Fated - A Mermaid's Curse 2 Page 2

  As soon as I close my eyes and take a deep breath, I can smell her scent all over her pillow. I have never done this before and I’m not even sure if I’m even doing it right, but I pray. I just close my eyes and pray that she is somehow brought back into my life.

  I jump awake when I feel a pressure on my chest. Someone turned my alarm off after I fell asleep and it’s now dark outside. I run out of the room to find mom and Owen sitting on the couch. Mom has been crying all day and Owen stares down in a way that I’ve never seen him before.

  I look outside and I see no searchlights. I know what this means, and my heart sinks; actually, it shatters into so many pieces that I give up. I don’t say anything. I go to the table in the corner of the room, grab a bottle of Jack Daniels and walk into my room, locking myself in.

  I sit down and stare at the bottle for a while.

  ‘Promise me that no matter what happens, you won’t drink again.’

  I love her too much to break that promise. I stand up and throw the bottle against the wall. It breaks, spilling liquor all over the hardwood floor.

  An hour later, I’m in the boat on the way back to the city with mom and Owen. As the boat moves over the area where we were, I actually stare at the water and contemplate jumping in, but then, that scent hits me… her scent, and I feel the tears rolling down my face. How could I have been this stupid? Good things don’t happen to me. The one time it did, it sure as hell wasn’t going to last.

  I close my eyes and shake my head, inhaling that scent one more time.

  I don’t want anything to do with this island ever again.

  But I do go back…

  Mom thinks I should at least have some kind of memorial service for her, so I go back to the island with her and Owen with every intention of doing something in her memory, but once we get there, I can’t. I know they think I’m in denial and maybe I am, but I can’t do this. I go inside and lock myself in the room. I sit down on the bed and as soon as my hand touches the bed sheet, I feel something cold against my fingers. I look over to see her necklace; the mermaid necklace I had given her. I clench my fists around the necklace and I feel the tears against my face and the pain in my chest.

  When mom and Owen go to sleep, I go outside. I know they’re right; I should do something in her honor.

  Still holding on to the necklace, I go toward the back of the island where there is a garden that was started by my grandfather. I pick out a white flower and make my way back to the front of the house with every intention to walk up to sea, say a few words, and place the flower and necklace in the water. I get about halfway there before I stop. I can’t do this. I look at the necklace; the only thing I have of hers, and kiss it before I put it in my pocket. I can’t let go… not now, not ever. I look back up to the sea before I fall to my knees, drop the flower on the sand and weep. After a while, I take a deep breath, leave the flower on the sand and go back in the house. I find mom and Owen in the living room. They’re both by the window and they both look worried.

  “I need to get out of here,” I say. They don’t ask any questions. We leave right away.

  Over the next few days, I consume myself with work. I’m either working or sleeping, and out of this whole thing… one person is happy. There is a look of pleasure on my dad’s face and for that, I hate him even more. So far, he left me alone, but today I see Brooke talking to him in his office and I know it’s only a matter of time before he pushes her on me again.

  That night, things take a turn. I’m lying in bed alone and all I do is stare at where Arianna should be. I hate that I have nothing left of hers but the necklace. Well, actually, that’s a lie. I also have the ring that was given to her by the guy chosen by her father. On the night we met, she took it off and said the ring didn’t mean what I thought it did. She looked so vulnerable. Sometime during that night, I took the ring from where she left it and put it in my room. I thought it would help if she didn’t have any reminders of the life she was running from.

  Right now, I wish I at least had a picture of her. I roll on my back and stare at the ceiling. I know it will only be a matter of time before I give in and do whatever my father says and honestly, what’s the point in fighting it? This is yet another night without her and it’s not getting any better. In fact, it’s getting worse. I can’t do this anymore. The first couple of nights, I could sleep, but now, not sleeping gives me time to think and I can’t handle this.

  I get up and make my way to the living room. I stare at the bottle of whiskey. I literally stand there staring at it and thinking about the promise I made to Arianna, but this time, I give in. I can’t do this sober. I grab the bottle, a glass, and sit on the couch. I take a few shots before I start feeling the alcohol hit me, but that makes me think about her even more. So I keep drinking, and drinking, until I pass out.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  OWEN

  It’s been almost a week. I went back to the island a few days ago to see if there were any signs of her at least being alive, but found nothing. Even through the ties of the black magic, I can’t feel anything.

  To be honest, I’m surprised Blake has been coming to work every day, even though all he does is show up and lock himself in his office. I know it’s just something to keep his mind busy, but if that’s what will take for him to get over her, so be it.

  I realize I spoke too soon when I get to the office today and he’s not here. I think that maybe he is just running late, but find out that is not the case when dad dearest barges into my office.

  “Where is your brother?”

  I shrug. “I have no fucking clue. He’s been working a lot so maybe he needed a day off.”

  He glares at me and walks toward my chair. He leans down, putting both hands against the top of the chair, one on each side above my shoulders. Then he slides one of his hands down and presses his finger on my injury. It hurts like a bitch, but I hold in my breath to keep from showing signs of pain.

  I just keep my eyes locked on his as he growls, “This was your mistake, Owen. Fix it! Do whatever you need to get him to move on… take him out for a few drinks, arrange for him to get laid… I don’t care. Just fix it!”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He then removes his hand away from my back, making the pain even worse. He walks toward the door and I ignore the pain on my back and go back to work.

  As he opens the door, he looks back at me. “What are you doing?”

  “Hmm. Working.”

  He shakes his head and looks frustrated. “Fix your brother. NOW. I’m sick of waiting and I want him back with Brooke as soon as possible.”

  “But the merger is already done…”

  “Don’t fucking care. I made a deal with Brooke’s father and I’m holding up my part of it, understood?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He turns around and slams the door behind him.

  I get up, grab my car keys, and head over to Blake’s apartment.

  ***

  I knock and knock on the damn door and no one answers. I call his phone a few times and nothing.

  I finally hear something behind the door and I pound on it again.

  “Damn it, Blake! If this door is not open in one minute, I’m getting the key from the building manager.”

  He opens the door and he’s a mess. He’s wearing boxers, no shirt, his hair is a mess and he smells like whiskey.

  “You look like crap,” I say as I walk past him.

  His apartment is a mess, too. There are empty alcohol bottles and trash on the floor.

  “Having a party without me, bro?”

  “Screw you, Owen. What do you want?”

  I sigh and sit down on the couch.

  “She wouldn’t want to see you like this, Blake.”

  “What do you care?”

  “It doesn’t matter how much you drink, man. It’s not going to bring her back.”

  He flinches and I feel sorry for reminding him. Not that he forgot.

  “Look, man, let me
take you out tonight. It’ll help you get your mind off things. Don’t do it for me or for you. Do it for Mom and Molly. Have you even seen Molly this week? I heard she was asking about you and Mom didn’t know what to say or do because she wants to give you time.”

  He stands there motionless.

  “Just go to your room and get some sleep, or take a shower, or something. You smell like your last shower was taken in whiskey instead of water. I’ll clean up here and then we’ll go out somewhere.”

  He walks back to his room without saying anything, but I take that as a yes.

  I pick up the empty bottles of alcohol and throw them out. I then grab my phone. I remember that even though I went back to John’s bar to give him his key back, I never got the girl’s number… Candy I think was her name, I can’t really remember.

  I call John’s cell.

  “Hey, man, do you have Candy’s number?

  “Who is Candy?” he asks.

  “You know… the brunette from the other day.”

  He laughs. “Her name is Carly, dude. If you’re going to call her, you might want to write her name down too.”

  Still laughing, he gives me her number.

  “So what happened with that blonde one? You know… Carly’s friend?”

  “Nothing really. I guess I’m not her type.”

  “Hmmm. What was her name?”

  He laughs again. “There is no hope for you,” he says. “Her name is Anna.”

  “Got it. Thanks. Later.”

  I hang up and text Carly. I would call but I’m not in the mood for conversation right now, especially about what happened, and I also don’t want Blake to hear me talking to her.

  ‘Hey, beautiful. It’s Owen. Do you want to meet me tonight at John’s bar?’

  I turn the TV on and watch the hockey game as I wait for her to reply. It takes a good twenty minutes before she does. I don’t get why girls make us wait for shit like this.

  ‘Oh hey. What happened the other night? Yeah, I will meet you. What time?’

  ‘We’ll talk about it later. How is 9pm? Double date, so bring Anna.’

  ‘Hmmm I don’t think John is her type.’

  ‘Not him. My brother.’

  ‘K. I have to get back to work. See you later.’

  ‘Later, beautiful.’

  I walk over to Blake’s room and see that he’s passed out, so I leave and rush to my apartment to change into kakis and a black shirt. When I get back to his apartment, he’s still sleeping.

  I sit on the couch and watch TV. Around seven, I can hear the shower and minutes later; Blake comes out wearing jeans and a white shirt.

  “That’s what you are wearing?” I ask.

  He shrugs. “I’m not trying to impress anyone.”

  “Well, obviously.” I say.

  “Look, Owen, I’m not going to be good company. Why don’t you just go out by yourself?”

  “No, not tonight. Let’s go. I’ll drive,” I say.

  He follows me out.

  “Where are we going?”

  “John’s bar.”

  “Oh.”

  “I asked some friends to meet us there.”

  He nods and I’m glad he didn’t ask who they were.

  When we walk in, I don’t see John and assume he’s taking the night off. I find an empty table toward the back and head over there with Blake following me.

  “Hey, Owen,” says the waitress.

  “Hey, sweetheart.”

  She smiles. I can’t remember her name… I’m terrible at that and for a moment I wish they wore nametags here.

  “What can I get you?”

  “Fried pickles and a beer.”

  She looks over at Blake and her grin grows wider. “What can I get you?” she asks shyly.

  He doesn’t even look at her. “Jack Daniels.”

  “Okay,” she says.

  “Just bring the whole bottle, please.”

  She looks from Blake to me and I nod a ‘go ahead’. I know if he gets out of hand I can stop him.

  He’s on his second glass when I see Carly and her friend walk in through the front door.

  “Don’t be mad, Blake, but the friends I talked about are not exactly guys.”

  He rolls his eyes at me. “Big surprise.”

  “Just stay and hangout, okay? It will be good for you.”

  “Whatever,” he takes another shot.

  “Hey, Owen,” says Carly.

  I grin at her and get up, giving her the seat close to the wall.

  She smiles as she sits as her friend stands there awkwardly.

  “This is my brother Blake. Blake, this is Carly and Anna.”

  Anna smiles wide, but Blake just takes another drink and doesn’t even look at her.

  She looks at me and she seems shocked. “I’m sorry,” I mouth to her.

  She looks disappointed but sits down.

  We talk about random stuff and by we, I mean Carly, Anna and me. Blake just stares at the bottle whenever he is not drinking.

  Finally, he excuses himself and says he is going to step outside for a few minutes.

  As soon as he is out the door I take a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry about him. I didn’t know he was going to be this bad.”

  “What is his deal?” asks Anna.

  I sigh and wonder what to say… do I say Arianna disappeared or died? “His girl—hmm—well she was lost in the sea. They weren’t able to find her.”

  Anna gasps. “Oh My God! I heard about that.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Should I go talk to him?”

  Her eyes sparkle. I don’t know what it’s about chicks wanting to fix whatever is wrong with guys but now she sees potential.

  “Nah,” I say. “I think I better just take him home. Maybe another time?”

  She looks disappointed but agrees.

  I pay the bill and then go outside to escort them to their car and look for Blake.

  As soon as I step outside, I can see Blake sitting by the pier. I shake my head and walk Carly and Anna to their car. Anna gets in giving Carly and me some privacy. Carly actually looks disappointed. She says bye and turns to leave, but I grab her wrist, making her stop. She turns around and I get closer, pressing her against the car with my body. “I’m really sorry. I know I keep saying this, but I’ll make it up to you.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe it’s not meant to be. I heard some rumors about you.”

  I grin. “Yet you’re still here. Why is that?”

  “I don’t know,” she says nervously.

  “Rumors are just that… rumors.”

  She nods but I have a feeling this one is more trouble than what she is worth.

  “Well, sweetheart. You got my number now. It’ll leave things up to you.”

  She nods and gets in the car and I head over to the pier.

  I sit next to Blake.

  He just stares at the sea.

  “Sorry,” I say.

  He abruptly stands up and starts to walk the other way.

  “Where the fuck are you going?”

  “Tattoo shop. I want something that causes pain and that will leave her imprinted in my skin forever.”

  I get up and follow him, glad that no one will tattoo him being this drunk. He’s worse than I thought he would be and dad’s words rush back to me. ‘My mistake… I caused this… I caused his pain.’ A few months ago I wouldn’t care, but that was before I screwed up Arianna’s life as bad as I did. I hated to feel bad for it, but I did.

  I follow Blake into the tattoo shop near John’s bar and see a guy that must be a new hire standing behind the counter. Blake walks straight up to him.

  “What can I help you with?” the guy asks, looking from Blake to me.

  “I want to get a tattoo,” says Blake.

  The guy chuckles. “You’re gonna have to come back when you’re sober.”

  “I’m not leaving until I get one.”

  The guy shakes his head and looks at
me.

  “I suggest you take your friend home.”

  I nod and walk over to Blake, but he turns and glares at me.

  “Don’t!” he warns me.

  The guy shakes his head again and yells toward the back, “Hey, Brenda, I need you to watch the counter. I have a customer that needs to be escorted out of here.”

  She comes in and she is frustrated until she sees me.

  “Owen?” she asks.

  “Hey, Brenda!”

  Brenda and I used to go to school together in middle and high school. She’s probably the only girl I’ve ever been just friends with.

  “Come on back,” she says to Blake and me. It’s okay, Bill. I’ll take care of this one.”

  We follow her to the back where she asks Blake to go ahead and have a seat. She then stops me near the door.

  “This is your brother, Blake, right?” she asks.

  I nod.

  “He looks like he’s in bad shape,” she pauses. “I heard about what happened…”

  “Yeah, seems like everyone has.”

  She looks from me to him, and he looks like he could pass out at any moment.

  “I get what is feeling, you know? I’ve been in his shoes. I’ll do this now, but as far as I’m concerned, he is sober. It’s your decision though.”

  I stop to think about it. “Let me talk to him first and find out what he wants done. As long as he doesn’t want a tramp stamp or some weird shit, I think it should be okay.”

  She laughs. “Alright. I’m going to go talk to Bill to make sure we’re all good and I’ll be back soon.”

  I smile at her and walk over to Blake.

  “So what do you want done?” I ask.

  “A mermaid,” he says.

  I give him a puzzled look. I know she never told him about her or he would be diving into the ocean everyday since.

  “Why a mermaid?” I ask.

  For the first time in days, I see him smile. “Because she was my fairy tale. They are too good to be true, just like she was.” He grins wider. “She always smelled like the ocean. I loved that smell. And then there was a time when Molly told me a story about them playing mermaids or something.” He sighs. “I just keep getting this image of her against a rock, her hair flowing in the wind. And even though the image is blurry, I can tell it’s her.”