Josh found himself ready to enter a club several
days later. Of course it had been Louisa’s idea and as always the second she
mentioned his brother’s name Josh had agreed to go. They entered the club hand
in hand. Josh followed her to a table and they sat down watching the crowd on
the dance floor.
“Let’s
dance” Louisa said as she grabbed his hand. He followed obediently; he didn’t
mind dancing actually he liked dancing, loved it. It was the part that he had
to dance with Louisa that he disliked but he followed her out on the dance
floor nevertheless.
She
moved against him wrapping her arms around his waist, moving on the sound of
the music. Josh held her too and moved along with her.
“I
need something to drink, you want anything?”
“No
thank you baby” she declined with a smile, thrilled he’d asked her. It proved
her they were getting somewhere.
“I’ll
be right back” he announced.
“You
better” she said seductively. Josh smiled a little, satisfying her before
turning to the bar; he needed a beer. He made his way through the crowd and
ordered his drink upon reaching the bar.
“Hey”
a voice greeted him as he waited for his order; it was busy.
“Hi”
he said a little shy to the woman who moved closer.
“I’m
Lindsey” she introduced herself with a charming smile; she was pretty and nice.
“I’m
Josh” he told her with a small smile. She moved closer.
“It’s
nice to meet you” Josh looked back over his shoulder seeing how Louisa was
dancing with some guy, Josh thought it was all good. She was dancing with someone
else then he could talk to someone else.
“Yeah
you too. Are you from around here?” he asked casually, inwardly slapping his
head; lame! She didn’t seem to mind and they talked for a while. Louisa didn’t
seem to miss him and Josh was content with that; hoping she’d found her next
victim that would get him off the hook.
Although
she’d been dancing with some random guy Josh’s absence didn’t go unnoticed and
when the song was finished and he still wasn’t back she let her eyes travel to
the bare area; he’d said he’d get a drink. It was there that she found him;
talking to another woman!
Josh
was starting to enjoy himself when something pressed up against him, well
someone.
Louisa.
“Hey
babe” she greeted, her arm coming around his waist possessively.
“Hi”
Josh said almost regretfully. Lindsey frowned at them but Josh was no longer
keeping eye contact; he was looking down at the floor.
“Tell
the slut goodbye. Tell her you’re with me” Louisa instructed, whispering in his
ear.
He
looked at her sideways; what the hell was she thinking?! She’d been
dancing with some guy and that was fine but he wasn’t even allowed to simply
talk to someone?
“Think
about your little brother babe” she whispered in his ear and Josh’s eyes grew.
Lindsey noticed; she wondered what kind of weird scene was going on here.
“I’m
sorry Lindsey, I’m with her” Lindsey frowned; what the hell? But she shook her
head and left; weirdoes.
***
“What
exactly were you doing?” Louisa demanded after she’d pulled him outside.
“I
was just talking to her!”
“She
was coming on to you!”
“Louisa
we were just talking” he sighed.
“Didn’t
look like it to me, she was almost on top of you”
This
was ridiculous Lindsey had not been almost on top of him, far from it they’d
just been talking to each other.
“What
about that guy that was all over you?!” he countered.
“I
was just dancing with him”
“And
I was just talking to her!”
“Well
I don’t want you to!” she countered.
“What?”
he asked shocked.
“Why
is it okay for you to dance with someone but it isn’t okay for me to talk to
someone?!”
“Because
I set the rules” she snarled.
“And
I don’t have a little brother to protect”
How
fucking unfair was this?! Well Louisa was unfair but this was ridiculous.
However once again; if it kept Justin safe he would do it and Louisa knew this,
which was his ruin. She smirked, knowing from the look in his eyes that he’d
accepted her rules, which were becoming clearer and seemingly stricter
everyday. He’d given up fighting and she’d won once again.
That
was all it took lately; mention his brother’s name once and she had Josh
wrapped around her little finger.
***
Another
week later Louisa showed up with two tickets to a dance show in the theatre.
She sure kept him busy and he didn’t enjoy it but this time Josh didn’t mind.
He’d
always been a fan of dance and he loved watching it and although Justin had
teased him with this numerous of times when they grew up and even now it always
popped up somewhere Josh didn’t like it any less. In fact he still loved it and
thought that this might be the only good thing about dating Louisa since with
her name and reputation they were able to get good seats. At least Louisa told
him it were good seats. Josh marveled when he saw the tickets and for once
didn’t mind dressing up or showing up for their date.
Louisa
pulled up in her limo for the ‘big’ city as they lived in a suburb of Boston.
It was a nice town, not too crowded but not too quiet, Josh had lived here all
his life but going to Boston once in a while was a treat as well. Josh met her
outside; of course required to say how nice she looked but she really did look
nice. She complimented him on his suit and then they stepped inside the limo,
taking them to the theatre.
Louisa
scooted close and he put an arm around her; too excited to let a stupid thing
as refusing to hold her ruin the evening. She would make him hold her in the
end anyway so best to just do it already. She didn’t kiss or touch him however;
her outfit and make-up were perfect at the moment and she didn’t want to ruin
that. On the way back though she resolved with a smile. She snuggled closer to
Josh as the car took them closer to the theatre.
Dan
had warned Josh about going away for the night and how he shouldn’t try
anything or he would regret it but Josh wasn’t planning on doing anything
except enjoy the show.
And
he did; he enjoyed the show immensely. The dancers were great, the choreography
was amazing and just the whole show was mind-blowing.
“Could
you get me a drink please? I’m going to powder my nose” Louisa asked in the
small break.
To
his own surprise he actually said, “Sure” he could tell Louisa was just as
surprised as he was. Sure he’d eventually do what she told him but this went
really easily.
He
smiled a little and waited till she turned away from him before walking to the
bar and ordering champagne. For a split second he wondered how far he could get
if he left now. Not far he figured. Even if he ran, Justin wouldn’t be safe so
it was no use. He’d known that before the thought crossed his mind but for some
reason it still came to mind.
The
glasses were placed in front of him getting him out of his thoughts. He sipped
his own champagne as he waited for Louisa to return. He didn’t really like
champagne but he knew Louisa hated to drink alone. To save himself from those
useless arguments which he would loose anyway he’d ordered the second glass for
himself. Louisa came back only minutes later and they drank their champagne
together before moving into the big auditorium when the sound came through the speakers;
indicating the show was about to start again for the second part.
Louisa
snuggled against him once they were back inside the limo. She obviously wanted
to kiss a bit and so it happened. Josh participated in the kissing, more than
usual and Louisa was more than satisfied. He was coming around, she thought.
But Josh only participated because the night had been too good to let it get
ruined now.
Finally
they pulled up at his building. He made a move to get out but Louisa stopped
him. She pressed her lips over his, kissing him longer before pulling back just
a few millimeters.
“You
were a good boy tonight Josh. I enjoyed it” Louisa whispered against his lips.
“I
liked the night too” he said, part of it was true anyway. It had almost been a
normal date. Josh assumed this was the closest they would ever come to a normal
date.
“I’m
glad” she smiled.
“Call
me tomorrow” she requested but it wasn’t really a request. He answered
nevertheless.
“I
will” he then got out of the car and walked inside. Louisa settled back in her
seat; satisfied. He was finally coming around.
***
He
was finally coming around or he’d just accepted the rules and was settling
down. Although Louisa was pleased to see he was coming around it didn’t really
matter to her. Of course she preferred to be with him because they both wanted
to but if that wouldn’t work, she and her brother wouldn’t hesitate to use
force in order to get what they wanted. However the fact that he seemed to come
around would make this a lot easier on all of the parties involved, especially
Josh’s and he finally seemed to realize this.
***
“Mr.
Treydson wants to see you” Josh’s boss informed him, one of the many people
that were in charge under Dan, the owner.
“Yes
sir” he said as he got up, although he couldn’t help but grow fearful.
Dan
only spoke to him when he’d done something wrong and although his last date
with Louisa, to the dance piece, had been successful you never knew what to
expect with that man. Dreadfully he got in the elevator and rode up to the 9th
floor; where the big shots were located. Before he started dating Louisa he’d
never even been there, in the three years he’d worked there, and now it was the
second time in a few short months.
“I
heard you behaved like a gentleman” Dan began. Josh couldn’t help but look
confused.
“Excuse
me?”
“The
dance thing on Friday…” Dan elaborated, waiting till Josh understood what he
was talking about before continuing.
“Louisa
said you behaved like a gentleman” he repeated his earlier statement. Josh nervously
shifted in his seat.
“Yes
sir” Josh said shyly, ducking his head.
“Good”
Dan smirked; maybe Louisa had been right to think he was finally coming around.
He still needed to stay on his toes though; you never know.
“See
Josh, it really isn’t so hard to behave yourself. It works better for everyone
involved. My sister is happy which makes me happy. I won’t have to take my
anger out on your brother which makes him happy and that will make you happy;
everybody wins” Dan summed up, ending with a satisfied smile. The same one
Louisa had worn after the dance piece.
Josh
smiled too, awkwardly though, still it sounded like he was the loser. That was
because he was; he had the short stick.
“I’m
glad you’re finally seeing things my way, believe me it’s a lot easier on all
of us” he added.
Josh
nodded but didn’t meet Dan’s eyes. He was afraid he would attack him and that
wouldn’t exactly be seeing things his way, now would it? He thought angrily.
“Then
back to work” Dan smiled as he stood, walking Josh out.
“Yes
sir” Josh sighed as he got up, walking in front of Dan to the exit. Josh opened
the door and stepped out, he was met with Dan’s smiling face before the door
closed in front of him. Josh sighed heavily before walking to the elevator
dejectedly. He snorted.
Seeing
things his way, asshole.
***
“Josh
what’s going on with you lately?” Justin asked when they were on the couch
after a long week. Justin had listened to his brother’s rattling about the
dance piece he’d seen the week before and now that he was finally finished
Justin took his opportunity.
“Nothing”
Josh mumbled tiredly.
“Are
you sure?” Justin asked a little worried. Usually Josh was the one worried
about him but Justin had the feeling he needed to be worried this time.
“Yes
of course”
“I
just… what’s going on with you lately?” Justin asked softly.
“Nothing
much” Josh said, wincing inwardly at the lie that left his mouth.
“Josh”
Justin sighed tiredly. His voice held a bit of a warning tone of voice; a tone
that could never be found in Justin’s voice, especially not when he was talking
to his older brother.
“What
Justin?” Josh asked a little annoyed; he was glad Justin noticed something was
wrong but he couldn’t really tell him.
“Nothing
forget it. I only want to help” Justin huffed; that was more like his kid
brother Josh thought.
“I
know Justin, thank you but I don’t need… any help” Josh reassured. He couldn’t
help but pause when he told Justin he didn’t need any help. He did need help!
Desperately but not Justin’s help. It would bring him in even more danger so he
lied. It hurt him but he lied. Again. Justin accepted with a small smile but
something bugged him; something felt wrong.
“If
you do need help you know you can ask me right? I’m an adult now you can ask me
for help”
“I
know”
“Promise
me you will because I know you, you Big Mister Stubborn” Josh sighed.
“I
promise” he promised, although he knew he was already breaking that promise
before the words left his mouth.
***
In
order to protect Justin, Josh did what they asked. He knew they were serious
and therefore he needed to be careful. He didn’t want Justin to get hurt and so
for weeks on end Josh had let them control him. He’d let Dan tell him what to
do, he’d let Louisa lead him to wherever she wanted to go and he’d let Justin
believe everything was fine although Justin noticed something strange in his
brother’s behavior. Josh hated himself for giving in this easily but he would
do nothing that could get Justin hurt.
It
became harder though as time went on; Louisa demanded more of him, her tone of
voice was mostly demanding which really didn’t motivate him and Dan got more
and more on Josh’s nerves than ever.
He
knew that him behaving himself was the calm before the storm; he feared to get
into the storm but he knew it would happen.
Things
just couldn’t keep going the way they were.
It
just couldn’t.
