Note from the Author-

Chapter 8: Stacey

Ross' Pov

"Ross, babe last night was way too good, I forgot about how great you are in bed."

Stacey Collins. Stacey was the clingy girlfriend that I felt obligated to date. Sure she's pretty, but she's not the girl I want. I've tried numerous times to gain feelings for her but there's no spark; nothing. Her and I make a vague combination. It's strange because I barely met Laura and she already pumps my heart with adrenaline. I haven't even hooked up with her; nothing. And I'm already crazy about her.

"Ross, you there? It feels as if you've left Earth..." Stacey folded my arms around her.

"Yeah, sorry I was just thinking." I felt the urgency to unwrap myself from her but there was no way that was going to happen without a commotion coming from her mouth.

Stacey and I dated after my father passed away. It was supposed to be a one night stand, but she had other plans. She was into drugs and I'm not talking about weed I'm talking about heroine, cocaine and methamphetamine. Those were her substitutes for happiness, until she met me.

She definitely guilt tripped me. Stacey was a problem I wanted to solve. I was so fed up with all my thoughts surrounding my father's death so I went after a naive girl who wasn't even damaged. If anything she caused the damages among herself.

I guess I sound sort of arrogant, maybe even selfish. Yes, I know some people are naturally unhappy, but I couldn't understand why she was. She was the black sheep of her perfect family.

And now I just want her off my back, but I don't know how to tell her that I don't feel anything for her; that I don't want to be with her. I don't want to hurt her. I feel like a fucked up idiot for fixing her up just to destroy her once again.

"Ross..."

I snapped out of my thoughts for the second time, "Sorry. I've just had a lot of my mind lately."

"I can see that by the amount of times you've been ignoring me, baby."

I sighed heavily. I'm sick of giving her my attention when I need some for myself. Why can't she understand that I just want to be alone right now?

"Sorry," I muttered.

Stacey jumped off my bed and began twirling around my room. She was attempting to seduce me.

"I mean it's all right, but if you crave a night like yesterday's then I think I should be getting more attention from you," she said with lust in her eyes.

My mind laughed at her nonsense. She just couldn't see it. I could care less about the sex we had last night. If anything I felt guilty. Love surely wasn't being made. I did it for her own benefit. I returned a false sexy smirk to hers and pulled the blankets over me.

"Rossy! Ry is having a party for my arrival, isn't that sweet of him."

I felt panic shadow over me.
"When?"

"Tonight. I'm so excited, he's probably doing it for the alcohol and sex, but I still think it's going to be awesome!"

I nodded my head. "Great I can't wait, Stace..."

Laura is definitely going to see me as a douche if I don't invite her but I have to keep her off the invite list or else she'll be seeing Stacy strapped around me the whole entire night and I doubt she'd enjoy that. This guilt is burning me alive.

"Ryan is inviting people over downstairs. Come on let's go check up on the host of this soon to be rad party!"

I was worried shitless. I prayed he didn't invite Laura, but as soon as I came down to my last step I knew my prayers hadn't been answered.

"Aight, Laura don't forget starts around eight to nine! See you later!"

My mouth hung open, "Um, Ryan... Was that Laura you were just speaking to? How the hell do you even have her number?"

"Who's Laura?" Stacy added.

Ryan noticed my terrified expression and responded quickly, "I got some numbers off your phone last night and um... Laura. Uh, well you see Laura is a new neighbor so I just want to make her feel welcomed."

I contemplated if that was the right thing for Ryan to say. It sounded kind of stupid, considering our family is the one who recently moved into this neighborhood but whatever. At least Stacey fell for it.

"You mean welcoming her into your pants?" Stacey grinned.

I wasn't very amused by her humor. I tightened my fist, shooting Ryan a protective look. "Nah, he's not into her. He has a different taste."

He agreed before the conversation could get anymore awkward.

"I don't know, Ross. Ryan fucks whoever he sees when he's intoxicated."

"He's my brother I think I know him better than you do," I scowled.

Stacey frowned, beginning to notice my unfamiliar behavior.
"Why are you so moody today? I feel like I've done something to bother you."

I took a deep breath. That's because you aren't the person I want to be around or with! I'm sick of you, damn it!

But of course I couldn't say the words I thought. "It's nothing. I'm just tired..."

"Yeah last night was quite the work out."

I nodded my head unhappily and took her hand, "Maybe we should go get some food and drinks for tonight?"

"Okay, let me just change into something decent. Be right back, babe."

Stacey gave me a quick peck on the lips and strolled up the stairs in urgency to change.

After she was out of sight I went towards Ryan.

"Why the fuck did you invite, Laura?" I asked in a whisper-like yell.

"Um, maybe because she lives next door... and I thought you liked her!"

"You are such an idiot. Stacey is here and I'd rather not have Laura seeing us together!" I began rubbing my temples furiously.

"Fine! I'll un-invite her! If that's what you truly want..."

"No! It's too late! Ryan, I don't want her by herself. Mom and dad aren't going to be here and you know how crazy our parties get."

Ryan stood silent. He looked as if he'd seen something tragic.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked nervously.

"You said mom and dad..."

I felt daggers strike my heart. My dad never even lived here and I mentioned him as if he was still alive. I felt the need to sulk. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Ryan mumbled, while taking a seat on the sofa.

I walked up the stairs to see if Stacey was ready to go.