Chapter 541) Denial

Continued from the previous chapter

“I can love who I think you are
or you can allow yourself to be yourself
so that I can love you.”

~K. McGahan

Brindleton Bay
The Elysium

Jasper shrugged.

“It was hella fun watching Covington and Cunningham get departed from this party by their collars, courtesy of our Con-Bear. The air quality instantly improved once they were gone.” he chuckled, when Connor surfaced from behind the open freezer door, slamming it shut, tossing one bag of frozen peas at Jackson, who caught it and placed it on his aching knuckles, while Connor slammed the other bag into Jasper’s face.

“Glad you had fun.” he grumbled.

“OUCH! Nice bedside manner, Dr. Rough’n’Ready!” Jasper complained, peeling the bag off himself, tossing it into the sink.

Connor grimaced, grabbing Jasper’s cheeks, squeezing them together.

“Glad you’re enjoying yourself, sweet innocent brother-in-law, cos I didn’t like you and Jackson fighting your former friends at this party one little bit. It’s a misconception thinking that my parents thrive on all the drama you snotnoses keep creating for all of us. Last thing we needed was your help with that, my sisters managed fine on their own and even Jackson was kind enough to step in a couple times. That needs to stop! I am serious! Looking at you too, Jackson.” Connor said, then pat Jasper’s cheek.

“Ouch! Careful with the PDA, Dr. Grinch, I know I am irresistible, but the jaw’s still a bit tender! And I never claimed to be innocent, but Covington and Cunningham had it coming, ask Jackson. Especially Sterling, that asswipe. Actually, Brad too. Best friend, my ass. That bitch sidelined me because Bri kicked him to the curb. Who does that!? How is that MY fault? Some friend!” Jasper ranted, grimacing.

“Yeah, good talk! I am gonna go outside now to make sure the party goes on uninterrupted and nobody noticed this little action sequence here. Please Jasper and Jackson, no more preschooler WrestleManias today!” Connor reminded both in a firm tone.

“I’ll come with, come to find out that bouncing the heads of idiots off the ground makes me hungry.” Jasper tried to leave, but Connor pushed him back in the kitchen with ease.

“No, you will stay here. Both of you. You can watch TV and all that, but I am not gonna explain to 40+ guests, and especially not my or Jasper’s parents, why you both arrived here in pristine condition and now look like you lost an argument with the kitchen cabinet door – repeatedly! That’s what you get for starting fights at parties! I mean it, I see either one of you out there and we’ll get in a fight you won’t win! I have my hands full trying to have a good time with my wife the one night were are toddler-free while covertly keeping an eye on Stryker to make sure he doesn’t overdo it, cos he sure is going all out to show Sophie his best Romeo rendition. It may end up being a little too much for him, or for her.” Connor sighed.

“I saw them when I went to sneak some booze – I mean sodas – and I wouldn’t worry about Sophie, she was having the time of her life! Plus, it’s my 18th birthday party! What kinda bullshit is that, making us stare at a party through a window like two forgotten guinea pigs at a pet store?!” Jasper complained.

“Your birthday was last week. As was your party, know how I know that? Cos I was there! This is a party at my parents’ home, making you a guest. I am their son, making me a co-host, so I say you stay, so you stay, or I will come back and make you stay. If you thought still-wet-behind-the-ears Sterling Covington and Brad Cunningham were bad news, you will really not wanna fuck around and find out what level of bad I am when angry.” Connor grumbled.

“Save the kinky Fang-talk for my sister, ‘Con-Bear the Rough, first of his name‘. I used to live here too, so this is my Brindleton Bay birthday party with my Bay peeps, not to mention Jackson wasn’t even at my first party at all. Can’t have that. Bro’s my partner in crime, we’re buds now. Real man-friendships – ‘man-ships’ – always start with a good brawl.” Jasper proclaimed.

“I think you meant ‘bro-mance’, either way, you two make a beautiful couple, the indoors kinda love though. Stay here. I think I repeated that enough that you could hear me over all that gum-flapping you like to do. I’ll find my sisters and send them in with food and drinks. Step out and I will beat your asses! Final warning!” Connor said sternly.

Connor left, Jasper turned to Jackson.

“Ignore him. All bark, no bite. Wanna go check out what they got on the grill? Think I saw someone haul some good Wagyu out there with my name on it.” he said.

“I’ll stay. I can’t keep pissin’ off Connor. Two strikes in three weeks is a bit much. Not that ambitious to top his shitlist.” Jackson frowned.

“Connor’s not pissed. If he were, you’d know it. I have 18 years of experience with that guy. He’s like that big dog that barks and growls until someone snuggles it. He just needs a hug.” Jasper told him unimpressed.

“I don’t think I am gonna test that theory.” Jackson replied.

“Fine. You be a good doggy and stay here, at least go in the living room and turn on the TV, rather than stand here staring at the toaster while snuggling a bag of frozen peas. I know Connor said he’ll send Bri and Iris in for us, but knowing those two, they’ll bring diet soda and frilly petit fours and such crap cos it looked ‘aww, so cute!’, not real men food. I need actual food. I’ll go forage the land and bring back the edible and drinkable loot for us, cos I am awesome like that. Any dietary restrictions I need to know of?” Jasper looked at Jackson.

“Nah, only thing I ask is for my food to be dead before it lands on my plate.” Jackson smiled.

“No live animals for my man, got it. Be right back. If I run across any Bris and Iris’ I’ll bring those back too.”

Jasper headed for the patio door when Jackson said

“Does she know?”

Jasper froze, then turned around, staring at Jackson.

“Does who know what?”

“Iris. She know?” Jackson said.

“Does Iris know what? That I’m awesome? Pretty sure word got out by now. Thought you were into Bri anyway, so why are you worried about Iris now? Or are you the ‘twins are like potato chips’ type? Can’t have just one? Spoiler alert: Iris has a jealous boyfriend. Ask me how I know.” Jasper told him.

“Thought so. Explains a lot.” Jackson nodded.

“Look, I am not fluent in redneck. Whatcha talking about, Cowboy Joe?” Jasper shrugged.

“Means ya might wanna have a solid talk with Iris.”

“Talk about what? Her shitty taste in men, dating some insecure hedgefund who can’t handle us dancing? I think his actions tonight did the talking for me.” Jasper told him.

“Look, not my place to judge, but you didn’t just dance, that was some sort of matin’ ritual. No wonder her boyfriend burst an artery watchin’ ya. Maybe it would have been wiser to dance with her like that when he ain’t around.” Jackson responded.

“What we did is called the Salsa, which is a totally regular Latin dance people with rhythm and talent dance on dancefloors all over the world, and not something you meet in a dark alley for in trenchcoats and dark shades, you ignoramus. Might wanna try it sometime with Bri, she, Iris and I all took the classes together since we were little. Both girls LOVE to dance. Iris was bored to tears, so I danced with her. And she liked it. I know my audience.” Jasper said casually.

“The only Salsa I know is what I put on my food.” Jackson smirked.

“If that’s true I feel sorry for the ladies of Chestnut Ridge. Sounds like we found an area for personal improvement then. Any more great unsolicited advice, maybe this time from the personally applied pile?” Jasper challenged.

“Yeah, got one for ya, goes a lil something like this: if out of arguments, don’t start deflectin’, cos it’s obvious. Look, I ain’t judgin’. Just sayin’, either don’t rub her man’s face in it or start learnin’ how to fight.” Jackson smirked.

“I can fight. I can take you right now, cowboy. Wanna go? I got room on my dance card for you!”

“Pass. Not sure the Camerons have enough frozen peas in their freezer to bury you under when I am done with ya. It’s ALL gonna hurt.” Jackson chuckled.

“At least I go for what I want and don’t take the backseat to Bradford Cunningham, that recycled douchebag! Can’t believe that was my friend. I need to update Bri on that shit, so she hits unlike on his disloyal ass!”

“Yah, good luck with that, y’all gonna need it. Bri is never gonna – how did ya put it? ah – hit ‘unlike’ on Brad.” Jackson’s tone dripped with sarcasm.

“I don’t need luck. Bri trusts me. I know shit. Which leads me to wonder why did you never really try for her? I mean, clearly, you like her – more than a lot. Blind man can see that. She sends you into battle and you went in guns blazing. That spoke volumes, not to mention your little ‘oopsie’ rant there at the end. And clearly, she likes you enough to get herself into mounds of trouble non-stop, even arrested and re-arrested, trying to save your rear. She gets grounded at a scary rate and that’s NOT the Bri I know. And the honorable mention here, since we are both at that age where having a dick means you wanna stick it into something the moment you wake till you go back to sleep, clearly, you didn’t just want in her pants real quick, cos you and I both know you have been there, done that and wore the t-shirt a few times now. So, this isn’t just some quickie by the tumbleweeds, this is deep.”

“Whoa!” Jackson stepped backwards a little, staring at Jasper.

“I told you, she trusts me. Both girls do. I got all the dirt. Which is why I know Iris is wasting her time with Covington. He’s a lush. Turns out, Cunningham is too, so I got all my money on you lame horse now, better start cantering here, horsey! I mean, what the actual fuck, Kershaw? You clearly aren’t shy and definitely are full of yourself, so what gives? Gear stuck?” Jasper bluntly asked, shocking Jackson a little, but he realized denial was futile.

“Bri don’t want me. I tried to get her to give me a shot, several times now, but she just doesn’t wanna. Also said she wants to be alone for a while, findin’ herself and all. She doesn’t wanna date now. Not me, not anyone. I don’t like it, but I gotta respect that.” Jackson clearly looked affected.

“Seriously?! God, you DO need my help. Lemme translate Bri for ya. Have you been up to her room? One more pic of you on those walls and this entire shed will collapse. Everything Bri has done if it comes to you screams she wants you. How can you not read that clearly from all her actions? At some point you gotta do a little more than poke a hint and run away yelping when she doesn’t do cartwheels into your arms immediately. Put in some pride, my man! Kids like Iris, Bri and I can’t just date whomever outside our little Nepo-kids, empire-heir and hedgefund-babies bubble, cos if we do most often we get dated for daddy’s fortune and fame, not because of our cute lil faces. No matter how good the head they give may be, it’s not worth being nothing but an Insta-perfect Selfie partner and a walking credit card and someone who can get them into the VIP lounges. Trust me, that doesn’t leave you warm and fuzzy.”

“She’s got pictures of me? Bri, not Oakley.” Jackson was too hung up on that to worry about the rest.

“She has the full Jackson Kershaw glamor collection up there, more pics than my sister – the career artist painter gallery owner – has in an entire vernissage. There’s you on a horse, you off a horse, you next to a horse, you behind a horse, you with a hat, you without a hat, you without shirt, … the whole works. Wants to be alone, my ass. You got a lot to learn about chicks, dude.”

“Well, if it’s THAT simple for ya, why aren’t you going after Iris?” Jackson countered.

“Because she and I are just friends. She has a boyfriend, I have a girlfriend. We were DANCING. What’s redneck for dancing?” Jasper retorted.

“Where I come from we call that denial. And you’re in up to yer neck in it.” Jackson told him.

“Hilarious, coming from you. You know, if you really wanted Bri, you’d find a way to make her change her mind. Bri’s been through some shit, I don’t know how much you know, and I am not gonna tell you if you don’t, but she has. Of course she’s over dating right now, I don’t blame her one bit. That’s where you come in and show her that you are not like that and are worth a shot. She barely knows you, so why would she risk more of the same with you? Change her mind. Show her what you’re made of until she can’t resist.” Jasper told Jackson.

“Show her what? Bri knows me plenty, whatcha see is whatcha get with me. There isn’t much more I can show her. I am a simple dude, with a small cabin and a few horses. I can’t keep up with all this! I can’t take her on weeklong vacations to exotic places, buy her fancy things.” Jackson gestured around, cringing when it agitated his sore shoulders.

“Look brother, I am telling you, just because she’s seen your dick doesn’t mean she knows you. Show her the real you and make her show you who Bri is. You might just be surprised, there is a lot more to those girls than meets the eye. I have known them ever since they were born and spent almost every waking minute with them. I know a lot of girls, and these two are special. Worth the effort.” Jasper told him, surprisingly serious toward the end.

Jackson wanted to respond, but Bri and Iris came in with plates and cans, which they sat down on the counters, then evaluated the damage on the boys.

“Oh my God! Sterling did this to you? He’ll get an earful about this! What is wrong with him?! I am SO sorry about this, he’s not usually like that! But he will know he fucked up, I promise you that!” Iris ranted looking at the boys, when Jasper booped her nose.

“Argh, this is nothing, just some scratches cos those dumbasses fight like feral cats. You should see the other guys. May need to get you a new boyfriend, I think I broke yours. Or maybe Jackson did, either way, that guy’s something for the Goodwill sack.”

Bri interjected her own rant.

“Not if I get him first! Hope you’re not too attached Iris, cos he’s gonna get turned into confetti tonight! What the actual fuck?! I might just kick his ass off the cliff! Your stupid boyfriend hurt Jas … and Jackson! At mom and dad’s party! OUR party! The audacity! If he had a problem with anything he should have just left! Seriously, screw it, I am going out there right now to tell him that in person! He thinks he was in a fight, ha, wait till I had a hold of him! And Brad’s next!” Bri was livid, turned and wanted to rush out, but Jasper grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, weighed her down with his arm around her shoulder, then told her, chuckling at her angry outburst.

“Easy killer! Your brother already sent him and Cunningham home with their mommies and daddies for their personal parental spanking for starting a fight at a party, you know the old guard doesn’t take kindly to that, so keep your panties on, they are gonna get what they got coming. Jackson and I look worse than it is. But we wouldn’t say no to some TLC by some pretty ladies, right Jackson? My fingers REALLY hurt from bouncing them off their dumb faces, I think I could use some help eating this delicious food, which is surprisingly ungirly, and you even brought some of that Wagyu steak I wanted. I taught you well. This is how you train them bitchez right, Jackson, take notes.” Jasper laughed, while Iris grabbed a forkful of steak and shoved it in his mouth, barely waiting for him to open it fully, while Bri pinched his arm, so he gently sent her stumbling at Jackson, who caught her, winking at her.

“Maybe someone could find Jasper’s girlfriend to feed him. Oh wait, where is she? Ain’t seen her at all. Have you, Bri?” Jackson said, winking at Bri while Jasper flipped him off.

“Well, dear Jackson, sad to report that unfortunately Oakley couldn’t be here tonight. Cos I kinda may have forgotten to ask her to come. Oops. Old age is a bitch. All my 18 years surely do take a toll. Now I am here at this party, all alone, battered and beaten …” Jasper sighed theatrically, facing Iris, who had gently caressed his cheek and now giggled.

Jackson laughed at the performance, making him cringe for pain, so Bri just hugged him, making him a bit uncomfortable in front of Jasper and Iris, even though his smile said he enjoyed it.

“Thank you, Jackson, for saving our Jas from Iris’ idiot boyfriend.” she simply said.