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“How do you know he’s wealthy?” I asked,
wondering exactly how much information Ryan had given away without
my knowledge.

My dad felt the rage I had aimed towards Ryan
and tried to smooth it out. He had an uncanny ability to see right
through me. “Don’t worry, Ryan didn’t tell me that. I could tell
from his truck – it isn’t cheap. And, at dinner, I saw his Black
Amex, and I know only certain people have those.” He said with a
deep smile. “Furthermore, the fact that he played so coy about what
he did before going to school kind of tipped me off.”

“Jeez Dad. Stalking him just a bit?” Suddenly
I was mortified that my Dad was making note of all this. For some
strange reason it felt like an invasion.

He laughed. “Cars, I’m your Dad, and some guy
I’ve never met before was all of a sudden enjoying dinner with my
family… you’re damn right I was stalking him.”

I loosened up a bit after that, because in
all actuality, he was right, he was just doing his job. Then in a
split second, he looked me in the eyes, and did what he’s been
doing my entire life.

“Cars, I don’t want you to think that because
Jason has money, that you’re tied to him. We have never raised you
to value material possessions over your own morals and values.” I
wasn’t entirely sure where he was going with this, but I continued
to listen – intently. “I know he and Chelsea don’t get along all
that great, and as your best friend, she only wants the best for
you.”

My insides were boiling with rage. I knew
that Ryan had told my Dad too much, and without discussing it with
me first. How could he? I knew he was trying to protect me, but
giving me a heads up would have been greatly appreciated.

“Dad… you know how Chelsea can be, completely
overbearing, and, at times, inappropriate.” I stalled to gauge his
reaction, which was as stoic as ever. “She and Jason are just
opposites, in almost every way – he is pretty quiet, she can’t stop
talking…” I stopped because my Dad hadn’t changed his expression in
the least bit.

“Cars, I just don’t want you compromising who
you are, and pushing your friends by the way side for a guy. It
should just come naturally.” He smiled meekly. “By the way, what
exactly does Jason do? I hope it isn’t drugs or crime…” He stopped
because for the first time, I was smiling at his line of
questioning.

“Well, it isn’t Jason, it’s his family. They
are a big oil family back in Texas. He does some small work for his
dad out here, while he goes to school to get his degree.” I paused,
gauging his reaction, which didn’t change. “He doesn’t like to
flaunt it, that’s why he wasn’t giving away too much.”

He rubbed his hands over his face, kisses my
head, and hugged me.

“Cars, I don’t care if he was a garbage
collector… as long as he treats my baby girl right, I will welcome
him with open arms.” I knew he meant this by the genuine smile that
spread across his face.

“How much did Ryan tell you?” I asked -- my
eyes full of anxiety.

“Just what I told you. He wasn’t trying to
rat you out or anything. He and Mila came by the house and they got
to talking about your night out, and that’s what he told me. Don’t
be mad at your brother -- thank him. He loves you Cars, and wants
what’s best for you.”

“How do you feel about Mila?” Seeing that
this conversation had gotten so far into Jason, I tried,
desperately, to change the subject. His weary eyes studied me,
displaying the confusion he felt in the sudden change in
conversation.

“I don’t mind Mila… why?”

“Just wondering, I was a little bothered by
it…” and then I stopped, seeing my Dad’s shift in demeanor.

“Bothered? Why?”

“Well for starters, Mila is my friend and
roommate, and Ryan is my brother, so if that doesn’t work out, it’s
awkward on both ends for me.”

“Go on.”

“And, Mila is not easily tamed, so I don’t
want Ryan to get thrown by the wayside.” I took a heavy sigh, and
felt better because this had been on my mind since the day I saw
them together.

“Cars, I am going to tell you what I told
Ryan as he spoke about Jason. You two are grown-ups, and while we
only want what’s best for our loved ones, you have no room to
meddle in their affairs. If Ryan needs you, he will come to you –
if not, then stay out of it, and just be a silent protector.” He
smiled at me, which I gladly reciprocated because only my dad could
give advice that nourished the soul.

“And anyway, how are you and Jason? Ryan said
things got a little weird yesterday, so I just wanted to see if you
were okay.” Damn Ryan!

“The awkwardness came from Chelsea, but we’re
good.” I couldn’t even say that with a straight face knowing deep
inside, things were not good. He still hadn’t tried to communicate
in the least bit, and I still wasn’t even sure if I should be
talking about him.

“Well, I just want you happy Cars. Don’t lose
sight of your friends or who you are.”

And, with that, we ate. The rest of the
conversation was relatively light, ranging from classes, to
softball, to baseball. I laughed more during the tail end of my
conversation with my dad than I had in the past four days – and
certainly within the past 24 hours.

As we finished our lunch, my Dad slid me a
bank receipt. He deposited $400 into my account. I really didn’t
need the money, but he insisted, so I didn’t argue any further.

I had a film session to get to so I left my
dad, but not without first giving him a hug that undoubtedly poured
out love and appreciation. I felt like the anxiety I had been
feeling had gone away. I was in awe of the way he had the ability
to do that to me, and had been able to do so my entire life.

I turned the radio on in my car as I drove
back to campus and sang as loud as I could to whatever came on. I
was in a much better mood and was actually feeling like I could
live again.

<>

I made it back to campus with just enough
time to sit through an exceptionally long and tedious film session
on Santa Barbara College. I made it through my one night class, and
made my way back to my apartment. Mila was out with Ryan, and
Chelsea was up in La Jolla for her mother’s birthday dinner. The
moment she told me she was going home for the night, my mind
immediately raced to Jason. I had done so well today not thinking
about, or consuming myself with him, and yet, the second Chelsea
mentioned home, my mind put two and two together and La Jolla and
Jason came crashing back like a tidal wave. I asked her to check to
see if he was home, and of course, being Chelsea, she said I didn’t
even have to ask.

My apartment was dark, but slightly lit by
the plug-in warmers plugged conveniently throughout our space. Mila
must have changed the scent because it no longer smelled of sweet
jasmine, but instead like a cinnamon bun. I walked through the
apartment, checking to make sure that no one was there, and when I
saw that I was alone; I quickly undressed and rushed to the
bathroom for a nice, hot, relaxing shower.

I got out of the shower to a text message
from Chelsea.

from Chelsea

*No signs of life here… not sure where your Southern
gent is at this hour.*

to Chelsea

*I don’t know either…btw, please wish your mom a
Happy Birthday from me.*

from Chelsea

*Will do… keep your head up Cara!*

Sitting in my room towel drying my hair, I
was back to wondering about the whereabouts of Jason. He wasn’t
much of a partier – much more of a homebody, and yet, he wasn’t
home on a school night. I missed that sweet face, even when he
couldn’t seem to fix it into a smile. I missed that sweet Southern
drawl, and the way my name lingered on his tongue. I just missed
everything about him, so I opened my laptop, and checked my
Facebook to see if I had received a reply to the message I'd sent
him. To my awaiting disappointment, there was no reply. I glanced
down at the message from Jacob, and pondered if I should reach out
to him or not. Without a second thought, I was zapped back into
reality. Jason hated his brother, and the mere thought of me
contacting him to ask for his whereabouts would set him off like a
volcano. I felt myself reaching the point of desperation and just
as I signed out and shut my laptop; there was a knock on my
door.

<>

Looking through the peephole, I saw a
studious looking Chase standing on the other side. I opened the
door and was greeted with a warm, affectionate hug. It was just
what I needed; a friend, to distract me from my mood. I welcomed
Chase into the apartment, and quickly thought about how Jason would
have flipped his shit had he known about this. Shaking my head, I
entered back into the present and lead Chase over to the couch in
the living room.

“So how have you been Cara? I haven’t seen
much of you, well, any of you for that matter.”

“I know, and I’m sorry about that. I’m good,
what about you?” I looked down, and I think based on the mutual
affection passed off in my hug, and the expression written all over
my face, Chase knew I wasn’t being completely honest.

“Alright, spill it. What’s going on? You’re
definitely not okay.”

I looked at him, my eyes welling up with
tears again, and I poured it all out to him.

“Well, I had an incredible weekend, with a
few hiccups along the way, but still very nice. Jason had dinner
with me and my family, we toured his house, rode on his motorcycle,
and I learned to drive stick…” I spared him the carnal details
because I was sure he didn’t care to hear them, and it really
wasn’t much of his business.

“Whoa… talk about a whirlwind. So where is
big shot now?”

And, the question I had been dreading had
pounded its way into my ears. Should I tell Chase the truth, or
make something up? I figured honesty was the best policy, so I gave
as honest an answer as I could, and simply shrugged my
shoulders.

“What do you mean you don’t know? What
happened?”

‘I can’t say. He and Chelsea got into it
yesterday morning, but I thought we were fine after that. He
brought me home, dropped my bags off in here for me, and then left.
I haven’t heard from him since.”

“Hopefully nothing happened to him. Too bad
you don’t know his family then you could at least ask.”

“Well, I am in contact with his brother,
Jacob, but Jason hates him, and I don’t think that’s a good route
to take.”

“Why the hell not?” Chase’s voice elevated.
“You have no idea if something happened to him, you should at least
ask about that.”

“No, because if they know nothing, then a
plethora of questions will be asked, and they will certainly get
back to Jason.”

“And? Then he will see how much you care
about him.”

“No Chase. You don’t understand. He hates his
brother to the ends of this Earth, and that would do nothing but
enflame him.”

“Well, I think I kind of have an idea.
Remember the night I met him?”

“Oh yes!” I finally laughed. “I remember
quite well. He has a bit of a jealous streak and was a little
threatened by you.”

“I was ready to kick his ass if he didn’t
stop staring at me the way he was.”

I couldn’t help but laugh again. Chase had
such a kindred spirit that was difficult to see him physically
accosting anyone. I knew from experience that he didn’t like
confrontation, so his statement seemed more comical than anything
else.

“I’m serious Cara. His cool Southern ass was
about to get a California boy beat down.”

“Chase that would have been highly
unnecessary, and once he gets to know you better, he will like you
– well, if I ever see him again.”

As much as he didn’t like the idea of Jason,
he realized that I was hurting, so he tried his best, even if it
was done disingenuously, to try and assure me that everything was
going to be okay.

<>

The rest of the week dragged sluggishly. I
was stuck in a rut of routine: workouts, classes, practice,
overbearing roommates, overprotective parents, and at night, when I
was finally alone, loneliness. I had been spending more time with
Chase, which was soothing. He was just an easy going guy, with no
anger issues, or jealousy trips. We beat SBC rather convincingly,
and now, on a Sunday, I was left to myself, with nothing to do.
Chelsea was at the beach with some friends; Hunter would be home
from Vegas tomorrow so she wanted to get in some beach time before
she locked herself away with him. Mila and Ryan had really heated
up and took in a day at Balboa Park. I was extended an invitation
to go to both, but politely declined.

Chase offered to bring over some takeout and
movies, and I decided that was a better plan. It allowed me to stay
warm in my sweats and blanket, in the comfort of my own home. He
brought over tofu salads, and while I was not a huge tofu eater,
the salad was delicious. I asked him to bring some gory movies,
because at this point in time, I didn’t think I could handle
watching sappy romantics. He handed me the first three movies from
the Michael Myers Halloween series. We watched the first two and I
began to feel heavy-eyed. Before I even saw the opening credits for
the third movie, I fell fast asleep in a long, deep slumber.

When I awoke, Chelsea was home, I was in my
bed, and I heard her and Chase in the kitchen talking, and what
sounded like cooking. I haphazardly walked to the kitchen, my eyes
in a tight squint courtesy of the bright lights beaming in the
room, and saw that they were talking, over what looked like
Hamburger Helper being made on the stove.

“Hey Sleepyhead” Chase said, his smile
lighting up his entire face.

“You hungry?” Chelsea piped in, while
stirring the only dish she knew how to make.

“Yes, actually I am. How long have I been
asleep?”