Strategically Careless

Chapter 9

Colby's POV

    I walk back out to the club to my friends. I walk up to Katie because I know she is worried about her friend. "Hey, just so you know Blake is taking a nap in the back office," I yell over the music.

    "Did she drink too much?" Katie asks.

    "Yeah, she just needs a little break. Wes is taking care of her." I tell Katie.

    "Who is Wes?" she asks.

    "Did you at least take her knife?" Collin asks putting an arm over Katie's shoulder. 

    "Never take her knife while she is drunk," Katie says worriedly looking at Collin.

    "What knife?" I ask.

    "I'll go see if I can get it while she is out." Katie sighs.

    "I thought you said not to take it while she is drunk," Collin says.

    "Yeah. Y'all should never take it from her. She'd let me have it though." Katie says. "I'll be back," Katie says then walks away towards the offices.

    "What knife?" I ask.

    "Last time she ended up laying on the kitchen floor trying to open a bag of freezer breadsticks with it," Collin says.

    "Last time?" I ask.

    "Yea a few days ago at their 'girls night'" Collin nods.

    "Oh," I nod.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Katie's POV

    I knew this would happen. Blake would get drunk and go sleep on the floor somewhere. I make my way to the offices. They didn't want to let me back there until I said I knew Blake and was looking for Wes. I walk into the office to See Blake laying on the floor with a man leaning over her,

    "Blake! Blake, wake up." the man says in a panicked voice shaking her.

    "Stop" Blake mumbles in her sleep.

    "Blake! Breathe Blake!" the man says.

    "What happened?" I ask running to Blake. 

    "I don't know she was asleep leaning on me then she started talking. Next thing I know she stopped breathing," he says frantically.

    "What was she saying?" I ask

    "At first it was just mumbling then she started saying no and stop. I wasn't doing anything I swear," he explains quickly.

    "Ok" I sigh standing up and looking at Blake laying on the floor. "Back up," I tell him.

    "What?" he asks leaning away from her some to look at me like I have 3 heads.

    I plant my left foot on the ground and rear back then swing my leg forwards kicking her in the side. "Get up" 

    "Wh- what?" Blake coughs looking around like she could kill someone.

    "It's me!  It's me!" I yell putting my hands up in surrender. "Please don't hit me!" 

    "Katie!" Blake cries as I bend down. "What happened?" she asks hugging me. 

    "You're ok. You're ok" I say in her ear as I hold her comforting her. 

    "I'm going to go get you more water." the man says... He's the only one here so I guess that's Wes.

    "It's ok sweetie. Do you want to talk about it?" I offer. "What were you dreaming about?" I ask patting her back.

    "It was about home." she cries. 

    "Why are you thinking about that?" I ask.

    "Henry was asking me about like outside the city. So I was telling him about home. Only the good parts." Blake says.

    "It's ok. You're ok now. You stopped breathing while you were asleep. You freaked that guy out." I say as Blake wipes her tears. She doesn't cry in front of people. She rarely shows any emotions in front of people.

    "Oh no. What guy?" Blake asks as Wes walks into the room.

    "Here you go Doc. Are you ok?" he asks handing him a cup of water.

    "Wes, yeah I'm fine now. I'm going to go back out there." Blake says standing up and dusting herself off.

    "Let's go home," I say standing up.

    "Yeah, I think I'm going to go. You can stay though. Have fun." she smiles at me.

    "No, I'm coming with you." I shake my head. Blake looks at me for a second, I know she wants to argue about that but I'm not changing my mind. I cross my arms giving her a pointed look as we have a silent argument with our eyes. 

    "Fine" she sighs before walking out of the room.

    "Thank you for looking out for her," I tell Wes

    "No problem. We're friends after all." He shrugs.

    "It was nice to meet you. I'm Katie, Blake's best friend." I wave.

    "Wes" he nods.

    "See you later," I say then walk out after Blake.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blake's POV

    Katie and I silently walk home as I try to focus on the present but my mind keeps wandering back to that dream... more like memory.

    "Are you sure you're ok?" Katie asks as she closes the apartment door.

    "Yeah, I'm fine." I shrug. I don't like to talk about my feelings with people.

    "What was the dream about this time?" Katie asks.

    "The time Bryan tried to drown me because he thought I took his toy. But really mom just sold it for booze." I shrug.

    "Oh I'm sorry," Katie says with a sympathetic smile. "But you know that they can't hurt you anymore. You are safe here. They don't even know that you live in the city." Katie says.

    "I know. It's just that I spent so long trying to escape that sometimes I get pulled back there." I shrug.

    "I know. Do you want to go to bed?" she asks.

    "No, I think I am going to stay awake for a little while longer." I need something to distract me.

    "I can stay up with you if you want" she offers.

    "No, I'm fine. You go to bed. I am just going to watch tv until I fall asleep." I tell her.

    "Ok goodnight." Katie smiles then walk down the hall towards her room.

    I plop down on the couch and turn the tv on. What should I watch-

 KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

    Ugh, what now?! I groan and stand up from the couch. I walk to the door and open it to see Colby standing there looking surprised. "Hey?"

    "I didn't expect you to be the one to answer the door," Colby says rubbing the back of his neck.

    "Well, Katie already went to bed. What do you want?" I ask leaning against the door.

    "Just checking on you. I went to check on you at the club but Wes said that something happened so you and Katie left. What happened?" Colby asks.

    "Nothing. We're fine. You should go back to the club. Have fun! Go party with the boys." I shoo him away.

    "The club isn't really my scene. Plus, I'd rather hang out here with you." Colby smiles at me. Dammit.

    "Fine. I was just about to watch tv." I sigh. "Come on I need help figuring out what to watch." 

    Colby and I sit on the couch next to each other and I go back to flipping thru things to watch. "Are you sure you want to sit here? Don't you think the floor would be better" Colby teases.

    "Shut up" I roll my eyes.

    "What, I love the floor. Don't you just love the floor?" he asks mimicking my voice.

    "Idiot." 

    "Whatever happened seems to sober you up really fast," Colby says leaning back on the couch.

    "I wasn't that drunk. It's just the stupid medicine." I explain.

    "Drunk you is funny." Colby laughs.

    "Are you saying sober me isn't funny?" I ask faking offense.

    "Sober you is fun. Drunk you is funny.  Not like cracking jokes kind of funny. But a confessing your undying love of the floor kind of funny." Colby says

    "God I hate you." I roll my eyes. 

    "Wow someone is in a mood tonight," Colby says sarcastically.

    "I'm always in a mood. You're a little slow so I understand that you're just not catching on." I joke.

    "Ouch. What makes you think you're so smart?" Colby smirks.

    "Just my high IQ." I shrug.

    "Oh is that all?" Colby laughs nodding.

    "Yeah" I nod.

    "Well I hate to break it to you but you're not half as smart as you think you are," Colby says.

    "Oh? Whys that?" I ask crossing my arms.

    "Because you fail to notice what's right in front of you." Colby smiles.

    "What am I missing?" I ask raising an eyebrow.

    "A whole lot." Colby flirts.

    "Is that right?" I laugh.

    "Yeah, that's right" Colby nods. I throw my head back laughing. Before I have time to catch my breath I feel hands on the side of my face as Colby kisses me. I have to admit he is a good kisser. 

    I got so lost in the kiss I didn't even notice when I crawled into his lap so I'm straddling him now. "Colby... stop," I whisper.

    Colby pulls away some panting as I move off his lap. "What?" he asks.

    "We can't." I shake my head.

    "Why not? I like you. And I think you like me too." Colby nods.

    "That's not the point"

    "Then what is the point?" he asks crossing his arms.

    "I'm not a good person for you," I explain.

    "Not a good person for me? What do you mean? Because I think you are the coolest, nicest, bravest girl I have ever met. I love being around you because you always brighten my day." Colby says sweetly. 

    "Colby, I can't let you in like you want me to. You're a nice guy and I don't want to hurt you. But I don't do the whole relationship thing.  I make bad choices and I regret it in the morning. You and me... it's too complicated. I don't want you to regret it." I try to explain. I'm not good with emotions.

    "I could never regret you," Colby says grabbing my hand and looking into my eyes. Fuuuuuuuck

    "Just to be clear, if we do this, it's a one-time thing. No feelings, no regret, and nobody can know. One and done to get it out of our systems." I say. Maybe if we just f**k and get it over with we can get rid of this s****l tension between us. 

    "Blake, why don't you let me decide what's good for me?" Colby says.

    "Because I know I'm no good for anybody. All I do is cause destruction and mess up people's lives." 

    "You know that's not true," Colby says looking at me offended.

    "Just leave me alone," I say standing up off the couch moving away from him.

    "Blake" Colby sighs.

    "I'm serious. Just leave." I cross my arms backing up further.

    "Fine. But you know I'm right." Colby says standing up walking towards the door opening it to leave. He turns back to me with a sigh. "I really hope that you start seeing yourself through my eyes. And stop treating yourself like some lost cause. Good night." he says then leaves closing the door behind him. He really gets on my nerves sometimes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Colby's POV

The next night...

    "That was a good show guys!" Wyatt yells coming off stage as I chug a bottle of water.

    "Yeah, good job!" Henry says to us. 

    "Excuse me. That was a good show" A woman says walking backstage grabbing all of our attention. She's wearing a full business suit. That's not something we normally see in clubs are full suits.

    "Thank you!" Henry says politely.

    "My name is Nia Jones. But most people call me Jones. I am a talent scout for a record label. I would love to talk to you all some more about your future." She says. Woah, wait what!?!?!?!

    "Our future?" Wyatt asks staring at her wide-eyed

    "Yes, your future as a band. How would you like a record deal?" she asks smiling at us.

    "That sounds like a dream come true." I nod emphatically. 

    "I thought you would say that" she laughs. "Can the three of you stop by my office on Monday to talk business?" she asks.

    "Absolutely!" Wyatt nods

    "Great see you Monday" Jones waves exiting the room leaving us speechless.

    "Holy s**t man! Did we just get discovered?" Wyatt yells excitedly.

    "I think so!" Henry nods.

    "That's crazy," I say.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blake's POV

    "That was a really good show," Katie says as we wait for Colby by the door of the club.

     "Yeah. I wonder if they are almost ready to go? It's getting late." Collin says looking towards the back offices.

    "Yeah, it is getting late. I wonder what's taking so long." Katie agrees.

    "Who knows?" Collin shrugs. "I guess we could go see if they need help getting their equipment," Collin suggests.

    "But I don't want to do manual labor," Katie says.

    "Me either." I shake my head in disgust. I also don't want to deal with Colby or risk running into Liam. Katie had to drag me here tonight. I just don't feel like dealing with them right now. 

    "Me either let's just wait." Collin shrugs.

    "Blake" A familiar voice calls out behind me. Speak of the devil and he shall appear. I turn around to see Liam walking towards me.

    "Hey," I say crossing my arms.

    "Can we talk?" Liam asks looking at Katie and Collin behind me then turning his attention to me.

    "No" I deny.

    Liam rolls his eyes and sighs before grabbing my arm and leading me away. "Come on." I reluctantly follow him. 

    "Have you thought about what I said?" Liam asks as we walk thru the pretty empty club, only a few customers remain now that the show is over.

    "What did you say?" I ask playing dumb. 

    Liam stops walking and turns to me, "I want you to be my girlfriend. I was a serious relationship with you." 

    "I told you I don't do relationships." I remind him.

    "I said the same thing but I changed my mind." Liam shrugs.

    "I haven't." I sigh. "There is a lot you don't know about me," I say with a pointed look.

    "And there is a lot you don't know about me but that doesn't mean we can't be together," Liam says.

    "Liam it's been a tough week. I don't want to talk about this right now." I sigh.

    "Fine. But you can't run from this forever." Liam says motioning between the two of us.

    "I'm not running away. I'm just not in the mood." I shrug.

    "That's fine," Liam says shoving his hands in his pockets. "I got you something," he says changing the subject.

    "What?" I ask.

    "It's in the office." Liam nods towards where the offices are.

    "You don't have to get me things." I remind him.

    "Come look," Liam says and starts walking away again. I quickly catch up to him and walk with him. 

    Liam and I walk to the closed door of his office that he opens the door for me. I walk a couple of steps in to see Wes and Trevor facing away from us both looking tense. Liam walks in next to them looking at whatever they're looking at.

    "Who are you and what do you want with me? I don't have any money." a familiar male voice says but I can't quite place it. 

    "Shut up" Trevor barks out.

    "I'm serious I don't have money," the voice says.

    I walk closer to see past them at whoever it is. I see Ethan sitting in front of them tied to a chair looking bruised and bloodied. "What's this?" I ask Liam pointing to Ethan.

    "I heard about what happened a few months ago. I heard how you went home with him and he hit you.I tracked this guy down. It's up to you what we do with him." Liam says casually. 

    "You're behind this?" Ethan asks me. "I swear I haven't seen you since that night. I did everything you said why are you doing this?" Ethan says frantically.

    "I didn't tell you to do this." I scold Liam.

    "I just figured that if he hurt you then now is your chance to hurt him back." Liam shrugs.

    "I don't need revenge," I argue.

    "You don't have to do anything just tell me and I'll do it," Liam says

    "No! I've already gotten my revenge," I tell him.

    "What?" Liam asks raising an eyebrow in confusion.

    "It's true. I got mad and hit her. She warned me not to do it again but I did. I should have listened. She hit me back. A lot. She cracked one of my ribs." Ethan nods.

    "Woah you cracked his rid? Badass" Trevor nods.

    "He made me mad. I lost my temper." I shrug turning to Ethan. "Sorry for cracking your rib"

    "You don't apologize to him." Liam interrupts me.

    "Yes, I do," I argue with Liam. I turn back to Ethan. "If I let you go our deal still stands. You never speak of this again. I ever see you again and ..."

    "And I will regret it. Don't worry, you will never hear from me again." Ethan nods.

    "Good. Let him go." I instruct.

    "Thank you! Thank you so much!" Ethan sighs in relief.

    "Boss?" Wes asks Liam.

    Liam glares are me for a second but I'm not backing down. Finally Liam sighs and nods, "Yeah let him go." 

    Wes and Trevor go to either side of Ethan and start untying him. "I will never step foot on this side of town again. I won't say a word from anyone." Ethan rambles.

    "Get out of here," Trevor says as the ropes fall to the ground. Ethan stands up and runs out of the room.

    "Blake" Liam reaches for me but I ignore him and march out of the door all the way back to Katie and Collin. If he wants to be in a relationship with me, kidnapping someone is not the way to prove it.

    "Are y'all ready to go?" I ask Katie and Collin.

    "They're almost done packing up," Collin says pointing to Colby's band on the stage getting their equipment. "Then we can go." 

    "Good" I huff.

    "What happened to you?" Katie asks

    "I'm so tired of guys. I am officially swearing off guys. They make my life so stressful." I explain.

    "Ha! Let's see how long that lasts.: Katie laughs.

    "Shut up you b***h" I say crossing my arms taking my anger out on her. I know it's misplaced anger but she can take it. She knows I just need to vent for a second.

    "Then stop acting like a little b***h. Stop running from your feelings and go after what you want." Katie argues. That's why she is my best friend, she calls me on my bullshit.

    "I don't know what I want" I sigh running my hands down my face in exhaustion.

    "Then swear off guys until you figure it out." Katie nods.

    "That's what I'm going to do." I nod.

    "You won't believe what just happened," Colby says walking up to us smiling ear to ear. 

    "What?" Collin asks.

    "A woman from a record label gave us her card and said to meet with her on Monday about a record deal," Colby says excitedly. Oh, that's great!

    "That's great!" Katie says quickly.

    "That's awesome!" I nod.

    "Congrats man!" Collin says slapping his back.

    "This could be our big break!" Colby says looking at me in the eyes.

    "That's so exciting" I smile. I know this is a dream of his. I really am happy for him.

    "Are you guys ready to go?" Colby says looking towards Kate and Collin.

    "Yeah, let's get out of here," I speak up. I really am ready to get out of here. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Colby's POV

Monday...

    This might have been one of the greatest weekends of my life. I'm closer now than ever to all of my dreams coming true. I kissed Blake and she was into it. She agreed that she is attracted to me and was even willing to have s*x with me. But she only wanted a one-night stand. She wouldn't be a one-night stand for me. She's it. For me, she's all I want. I can't just have s*x with her. I mean I could easily. But it wouldn't be just s*x. I want it all. I want everything with her. I won't accept anything less. And the other dream, the one I've been chasing for years. We're about to walk into a meeting about a record deal. This could decide if I get to make music for a living. 

    Wyatt, Henry, and I walk to the open office door the receptionist pointed us to and hesitantly walk in to see the woman from the club on the phone sitting behind the desk. "No fix it," she says into the phone turning to us and smiling. "I have to go my next clients just walked through the door," she says and hangs up the phone. 

    "Hey boys. Take a seat," she says motioning to the seats in front of her desks. We all take seats. "Let's cut to the chase. I see big things for you. I'm talking stadium tours, albums, maybe even world tours." she says looking between us.

    "That sounds great!" Wyatt nods. 

    "How do we get to that point?" I ask

    "First things first we need to sign some papers. Then we will get you in a recording studio. We will work on an album. Who currently writes your songs?" she asks.

    "It's mostly me. Sometimes they help." I tell her honestly.

    "Great! We will get you working with a songwriter. They can help you along with your songs. We need at least one killer song to release before the album to put on the radio. That will get your name out there so more people will want to buy the album and see your concerts. It will take hard work from all of us but together I can make your dreams come true. So what do you say? Do we have a deal?" she explains.

    "Deal" we all nod. 

    Jones sits back in her chair with a smile. "Congratulations boys. You just got discovered."