After Hours

Chapter 15

After we wake up the next morning, we all tiredly stumble out of our rooms and down to the lobby. Benjamin and Alexis are staying in Vegas until noon then they're flying out to Los Angeles. Dominic, Zach, Jasmine and I head to the airport to board Zach's plane. Wearing a pair of Jasmine's sunglasses, I fall into one of the seats with my leg hanging over the side and into the aisle. Closing my eyes, the plane begins moving as a drift to sleep. The experience was amazing but also exhausting. I feel like I could sleep for the entire day.

My nap is cut short when Jasmine wakes me. "We're getting ready to land."

I nod before stretching. "Have you ever considered being a model?" Dominic asks.

I glance in his direction and stare at him in disbelief when I realize he's actually talking to me. "I could never be a model."

"You're tall, fit, and beautiful. You have the body and face for it," he says.

I glance at Zach who said something similar the other night. He just smiles, seeming to agree. "I'm flattered that you think that but I enjoy my life how it is. I'm not sure I'd like the fame."

Dominic raises his eyebrows. "You're already kind of famous. We found your account and a lot of our viewers the last two nights have followed you."

My jaw drops. "But it's a work account. There are only a few pictures of me. Most of them are of the buildings I designed."

He nods. "You've just broadened your horizon. Now people from all around the world will want you to work for them."

This is unbelievable. The plane shakes a little as we land and I sit up, placing my feet on the floor. When the flight attendants open the door and announces we can get up, we all saunter off the plane. As I make my way down the stairs, I glance back at Zach. "Thanks for everything," I smile.

He nods, a small smile playing on his lips. "No problem. I look forward to seeing you again."

When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I notice that there are two cars waiting. Standing next to the black Cadillac Escalade is Jackson. Grinning, I run over to him, throwing myself at him. Catching me, he spins once as he laughs. Setting me down, he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear before pressing a soft kiss to my lips. It doesn't last long, so I study him for a long moment before coming to a conclusion. "You're mad," I state.

His grip on my hips tightens and he holds me closer as his eyes move behind me. "Zach."

"Jackson," Zach replies, just as coldly.

I try to move once again and this time he lets me, keeping his arm around me. "Hey, Jackson," Jasmine says. "Mind if I ride with you?"

I purse my lips, gaining her attention before discreetly shaking my head. She seems to understand because, after one glance at Jackson she takes a step back. "Nevermind. I think I'll hang out with Zach for a while longer."

"So she's your girlfriend?" Zach asks.

Jasmine glances between the boys before shaking her head and making her way to the other vehicle where Dominic is waiting. "Yes and I'd appreciate it if you'd leave her alone from now on."

Zach raises an eyebrow. "Why? She seems to enjoy my company. Just last night she had her legs wrapped around me."

My eyes widen and my jaw drops. Jackson steps towards him but Zach backs away laughing. "He's lying," I say. "Let's just go home."

"See you later, babe," Zach says, walking towards his car.

Jackson releases me, his jaw tight. Avoiding eye contact, he opens the door and gestures for me to get in. I silently obey, sliding over so he can get in as well. Franklin glances at me sympathetically through the rearview mirror and I can tell he senses Jackson's change in mood. As the car begins moving, I try to think of a way to calm him but come up with nothing. "You're not seeing him again," he says.

I turn to him in disbelief. "Nothing happened."

"I don't care. Now drop it," he snaps.

"If you think you're going to control my life you're wrong. You should trust me enough to go out without you."

He turns his head towards me. "It's him that I don't trust."

I furrow my eyebrows. "He has his moments where he's an ass but he doesn't seem like a bad guy."

"When you get wasted like you did the other night, anyone could take advantage of you."

"How do you even know about that?" I ask.

"Dominic is a photographer - his camera is practically glued to his hand," he replies. "I saw the photos of you getting all cozy next to my brother." My eyes widen. His brother? I thought he looked familiar but - "I pushed it aside and told myself I trusted you but when you got completely shitfaced I wasn't sure you'd be able to control your judgment. Jasmine isn't the best role model either."

"I would never cheat on you," I insist.

"Well, you looked awfully comfortable with Zach. You held onto his arm while you were on the zip line, you were cuddled up to his side at the club, and he wasn't completely lying when he said you wrapped your legs around him," he grumbles.

I sigh in annoyance. "You're looking at all of the negative aspects of the pictures and videos. Didn't you see how much fun I was having? That's the most fun I've had in a long time."

Shaking his head, he looks up at Franklin. "Drop Miss Smith off at the house then take me to work."

"Yes, sir," Franklin nods.

Miss Smith? Frustrated with him, I turn my body towards the door. When we get to the house, Franklin begins unbuckling but I quickly open the door. "Thank you, Franklin."

With one last glance at Jackson, I close the door and go inside. How was I supposed to know Zach was his brother? Jasmine never mentioned it and neither did he even though there were plenty of opportunities. I can't believe Jackson doesn't trust me. He is the one who kept secrets back then and continued speaking to his ex. I was just enjoying myself and if he doesn't see that then we're going to have more issues than I thought.

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