Chapter 8

            Kimberly 

I wake up still on the couch the next morning. I look over to see Jason still on the other end of the couch, with his long legs still propped up on the table, sleeping. I reach up rubbing my eyes, yawning.

I slowly stand up, grabbing Jason's empty bottle off the table and head into the kitchen to cook breakfast. 

As I cook Jason walks into the kitchen, going over grabbing a glass, before walking over to the sink filling it.

He walks over, taking a seat, drinking from the glass, not looking over at me. I can see that his, I don't care about anything attitude is back. Last night after the effects of the liquor took over, it changed his attitude, but not much. He was a little more talkative than he has been these last two days that I've been here.

He seems like a decent guy, but something got him all balled up on the inside. He just seems to want to be left alone. I let out a sigh, mentally facepalm myself, thinking about last night. I shouldn't have said those things, even if he did tell me to say what I had to say. It's none of my business why he does what he do.

But sometimes I can't help it. Like most psychology majors, my eyes see things on a deeper level than what they are. Sometimes my brain tends to pick things apart without me actually trying. I just need to learn to shut up sometimes.

Once I finish cooking, I fix his plate and set it in front of him. I grab my plate and take the seat across from him and start to eat. 

"I found a job at this diner downtown. I start Monday." I say looking over at him. 

He looks over at me and gives me a small nod as he eats. This job at this diner will have to do for now. When I get my first paycheck I'll pay him back first, then with my next check, I'll find me a cheap apartment somewhere.

We sit here eating in silence, but it's not an awkward silence like before. I guess I'm getting used to him not talking much.

Once I finish eating, I go take a shower. After showering, I walk into the living room and take a seat on the couch. I grab the remote and start to flip through the channels. I start work Monday and today is only Saturday. I have nothing to do. I don't have anywhere to go. I don't know anyone here other than Jason, and I'm sure he could care less about if I had something to do or not.

Jason walks over grabbing his keys off the table, before leaving out the door without saying anything. I can't help but wonder what got him all balled up inside. It's hard to get a read on him because he always has this I don't care attitude and he doesn't really talk much.

I sit here watching movie after movie trying to pass the time. 

Suddenly, I feel myself being shaken, causing My eyes to shoot open a bit startled. I see Jason's brother Brandon standing there.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you pretty face." He says smiling. 

I take in a calming breath, seeing that it's just Jason's brother.

"It's fine." I sit up on the couch rubbing my eyes. I must have fallen asleep while watching tv.

"A pretty girl like you shouldn't leave the door unlocked while you're here alone sleeping." He smirks, looking down at me sitting on the couch. If he didn't look so much like Jason I probably would've never guessed that they were brothers. They don't seem to act anything alike tho. 

I let out a yawn, stretching. "I'm sure this building is filled with nothing but rich people. And I'm sure they have better things to do with their time other than breaking in here to bother me while I sleep." 

He let out a low chuckle. "Just because they're rich doesn't mean they can't be creeps." 

"I guess you're right." I mused shrugging a little. I guess rich people can be creeps also. You never know who a person is just by look at them.

"Where's Jason?" He looks around, before looking back at me. 

I shrug my shoulders again, looking over at the clock. "He left this morning."

"Did he happen to say where he was going?" He ask.

I shake my head telling him no. He gives me a nod, taking a seat next to me on the couch, causing me to frown a little. 

"I never got your name." He says smiling.

I look over at him for a second, seeing the friendly smile on his face. "It's Kimberly." 

"Why are you cooped up in here doing nothing Kimberly?" He asks.

"I don't have anywhere to go." I grab the remote sitting next to me and start to flip through the channels. I'm new to this city. I don't exactly know my way around yet. Plus I rather not be around crowds, feeling paranoid the whole time. 

He doesn't say anything, but I can feel him staring at me the same way he did yesterday in the kitchen, making me feel uncomfortable. "It's rude to stare you know." I frown a little looking over at him again.

He lets out a low chuckle. "I'm heading out to the club with a few friends in a little, you should definitely come." 

"No thanks." I look back over at the tv, flipping through the channels. I have never been a clubbing type of person. If I'm not at work or at school, I'm at home catching up on some sleep.

"Come on, it's not like you have anything better to do. You won't be here alone bored. It'll be fun, I promise." I look back over at him to see him smirking. I can see that he's a bit cocky. 

I have been bored out of my mind being here alone all day. I wouldn't mind getting out for a little, but I don't know this guy. I don't even know his brother, but Jason seems to be a good guy, so maybe Brandon is too, I don't know. 

"I don't have clubbing clothes." I barely have any clothes now. 

"You don't need anything fancy. You could wear that and I'm sure you'll still be one of the baddest girls there." He looks down at the blue shorts and a white T-shirt that I'm wearing, before looking back up at me, giving me a smirk.

I feel my cheeks heat up, blushing a little at his words. "I'll find something to wear," I say, accepting his offer to go out.

"Cool." He gives me another smile. "I'll be back in about an hour to pick you up." He stands up heading over to the door, opening it. He twists the lock on the knob. "A pretty girl like you shouldn't be here alone with the door unlocked. I'll see you in a little pretty face." He looks over at me with that smirk, before closing the door behind him.

I smile a little, turning the tv off and head to the spare room. I walk over to the dresser and take out a pair of ripped skinny jeans and a plain black shirt. I get dressed and start on my hair. Once finished, I grab my jacket, phone, and the spare key that Jason gave me. I look at the time to see that Brandon will be back soon.

I hear a knock on the door and walk over opening it, seeing Brandon standing there. 

"You look good." He smirks, looking down at what I'm wearing. "Ready?" He asks looking back up at me. 

I smile giving him a nod.

As we head to the club, our light conversation fills the car. 

"Jason said he found you being attacked. What was that about?" He looks over at me with a raised brow.

"I don't know, just some creep I guess." I start to think about that night. I was walking, heading to the hotel that was supposed to be two blocks away, then suddenly I was being pushed into the alley by some guy with a mask.

"I'm sure Jason gave the guy a good beating." He looks back over at the road.

"Maybe, I don't know. I think I was knocked unconscious." I frown a little, trying to remember. I never really asked Jason about the guy that attacked me. Maybe when the guy saw Jason he took off.

Once we get to the club we head inside. I look around at all the people dance, drinking, laughing, and talking as the lights flash and the music blast. Maybe coming here was a bad idea. I can feel myself getting paranoid around all these people. I try to push the paranoia away, taking in a deep breath, telling myself Monty isn't here.

I follow close behind Brandon over to one of the bouncers. The guy gives Brandon a slight nod, before moving to the side letting Brandon and me up to the VIP section. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he gets VIP treatment.

When we get up to the VIP section I see two guys and a girl already sitting there. 

"This is Ray." Brandon point to the guys wearing the red shirt. I give him a friendly smile that he returns. "These are my cousins John and his sister Miley." I give them both a friendly smile, that they return. 

I take a seat, looking around the club, trying to ease my paranoia by making sure no one is watching me. 

"You seem worried about something, are you okay?" Brandon asks leaning over a little so I can hear him over the music.

I look over at him, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, just not really a clubbing person." This is my first time actually being in a club and I don't feel like I'll be liking it.

"Do you want a drink, it'll help you relax." He gives me a smile.

I frown a little, suddenly tasting the disgusting liquor for last night. I shake my head. "No, I tried some of Jason's Remy Martin last night and it was strong and horrible." 

Brandon let out a low chuckle. "How bout I get you a fruity mixed drink. It won't be strong, it'll be better tasting, but it'll still do the trick." he tells me.

I think about it for a second, maybe it'll help me relax and wash away my paranoia. I give him a nod, watching him leave to get the drink.

"How do you know Brandon?" Ray asks looking over at me.

"I met him while staying at his brother's place." I don't know Brandon or Jason. Brandon is just friendlier.

"So you know Jason? How is he?" His voice and the expression on his face changing a bit. I can hear the sorrow behind his words and see pity in his eyes when he asked about Jason. I guess he knows what got Jason all balled up inside.

I don't know Jason, but I can tell he's not someone who wants others pity. 

"He's fine," I tell him not knowing how to answer that question. I don't know if Jason's fine or not. For all I know this is how he normally acts. I never saw another side of him to know if he's fine or not.

A few minutes later, Brandon comes back with two trays full of shots. He sits the trays down, then grabs the glass with the straw. "This is for you pretty face, try it." He smiles handing me the drink.

I take the glass and suck a little up through the straw, preparing myself for the strong horrible taste. But instead, my mouth is filled with a fruity taste. I can taste the liquor, but it's not strong and it doesn't burn my throat. 

"Good?" Brandon asks smiling. I smile giving him a nod, before taking another sip.

Once I finished that drink I felt good. I wasn't paranoid anymore, or maybe I just no longer cared if Monty was here or not. We all sit here talking and laughing with each other. They all seem like pretty nice people that I can see myself being friends with. 

After having another one of those drinks that Brandon gave me, Miley drags me to the dance floor to dance. I laugh as dancing with her, enjoying myself. It's been so long since I actually had some fun. 

As we dance I start to feel a little dizzy from the drinks. I stop dancing and close my eyes, waiting for the dizzy spell to pass. 

"Are you okay?" Miley asks sounding a little worried.

I open my eyes giving her a smile. "Yeah, just a little dizzy from the drinks. I think I need to take a break." 

She let out a low chuckle and gives me a nod, before starting to dance with some guy.

I walk over and stand up against the wall smiling, watching everyone dance. It feels good to have fun and forget about all of your problems. For now, I have no worries.

I'm glad that I accepted Brandon's offer and came out to the club with him. I've forgotten what it actually feels like to have fun.

"Not a dancer?" I look over to see a guy standing next to me, leaning up against the wall. The flashing lights hit his face as he smiles. He's a pretty good looking guy.

"Just taking a break." I give him a friendly smile, before looking back over at the people dancing. I see Miley making her way over to me, with a frown covering her face.

"How bout you find someone else to sink your teeth into bloodsucker, and leave her alone." Miley glare at the guy. I frown a bit confused. I didn't think this guy was being rude in any way, maybe she knows this guy and knows he's bad news.

"How bout you mind your business mutt." The guy straightens up from leaning against the wall, glaring back at Miley. His relaxed body language has now changed.

Out of nowhere, Brandon grabs the guy by his throat, slamming his back against the wall, pinning him there. 

"How bout I rip your fucking head off leach." Brandon glare at the guy. When the flashing lights hit Brandon's face, I see a pair of pitch-black eyes. I shake my head a little, knowing I've had way too much to drink and I'm now seeing things. No one's eyes are completely black. I remember his eyes being that same hazel brown as Jason's eyes. 

I look over to see Ray and John standing there glaring at the guy that Brandon got pinned up against the wall. Maybe they all know him and know he's bad news. The guy holds his hands up in surrender, smirking. Brandon takes his hand from around the guy's throat. The guy gives me a smirk before walking off. 

"Be careful who you talk to, some people are up to no good," Miley tells me, watching the guy disappear through the crowd of people.

"O-okay." I frown a little, still, confused about what just happened.

Once it started to get pretty late, Brandon takes me back to the condo building. "Do you need me to walk you up?" He asks smiling over at me. 

"Thank you, but I think I can manage." We say our goodbyes and I get out of his car, stumbling into the building. I really had a good time out with Brandon, he's a really nice person. I take the elevator up to Jason's floor, feeling a bit woozy, but I feel great. When I get to the door, I reach out twisting the knob to find it unlocked. I walk in and see Jason sitting on the couch, eating pizza.