Almost Everything

Chapter 11 - Gettin' Over You

Meeko is sleeping next to me and starting to stir in my king-size bed. My head is pounding from the night before, I have been drinking since arriving back in LA. 

That was three weeks ago. 

The bright light from the sun is making my stomach sour and there is no escape from it. This is my coping method for living without my heart.

I'm empty.

My bedroom is floor to ceiling windows with a giant terrace that overlooked The Strand and the ocean. There was no escaping the sounds and sun being this close. For years, Ezra tried to get me to sell this house, but I love Santa Monica, and moving up to the hills wasn't something I was ready to do. I didn't want to give up my beach view. I have security video surveillance around the house and every door is alarmed with a keypad. Plus, I have Meeko to protect me and his size was enough to scare people.

"Meeeeeekkkkkkoooooo." We both hear someone calling from the bottom of the stairs.

The beach house is three levels. The master bedroom and guest bedroom are on the third level with access to the rooftop terrace. The main level has my large gourmet kitchen, dining room, and living room with a giant stone fireplace. The bottom level of the house is a private apartment, this is where Jackson stays. He has his own private kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom, and balcony.

Brad calls for Meeko again and the seventy-five-pound baby runs across my body and hurries to the door. I watch as he starts pawing at the door with purpose.

"Where's my buddy," Brad calls, and Meeko starts whimpering for him.

My pup looks at me for help and I giggle. "Just wait for him. He'll be here soon enough."

The door to the bedroom flies open and I hear the wind get knocked from Brad's body. He laughs about always forgetting how big my dog is.

"That's what you get. Why don't the two of you go somewhere and leave me to die." I mumble from under the covers.

The bed sinks when Brad jumps on me and pulls the covers from my head. "Have you thought about not drinking so much?" He grins.

"No." I stick my tongue at him.

"I have the entire day off and I want to spend it with the two of you. Now get up, coffee is brewing."

Since we returned to LA, Brad has been a regular at my house. He and Meeko took advantage of that time and bonded with each other, now they were inseparable. Brad was staying in LA for his latest film, so we had most nights together.

"I talked with Jackson last night and offered him a room at my place. He declined and said he was staying here with you, much like you, he prefers the beach to the hills. Have you talked to him lately?" He asks already knowing the answer.

"Nope. He hasn't returned any of my text messages since I left New York. Jax is still really pissed with me and he has every reason. I blindsided him and won't tell him the truth. He said some hurtful things to me too, but I know it's because he was upset."

"He's coming next week; you might want to call him." He said sitting up from the bed and smacking me hard on my bare ass. "I'm going to take the dog for a walk, and you should probably get dressed because you have company waiting downstairs. One of them doesn't look happy." He kisses me quickly on the forehead.

I sit up too fast; my head is spinning, and my brain is screaming with pain. "WHO? Who's downstairs?"

Brad walks out of the bedroom with a huge grin. "Meeko, let's go check out the ladies on the beach." He calls for my dog.