain to him that Cara was actually just maybe a few blocks away from us but she could not be in the same place as Jaxx because all hell would break loose.

    From there, our conversation sprang and he started sharing about himself. He was quite a storyteller and in no time, Cole sat beside me with a plate full of smores. A few minutes later, Val joined us.

    “Hey, Cole, can I have one?” she said, pointing to the plate of goodies before sitting herself beside him.

    “Sure. It’s for everyone,” he offered. “What were you saying about the first time you watched them play?”

    “Well your brother and Miguel, or Seb, whatever his name really is, were really hamming it up. They played nonstop, it was amazing energy,” Jacob recalled. “However, when they finished, your brother had a little—“

    “I had a little confrontation but we need not talk about that,” I interrupted, glaring at him as he looked at me in puzzlement. “You know, I think we need more ice and drinks. Why don’t you help me grab some from the kitchen?”

    He still wasn’t sure what he said wrong but obliged and followed me as I made a quick escape before Cole decided to ask more questions. As soon as we were out of sight, I spun around quickly not knowing that he was only a few steps behind. Our chests collided and my forehead hit his nose squarely.

    “Ow, bloody hell!” he cursed and covered his pointy nose. He turned his back at me as he hunched forward. Flustered, I went around to check on his face. When he checked his hand, he immediately fished out a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it on his nose. I didn’t miss the tinge of red liquid coming out of his left nostril.

    “Are- are you okay?” I asked, putting my hand tentatively on his shoulder.

    “If a bloody nose constitutes being okay, then of course. Everything’s just hunky-dory,” he said sarcastically but I didn’t miss the pained look on his face before he tilted his head backward.

    “You’re not supposed to do that. It will stop without you doing that,” I pushed the back of his head forward. “You sure bleed fast for a street fighter.”

    “I’m still human, Ace, though I might seem like an indestructible god,” he said straight-faced. I was speechless for a while not believing the words that just came out of his mouth. I didn’t know what to say. What an egotistical asshole.

    When he snorted, I shook my head and began laughing with him.

    “Wanker.”

    “Oh, hit me once and you think you’re turning Bri-ish now, ah ya mate?” he said in a surprised mocking tone in the thickest accent I thought I would only hear on television.

    “Don’t start. I’m going to go straight Filipino on you and you won’t know what’ll hit you,” I threatened. “You’re in my turf.”

    He mumbled something I didn’t catch and chuckled. He once again tilted his neck back, while keeping the hanky over his nose.

    “I said you don’t need to do that. In fact, don’t do that,” I pushed his head back down.

    “What am I suppose to do? Let the blood run down and ruin my shirt?”

    “Would you rather have the blood clot in your sinuses? Or drain down your throat? Because that is just disgusting. You’re pinching your nose anyway, blood won’t stream out of it anymore.”

    We stayed in the kitchen for a few more minutes checking and rechecking if the bleeding has stopped while I explained to him why I could not have Cole know what really happened that night. I told him about his diagnosis and how I hope he wouldn’t treat him any differently with the new knowledge.

    Cole was actually pretty “normal” by our society’s standard of being normal. He just may be a little eccentric and reserved. He can even pass as just being severely obsessive-compulsive if not for his less than stellar social skills and occasional avoidance of eye contact.

    But then we all don’t always make eye contact with everyone. I surely don’t. I can’t make full, steady eye contact with the person in front of me right now without feeling awkward.

    He took off the hanky over his nose and wiped it one final time. When there was no more new blood streak on the cloth, I double-checked, holding his chin lightly with my index finger and thumb, and maneuvered his head. The soft stubbles along his jaw tickled my fingers and the sudden invasion of tingles made my breath hitch. I swiftly pulled my hand hiding it all the way to my back, clasping it with my other hand.

    “Yep, looks good,” I tore my gaze from his face, embarrassed at how I was acting. I rubbed the finger that touched his chin vigorously with my other hand, praying the tingles traveling up my arm would go away before it reached my neck. 

    I shivered as it did, making me rub the back of my neck as goosebumps formed. I stared at the refrigerator behind him, my mind in disarray and my heart pounding. The air was crackling with something I refused to acknowledge and when I looked back at him, he was already watching me with a small, lop-sided grin and a tender look in his eyes.

    Why on earth am I still hypnotized by his eyes as if they still belonged to my Azure Eyes? He’s a ruthless fighter who happens to be a man, for chissake! I scolded myself mentally, but I could not stop staring.

    And why am I acting like a f*****g p***y?

    Still staring.

    Is it just me or did he move closer?

    He did. I didn’t.

     He moved closer again. Personal space, please!

     Not even moving an inch.

     “There you are! I was waiting for the ice and drinks. Val said you left to get it,” Seb entered the kitchen. He was followed by Jaxx whose left eyebrow raised and his eyes widened in alarm seeing the two of us so close to each other. “What happened to your nose, dude?”

    “Hit something hard,” Jacob replied vaguely before subtly stepping away from me. “Where’s the ice?”

    “Duh, obviously,” he rolled his eyes.

    “Right. Seb, soft drinks are on the bottom rack of the fridge. I’ll get the ice,” I said.

     “Did Ace hit you or something?” Seb continued to pry even though he was rummaging the refrigerator. He picked four two-liter bottles before shutting the door with his hip.

    “Really? Why would I hit him, Seb?” I chuckled lightly.

    “I dunno. Maybe he tried to kiss you?” he asked innocently though there was nothing, absolutely nothing innocent when it came to Miguel Sebastian.

    “What the hell?” I shouted offended and in disbelief. 

    He just shrugged his shoulder while Jacob burst out laughing like it was the most ridiculous idea. I mean, it really was but something inside me just ticked. I found that his sincere laughter at the matter pissed me off immensely. But I laughed with him because that was logical. That was what a straight guy would do: laugh hysterically.

    “Any guy who would attempt that would get a kick in the nuts so hard he’d pass out and never have children,” I stated jokingly, still laughing but making sure he heard it. 

    This was not the time to show weakness. But deep inside I really wanted to kick Jacob Kingston in the nuts and whack him with the bags of ice I was holding, with or without the attempt. Because he f*****g pissed me off.