Strategically Careless

Chapter 4

Third Person POV

    A few days have passed since Liam and Blake have seen each other. Liam has texted but Blake has been ignoring them. Blake starts her new job tomorrow morning so celebrate the new job and Katie's first few days at her new job, the girls invited Colby and Collin over for a pizza and movie night. They're all sitting on the couch and Katie and Blake's apartment watching a movie. Katie is sitting between Blake and Collin with Colby on the other side of Blake. 

    "I am getting more pizza. Y'all want anything?" Blake says standing up and grabbing a pile of dirty plates.

    "Can I get a refill?" Katie asks showing me her empty cup.

    "Me too?" Collin asks. 

    "I need one too. I'll help you." Colby offers standing up.

    "Thanks," Blake says grabbing Katie and Collin's cups then Blake and Colby leave the room

    Katie turns to Collin and fiddles with her thumbs for a second. "Has Colby talked to you at all about Blake?" Katie asks awkwardly.

    "Are you kidding? Of course!" Collin scoffs in amusement. "The other day when she got hurt and came over after she left he woke me up. He just barged into my room and started pacing the floor and talking. I had no clue what was going on but he seemed pissed. At first, I thought he was mad at her. It took a while but I finally got him to calm down and tell me what happened. He told me that they had fun while they were together at the park the day before. And he didn't know how someone could be mean to someone like her. I have never seen him act like that." Collin explains.

    "Do you think he really likes her?" Katie asks concerned.

    "Yes. I don't think he realizes it yet but he does." Collin nods

    "I know he is your friend and all but honestly is he a good guy?" Katie asks obviously worried for her friend. "We haven't known each other that long and I just want to make sure my friend will be ok." Katie explains quickly.

    "Yeah, I get that." Collin nods. "He is a good guy though. I know he wants to be a rock star but he isn't anything like the stereotypical rock star." Collin explains. 

    "Ok. She has a tendency to get caught in bad situations. Like a lot." Katie explains. "And just so you know I really like you." Katie blushes.

    "I really like you too." Collin blushes. 

    In the kitchen, Colby digs in the fridge for refills for himself and his friends while Blake stands over some pizza boxes on the counter and taking a bite of a slice of pizza. "Oh my gosh, I love you." Blake moans.

    "Please tell me you are talking to the pizza," Colby comments looking at her confused.

    "I forgot you were in here," Blake says turning to him and taking another bite.

    "Good." Colby laughs. "I didn't want to break your heart when I would have had to tell you that I can't be tied down. I am going to be a rock star one day. I need to keep my options open." Colby says smugly running his hands thru his hair.

    "Like you could ever break my heart. I think I would destroy you before you ever got the chance." Blake says smugly copying Colby, putting a strand of her hair behind her shoulder.

    "Keep dreaming," Colby smirks. 

    "Idiot." Blake rolls her eyes then they both laugh. 

    A few seconds later the laughter dies down. "Thanks for inviting us over tonight. I really am having fun." Colby says awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

    "No problem. I figure one of these days Katie and Collin will be official so we might as well all be friends." Blake shrugs.

    Colby smiles slightly looking at Blake then he starts to blush, "If we are friends can I share something that's been bothering me all day?" Colby asks.

    "Go for it." Blake crosses her arms and shrugs leaning against the counter behind her.

    "My parents called me this morning and told me that my dog died," Colby says sadly.

    "Oh, I am so sorry. That's awful." Blake says genuinely. 

    "I know it's just a dog but he was my best friend," Colby explains looking pained. 

    "No, I understand." Blake nods trying to encourage him some. 

    "I wasn't the most popular kid growing up. I was actually a band nerd. I was picked on and bullied. A lot. But every day after school I would go home and practice my music alone in my room with my dog. He was always there to listen to my problems and my bad music. I just feel like I lost a friend." Colby explains as Blake listens.

    "I am so sorry." Blake says placing a hand on Colby's arm and squeezing it lightly.

    Colby coughs and shrugs away his feelings then looks up from the floor to meet Blake's eyes. "I know tonight is suppose to be fun but for some reason, I just feel like I had to tell you. Like telling you would make me feel better." Colby shrugs.

    "It's always easier to have someone to share your problems with." Blake shrugs. "I wish I knew how to help more. Or some magic words that I could say to make it stop hurting. But I don't, I've never lost anything that I loved." Blake says trying to comfort him.

    "Just sharing makes me feel a lot better. Thanks." Colby says with a tight-lipped smile. 

    "I think I better bring them their drinks now." Blake says awkwardly. 

    Colby and Blake pick up the drinks then head back to the living room. Colby and Blake hand Collin and Katie their drinks and sit back down. Blake pulls out her phone and finally answers Liam's many text messages, "Hey Liam, sorry I haven't gotten back to you. Sorry for leaving like that the other night too, I just got really tired all of a sudden. We should hang out soon." 

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

Blake's POV

A few months later.....

    A few months past and things became normal. The new job was cool. It's crazy to think back on where I came from and where I am now. I never actually thought I'd make it to New York. Liam and I kept hanging out sometimes, whenever we were bored or needed a distraction from life. He was cool to hang out with. To be honest, the friends-with-benefits thing I had going on with Liam was the longest "relationship" I have had. Most guys start wanting something more after a while and when they do I end it. But Liam isn't like most guys. He was perfectly happy with the setup we have which is good because Katie still doesn't like the idea of me using s*x as a distraction from my life.

    Katie and Collin officially started dating. They were cute, in a really obnoxious kind of way. Colby, Collin, Katie, and I all started hanging out a lot. We had movie nights and we would go support Colby's band. We all became really good friends. Especially Colby and me since Katie and Collin were too busy playing kissy-face most of the time.

    For the first time, I feel like everything would be ok. I can have a normal life, great friends, and a job I liked. I am very happy. 

    "What are you smiling at?" Liam asks walking in front of me than sitting next to me on the couch. He hands me a glass of water. 

    "Nothing. Just thinking." I shrug grabbing the glass. 

    "Anything important I should know?" Liam asks raising an eyebrow. 

    "No. I'm just happy." I shrug taking a sip of water. "It's been a long time since my life has been going this well." 

    "Well, that's good," Liam smirks. I set the glass of water down on the coffee table in front of me then lean over and kiss Liam. Liam wastes no time kissing me back. In no time at all, he is on top of me and we are full-on making out. Good. I came here for one reason specifically. This.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

    I sigh as Liam and I separate as two guys run into the apartment. I instantly recognize Wes's blue hair. It's Trevor and Wesley. "Boss we have a problem." Trevor pants out of breath putting his hand on his knees.

    "What happened?" Liam says seriously standing up and walking over to them. 

    "We went to go pick up the shipment. But something was off." Wes says as he catches his breath. 

    "I don't know how to explain it but it was just a feeling. Like we were set up." Trevor explains standing back up.

    "Wait shipment of what?" I ask joining the conversation.

    The three guys look at each other for a second before Liam finally shrugs then answers me, "Drugs." 

    "You deal drugs?" I gasp dramatically. That might have been a little too dramatic but I don't like it. 

    "I prefer the word supply." Wes cuts in.

    "It's just minor stuff in the club," Trevor says coldly. I've met Wes and Trevor a few times now and Trevors never seemed to warm up to me. 

    "How could y'all not tell me?" I ask Lim angrily. 

    "It's not a big deal. And it's not something we advertise either." Liam shrugs nonchalantly.

    "No drugs are a big deal," I tell him angrily. "What are y'all dealing?" I ask everyone.

    "Nothing major," Wes says

    "Just some molly, perx, and coke." Trevor shrugs.

    "What?" I ask Liam angrily. "Why couldn't y'all do something minor like weed?" I ask annoyed.

    "This is relatively minor stuff." Trevor shrugs.

    "I can explain. Just give me a minute." Liam says then grabs my arm and drags me away from the guys to a few feet away. "You need to calm down," Liam says angrily. 

    "I am calm. I just don't understand how you never bothered to tell me that you're a drug lord." I argue.

    "I am not a drug lord. It all started after I inherited the club. We were in a hole and needed money fast. This was the only way that we could do it." Liam sighs.

    "Is the club still in a hole?" I ask angrily crossing my arms.

    "Well, no." Liam shrugs.

    "So why keep doing it?" I ask

    "It's good money. And no real harm is being done. Plus, it's not that easy to get out of the drug business just like that." Liam says calmly. 

    "No real harm is done?" I scoff. "You know what I'm leaving," I tell him. I walk past Liam and up to Trevor and Wes. "Sorry. But I can't be here right now. Stay safe." I tell them. I start to leave again when a masked man runs thru the open door. s**t, not this again. The masked man pulls out a gun and points it at Wes who has his back to the guy.

    I jump at Wes pushing him out of the way as the masked man pulls the trigger. OWWW!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel a burning stinging pain in my shoulder. I watch as Trevor turns pulling a gun on the masked man and the man running away. 

    This hurts more than I remember. Damn. I hit my knees as I grab my shoulder to try to get the bleeding and pain to stop. 

    "Blake! Blake! Can you hear me?" I hear Liam's voice. "Trevor go!" is the last thing I hear before reality slips away from me.

    "Come on, Doc" I hear Wes faintly thru the darkness. 

~~~

    "Stay with us," Wes says and I try to open my eyes but they're so heavy. 

~~~

    "That's a lot of blood, dude," Wes says again as I fade in and out of consciousness.

    "The ambulance is on the way." this time I hear Liam's voice.

~~~

    "Hey Blake, can you hear us?" Wes asks when I am finally able to open my eyes. God this burns.

~~~

    "Come on doc. You have to stay with us. Tell me what to do to help you doc." Wes begs as I feel pressure on my shoulder.

~~~

    "Liam! Come here and help man." Wes yells as I slip into unconsciousness again.

~~~~~~

Colby's POV

    "Don't mind me I'm just grabbing some food," I say walking into the living room and kitchen of my apartment. Open concept design is a great idea until your roommates flirting on the couch and you want to make a sandwich. Collin and Katie barely seem to notice that they aren't alone because they keep flirting and giggling shamelessly. 

RING. RING.

    My phone rings right as I pull a clean plate out of the cabinet. I dig it out of my pocket and see Liam's name before I answer it. "Hey man. I meant to get back to you about booking the band for Saturday. We can't do it. We are playing somewhere else."  I tell him. He only ever really calls me to book shows so that has to be why he is calling.

    "I don't care about that." Liam brushes me off. Ok? "Blake was shot. It's not too bad but she is in surgery. I don't know if she has any friends or family in the area. She told me that you knew each other though. Do you know of any way to let anyone know?" Liam says quickly.  Wait what did he say?

    "She was what?" I ask surprised. There is no way I heard what I think I just heard. 

    "Blake was shot. She told me that you two knew each other at one point, do you know a way to get in contact with her family or anything? I feel like we should let them know." Liam says sadly. 

    "Umm. yeah, I think I know just the person to ask. We will be there soon." I say looking at Katie that's sitting on the couch. Then I hang up on the phone. I walk over to them and clear my throat so they separate from each other. 

    "You guys..." I star unsure of how to say this. 

    "What's up, man?" Collin asks looking a little bit annoyed I'm interrupting them.

    "Liam just called," I say. I'm just going to say it. Rip the bandaid off. "Blake was shot," I say looking at Katie. Both their jaws drop. 

    Katie takes a second for the information to sink in then she stands up, "Let's go." she says blankly.

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

    Katie, Collin, and I run into the hospital and I frantically search around for anyone to help us. I spot Liam walking down the hall as he talks on the phone. Good. I need to know what happened. I'm not stupid, I know about Liam's businesses and I warned Blake. How could Liam let her get hurt and just be walking around fine. That's not right. "I'm going to talk to Liam to see what happened," I say. Katie and Collin nod. Katie's oddly calm under pressure and it's weirdly keeping me from freaking out. If her best friend isn't freaking out I shouldn't.

    I walk over to Liam and interrupt his phone call. I really want to punch him in the face for not being hurt but it's Liam. He could kill me. "What happened? How is she?" I ask.    

    "She is out of surgery. They wheeled her back into her room about an hour ago. They said she will be awake soon. They also said she will be fine." Liam said calmly. 

    "How did this happen?" I ask crossing my arms.

    "We were at my place hanging out. We had a small argument and then she said she was leaving." Liam says sounding sad. I swear to god if he shot her- "Next thing I know I heard gunshots, she is on the floor, and someone is running away. We are looking for whoever it was right now." he says.

    "She got shot because of you," I yell angrily. "She shouldn't be caught up in your mess. Did she know? About any of it?" I ask quieter but still very angry.  

    "Not before today. She was about to leave after she found out. That's when the person shot her. I should have seen the guy but I was too caught up in my argument with her. I felt bad for making her mad and I wasn't paying attention." Liam sighs running his hand down his face in exhaustion. 

    "Ma'am you need to sit down." A nurse says from down the hall. Katie runs down the hall towards the voice and we all follow. 

    I run into the hospital room after Katie and see Blake, in a hospital gown, arguing with the nurse. Katie stands next to the nurse between Blake and the door. Collin, Liam, and I just stand in the background trying to figure out what's going on. Blake was just shot and had surgery, she shouldn't be standing. 

    "I am leaving," Blake argues. No, she's not. She needs a doctor.

    "Ma'am the doctor suggests you stay longer to make sure you are ok." the nurse says calmly trying to get Blake to calm down too. 

    "You said that I am fine and it is just a flesh wound. I am going home." Blake continues to argue. 

    "You are going to be fine. But you did have a surgery to remove the bullet." the nurse explains

    "And now my options are sitting around here or sit around at home right?" Blake says crossing her arms. 

    "Well..." the nurse says hesitantly obviously unsure of how to answer.

    Katie crosses her arms and sighs loudly. "Nurse, you're saying it is recommended she stays the night?" Katie says while never taking her eyes off Blake. 

    "Yes that is the recommendation." the nurse nods.

    "Then that's that. Blake you are staying the night" Katie nods assuridly. 

    "Katie, it is not a big deal either way. I just want to go home. I will be ok." Blake says sounding tired.

    "Blake you can go home tomorrow. They just want to take care of you." I tell her.

    "Blake come on. I'll stay with you so you're not alone." Liam offers. Oh hell no, he's the reason she was shot!

    "We all will," Collin says before I get the chance. He has some idea about Liam and his business too and doesn't really like the guy.

    "No. I want to go home. Right now." Blake argues.

    "Don't be any stupider than you already are," Katie says calmly crossing her arms. Wow ok. Wasn't expecting that.  "You are staying the night." 

    "Don't be so bossy," Blake says mimicking Katie's body language. 

    "Don't make me do it." Katie shrugs. Do what?

    "Don't waste it on something so stupid. It's your last one for the year." Blake says smugly. Now I really don't know what's going on. 

    "I'll do it." Katie nods almost daring Blake to do something. 

    "Katie, come on. Let's go home." Blake sighs.

    "VETO!" Katie says loudly. 

    "Ugh. Fine. Y'all can leave now." Blake says sounding defeated.

    "What just happened?" Liam asks the question I really want to.

    "Each year we give each other three vetos. If we are doing something the other doesn't like they can use a veto. We have to stop whatever we are doing immediately. No questions asked. Normally it is just a matter of ugly outfits or going home with a weird guy." Blake explains now calm.

    "You made me do it!" Katie says angrily. 

    "That's fine. But if I'm going to stay here y'all go on home." Blake says. "I'm just going to go to sleep. Good night." Blake shrugs then walk to the hospital bed and lays down. 

    "She won't give you any more problems," Katie says to the nurse then walks out of the room and Liam follows her. 

    "Can I get you anything? Some food, clothes, anything?" I ask.

    "I'm fine. I'm just tired. I would have slept better at home but f*****g Katie-"

    "Ok," Collin says cutting her off. "I'm glad you're ok Blake," Collin says.

    "Me too. Just text me if you need anything and I'll come to bring it to you." I offer.

    "Thanks but I'm fine. Night." Blake says and we walk out of the room. 

    I immediately see Katie in the hall looking upset talking to Liam. "Are you ok?" Liam asks as Katie cries. 

    "Yeah. I'm ok. She just scared me to death." Katie sniffles.

    "Sorry about that. We haven't officially met yet. I'm Liam. Blake's told me a lot about you." Liam says offering his hand for her to shake.

    "I was hoping we wouldn't meet this way. I was hoping for something more normal like lunch." Katie laughs humorlessly. 

    "Sorry about all this," Liam says looking guilty

    "It's not your fault. She has a tendency -"

    "Do you have a way to get in touch with her family?" Liam says.

    "I have a phone number," Katie says hesitantly.

    "That's great. If you give me the number I can call so you don't have to." Liam offers.

    "No way." Katie denies.

    "Ok, then you can call." Liam shrugs.

    "No I don't think we should call," Katie says.

    "Why not? Wouldn't they want to know she is in the hospital?" Liam asks.

    "I just don't think that is what Blake would want," Katie says.

    "Ok..." Liam says suspiciously. "Well, I am going to go meet up with my guys to try to find the person who shot her." Liam shrugs.

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

Blake's POV

The Next Day........

    "How are you feeling?" Katie asks as I lay on my bed and text on my phone. I got to come home earlier this morning and I'm still tired. 

    "I'm fine just tired." I shrug sitting up

    "What happened?" she asks sitting by my feet. Ugh I knew this was coming.

    "Someone broke in and pointed a gun to my friend. I didn't think I just reacted." I tell her.

    "I thought we talked about you being careful. You know you're not allowed to die. Not on my watch." Katie says with a smirk.

    "Yeah, I know," I say sarcastically rolling my eyes. 

    "Do you think it was him?" Katie asks seriously. 

    "I don't know," I tell her honestly. 

    "Ok," Katie says with a sigh. "One more thing, Liam wanted to call your family when you were in the hospital. Don't worry I stopped him." Katie says quickly before I can react.

    "Thank you so much!" I sigh in relief.

    "Ok. I have to go to work." Katie says standing up. "I already called your boss to say you were taking a sick day. And Colby said he would stop by later to check on you," she informs me.

    "Ok well, I am going to take a nap." I yawn and Katie leaves. I couldn't sleep at all last night

    "Hey Blake, I'm here," Colby calls out waking me up from a really great nap. Dang, it. "I brought food." I get up and run out of my room. 

    "Food? YAYY!" I yell running out into the living room. I'm very hungry and I don't like the feeling of being hungry. 

    "I knew that would work." Colby laughs as I run to him.

    "Gimme gimme gimme," I say as he hands me food. "I'm starving," I say as I chew the bagel Colby brought me. 

    "Me too," Colby says pulling out a second bagel. "How are you feeling?" 

    "I am fine." I shrug.

    "That's good," Colby says taking a seat on the couch. I finish my bagel and sit on the couch too. "Just be glad that your alive and can relax for a little while. Otherwise, you would be at work right now and that's no fun. How are you feeling?"

    "Works not that bad." I shrug. "And I am fine, still," I say getting a little frustrated. 

    "Sitting behind a desk all day, making copies." Colby shutters looking disturbed at the thought. 

    "Ok, Mr. Rock Star Not everyone can stand on stage looking pretty for a living. And having a boring desk job is a dream come true for me." I tell him.

    "I don't stand on a stage looking pretty for a living. I stand on a stage looking handsome for a living." Colby says smugly. "More importantly you think I look pretty?" Colby says flirtatiously. 

    "Whatever." I roll my eyes. "Want to do something? I need a distraction I am going stir crazy." I ask excitedly. 

    "What do you want to do?" he asks. 

    "I don't know I am just bored. Give me suggestions."

    "Well, I would say we should go somewhere but I don't want you to get hurt," Colby says thinking.

    "I told you I'm fine," I say leaning back and crossing my arms.

    "No offense but I don't believe you," Colby says plainly. 

    "What?" I ask offended.

    "Well, I hate to say I told you so but...." Colby trails off. "I told you he was dangerous and you said you would be careful!" Colby shrugs.

    "What do you care?" I say getting offended. 

    "Because you are my friend!" Colby nearly yells. 

    "If you were my friend you would support me and not be so judgy," I say as I stand up then I march down the hall. I'm done with him. I don't have time for his self-righteous ass.

    "Blake" Colby calls out after me but I ignore him. I march into my room and slam the door behind me. 

    "Blake wait," Colby says from outside my door.

    He opens my door and walks in. "I'm sorry. I know you went through something traumatic but I hate seeing you hurt. I never want to get another phone call like the one I got. I thought you were going to die and the thought of that was terrifying." Colby says looking sad. Does he really think that? If that's true it was really sweet. I've never had someone care about me like that before.

    I look into his eyes as I walk closer to him. Then I do the one thing I've wanted to do since the first time I saw him, the night Katie and I moved into town. I wrap my hand around the back of his neck and press my lips to his. He responds immediately kissing me back and wrapping a hand around my waist pulling me towards him.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

    Dammit. That was a good kiss. Like top 10 best kisses I've ever had. f**k why did I just do that? God Blake, you're so dumb. I mentally scold myself.

    "I got it." Colby sighs stepping away from me. He looks me up and down as if he is trying to remember every detail of what just happened then walks out of my bedroom. He's so hot but I'd ruin his life. I shouldn't have just done that.

    "What are you doing here?" I hear Colby's voice sounding very angry coming from the living room. s**t. I grab my knife I keep on the nightstand and run out of the room carefully hiding the knife in the waistband of my leggings.

    "What are you doing here?" I hear again. s**t.