8. Jay
Jay
Here, at this resort, is the last fucking place I want to be. My brothers and I have so much shit we need to do before we start work at our new fire station. But instead of doing that, we’re here watching our dad make the biggest fucking mistake of his life.
I can’t believe Dad is getting married to a fucking woman we’ve never even met.
Hell, he’s barely even mentioned her. Insanity.
It’s the only answer. He’s lost his ever-loving mind.
I swear to God, if she’s trying to get to him for his money, she’s in for a rude awakening.
My brothers and I will shut that shit down fast.
Stepping into the resort, I look around and sigh. Eli was supposed to meet me in the lobby, but he isn’t here yet. I wasn’t supposed to be in until later tonight, but was able to get everything handled in Chicago and left early. He should’ve been done already and here.
A part of me wants to let Dad know I’ve arrived, but then I’d have to see the gold digger he’s marrying and her daughter, who I guarantee doesn’t fall far from the tree. I head to the receptionist to check in, but as I look out across the lobby, my jaw drops.
The most beautiful woman turns around and our eyes lock.
She’s gorgeous, with curves in all the right places and wavy brown hair.
I’m stunned by her beauty, but she’s looking back at me like she’s seen a ghost. The elevator doors close, breaking the spell she had me under, and I wonder what that look was about.
If I’m lucky I’ll get a chance to find out. We’re staying at the same place so chances are good that we’ll run into each other again.
“Can I help you, sir?” the older woman at the counter asks.
“Yes, I’m checking in.”
“Your name? And identification.”
I pull my wallet out of my pocket and take out my identification and hand it to her. “My name is Elijah Carter. My father, Abel Carter, booked a room for us. We’re part of the wedding party.” I smile widely at her.
“Yes, I have it right here. Just a moment and I will get you checked in. You’re in the deluxe suite.”
Of course Dad would book the nicest room for us. We told him we all wanted to stay together in the same room if it was an option.
“Can I get three keycards as well?” Then I add on, “please.”
“Of course, sir.”
The flight here was long, and I’m eager to get up to my room to rest. This next week is going to be crazy.
Not only do we need to get through this weekend, but then we have to fly back home and finish packing the last of our shit for the movers.
Then, in two weeks we report to Station 29 in Jefferson, Georgia for our first shift.
Being at the same firehouse is a dream come true for us.
We got lucky when they had three positions come open.
It doesn’t matter if we’re on the same shift, just that we’re together.
Zeke went a week before us and finalized on our new house since he was just coming off leave from an accident.
So he’s already there in Jefferson. The plan is for him to fly to our home in Chicago from the wedding with us, pack, and then we’ll ship our cars except for one and head to our new home in Georgia.
I’ve just barely stepped away from the desk, key cards in one hand and my luggage rolling behind me in the other, when I see my dad exit from the restaurant.
He has a stick thin brunette with him. Guess this is the stepmother.
Not the type he would typically go for. She looks like a bitch, and normally he goes for women who are nicer, less high maintenance than this one looks.
“Son,” he calls out from across the room, not calling me by name.
I bet it’s because, at this distance, he doesn’t know which one I am.
Zeke and I are identical twins, and we have a running bet on how long it takes Dad to tell us apart.
Let’s just say he wasn’t too happy when he realized what we were doing.
We wouldn’t give any hint of who we were or call the other by name.
We had fun growing up as identical twins.
The only difference is a slight scar above Zeke’s right eyebrow from a drunken fight one night during our senior year of high school.
We both liked the same girl and were dating her when some douche she dumped the prior year tried to slut-shame her.
Yeah, that didn’t fly with either of us.
He got one good swing in on Zeke before I fucked him up.
“Hey, Dad, is this the new wife?” I ask when he meets me in the middle of the lobby. I’m trying to keep it civil until I fully vet her, and believe me, I will. I flash a wide smile and reach my hand out to shake hers.
“Yes, this is Julia Middleton, soon to be Carter,” he says playfully as he pulls her closer and she turns into him, placing her hand on his chest. On her finger is a rock that could pay the yearly mortgage on our new house. Yep, gold digger! Mom didn’t even have a ring as flashy as that.
“Nice to meet you, Julia,” I say sweetly, even though I have to bite down on the inside of my cheek.
“You as well. And which one are you?” she asks, in a nasally voice.
“I don’t know, Dad; why don’t you tell her?” I say, eager to see if he gets it wrong or right so I can tell my brothers the new tally.
I see him, staring intently at my face, knowing it's the one surefire way he can get it right. “Of course, this is Elijah.” I can see the smile on his face at getting it right. Damn it, I’m going to need to get a scar to match Zeke’s.
“We weren’t expecting you and Ezekiel until tomorrow at the earliest.”
“Yeah, I got done early so I caught an earlier flight.”
“Elias has arrived already, but he headed straight to the tailor to check his suit,” Dad adds, knowing he prefers to be called Eli.
“And Julia, where is your daughter? What is her name again?” I ask.
“Selena, she was exhausted from her travels and went to her room to rest. I’m sure you’ll meet her tomorrow at the rehearsal dinner, if not before.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, your father is taking me out sightseeing, so I’m going to go change,” Julia says before kissing my father, putting on a show, then saunters off, making sure to sway her hips.
My father’s eyes follow her the entire way as his head moves left to right, in sync with her movement.
“So, Dad, are you sure this is what you want?” I ask, cutting to the chase. He has to see she’s out for his money. Why else are they having their wedding here? Why not something more intimate and simple? And, might I add, not so rushed.
“Of course it is. Why would you ask such a thing?” His voice is harsh, as he looks at me sternly.
I know I pissed him off, but I’d rather he be pissed at me than have his new wife take him to the cleaners. “Because one, that flashy ass diamond on her finger, and two, the fact you only knew her for what, three months tops.”
“First off, it’s none of your business. When you find the love of your life, you know it, and you don’t need to wait because time won’t change anything.
I was lucky enough to have found two loves, and I’m not wasting time being unhappy,” he scolds me, before storming off in the same direction she left.
Clearly, she already has her fingers firmly wrapped around his cock.
Fuck, maybe I should’ve handled that more tactfully.
I’ve already pissed him off, which isn’t going to go well when the three of us attempt to have our intervention with him.
Shrugging it off, I head for the elevators.
I’m almost there when the doors start to shut, but two bleach blonde, overly tanned women hold them open for me as they run their tongues across their lips.
“Hey there, all alone?” the one on the right asks, as they both erupt in giggles. She steps closer to me, swaying her body, as she bites on her nails. Her attempt at being seductive isn’t working on me at all.
“Umm, for now, yes. But I’m here with my brothers for my father’s wedding,” I tell them, trying to be nice.
The mention of brothers piques their attention and their giggling becomes louder and more annoying.
I push the button for the sixth floor but instantly regret it because now they know exactly which one I’m on.
“Brothers, huh? How many? I mean, there are two of us. We don’t mind sharing. I’m Bambi and this is Bebe.”
Of course those are their names.
“Elijah,” I tell them bluntly. God, can this elevator move faster?
He must hear my prayers as the elevator jumps to a halt and the doors open. “It was a pleasure, ladies. Enjoy your stay.” I quickly step off and head down the hall to room 606, walking faster than normal to get away.
Looking back over my shoulder as I hold the key card up to the scanner, I see both girls with their heads sticking out of the elevator door, watching exactly where I went. The door opens and I step into the room, giving them a forced smile and wave, before shutting it behind me.
Maybe I should check with the desk about changing rooms. I have a sinking feeling that them knowing where I’m sleeping will come back to bite me in the ass. Nothing worse than a woman who doesn’t understand you’re not interested.
The room Dad booked us is amazing. And thankfully large enough so we all have space. Two beds in one room and another with its own bed and a small sitting area. At least he thought ahead and made sure we’d all be comfortable.
Dropping my bag onto one of the beds, I sit down. Pulling out my phone, I open the group chat with my brothers.
Me: When are you two asshats getting here? I just met the new step-bitch.
Zeke: That bad?
Zeke: Was her daughter with her?
Me: No, but I’m sure we’ll get the pleasure of meeting her tomorrow. Are you even going to be here?
Zeke: I should be there tomorrow night if I catch my flight. If not, I’ll take the red eye out and be there first thing on the day of the wedding. Depends on how eager I am to meet the new wife and sister. LOL.
Eli: Both of you fuckers suck. How did I get stuck with trying on not one but three tuxes, especially since your ass is here, Jay?
Me: Oh, is the big macho man gonna cry cause he had to try on some tuxedos for his brothers?
Eli: Haha joke all ya want, but this guy got himself inducted into the mile high club on his flight here. I just hope I can run into her before we leave and get her number.
Zeke: Dude, you’re doing about as good as me. Last night I met this fine ass chick at the bar, ended up having the best sex of my life, and woke up to an empty bed this morning. She snuck out, no note, nothing. I plan to hit that bar every night until I find her again.
Me: Well, I just saw the sexiest woman getting on the elevator and I plan to find her, so hands off. Look at us all getting some kind of lady luck at the same time.
Me: Watch out though because I ran into a couple of blonde barbies that, and I quote, “like to share”.
Zeke: That’s okay, I want to find the girl from last night. I’ll leave them to the two of you.
Eli: No thanks. I’m good, I’m going to be searching for the girl from the plane. I have one last suit to try on, and then I’m headed to the resort.
Me: See you when you get here.
Zeke: See you when I get there.
God, I can’t wait until we are all back in the same place again.
For brothers, we’re really close. We all went into the same profession: firefighting.
We tried to live separately but hated it, hence living and working together.
If we hadn’t all been stationed at the same firehouse, I would’ve found something else to do until I could.
But it would be in Jefferson without a doubt.
Maybe I can get a nap in after a shower. I can feel the exhaustion creeping in. There’s also a mysterious beauty I want to meet, but I need to find her first. It's going to be like finding a needle in a haystack, especially since I have nothing to go on but what she looks like.
But it’s a treasure hunt I’m ready to take on.
Opening my bag, I pull out my toiletries and a change of clothes, then head to the bathroom. Two things race through my mind. Find the mystery girl and learn more about this woman my dad thinks he’s in love with.