Page 13 of Crave

“Dude has serious control issues.” Chris doesn’t even bother to turn around to make that declaration. “And it sounds to me like Tracy has been with more than one Clark man, and judging by your boy’s reaction, he’s the Clark spurned. No man acts like that unless there are feelings involved.”

“And by feelings, you mean pussy?” Tash asks.

“Tash!” I yell, stunned by her use of that word.

“What? It’s true. Isn’t that what you mean, baby?” she asks her husband.

“Well, I wasn’t trying to be crass about it, but yes.”

“That’s what I think too. The tension between him and Troy was so strong, even before Tracy arrived. To his credit, Troy tried to be nice, but Jake wasn’t having it. You should have heard the contempt in Jake’s voice when he asked Troy about his wife. At first, I thought he just didn’t like his sister-in-law, but things got even more strained when she arrived. She’s a small framed woman, and she had on this unflattering dress. Now I see she was trying to hide the pregnancy from Jake. It’s so obvious he has feelings for his brother's wife.” I tremble at the thought. “I wasted hours on a man who’s lusting after his brother’s wife. What is wrong with me?”

“There’s more to it than just feelings, Dee. And there is nothing wrong with you. The guy is bat shit fucking crazy. That’s on him, not you.” Chris says.

“You think he had an affair with her?” Tash asks.

“It can’t be that. Troy was very contrite towards him when he first arrived. And during the fight, Tracy said Jake will never forgive them. Whateveritis, Jake thinks he’s the wronged party. Even the parents are protective of Jake. His mom has zero patience for Tracy. This is the same woman who insisted that I, a perfect stranger, stay for her party, but she couldn’t be cordial to her son’s wife. Oh, my god! I just remembered something.”

“What?” The nosey duo ask at the same time.

“Jake’s dad pulled him aside and was giving him a lecture. This was before people started arriving. He even pointed his finger in Jake’s face. I bet he was warning him to behave his sorry ass,” I say.

“Well, his sorry ass didn’t listen. Did you ask him about the tension between him and Troy?” Tash asks.

“I did. He said he’d tell me, but not at the party. That’s when he asked for a date, and I stupidly agreed.” I let out a loud groan and hold my glass up for a refill. “You’re the best big sis ever. I would never fight you at our mother’s birthday party.”

“Maybe you should hold off on any more refills, babe,” Chris says to my sister.

“So, Jake totally kicked Troy’s ass?”

“Troy gave as good as he got, but I think had the fight continued, Jake totally would have whooped his butt. He was just that angry.” I lean back in the chair as I think about the hatred Jake has for his brother and sister-in-law, unable to imagine a world where I would feel that way about my sister or Chris.

“Damn, girl. And you liked this Jake?” Chris asks.

“Jake has a dimple, honey. Women go crazy over dimples. Of course, she liked him,” Tash says.

“Well, no wonder Michael Jackson paid to have that cleft put in his chin.” Chris quickly dismisses us and goes back to his cooking.

“This is what I get for forgetting my vow. Every time. Every single fucking time. At least I found out he was nuts sooner rather than later. And huge thank you to the good lord almighty that we didn’t get a chance to exchange numbers. Minus some harmless flirting, I really dodged a bullet.” I cross myself, grateful to have gotten out of that situation unscathed.

“That’s too bad because I really want to know the story,” Tash says.

“Me too,” Chris says.

“Well, forget it. I never want to see Jacob Clark again.” Tash and I both toast to that.

“And what the hell was I thinking? I looked them up last night when I got home. They’re old money. Do you know the company was started over one hundred years ago? And it’s huge.”

Chris and Tash look at each other confused.

“What the hell does that have to do with anything?” Tash asks.

“Don’t be naïve, Tash. Other than a quick hookup, what else would we ever be? He’s the son of rich parents. I’m the daughter of a single mother. We’re not exactly destined to be together. Let’s be real here.”

“Well, I totally disagree with everything you just said. If you’re not interested because of his issues with his brother and sister-in-law, I get it, but the other stuff is just nonsense.”

I open my mouth to argue with her, but Chris cuts me off. “Come on. You’re being dramatic, don’t you think, Dee?” Chris flips over the omelet he's making. “Hear the guy out. I’m sure there’s an explanation.”

“There might be, but I’m not getting involved in some weird family drama between brothers. Oh, and the younger brother has totally sided with Troy. I have enough issues of my own. I don’t need that shit. Let’s not forget all the crap I had to deal with when it came to Derek. I’m just getting to a place where dating is a possibility. I need to find someone less complicated.”

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