Young & Reckless

Chapter 5 - Damon

Chapter 5 - Damon

He didn't tell them. I'm running out of time. I sniffed, wiping under my nose. Talia, she kept giving me this flirty look while we were chatting. When me and her were alone. She'll go through with it. I know she will. Drinking more of my orange juice and vodka mixture, I slammed it down and chewed on my nail, what the fuck was I going to do? My phone didn't stop ringing. My heart couldn't stop racing. I wiped under my eyes and nose, licking the corner of my mouth. I reached into my pocket for one more.

"Is there anything else I could get you?" I stumbled, looking up to the waiter and grinned.

"You've been sweet. What do you recommend? What's your name?"

"Xavier," he answered in a nervous voice.

"Xavier. I like that name. I have a brother named Xavier. We don't talk anymore." I laughed. I was cut off from my family. What I did was unforgivable. I deserved it but I did what I did to look out for myself. He had to understand and pick up my calls.

"Oh, so sorry. I recommend the pancakes. It comes with fresh fruit and cafe au lait and your choice of bacon, sausage, eggs or a vegan option."

"That sounds lovely. I'll have that. With eggs and bacon." I smiled warmly to match his mood. I was dragged here early in the morning. I might as well get something to eat. I exhaled, my phone was ringing. Looking at the caller id. Fuck, it's her again. Someone else I owe. She did me a favor that night and I had to pay her. I will. I will.

And what the hell kind of photoshoot was he talking about? After I ate, I rushed out of there, dropping some bills and calling an Uber to the studio where I work. They could be there.

xxx

I was right. I was emailed the itinerary two days ago. I was supposed to be here. One of the assistant's showed me the way. I tugged my collared shirt, standing in the corner. There were other things I could do with my time, but I was here. I had to be here. My boss wasn't in sight. I guess I still have a job. I saw Jennette in skinny jeans and a tank top, talking with that scruffy photographer. What was his name again? Sean? He was at the party. She grinned widely, punching his arm hard enough he stepped back. I sniffed and wiped under my nose. Licking my lips, I felt my heart hammer in my chest, tapping my foot as I sipped from my flask again. He can have her right after. Her best asset was her lips, it was pouty and plump. I saw her look at the corner of her eye, right at me. Her shoulders went up, she crossed her arms over her breasts, itched her earlobe. "What the hell are you doing here?" Samuel asked beside me.

I laughed, "you didn't think I was gonna miss this? I'm supposed to be here. I work here."

"Damn it, Damon. I said work your shit out," he spoke in a hushed tone.

"We had a deal. I'm also here when you tell her."

"I didn't tell Talia yet."

"Tell me what?" Talia came from behind, wrapping her arms around Sam's waist.

"That you look beautiful right now," Sam said. She was wearing a loose dress, showing off her cleavage, wavy hair and dangly earrings.

"I always look beautiful, you're hiding something. What is it, really?" Talia made her eyes wider.

"Okay, we're ready for you Talia." Amina announced.

"Later." Talia kissed his cheek, skipping away.

"We'll talk about this later."

"Yeah we will." I cleared my throat, standing and watching the shoot transpire. Talia did a pose where she looked over shoulder, giving a smoldering look. I kept my eyes on her as she worked the camera, she glanced at me, and winked. I smirked, she thought she could get away with that. She wants me. Again. Does her boyfriend know about it? Jennette saw me, giving a calculating look until she looked away, reading a magazine. She's feisty. She has spunk. I liked that. She played hard to get when I met her, she liked looking at me. Like from the party, she kept close. I want her. I stride to her side, "hey."

She looked to my side, jumped a little, "oh. Hi." She let out a meek laugh, scooting away with her chair.

"You seem tense," I came closer, found a close seat and sat next to her.

"I'm not," she responded, frowning her eyebrows.

"I can massage your shoulders if you want. Many women have told me I'm good with my hands right after we made love, it puts them to sleep."

"I'm good, Damon." She held her hand up.

"Your loss." I sat back, whistling a random tune. She's missing out, I got the hands of a Greek god.

"What's your deal?" She suddenly asked.

"Hmm?" I turned to her, she was staring at me hard.

"Your deal. Like your business. Samuel never said, neither did Talia. You're basically a stranger. And yet you know my best friend and the guy she's sleeping with." I couldn't stop staring at her lips, she licked them in curiosity. She had to stop before I sport a boner right here.

"I'm the money man," I simply tell her.

"The money man?" She frowned again.

"Yep."

"So, is that how you know Sam and Talia? Did you all gamble together?"

"Something like that. I made Samuel who he is."

"And what does that mean?" Before I could answer, my phone was vibrating.

"Hold that, sweetheart." I slid the icon, "Damon Dallas."

"Where the hell is my money?" A furious woman in the end questioned.

"Who is this?" I asked.

"You know who it is, motherfucker." Shit, I shouldn't have made that bet. I was already up to ten thousand.

"Look, I told you I got it under control," I answered, whispering my words.

"I need my money," she stated with finality.

"I got it." I hung up, looking back to the side, Jennette was gone. Good, she didn't hear that. I scratched my scalp. Samuel had better close this deal, I needed the cash.