The Taste of Chaos

3

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” Jake steps forward, his chest flushes against my back. It isn’t Jake’s business either. Only a few people have seen me naked in my lifetime, my parents for changing me when I was a baby, and Richie when we used to bathe together as children. Jake and I’ve been together for over a year, and the only glimpse he’s seen is a side boob.

“You supposed to be his boyfriend?” The sinful man asks. He takes Jake in, his blue eyes contrasting against his tan skin. He looks anything but threatened. “You don’t look like much.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” Jake snaps back. He looks small compared to the inked man that sits before us.

“You’re right. Look at you. Must have a pretty nice personality to have a nice girl on your arm. Then again,” His blue eyes find mine, staring through the tufts of hair that fell, “ Nice has never been my type.”

“He likes them bad,” Bubblegum speaks up, placing a manicured hand on his chest.

“Not to mention easy.” Luc replies. Everyone laughs, including Jake, but all I do is smile uncomfortably.

“Don’t get mad at me because Lexi won’t put out.” Bubblegum girl smirks back, mentioning a girl I didn't know. The back of my neck bristles, and I make up my mind. 

I really didn't like her.

“Hey, hey, let’s not get sidetracked. We have Jessica, Richies infamous sister here. Who, unfortunately, brought her boy toy with him.” Castien brings the attention back to me. I can’t decide if the darkness in his eyes is because of the lighting, or if it’s just naturally dark. 

“He’s not my boy toy. He’s my boyfriend.” I say, irritation lacing my voice. The glare I send him doesn't faze the black haired man.

“There isn’t a difference sweetheart.” Will replies back, lips quirking up. I can see sharp teeth, notice the small dimple on his left cheek.

“The nicknames aren’t necessary.” The bubblegum girl says in irritation and I lift an eyebrow.

“That’s enough, Will,” Richie says. He glares at him, lips curling back.

“Just a reminder, you guys aren’t together.” Castien, the one next to Luc, stares pointedly at the woman with pink hair. He yelps when she throws a peanut from the bowl set in the middle at him.

“Do not start, Castien.” She growls out.

Jake and I stand by. My head bounces from one person to another as they speak, and I struggled to understand the relationship between them all. They sit together as friends but speak like they hate each other.

“So Jake, do you do anything besides live off your fathers’ wealth?” Will asks, raising an eyebrow to taunt him. 

Jake’s fists clench at his sides. If I weren’t between them, Jake would’ve lunged at him.

“You’re smart ass mouth isn’t helping.” Richie snaps at him. He slams his hand on the table and I jump where I stand. “Quit poking, Will.” He more demands than asks. Will rolls his eyes, the least intimidated by him. Unlike me, who has never heard him like this before.

“I’m shutting up because I want to, not because you told me too.” Will replies back. He pulls his phone out of his pocket, the muscles in his arms shifting.

“You’re his little b***h,” Castien laughs, but no one else finds it funny.

Richie sits straight in his chair.

With Will no longer controlling the conversation, I speak.

“I wanted to talk to you,” I force my voice to come out strong, but my hands shake behind my back. I glance at  bubblegum girl, and Luc, avoiding Will.  “In private, please.”

“If you can say it in front of him, then you can say it in front of us.” Bubblegum girl sneers. And it’s her again. Why is her hair so bright? I glance at her, notice the way Will's broad shoulders shake with laughter. His eyes, however, remained on his phone.

“Don’t make me shove my foot up your flat ass Nikki.” Richie snaps at her. 

“You won’t do shit.”

 The death glare my brother sends her makes me shiver. He stands up, a full two heads taller than me.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Luc snickers at them.

“Come on, I know where we can talk.” Richie grabs my hand and pulls me away. I glance back to make sure Jake follows. Instead I make eye contact with dark blues. 

Will clenches his jaw, the tick sticking out like a sore thumb. My hand twitches, but I choose to ignore him as best I can. Which is easier said than done. Everything about him draws me to him, and I don’t know how to handle it. 

“Not you.” Richie turns and glares at Jake who is a step behind. 

“Fine.” Jake glares back. Then he’s tugging me again.

He leads me to the back, where a small booth sits in a dark corner.

“What are you doing here? And with him, no less.” He crosses his arms over his chest, and I find myself feeling small next to him. 

He changed so much. He’s more confident about himself and his body. He’s more demanding, and I’m glad he’s not letting anyone push him around. If anything, he’s the one doing the pushing around here. 

“I wanted to talk to you.” I sit.

“No,” He shakes his head, I think I make him more frustrated, “How did you know I was here? Of all places? At Black Ruby’s.” 

Guilt rises like bile in my throat, “I saw it as a background on your ** post…” 

Richie sighs, I can feel the distance between us grow more, and I become desperate. 

“You going to start stalking me now, baby girl?” He asks. The nickname he’s called me since we were little gave me hope, and I feel soft being able to hear it again. The smile on my face gives me away, and he gives a small smile in return. 

“We don’t talk anymore, so I thought you would be here.” I explain myself further.

“What am I going to do with you?” He asks back. He pinches the bridge of his nose, I hate that if it isn’t our parents, it’s him. 

“Love me.” I say with a light giggle. It does little to ease the tension between us. “Mom’s forcing Jake to propose.” The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. I avoid eye contact, pick at a loose thread in my sweater as I remember eaves-dropping on them a few days ago.