Shattered (Book Four)

Chapter 4: Nothing But A Good Time

I never understood why Seth dragged me into this. I thought this would be a night where we could spend hours in the house, watching action movies and talk about football, but I was wrong.

Seth and Mr. Clayton agreed that we should start the night by eating wings and drinking soda at a karaoke bar while Jared prefers to go home and sulk in his bedroom.

As Uncle Seth drove the three of us in his car, he decided to break the awkward silence and asked everyone if he wanted to listen to something on the radio. "Sure," Mr. Clayton answered hesitantly. He kept glancing at Jared, just to see if he could look at him, but he isn't.

Turning on the radio, Seth tried different channels until he found one that blew his mind. Josie's on a vacation far away, the radio sang. His brown eyes lit up like fire. "Oh my gosh," Seth squealed. "Ben, do you remember this song?"

It was the song that we used to sing together when we were kids. "Yeah,"I answered laughing. I remember. Seth turned the volume up and sang so badly Mr. Clayton and laughed.

Traces of Jared's frown suddenly lifted. I don't wanna lose your love, tonight. we sang the song until the karaoke bar stood across from us. Seth turned down the noise and shifted the car to the direction of the building and parked in between the two black vehicles.

Seth and Mr. Clayton hopped out of the car while Jared and I trailed after them. Just then, I felt someone tapping on my shoulder. Turning around, I saw the boy looking at me with reluctant eyes.

"You're Cleo's Dad, right?" he asked. I looked at him as if he asked me a stupid question. "Yes," I answered. He nodded very slowly then asked me another stupid question. "So, you know a lot about her?" he asked.

"Yes," I repeated. "Because I'm her father. Why are you asking me these questions?" Jared was about to answer until Seth popped his head out of the door. "Come on guys," he moaned, making a backwards thumb gesture inside. "The excitement will disappear without you!"

I gave him an apologetic smile then told him that we'll be there. Seth rolled his eyes, but disappeared inside the building. I looked at Jared with curious eyes then asked him what was going on.

"I like Cleo," he admitted. "Okay," I began. Jared let out a sigh then met my eyes. "I mean, I like her." he explained, blushing uncomfortably. "You know, more than a friend." I blinked my eyes at his response.

I know where this is going, I thought. "I'll tell you what," I insisted. "How about we go inside, and you can tell me about it." Jared gave me a sheepish nod then followed me inside the building.But the moment we walked inside, I suddenly felt the urge to puke: Stains of liquid, chips, and snacks appeared on the dark carpet floor and red chairs and tables were filled with rowdy people.

On the right side of the restaurant was a long line of people, looking at the menu and barking orders at the cash register. In front of the restaurant is a stage where two girls in stylish clothing, singing Last Friday Night badly while lyrics appeared on the screen. This karaoke night is starting to feel like back-to-back episodes of the X-Factor.

I looked around to see Seth and Mr. Clayton having a great time, eating wings and chugging down on their sodas. Reluctantly, Jared followed me over to the booth and sat down next to them. Seth sank his teeth into the white meat then asked what was taking us so long. "Nothing," I lied. Just then, a pretty blond waitress came to our aid then asked for Jared's order.

"Coke please," Jared responded. Her cheeks turned red when she asked for my order. "Just water, please." I answered. She jotted our drinks on her notepad then disappeared. As soon as the woman left, Jared looked at me strangely.

"What?" I asked. "How did you get that waitress to look at you?" Jared breathed. I pressed my finger against the hard surface of the table then glanced at my wedding ring. "I asked her for water." I answered. Just then, I heard a small giggle coming from behind me. Jared snickered as he gazed at the five women sitting altogether at the table, watching my movements.

"You're quite a ladies' man." Jared pointed out. "Is that how your wife looks at you?" I snickered at the thought of Cole, drooling every time she looks at me. The blond waitress came back with two tall glasses of Coke and water for us. I took my beverage then thanked her.

"Anytime," she giggled. "And just to let you know," I began politely, pointing to my wedding ring. "I'm married." The pretty waitress' smile faded then bobbed her head solemnly. "I understand," she said sadly. But due to the clenching of her hand, I can easily tell that she didn't. As soon as the waitress disappeared again, I sipped my drink. After the girls stopped singing, everyone cheered as they exited out of the stage. Thank goodness, I said silently.

I couldn't hear myself thinking because of their 'singing'. "My wife was more of a tough chapter to comprehend when we were kids." I continued. "Is Cleo that way too?" Jared asked suddenly. I sipped my water then set the glass in front of me. "Aren't you two friends?" I asked. He straightened the creases on his sweater then sighed.

"I don't know," he admitted. I gave him a long look before drinking an inch of my water. "Shouldn't you be telling this to your father?" I asked. Jared shrugged his shoulders at me. "I thought you have some experience with women," he admitted. "I have," I sighed. Jared's eyes instantly perk up. "Really?" he asked. "Then, can you tell me about Cleo?"

What is wrong with this kid? I wondered. Jared and Cleo have been inseparable since they were in diapers. Why is he bugging me about my daughter? Does he have a huge crush on her or something? Just when I was about to open my mouth and explain, I saw a burly tattooed man peering down at Seth.