Treasure Me (Rough Edges 4)

Chapter 10

Raquel

As soon as I walked in the door, things have been going awry, starting with Arlene having a stroke while knitting with the girls, and then Paul having a heart attack in the common room. Days like this drain me, because this might be just a job for some people, but bonds are created, and when my residents get hurt or pass, it affects me. All I can do for them, and is make them comfortable, and give them a friendly face every day. Some are doing worse than others, but they all seem to care for one another, like a big family. I’m quite surprised how little there is drama here.

It’s Jeremy’s first day at the station, and hopefully, my brother will not be an ass. After the comments he made at the party, I’m sure he isn’t happy, but we aren’t dating, so he can cool it. You see in movies and tv shows all the time, the push for two people to be apart, and the people trying to cause a rift, but this is the first time I’ve experienced it myself. Why can’t people just mind their own damn business? Eli shouldn’t have any say so in who I have a romantic relationship with, and my boss shouldn’t either, but do I want to risk losing my job?

My phone vibrates in my jacket pocket, and Eli’s name shows up on the notification list. What the hell does he want now?

Eli: Are you screwing around with him? That motherfucker hit me! Stay away from him!

He thinks that telling me this will push me away from Jeremy, but it only entices me to kiss him. No one has ever had the balls to stand up to my brother, and it’s nice to hear someone did it. It’s hard enough finding someone decent nowadays, but how could I ever be with someone that my brother hates? And after today, Eli will never be okay with me and Jeremy being together.

Me: Maybe if you weren’t in our business… Good for him. Like I’ve already said… you don’t get a say in that. Fuck off.

We have a complicated relationship, always have, and one thing I won’t stand for is the way he talks to me. He’s almost controlling, but he’s always been that way. When we were younger, there was this boy in the eighth grade who wanted to ask me to one of the school dances, and when Eli found out, he pummeled him. Almost the same situation one as with Jeremy, except we are adults now, and not teenagers. One thing I’ve always wondered is why he has such horrible anger issues? I don’t remember him being that way before Junior High, but maybe it just never came up before then.

Eli is your typical jock type with an enormous ego, and he doesn’t have friends, only those that bow down to him and do what he wants. Maybe that’s why his circle of close friends has dwindled down to just the guys at that station, and I think that’s only because they work together. If they didn’t, none of them would see each other but in passing around Grapevine. Hell, I can’t say I blame them though. Who the fuck wants to be talked down to?

Is it bad that I’m counting down the minutes until Jeremy shows up to get Don settled in today? Will his sister say something about us “dating”? Why is everyone making such a big deal out of this? It kills me we had an amazing time at Damon’s party, and then, just like that, we are forbidden from seeing each other. Maybe we should both just say screw them, and do it anyway. I might talk about a big game, but some rules I just can’t break.

My cell vibrates again and I roll my eyes, wonder what Eli wants now, only to see it’s my best friend.

Britt: We still on for tonight? Future hubby is going to cook us dinner.

Ugh. Why did I have to agree to this dinner? Something still seems very suspicious about this rushed engagement, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it. I love her, but she’s not the marrying type. She has said that herself too many times to count, and now she’s engaged? No, sorry, not falling for it. Even though I don’t want to go, I have to, because that’s what friends do.

Me: Of course I am. Give me an address. His place, right?

When she gives me the address, then I can do some digging. I’m sure there is plenty to know about her future husband, and the internet will tell me everything. He might not have good intentions either. Maybe he has to get married to gain his inheritance or some crap. Brittany doesn’t need to get her heart broken, especially if she is in this for the right reasons. But I’m still not sure that’s the case. Seeing them together tonight will prove how she feels because I’m known her for a long time, and can tell when she’s being fake.

Brittaney: 3604 Plaza Drive

My cell hits the desk, and I smack my forehead. That’s it. She’s in it for the money. Plaza drive is like multi-million dollar mansions. I don’t care how much money a guy has, it’s not a reason to jump into a marriage. Money can’t buy love, and Brittaney will realize that, but not before she walks down the aisle. She is very materialistic, and money can provide a certain lifestyle she has always wanted, but at what cost? A loveless marriage is depressing, and no amount of money can’t fix that.

My marriage with Dean started off good. We both made decent money, and didn’t struggle at all, but once the honeymoon phase wore off, things went downhill quick, no amount of money would have fixed that. I don’t want Brittaney to regret her decision, but as her best friend, do I express my concerns or just let her conclude herself?

Things have slowed down at the center, and most of the residents are taking their afternoon nap before dinner is upon us. Kristen is on break, so here I am, manning the front desk in case anyone calls or needs anything. On the cameras, I see Jeremy’s truck pull up, and my stomach flutters. He makes me feel like a teenager again, when you would wait for them to pick you up for a date. Except that’s not going to happen. He is off limits and even though I want to screw his brains out, we are just friends. Get it together.

“Hey, there. Ready for your new favorite man to move in?” Don says, walking through the double doors with a smile.

He looks much happier than the last time I saw him, and it must be because he knows that I’ll take good care of him. “Wondered when you were gonna show up. Your room is ready to be decorated and put together.”

He puts out his arm, and I hook mine in as we walk toward his room together. “We are gonna have a good ol’ time together. Mark my words, darling.”

I laugh as we approach his door, and the others are right behind.

Hazel gives me the stink eye before walking inside his room, but Jeremy stops for a moment.

“It’s been a crazy ass day. Did your brother…”

I put my hand up. “Yes, and good for you. He’s an asshole. I’m not mad at all.”

He sighs. “Good. Didn’t want you to hate me. I’ll talk to you later?”

I nod, and leave him to help Don decorate his room and get settled.

My day is over, and I’ve got limited time to get over to his place for dinner. I refuse to go over there in my work clothes, so they might just have to deal with me being a little late.