Chasing Us by M.A. Lee
Chapter 1
The base thumped loudly from the speaker directly next to my head. I took a sip of the vodka tonic in my hand as I glanced around the packed nightclub. The club, better known as Last Stop, was the hottest bar on the University of Kentucky’s campus and like every weekend, it was full tonight. The smell of stale beer and sweat mixed with Cologne filled the thick air. On stage in front of us, my fiancé Jamie’s best friend, Brandon, was warming up his guitar and checking the microphone before his band was scheduled to perform. His honey colored hair was shaggy and fell just above his eyes, in that just-got-out-of-bed disheveled sexy way. His loose fitting denim jeans hung low on his hips and his tight black t-shirt showed the reflexes of his muscles as he strummed on his guitar. Everyone came here on the weekends, so it was a great time to catch up with friends and for Brandon’s band to get the exposure they so desperately craved. I felt myself watching the rhythm, even though I knew I shouldn't be. This was a Friday night ritual ever since Jamie and I started dating four years ago. Honestly, other than the trashy girls and shoulders constantly bumping into me, I loved our Friday nights.
“He’s so hot!” Kylie yelled into my ear, as she gazed up at Brandon who was happily unaware of the anxious crowd below him.
Her long and wavy red hair swayed back and forth as she seductively moved in tune with the music playing around us. Her short jean skirt and tight black sequin tank top revealed way more of her cleavage than needed. However, Kylie had confidence that allowed her to wear scandalously clad clothes, but still appear sexy and classy. Her blue eyes sparkled against the lights hanging above and I watched her scan the room for another guy to take home tonight. It was a game with Kylie, seducing and pouncing on her prey like a leopard in the jungle. In my wildest dreams, I could only imagine having half of her assurance and brazenness to walk up to a guy and make a move.
Looking up, I spotted Brandon looking our way and I smiled and offered a friendly wave. Smiling back, Brandon saluted me before running a hand through his messy hair and getting back to his task.
Nudging my arm, Kylie winked at me as she smiled seductively up at him. “I see you checking Brandon out,” she joked.
Shaking my head, no, I tried to laugh. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh come on, Brandon is hot as hell,” she mused.
Raising my eyes, I tried to sputter out a response, but I was fumbling over my own words. “No. I uh…”
Laughing, Kylie just shook her head.
“I’m just worried Jamie won’t get here in time,” I admitted as I peeked at my blank phone screen again.
“Calm down,” Kylie laughed, throwing her head back so that her red hair bounced all around her. “I’m just kidding. I know you are obsessed with Jamie and blah, blah, blah, but you have to admit Brandon is hot.”
Of course, Kylie was checking him out. Every girl with eyes was drooling over Brandon, and honestly, I couldn't blame them. When I had first met Brandon five years ago, we had hit it off immediately. Though nothing ever came of it, and we remained close friends ever since. It was also Brandon, who had introduced me to my now-fiancé, Jamie. They had been best friends since kindergarten and were constantly glued to one another. Not that I minded, though, Brandon was a good friend, and eye candy for all girls and myself alike. The only issue with having Brandon around all of the time was watching him bring his slutty one-night-stands around. It always drove me crazy how he never tried to find a girl worth keeping. It was as though he purposely ran away from love and just enjoyed a woman long enough to get his kicks and fix his urges.
Quickly placing the phone back into the back pocket of my tight, skinny jeans, I gave her a menacing glare. “I know he said he would be here, but Brandon is almost ready to perform. Jamie has been working so much lately, I hate that I barely see him anymore,” I whined over the loud sounds of a heavy metal guitar.
Checking my phone again, I looked for a missed text or call from Jamie. Lately, he had been working extra hours at the advertising agency he worked for and had even missed a few of Brandon’s Saturday performances.
“Stop checking your phone, Jamie will be here,” Kylie hissed as she tried to steal my phone away from me. “Besides, tonight is your twenty-first birthday. You know your man will be here to help you celebrate.”
Pretending to grab for my compact instead, I checked myself in my mirror as though I wasn’t just checking my phone for the millionth time. Looking at my reflection I noted how my long caramel colored hair was perfectly curled and was neatly laying on my shoulders. My hazel green eyes were outlined by a smoky shade of eye shadow. I had spent hours primping for tonight, and not just because this was a huge and important birthday for me. It would be the first night this week I would get to spend with Jamie and I wanted to look as hot as possible; well, at least as hot as I could be.
“I was just checking my makeup,” I sort of lied.
“Stop worrying, you look smoking hot,” Kylie said as she turned to face me. She was yelling over the music now, but I barely heard her voice.
I hoped Kylie was right. I had gone out shopping earlier in the week using money my parents had given me for an early birthday present. My tight skinny jeans were rolled up at the ankle and my black heels gave my five-foot-five frame a little extra height. I had paired my jeans with a blood-red strapless halter-top that showed off my tiny curves. I knew that I didn’t compare to the beautiful girls bouncing around the bar. I wasn’t stunningly beautiful or full of a confidence that screamed sexy, but I did feel a little bit better about myself with my new outfit. However, it wasn’t lost on me that every girl in here made me feel bland and invisible.
As I continued to scan the room, I finally saw a face that I had been searching for the last hour. Spotting Jamie, I watched as he sauntered into the bar and made his way toward me. Still dressed in his black business pants and navy blue button down dress shirt, Jamie looked like he had just walked off the runway. His black as night hair was spiked and his brown eyes glimmered from the lighting now dancing around the room. Jamie was four years older than me and at 25, he had already graduated from college and had secured a great job.
I watched as girls took in his every move as he parted the dance floor on his way to me. In that moment, I felt so lucky to be his. I briefly looked down at my large diamond engagement ring before looking up in time to see Jamie standing in front of me.
Leaning in, Jamie offered a kiss as his lips lightly brushed against mine. Jamie was never one for public displays of affection, so I took any amount of intimacy I could get. Part of me wondered if he knew too, that he could do much better than me. He could probably have any girl he wanted in this room, but for some strange reason, he had chosen me. For that, I loved him even through our fights and rough times.
“I’m glad you are here,” I said as I leaned in and grabbed his hands.
“Yeah, sorry I am late. We were really busy at the office today,” Jamie said as he ran his hands through his hair. “Have they played yet?” he asked, motioning to Brandon who was still on stage but watching us.
A girl with wavy brown hair and a red dress that seemed to be glued to her body, sauntered up to Brandon as we all turned to see him. I recognized her as last week’s slut-of-the-week. Smiling at Brandon she stood by the edge of the stage, pushing herself closer to him. Not glancing her way, I almost felt bad for the girl as Brandon only offered her a small smile. Her face dropped at the dismissal. It was clear, she had just discovered her time with him was up. The poor girl just didn’t realize when it came to Brandon, his relationships had a one-week expiration date
“No,” I said, shaking my head. I think they go on in about half an hour.
“Ok, well let’s get a table, I am starving,” Jamie said as he led me to a group of tables located at the back of the bar. The area was much darker, but also quiet. Kylie followed suit. She had already secured us a table since it was my birthday and we were regulars.
As we sat down, Jamie raised his hand in the air and got Brandon’s attention. In a few short minutes, he joined us at the table.
“Hey guys,” Brandon said with a smile. He always seemed to be in a great mood right before he was set to perform. It was obvious that was his true passion. Secretly, I wished I could find a passion in my life that would give me the same kind of high that was flowing from Brandon.
“Hey man,” Jamie said as he playfully slapped Brandon on the back.
“Hey uh, happy birthday, Leigh,” Brandon said as he sat down next to me.
“Thanks,” I smiled. I glanced around my small circle of friends and felt like the luckiest girl in the world. In a few short months, I would be married to the love of my life and I had friends who I could count on for anything.
“We need drinks,” Kylie chimed in as I was brought back to reality.
As I began glancing through the extensive menu of cocktail options, Brandon leaned over to me, almost whispering in my ear as if he were about to tell me a secret. I wasn’t sure why he was getting so close to me, even though we were in a packed bar, our table was in an area of the bar much quieter and calmer than the rest of the venue.
“Let me be the first person to buy you a drink,” Brandon whispered as he sat to my left.
Wanting to take him up on his offer, I shook my head no, instead. Since it was my twenty-first birthday, I knew Jamie would want to celebrate by buying me drinks. It was sweet of Brandon to offer, but that was something my fiancé should do.
“Thanks, but Jamie is going to get me a drink,” I said, smiling to let him know I appreciated the thought. “Besides, I’ve been drinking all day,” I giggled.
“Okay, that’s cool,” Brandon shrugged like it was no big deal. And, it probably wasn’t to him anyway.
Lifting up a purple bag, Brandon handed me the bag as Kylie raised her eyes in curiosity. “I know you said no gifts, but I’m sure Kylie and Jamie have already given you something. So, I wanted to as well,” he said. “You all will probably be exchanging gifts while I’m on stage, so I want to give this to you now.”
Handing me the bag, Brandon watched my expression closely as I looked inside. Pulling out white and pink tissue paper, I found a set of brand new black coasters for my apartment. While the gift might seem bland or unimportant to some, the gesture alone meant the world to me. I had mentioned several times that I wished I had coasters in my apartment, objects I felt would make me look more mature and grown-up. It sounds silly, but it was something I wanted. Buried at the bottom was a pound of Hershey’s chocolate kisses candies; my favorite. Squealing, I showed Kylie my gift but she didn’t react as I had thought she would. Glaring at Brandon, she only shook her head and took another sip of her drink.
“Thanks!” I exclaimed as I hugged Brandon. “This is perfect,” I finished.
When Jamie arrived back at our bar table, I showed him the sweet gift Brandon had given me. He barely looked as he started looking over the food menu on the table. “That’s nice, Brandon,” Jamie said without looking up from the menu.
“What did you get Leigh?” Kylie asked, glaring daggers at Jamie. It was no secret she didn’t really like Jamie or Brandon for that matter. But she didn’t have to act like such a bitch all of the time.
Laughing, Jamie placed a hand on my knee under the table. “I got her an engagement ring. That’s my gift, and it should credit me for the rest of our lives,” he teased. I tried to smile and offer a small laugh, but inside, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I knew, other than paying for my drinks tonight, that really was the only gift he planned on giving me. As much as it hurt my heart how little Jamie cared to buy me gifts, I knew that it wasn’t a slight against me. That’s just who he is. Jamie never really bothered to buy gifts, for anything or anyone. I had learned over the years to just accept that and feel blessed that he even loved me.
Secretly reeling over the small but thoughtful gift Brandon had given me, I knew my parents would make up for Jamie’s lack of gifts with some lavish and over-the-top party and presents. Most girls would consider themselves to be lucky to come from an affluent family who loved to spoil their children with gifts, but for me, I hated the constant treatment like I was still a child by my parents. I would give up every expensive gift ever given to me, to just be treated like an adult and given credit for trying to make it on my own while still in college.
Breaking the awkward silence, Kylie quickly made sure everyone at the table had a drink since she had ordered for us all while I was busy daydreaming.
“Happy Twenty-first birthday, Leigh,” Kylie yelled as she raised her glass full of tequila in the air. The golden liquor splashed in her drink and I giggled as Kylie attempted to lick the outside of her cup, saving the tiny drops that had splashed out.
Following her cue, Brandon, Jamie, and I all raised our glasses and allowed them to clink together as we laughed and took sips to celebrate the moment.
I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than to spend it with some of the people I loved most in the world.
“I’m going to go get another round of beers,” Jamie announced as he quickly got up and made his way toward the bar.
“Okay,” I said, offering him a smile. I hated how stressed Jamie was with work and I desperately wished he would relax, at least for tonight anyway.
“Hey, I gotta get to the stage. It’s time for the band to go on,” Brandon said as he got up and sauntered away.
Deciding I didn’t want to sit at the table anymore, I grabbed Kylie’s hand and led her to the area in front of the stage. I felt strange and I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the way both the men in my life were acting.
As I watched the guys, I saw a girl in a barely there tight, red dress throw her bra up to the stage. Giggling, I watched as she undressed Brandon with her eyes.
“Classy,” I mumbled as the guys around her laughed and cheered.
Catching the bra, Brandon offered the girl a smile as he stuffed the lacey material into his jeans pocket. I was sure he must have a whole room in his apartment dedicated to items women normally threw up on the stage. I shuddered just thinking about the visions.
Sipping her beer, Kylie lowered her eyes at me. “Come on, give the guy a break. He is probably working so much to pay for your lavish honeymoon,” she said as she nudged my side. I knew she was just trying to cheer me up as she defended him.
This caused me to smile as I thought about the upcoming wedding. While Jamie was four years older than me, he had already graduated from college and had a nice job. I was still in school and had another year left before I would graduate with my degree in business.
The crowd around us began to jump and yell wildly as the rest of Brandon’s band joined him on the stage. The already dim lights turned dark and I heard the first chord of Brandon’s guitar. As his voice vibrated through the room, I momentarily got lost in my worries and thoughts and allowed Brandon’s sweet voice to take me away to another realm.
After their set ended, Brandon and the rest of his band sauntered off the stage and went to the small backstage area. I was growing frustrated that Jamie still wasn’t back from his trip to the bar. Left alone, I decided to head backstage where the band was now located. Maybe Jamie had gone to hang out with Brandon and assumed I had thought the same.
I began to push my way through the sea of people still dancing and swaying to the music playing through the speakers. As I rounded the corner, I smiled and gave a slight wave to the bouncer, James, who knew me by name and allowed me to enter the private backstage area.
I reached into my purse and pulled out my cell phone. Typing a text, I waited for Jamie to respond.
Me: Where are you?
With no response, I decided to try Kylie too.
Me: Have you seen Jamie?
Kylie: Nope.
Me: If you do, let me know.
Kylie: Okay, but there are so many hot guys here tonight, I might get lost stalking one of them.
Looking around the crowded room, I spotted Kylie with her hand seductively placed on the shoulder of a guy with a short, military style haircut and broad muscles. His eyes were placed on her cleavage, which was practically smacking him in the face. Kylie giggled and moved herself closer to him as she whispered something in his ear. By the way his eyes grew large, and a large smile spread across his now-red face, I knew Kylie would be spending the night entertaining this hot new boy toy she had found.
Rolling my eyes, I stuffed my phone back inside my purse and tried to forget about the image of Kylie with her tongue in the guy’s ear. Kylie would be no help. I loved her like a sister, but she had a one-track-mind, and right now it was focused on sexy men.
Continuing my journey, I followed the dimly lit hall until I heard two male voices arguing. I stopped dead in my tracks as I realized the voices I heard booming like thunder were those of Brandon and Jamie.
“What the hell, man?” Brandon screamed as I heard something crash around them.
“Look, calm down Brandon. It’s not that big of a deal,” Jamie shouted back. His voice sounded angered and nervous and I was worried for Jamie.
I slowly took a few more steps toward the argument, as I remained in the shadows of the darkened hallway. I sucked in a breath as I managed to peek into the lit room where the band kept their instruments and prepared for their shows.
“Don’t tell me to calm down, Jamie. I don’t know how you could do this to her,” Brandon shouted again as he grabbed Jamie by the collar of his polo shirt. My heart dropped as I wanted to rush toward them and protect Jamie from Brandon’s wrath, but my feet seemed to be cemented to the ground.
Anger pouring from Jamie’s face, he grabbed hold of Brandon’s hands and shoved him away from him. I was shocked by their hostility and the look of pure hatred radiating from Brandon as he looked at Jamie. They were friends, and I had never heard them raise their voices before. I couldn’t imagine what could have transpired between them that would cause a fight.
“It only happened a few times, Leigh doesn't even have to know about her,” Jamie said, a cocky grin growing on his face. He was drunk. It was obvious by the way he staggered toward Jamie and the smug look he wore.
I felt bile rising in my throat as tears threatened to escape from my angered eyes. I couldn’t have heard Jamie correctly. What had only happened a few times? Who was the her he was referring to? What didn't I need to know? My head began to swim from the words still floating in the air and I felt a deep migraine settling in. Alcohol plus anger and confusion were not a good mix.
Stepping closer to Jamie, so that their faces were now only inches apart, Brandon glared at Jamie with so much hatred I was almost afraid of him. “Jamie, you have to tell her. Leigh doesn’t deserve this.”
Realizing I had heard and seen enough, I stepped out of the shadows and watched as both sets of eyes turned to look at me with shock.
I swear, I almost saw a smile appear on Brandon’s face when he realized it was me who had been standing and listening to their argument.
“What the hell is going on?” I shouted, taking a shaky step toward them.
“Nothing,” Jamie said, his voice quaking.
“Tell her,” Brandon said though clenched teeth.
“Drop it, man, this is none of your business. You are supposed to be my best friend.” I saw Jamie eye Brandon nervously and the look I saw on Jamie’s face wasn’t that of the man I had fallen in love with. This was someone entirely different.
“I am your friend, but I don’t let my friends destroy their lives,” Brandon said, his eyes still fixed on Jamie.
"Listen, Leigh," Jamie began. "Brandon has had too much to drink. Let's go home and we can talk later," Jamie said, as he tried to take a step toward me.
Before I could respond or ask another question, Brandon charged Jamie and threw a punch that landed squarely on Jamie's nose. The crushing impact caused Jamie to stumble and fall to the ground beneath my feet.
Screaming, I jumped back unsure of what I should do next. As I instinctively began to reach down and help Jamie, Brandon came closer and I shook with fear as I wasn’t sure what else he might do.
“Don’t help him,” Brandon seethed. “He has been cheating on you for the last few months. That is what I was trying to get him to confess. I just found out, I swear,” Brandon declared as a remorseful look appeared over his chiseled features.
My stomach dropped and I gasped, unable to comprehend what he had just said. Shaking my head, I backed away from both of them. “No,” I cried out.
“I’m sorry,” Brandon muttered.
Looking down at Jamie who was now sitting up and holding his nose, which was gushing a crimson stream of blood, I felt anger and sadness boiling deep inside of me.
“Is it true?” I asked, my voice rising with anger.
Jamie’s mouth opened and I could see his mind trying to form a lie. That was one consistent character flaw with Jamie, he could easily lie and never regret the pain he caused. All throughout our relationship I could look back on the numerous small lies he would tell, none were ever important or significant enough to end or ruin our relationship, but they were still lies. Looking back now, I realized each small lie he told, was only a building block for the more dangerous and detrimental lies he was forming.
Only shaking his head, Jamie confirmed my worst nightmare. “I’m sorry, but what did you expect me to do? I could lie to you now and tell you none of this is true. But, Leigh, you are smarter than that. You have always caught me in lies, but this was one that I was able to hide much longer than I ever imagined. I guess part of the excitement came from the fear of being caught. You refuse to have sex with me until we get married. I have needs.” Jamie said, his face trying to mock one of a wounded puppy. I couldn’t believe that he had cheated on me and to make matters worse, he was trying to place the blame on me.
“This isn’t her fault,” Brandon shouted as he noticed the wounded look on my face. “Jamie, man, I don’t even know who you are anymore,” he continued.
The world around me began to tilt and I felt as though I might lose my balance. Jamie had become tangled in his own web of lies and now, someone was finally destroying his design.
“Don’t sit there and act like you are better than me,” Jamie said as he slowly stood, his hand still cupping his bleeding nose. “I have watched for years as you bang every girl that looked your way. You screw them and then leave them, breaking their hearts along the way. Just because I hooked up with some random bitch a couple of times, doesn’t make us any different,” Jamie shouted back as he stood between Brandon and me.
“How could you?” I finally managed to say. “I loved you.” I cried.
Turning to face me, I swear I could see the shift from Jamie; the man I loved and thought I would spend the rest of my life with, and a cold-hearted stranger who was now breaking my heart into tiny pieces.
“I do love you, I really do. I just messed up. She meant nothing to me,” he pleaded as he tried to sound convincing. “I have been so stressed with work and the wedding, I guess I just got lost in it all,” he began as he pleaded with me to understand his reasons for cheating on me.
I couldn’t believe he was somehow making his evil deception seem more like a minor mistake rather than the full blown disaster it really was.
“All of those nights you said you were working, were you with her?” I asked, my voice shaking from anger. I didn’t know who the other girl was, and honestly, I didn’t care to know. My anger was with Jamie, the man who owed me his word. She was none of my concern.
Sighing, Jamie opened his mouth but then shut it quickly. His silence told me everything I needed to know.
“We are over,” I yelled, throwing my hands into the air. I reached for my diamond engagement ring and threw it at Jamie and watched as it bounced off of his chest and onto the cement floor below.
“Hey, that was expensive!” Jamie yelled as he searched the ground for the ring. As he dropped to his knees, I realized that material item meant more to him than my heart.
Looking up at me, Jamie’s eyes were full of tears as he was suddenly playing the victim. “Leigh, if you would just calm down, we can talk about this. You are not seriously going to break off our engagement because of one little mistake? Think about everything we have been through. What will our families say?”
I wanted to scream and cry and pull my hair out and punch him again in his already bloody nose. I had gone from loving the man in front of me to hating him with a passion so strong I felt I could rock the entire world. I may not be the most beautiful girl in the world, but I knew my value was worth far more than this. I didn’t deserve to be cheated on. I didn’t deserve someone to treat me as if my thoughts and emotions didn’t matter. I didn’t deserve to be cast aside like I didn’t exist. I had way more respect for myself and I refused to remain with a man who couldn’t love me enough to respect our commitment. I let out a scream before I turned and tried to run back down the dark hallway I had just come from. I had to get out of there. I had to escape this nightmare and wake up. There was nothing left for me to say to him. In one minute, he had destroyed my future and left me embarrassed and helpless. The worst part was, Brandon had been there to witness the whole thing. I was sure he thought I was pathetic. As I ran, I passed Kylie who shouted my name. I didn’t stop as I continued to shove people away from me as I desperately tried to rush toward the exit.
As I pushed through the heavy metal doors leading outside, I felt a cool rush of air hit me as I struggled for air. I could hear voices yelling behind me, but I couldn’t make out the sounds. I needed to get away, to run far, far away and hide.
I ran toward the sidewalk as I realized I had ridden with Kylie. My apartment was only a few blocks away and I knew I could make it there if I just kept running.
Suddenly, I felt a pair of strong hands grab my arm and I spun around to see Brandon standing in front of me.
I was crying so hard now, his face was almost a blur. I tried to speak, but no words were able to escape my quivering lips.
“What happened?” Kylie yelled as Brandon tried to fight me to calm down.
The parking lot was full and I couldn’t seem to focus on anything through my tears and rage that were blinding my vision. I knew I looked like a caged wild animal as I shouted and threw my hands in the air, but I didn’t care anymore. I just couldn’t care.
“That bastard cheated on me,” I whimpered as I allowed Brandon to hold my weight up.
“What?” Kylie screamed as she followed closely behind us. “I will kill him,” she screamed looking back at the bar.
Hugging me to him, Brandon just held me as I cried into his chest. I could feel his jaw moving as he gritted his teeth in an attempt to not yell and scream at Jamie. As he led me to his car, I felt like I was having an out of body experience. This had to be a dream. This wasn’t really happening. I kept repeating the words over and over inside of my head, praying that I was wrong.
“It’s ok. I will take you home,” Brandon said as he slid me into the passenger seat of his black Honda Accord.
As I felt the car begin to move, I closed my eyes and prayed that when I reopened them, I would be somewhere else, and be someone else. Only, unfortunately for me, this was my life.