1.07 – Almost rosey

Chapter tune: Alice Cooper – Poison

Warning: Contains profanity

Several weeks passed. Rose and Jared had started spending more and more time together. Rose had in mind all of the things people said about him, but she just couldn’t see any of them. She saw a man who really did treat her well, a man sweet and kind. Jared also told her that Molly and him were through, but they both wouldn’t have to worry about their jobs. Apparently Molly wasn’t holding a grudge.

One day, while hanging out at the park, Jared put his arms around her. “I really want to kiss you” he whispered softly.

“I want you to kiss me too” Rose replied smiling. She had begun to warm up to him more and more as time passed. Jared’s lips then immediately found hers, his hands traveled from her face to her waist and back. “I want you so bad” he whispered “…what do  you say we get out of here?”

“No wait” Rose said “I don’t think I’m ready for anything more”. She caught the disappointment in his look. “I think I ought to talk to you a little about my past at the orphanage” she said. “Well… while I was there, there was a girl in our dorm, about 12-13 years old. One night she was out for a long time and when she returned, she crawled up in her bed and cried. She cried and cried… When we asked what was wrong she gave us a teary look and we knew… But we never learned who it was; if it was a member of the staff or any of the older boys in there. I had never had that experience, thank god, nor did the other girls for all I know, but everytime you and I are getting closer, I don’t know… something inside is screaming at me to stop. I know it’s not fair to you or me, I know you are nothing like that and I really want you but I can’t help it, I’m afraid. So now you know” Rose said, almost all in one breath. “That son of a bitch” Jared felt his anger boiling inside “I should have been there, he would be dead by now!”

“It’s okay, nothing happened to me really, it’s just one of those things that get to you. So, enough about me, tell me about you, your family, how did you grow up?”

“There’s not much to say” Jared tried to sound aloof. “My mother, well I don’t really remember her, she walked out when me and my brother were really young. My dad was a doctor, a successful but very controlling man. He never understood my brother’s passion for writing, logic was all he’d understand. As for me, I never really let his criticism get to me as you could guess. But enough about the past kiddo” he said, with just a glimpse of sadness on his face.

They talked a bit more. Rose shared her dream of going to France, to learn every local recipe – especially the sweet ones, and Jared talked about his childhood and his relationship with his brother, although he gave the impression that he was holding something back. “I had a really great time today” he finally said “We should repeat that soon, and don’t worry about before. I can wait as long as you want”

“Thank you” Rose felt relieved “I had a great time too”

–

That afternoon Rose had invited Emma and Madison over for coffee. Emma was talking about her situation with Connor, Jared’s brother, how she thought she was in love with him but things were going really slowly because of their lack of flirting motivation. She was excited nevertheless; a long friendship that had just started to develop into something more.

“So how are things with that meathead of yours?” Emma joked. “I’m sorry for the name, but you should know I called him that since we were kids. I must say he seems changed girl. I never would have imagined” Emma said.

“I really like him” Rose replied. “And I think he likes me too. Today he talked to me a little about his family. One of these days I’m gonna meet his friends, I’m so nervous.”

“Yes, poor Connor was only 16 I think when their dad offed himself, and Jared had to help him finish school and-” Emma suddenly realized the surprise in Rose’s expression. “Oh I’m so sorry, I thought you knew. Well maybe he should be the one to talk to you about this. I don’t really know anything else anyway, Connor said he didn’t leave a note or anything”

“Well enough about this” Madison exclaimed. “I can’t stand this kind of conversation, I’d say we talk about what we are going to do tonight. Are you up for the Red?”

Rose laughed “I don’t think I can make it tonight, I have to study. You know Molly is giving me a hard time everynight at the bistro, so I have to be prepared. She keeps going on about the french cuisine, that I should honor it and stuff like that.”

“Oh please” Madison said with a smirk on her face “like she’s an expert. You know that she’s not even french, right? She just went for two years in France to study and when she came back she was all bonjour and merci“.

“Oh my, I did not know that” Emma laughed really hard. “Well, thanks for the coffee Rose but we have to go. Come find us at the bar if you change your mind. See you tomorrow girl!”

–

Meanwhile Jared was hanging out with Xander at his place.

“So what’s your deal with that girl dude, Rose was it?” Xander asked.

“We’re just hanging out for the time being, nothing too serious if you know what I mean. She’s pretty sweet though.”

“I don’t know why you left that smokin’ hot boss of yours though. Did you really do it for the new one? Word is that she’s waiting for marriage and stuff to get laid, I told you she was a prude bro” Xander was pushing it.

Jared, without delay, stood up and grabbed Xander from his shirt. “Don’t you ever talk about her like that again!”

“Whoa, chill man, I’m sorry! Ok. Let’s meet all together then. Will she come at the bar tonight? I can bring Zelda and we can have a double date maybe?”

“Rose told me she can’t make it tonight, but I can arrange that for another time” Jared seemed to relax again. “So how’s things with Zelda? Is she still giving you a hard time?”

“You bet. That girl is killing me man” Xander said “my wallet too – everytime I don’t bring her flowers or chocolates or shit like that she makes sure I regret it. But she is so hot that I don’t mind for now” Xander replied. Jared felt a little jealous. He was looking forward to being with Rose but he was wondering from time to time if it was worth the wait. Shut up you jerk, he thought to himself, it’s worth it alright.

–

The bar was once again packed. It made one wonder why no-one thought of opening one in Sunset Valley sooner.

Zelda had invited herself over so Xander was pretty much occupied.

Jared ended up drinking alone and playing pool with strangers.

While winning a game against some loser, he spotted Molly near who seemed like she was flirting with a guy.

He had no longer any interest or desire for her, that he knew. But before long, he became consumed with rage. And after so much booze, whatever control he had left, he was slowly losing it.