Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 101

~Aftershocks: The Beginning~

Amid the laughter and the feeding of face, Tommy almost forgot about the bride and groom. A quick glance at his watch told him that they'd been gone for far too long. After telling Gina he had to step away, he went in search of them. Mentally, he crossed his fingers, hoping that he wouldn't walk in on an...ahem...private moment.

Tommy made his way through the crowd without any problems and soon found himself in the foyer. The sound of the nature's fury was loud, and he followed the sounds of the rolling thunder and crackling lightning to investigate. Upon reaching the open front door, he almost closed it, but he quickly changed his mind. Grabbing an umbrella, he decided to go outside to see if someone needed some help or something.

The wind and rain were cold on his face as he stepped out onto the brick walkway. His initial quick scan of the grounds revealed nothing but wet cars. Then he saw movement. What was that, he wondered. Was that a person? Determined to get a closer look, he went toward the lone crouching figure.

"Jason?" he asked, kneeling down to help his sobbing friend. With his free hand, he grabbed Jason by the arm and pulled him to his feet. Concern was in his eyes and his voice, as he asked, "What's wrong?"

Jason looked at his friend and with a hoarse voice, said, "She's gone."

"Who's gone?" Tommy asked, confused.

"Keesha," Jason croaked. "She left."

Tommy stood still for a moment as the realization swept over him. Keesha was gone? It was her wedding! Why would she leave, he wondered. He looked at his friend and saw the devastation and emptiness in his eyes and he knew that whatever happened between them hadn't been good. Not at all. Keeping a firm grip around Jason's sagging shoulders, Tommy began to take charge of the situation. "Come on," he said, leading his friend back toward the mansion, "let's get you back inside where it's warm and dry."

Jason became immobile. "I'm not going back in there. I can't."

"Jason, you can't stay out here. We'll go right upstairs. No one will see-"

"No," Jason said, standing firm. "I'm not going back." Suddenly feeling claustrophobic, he moved away from Tommy, unaware of the rain that continued to drench him. His eyes moved frantically, searching for his car. "I've got to get out of here."

"I can't just let you leave like this," Tommy called after him. As Jason strode away, Tommy ran to catch up, and he said again, "You can't leave! Not like this! You're not fit to drive."

"Fine." Jason reached into his pocket and threw his car keys at Tommy. "You drive."

Taken aback, Tommy looked at the keys. He hated driving and the rain didn't improve his feelings about it either. But after one more glance at Jason and his grief-stricken face, he knew that if he didn't take the wheel, Jason would. In his friend's present state, he knew that he couldn't let that happen. He sighed heavily and followed Jason as he turned away and went to his black, Toyota Land Cruiser.

After both young men were settled within the warm and dry confines of the vehicle, Tommy asked, "Where to?"

"Anywhere," Jason said, his voice barely audible. "Just take me anywhere."

~*~

Laughter consumed AJ as he followed Eve into his apartment. He was so tickled that he could barely see straight. Slamming the door behind them, he gasped, "I wish I had a camera! Your face was priceless!"

"Oh, hush, you!" she said unable to keep a straight face while responding to his mirth. "It wasn't as bad as all that!"

"It wasn't bad at all," he laughed, wiping the corner of his eyes. "It was hysterical! Thanks, Eve. Watching you stand down a three-year-old for the last candy apple...and then losing-" He stopped speaking as another wave of laughter consumed him.