Jas

Del Sol Valley
Hargrave Haven Estate

Jasper trailed his father, Colton Hargrave, through their DSV hills home, their voices clashing like distant thunder.

“Dad, seriously? Apartments and rentals? I’m on break, and Iris and I are about to take a well-deserved vacation. College is a marathon of exhaustion!”

Colton’s eyes narrowed. “Son, college is a warm-up. Wait till you’re in the real world, you’ll get the surprise of your life if you think you have it tough now. You’re smart—figure it out. Fact is, tenants’ complaints can’t wait, also a fact is that your mother and I are off to catch our flight and you are sitting here on your hands with nothing to do. Responsibility, Jasper, time to learn it. When I was your age, I was already rocking out with Chase. No instruction manuals—just mistakes and passion, which we turned into one of the most famous bands ever. Compared to that, handling a tenant complaint is child’s play. Your older sister Keira’s done it; she didn’t graduate with a degree in renter assistance either.”

Jasper’s mom Maddie’s head appeared at the door. “Cole, car is here and the plane’s waiting! Jasper, darling, I’ve bookmarked food delivery options on your dad’s PC. Stick to those—they’re gate security-approved. Experiment, and you’ll end up with cold food. Love you, sweetie! MUAH MUAH MUAH.” Maddie blew kisses, and Colton winked before leaving.

Jasper muttered, “Parents celebrate my return by sticking me with janitor tasks and fuck off to wherever. Life’s but a dream.”

His phone buzzed—a message from his girlfriend: ‘Movie with friends. Phone off. Love ya! ~I.’

Annoyed, Jasper dialed Keira’s number. Screaming babies greeted him as Keira answered, breathless.

“YEAH?” she barked.

“Congrats on the new addition. Or additions, plural, sounds like you and Connor are running a daycare!” Jasper teased.

Keira scoffed. “We’re not having more kids and you know it. We’re at Noah’s—he’s got colicky triplets and cried for help as he and Holly are at their wit’s end. Frankly, so am I, but Connor’s just patience personified. Guess as a doctor, he’s seen it all and then some.”

“Ah, fun. Too bad I gotta miss that. Listen, Keke, Mom and Dad left me with their stupid rental unit, and some renter’s got an issue. No clue what to do.”

“Easy. It’s a new build across from Fallon and Bear’s place. Ring the doorbell of whomever complained, say you’re the owner, find out what’s broken. No janitors there in Del Sol Valley—so you gotta hire someone. Take credit when it’s fixed. Not rocket science, Jas. You’re 22, supposedly.”

“20,” Jasper corrected. “And you’re in your late 40s, so—”

Keira interrupted. “I am 35 you little shit and you know it, I just misspoke. 20 or 22, at that age it really makes no difference. That comes later. You’ll see. I gotta go.” Keira ranted, then just hung up.

“Bitch.” Jasper’s life seemed like a chaotic novel, with twists and turns that defied logic. As he swiped his father’s Bentley keys, mischief danced in his eyes. “Daddy dearest didn’t say not to,” he mused, revving the engine. “So, everyone abandons me for the first part of Spring Break, then let’s make it memorable, I say—vroom, baby, vroom!”

The luxury car’s purr echoed as he drove to Iris’s aunt and uncle’s home. Fallon and ‘Bear’ Barrett ran a personal security firm, Jasper couldn’t think of a better place for one of his dad’s fancy rides, so the Barrett’s driveway now cradled the Bentley Continental. As Jasper stepped out, Leon, their son, confronted him.

“Hey, this isn’t a free parking garage, fool. Take your daddy’s car and drive your backscrubber hairdo elsewhere!”

Jasper turned, spotting Leon’s grin. They exchanged greetings, and curiosity sparked between them.

“Hanging out relaxing at home cos of Spring Break, supposedly,” Leon explained. “But the fam-damily bolted, leaving me with a long honey do list of menial tasks. You?” Leon groaned.

“Same,” Jasper replied. “Dad’s big investment piece over there across the street has a renter with issues—and now I got issues, cos mom and dad just left for some benefit concert pawning that crap off on me. And Iris is back on campus cos she got a lame grade on some important exam and there’s a chance to retake it next week. After that, we’ll be on our merry way to vacation. YEAH. How about you? Exciting plans with an even more exciting lady or dead in the water?”

“Nah, nobody yet,” Jasper hinted. “Too busy with college, and my taste is probably too discerning, not a lot of girls check a lot of my boxes, and those who do are spoken for.”

“Hey, come on, go with me. Two of us may keep the renters polite, especially you, since your parents raised you on personal security detailing and bodyguarding and such. Hiring you in, my man, so they don’t yell at me about whatever the hell is broken in my parents’ investment piece.” Jasper grinned at Leon.

“I am a college student, brother, that’s it, at least for the time being. But sure, I’ll go with you to protect your weak ass from the mean old cat lady with the leaky faucet.” Leon smirked back.

Del Sol Valley
Mirage Park Apartments

They crossed the street, and Leon whistled. “Not bad. These apartments aren’t the eyesore we imagined when they started building, but this is the first time I really see at them up close. Actually, really nice to look at. Could be an option for me—near my parents, like, literally across the street, but I get some privacy without the constant risk of one of them walking in at the wrong moment, especially when I do decide to bring some lady home. Nice pool too. How much do you parents charge for this?”

Jasper shrugged. “No clue. I didn’t even know they bought this shit, it’s dad’s ‘investment opportunity’, first I heard about it was this morning, I only arrived in town last night myself. But hey, maybe it’s worth the price tag. If my acting career turns out to be a pipe dream, I could be a fancy landlord, living in the luxurious penthouse here keeping the pesky renters in line.”

“I don’t see a penthouse of any kind, my man.”

“Me either. Figures. Then I’ll be probably in some creepy hole downstairs, next to the leaky boiler room and rats’ nests. Story of my life.”

“Have you always been such a drama queen. Jeeze, brother. There are other careers between actor and basement dwelling drifter, ya know.”

“Yeah, but none that I want any more than the people in them want me. Look at me, I was meant for greatness. Not too many college courses for that, huh, and even less career options.” Jasper spread out his arms, then gestured up and down himself.

“Maybe psychiatry, so you can try treating your own delusions of grandeur. What’s the name of the renter?” Leon was straight to business the moment they reached the doorbells.

Jasper pulled out his phone, scrolling through messages, then slapped one hand against his forehead.

“Ah, shit! Fuck me sideways!”

“Okay. I don’t see that on the doorbells.” Leon quipped.

“Montcrief. The name is Montcrief. Oakley Montcrief called the issue in.” Jasper now turned to him, saying the name as if it were meaningful. It wasn’t, at least not to Leon.

“Okay, Montcrief, right here.” Leon was about to push the button, when Jasper slapped his hand away, grabbing Leon’s shoulders to turn him towards him.

“Listen, you gotta do me a solid here, brother. I need you to go up to that apartment and figure out what’s wrong and fix it. I’ll pay for it, but under no circumstances mention me being down here.”

“Do I look like your lackay? Your dad’s place, YOU go fix it. I am only here so you don’t pee your pants.”

“Pants are already soaked so you failed. Montcrief is my ex’ last name. I can’t go to my ex’s place; she is a mental case and if Iris were to ever find out she would club me to death with my own wiener. You know Iris!”

Smirking, Leon folded his arms in front of his chest, then chuckled.

“Looky here. The bigmouth Jasper Hargrave is terrified of his little girlfriend. If Iris were at least some butch bitch, but she’s so delicate. Wait till my parents and Ava hear…”

Jasper grabbed Leon, shaking him.

“Dude, do that and I’ll do whatever! Anything. ANYTHING!”

“You owe me. OWE ME! Big time.” Leon said, pushed the button and was buzzed in. Turning to go up, he left Jasper by the door.

It took 20 long minutes until Leon finally returned.

“So? How did it go? I sent you messages.” Jasper jumped at him like a fan who spotted some celebrity.

“I know. I was busy. And that’s all you are gonna hear from me.” Leon clearly basked in torturing Jasper.

“So, what was broken?” Jasper wondered.

“Nothing. She couldn’t figure out how to set the alarm system. If there is something I know like the back of my hand it’s alarm systems, and we just happen to have the same at home, so that was a piece of cake. She was VERY grateful. Can’t wait to hear how amazing I am again on the date we’re going on this weekend. Oh, and I am built like a linebacker and have–and I quote—dreamy eyes. Just in case you weren’t aware.” Leon enjoyed adding oil to Jasper’s fire.

“DATE?! You can’t go on dates with my ex!” Jasper grimaced as if he had seen a cockroach.

“Why? Bro-code only applies to bros and, no offense, but we don’t run in the same circles. We’re not bros. We’re…acquaintances. Heck, my parents have worked for your parents, so you’re kind of a client.”

“But you know me! You are my girlfriend’s cousin, you constellation prize!”

“So? I know a lot of people. If that would limit my dating pool, I’d be screwed. What’s your problem with it anyway? You have Iris, or are you not so sure you are done with Oakley?”

“I AM sure. Why do you think she is my ex? Because she was so great? She’s a freaking clingy stalker chick. You don’t wanna date that. If you look up the word clingy in a dictionary you’ll find her picture, along with a sound warning. I am your cautionary tale, Leon! The only reason I finally managed to get her out of my life was cos I moved to Britchester campus clear across the country.”

“Well, maybe she was the wrong lid to your pot. I am willing to put that to the test, especially seeing how this pot hasn’t had a lid in too long. At least she won’t have far to go to stalk me, she can literally see my backyard from her balcony. Your ex is hot, by the way. Kudos for good taste.”

“Well, my current one is even hotter, so there.” grumbled Jasper.

“To each their own. I guess I prefer blondes. Or at least girls who don’t drown everyone in snarky commentary and sarcasm, while biting my head off.”

“Hey, ‘bro-sef’, for your info, tread lightly now! Iris is mellow and hella sweet most of the time, but since she is gonna be a lawyer she needs to be assertive. And Oakley is a blonde now? Last I saw her she still had pink hair, before that it was fire engine red. Just a fair warning, pink or blonde, the carpet won’t match the drapes, brother. Curb your enthusiasm.”

“Who cares, Jas? Pink, blonde, brown, red, they are all the same when they’re on their back. So, if she really is as psycho as you say, I hope that translates into the bedroom and she and I both get to have some fun. And if her being cray-cray was a you-problem, which I kinda assume, to be honest, then she is very nice to look at and evidently can hold a conversation too. I see a lot of long-term potential there, should she turn out to be as cute and sweet as I think she is. Well, come and get your daddy’s gas guzzler out of my driveway, I need to get my car out and get some shit done. Oh, and if you ever need someone to check on your parents’ investment piece again, gimme a call. Hoping all tenants are this hot. Might think about buying some property too. Landlord would look good on me … and clearly, it’s great for meeting people.”

Cursing under his breath, Jasper followed Leon back over to the Barrett’s house, then drove back home.