The Harder They Fall

Chapter 6: Pigs

Jasmine

''Who the hell is Bernie?'' they both asked as he continued to stare at me.

I instantly got frustrated at their forgetfulness. It was a matter of time before Bernie would come over, drunk and stupid. ''My old boss. The pervert one at the shelter. Don't you still work with him, Ethan?''

''You've been gone for what a month and think I'm still there? Please, I left about a day after you did. You leaving was my sign to get the hell out of there.''

''Oh, that guy. Who invited him anyway?'' asked Tatum.

''That's what I want to know,'' I agreed.

''I'm going over yonder. Show him what it feels like to be harassed.'' Tatum snapped and tried to get up, but didn't succeed because Ethan and I pushed her back down.

''No, you're not, Tat. He hasn't done anything yet and I don't want to make a scene. Just be calm. Maybe he has a changed a little.'' I assured myself and tried to remain calm as well.

I wasn't afraid of Bernie. I had made that clear the last time I saw him. But I didn't want him to cause a scene, not only because of Gracie and Zander, but because I didn't want Cole to see my family as this problematic war house.

Cole was across the room, drinking beer with my dad and Caleb. Caleb was the oldest of the boys. I was the oldest of all my siblings. I guess that's why I was always left to babysit. As much as I love them, I'm glad those days are over.

When I was about to turn back to Tatum and Ethan, Cole looked up and gave me a small smile that gave me weird butterflies. Returning it, I quickly turned towards Tatum and Ethan before I completely melted. But when I turned back, they were both smirking at me. ''What now?''

''Don't act like we didn't see that. The classic 'smile and look away.' You guys definitely like each other.''

''What? It was nothing. I can't smile at people now? Plus, he couldn't possibly want someone like me. I mean, he's rich, sweet, has his whole life together. And me... well, I'm a wanna-be artist who babysits his kid."

''I hate when you do that,'' Ethan said, and Tat nodded in agreement.

''What? Tell the truth?''

''No doubt yourself like you're some hopeless mutt. Yeah, maybe you don't have all the money in the world, and your career is not taking off as fast as you would like, but you are still a bad bitch. You have the capability to be anything you want, but instead, you want to sit here moping about it.''

I hated when they were right.

''Hey, sexy thang,'' I heard someone say drunkenly as I was about to answer. But by the smell of beer and cheap cologne, I immediately knew who it was.

''Get your drunk ass away from me, Bernie,'' I snapped, facing him. I hadn't been gone long, and I wasn't surprised at how pitiful he still looked.

''Aww, come on, sugar, don't do me like that,'' he pleaded and tried touching my shoulder, but luckily I dodged.

''She said leave, so leave.'' Alonzo, my older brother said.

''Who the fuck are you?'' asked my dad, walking over to us, and soon the whole family was surrounded by us. Cole was beside Caleb.

''Guys, it's fine. He was just leaving. You don't have to make a big scene about it,'' I joked and tried to stand but quickly sat back down when no one budged.

''Yeah, it's cool, dawg. She knows me.''

'"What's her name?" Cole demanded. When I side-eyed him, I didn't miss his clenched fist.

''Of course, I know her name. Emma Curtis.''

Jackass.

''Jasmine Elle Grayson,'' Cole corrected, muttering something under his breath, never breaking his murderous eye contact with Bernie

How did he know my middle name?

''Oh, so what, quarterback boy knows her name. What does that mean? He still throws like a bitch.'' Bernie insulted and tried wrapping his arm around me, which I quickly removed.

Everyone was shocked at his remark and started to back away, leaving only Cole and Bernie in the middle with Tatum and Ethan and I sitting on the side couch. Not wanting to get in the way, I dragged us next to my family.

Uh Oh.

Cole crossed his arms, seemingly unbothered by Bernie's insults. Bernie said man leers was sloppy as he tried to keep straight, his stench of alcohol drowning everyone within a one-mile radius. I had never seen Cole so mad. His expressions were either neutral, tired, happy, sad, and even frustrated, but never this angry. I continued to stare at the vein on his forehead.

''What? Cat got your tongue, Mr.Archer? How's life as a daddy's boy? Yeah, I know him. He pretty much set up your whole career. So what, you're a rich quarterback. What are you going to do, bark at me?''

Despite the insults Bernie was throwing, Cole remained unbothered.

''I would have lost it,'' whispered Tatum.

''Shh.''

''Oh, come on, hit me, big man. Hit me, right here.'' Bernie insisted, pointing to his jaw.

''You are not worth my time.'' He moves back, sliding his hands into his pockets.

''Let's hope Jasmine, or whatever this bitch's name is, doesn't leave your ass like the first one. Then you and her would both be failures. You'd probably be a bigger one for dealing with someone that ugly,'' Bernie mumbled as Cole made it halfway.

I stood up and tried to show him a piece of my mind, but Ethan and Tat pushed me back down. ''Don't. He's just trying to get to you. ''

Well, he damn sure succeeded.

As I tried to calm down, Cole started walking back towards Bernie. His eyes shred through with much hatred as he approached Bernie, who had a sly grin. He opens his mouth to spew another aggravating comment, but Cole wasted no time connecting his fist with Bernie's jaw. He stumbled back in pure shock, not being given enough time to retaliate, as Cole began to beat the living shit out of him.

Everyone quickly ran to push him off. I was in front and when I tried to pull his hand away, he looked up at me for a quick second. I saw something in his eyes. Hurt? Fear? I didn't get a chance to figure it out because he quickly looked away. Swatting everyone's arms away, he stood up, grabbed his keys, and walked out of the house.

Bernie laid on the ground, lip busted, the shirt was torn and a black eye was forming. It would take a lot for him to recover and I enjoyed seeing him splattered out on the ground like that. But I was brought back into reality as everyone shifted their gaze from Bernie to me and continued like that for a while. I smiled at them awkwardly and ran upstairs. Gracie was still sleeping through all the commotion, thankfully, so carrying her on my back, I ran back downstairs.

''Dad, Mom, thank you for having us. '' I say, kissing them both on the cheek, grabbing Gracie's bag, and rushing out the door.