Damn Dress: A Love Story Ch. 04

Jackson walked to the car and opened the door. Brandon almost fell out, but Jackson caught him first.

"Silas, can you uncuff him, please? And I'll pay for the window so long as this stays between us, okay?" Jackson said.

"Sure thing," Silas answered. "But I think a day or two in holding would straighten his ass out."

"Actually, that would piss him off even more," Darren interjected as he grabbed Brandon's feet. He and the Commander carried Brandon's passed out body to his car and dumped him in the back seat.

"Officer Kent will follow in his Jeep, and I'll stay close behind in the Patrol car, in case that bastard wakes up and starts shit again," Silas warned.

Jackson shook both officers' hands and thanked them for helping him out. He walked back into his house and sat on the steps leading to the upstairs rooms. All he could think was 'Thank God Sienna wasn't here.' That would have made this whole event ten times worse.

******************

Brandon now remembered how that night had gone. Shit. He really didn't remember what the fuck he was trying to accomplish with that.

And he hadn't meant to kick out the SP car window, but he was extremely claustrophobic, a fact no one else knew about him, except the Commander.

He had developed that phobia living with his aunt and uncle. Brandon stared out into the dark while thinking about his life in Boston. When he was around 7 or 8 and first got punished for doing something...anything, his uncle would lock him in the linen closet.

It was a small, dark, thin closet with shelves. The bottom shelf was so low, that Brandon had to squeeze himself underneath and fold his legs up toward his chest.

The first time, he thought he was going to die. He couldn't catch his breath, and he figured this was it. He would be leaving this world. But he didn't die. Instead he got used to the small, tight space and learned to think of games to keep himself amused.

He'd count the different species of insects that would crawl through the small holes while he was in there. He would try to listen closely to cars outside and see if he could determine what kind they were. Brandon would try anything to keep from thinking of this dark hole. His own personal hell. One time his uncle left him in there for an entire day. He beat on the door until his hands bled.

Brandon shook the unpleasant memory from his mind. He had to get his shit together and fast. He was about to stand up when Darren pulled him back down.

"Can I say something without you biting my head off?" Darren asked.

Brandon rubbed his eyes and shook his head 'yes'.

"I don't understand. There are tons of other girls all around this place that would line up just to fuck a Navy Seal, especially some asshole like you since women tend to like that. So why the Commander's daughter?" Darren asked, while flipping through his cell phone.

Brandon sat there for a moment thinking about that question. He really didn't have a good answer. Or at least not one others would care to hear.

"I don't know. I tried to stay away from her but--"

"Try harder," Darren stated, interrupting him.

"Why? When everything tells me I want to be with her. My mind, my hea--"

"Your dick."

Brandon turned to face Darren. "Man, fuck you. It's not even like that."

"But she's the Commander's daughter! Why couldn't you just stay away from her?" Darren said, coming to his feet. He walked to the bottom of the stairs and looked back up at Brandon. He loved this guy like he would his own brother. But he didn't understand him sometimes. Actually, most of the time.

He continued, "We grew up with her like she was our little sister. Those corny ass kid's birthday parties and all. Yeah, okay, I'll admit she's legal now and fine as hell, but--"

"Just drop it," Brandon said as he narrowed his eyes at Darren.

"No, I'm not going to drop it. For once in your life you're going to listen to someone. I thought you liked the Commander?"

Brandon exhaled loudly, "I do like him. For a long time he was all I had."

Darren shook his head laughing to himself, "Well you sure as hell have a funny way of showing your appreciation by screwing his teenage daughter."

He watched as Brandon stood and flexed his jaw. He started slowly walking down the steps toward Darren. Darren knew that Brandon was pissed and ready to punch him the fuck out. He knew in a one on one situation, Brandon could kick his ass, hangover or not. They both knew it. But Darren was standing firm on this one.

"All I'm saying," Darren tried to express in a calmer, lighter voice while putting his hands up, "is that she is young and maybe she's already changed her mind, you know. I mean, has she come to see you? Or called you? With all of the technology out today, seems like she could have found away if she cared."

That thought stopped Brandon in his tracks. Darren was right. Maybe she had already gotten over him in a month's time. The Commander did say she wasn't there. And she wasn't home earlier that day either. Probably out having a good time while his dumb ass was getting arrested. He felt like a fool.

*******************

Sienna was so excited. Tonight was the veterans ball and she was hoping/praying that Brandon would show up. She couldn't wait to see him. Just thinking about him showing up in his white dress uniform made her wet.

Her father had told Chris not to take his eyes off her, but she was determined to get away from him tonight. She liked Chris, but nothing was going to stop her tonight. She would have to be sneaky to keep her Spelman tuition together, but she could be sneaky when she had to be.

Brandon felt sick to his stomach. He didn't want to come to the veterans ball. He hated shit like this. All of them in their Dress Whites looking like popsicles. This just wasn't his scene. And most of all he hated that SHE was here. It had been almost a week since his little 'incident' at the Commander's house. No doubt everyone on base had heard about it by now. But he didn't care.

When he had seen her walk in, he felt like his heart stopped. She was wearing a thin white strapless gown that melted onto her curves and flared at her feet. She looked unbelievable. Like a bride. His bride. He squeezed the Corona in his hand, wishing like hell he could break the glass bottle and have it shatter in his hand to take his mind off the pain in his heart.

She fucking shows up here all smiles while she had yet to contact him. Not one fucking word from her. That's alright he thought, as he turned to the redhead at his side. Rachel, his date. Since Sienna had obviously moved on, fuck her, so had he.

Sienna immediately scanned the room looking for him. When she spotted him over in the corner, she smiled so big and was about wave when she noticed the woman on his arm. The smile slid right off of Sienna's face. She couldn't be seeing this right. This had to be a friend or his long lost sister or something.

But her doubt was quickly corrected when he turned to the redhead and grabbed her chin roughly and kissed her.

Sienna felt like she was going to throw up. Suddenly, it got really humid in the room. She wondered if it was the tight corset she wore underneath the gown causing her to get light-headed. She felt like she couldn't breathe.

So this is why he hadn't come to rescue her. He had already moved on. All this time she had been fighting with her father and accepting his punishment, while he was no doubt fucking around. She felt like the world's largest jackass.

She glanced back in his direction. He was sipping his bottle of beer while the redhead leaned her entire body into him. She couldn't break down right now. She couldn't lose it. Her body felt like she was moving a ton of weight with each step she and Chris took into the ballroom.

'I can do this,' Sienna thought to herself. She turned away from him and tried with all her might to block him out. Even though tears were stinging her eyes, she took a deep breath and tried to smile at the other guests passing by and saying 'hi'.

Chris stood awkwardly beside her. He had seen how happy she had been until she glanced over toward the far corner of the room, and then her whole demeanor had changed. Chris had followed her eye line and had seen who he could only assume was BT or Brandon with some good looking red headed woman.

He was an intimidating looking guy. And not because of his size, because he was big but not that big. 6'3 or 6'4 Chris thought, which was only and inch or two taller than him. But there was something about him. The way he stared. Chris couldn't figure out if his glare was aimed at Sienna or him.

Chris would never admit it to Sienna, but Brandon freaked him out. He had heard some tales from first year recruits about BT. They had tons of stories. All of the new recruits seemed to have a lot of respect for him.

Chris glanced at a teary eyed Sienna. He really liked her and he didn't want to see her suffering like this. So even though he hated dancing, he asked her to dance. He had seen her wiping her face and she smiled at him and took his hand as he led her to the dance floor.

"When are you going to ask me to dance?" Rachel asked. Brandon really didn't feel like dealing with her tonight. But he did like her and she was never one to pass up a party. They had some good times together drinking and fucking, but he hadn't see her for quite some time. Until tonight, when he asked her to attend the ball with him.

He also liked Rachel because she wasn't the needy type. Unlike April, Rachel knew when to go home. And the way he was feeling tonight, he'd need just that. Someone he could fuck and who would then leave him alone so he could wallow in his misery.

Every time that asshole put his hands around Sienna during a slow song, Brandon tensed up. He couldn't help it. She had seemed surprised that he was there. Almost happy, but he couldn't understand why. It's not like she had been sitting at home waiting for him.

He hated her right then at that moment. She didn't give a shit about him. That was apparent. If she had, she would have come to see him. Somehow she would have managed, instead of him looking like a drunk fucking lunatic cursing the Commander out in his own front yard. Fucking bitch!

Rachel was 5'10 so she was tall enough to rest her head against the shoulder of his tall frame. He grabbed another beer as the waiter passed by. Fuck, he'd get toasted again tonight. He and Rachel could play drunk strip poker like they did a few months back before Sienna came bombarding into his life like a wrecking ball.

Brandon felt Rachel's tongue flick the bottom of his ear. He turned to her and kissed her quickly. She smiled back to him. 'All's fair in love and war,' Brandon thought as he grabbed Rachel's hand and led her out to the dance floor.

Sienna heard the bass drop in her favorite song, 'Love in this club' by Usher. Normally she would have been so happy, but she could barely muster a steady rhythm. Chris tried to twirl her in his arms, but she almost tripped over her dress when she saw Brandon and the red head on the dance floor.

They were about 15 feet from Sienna, but they might as well been standing right beside her. She tried to focus on Chris, but her eyes kept drifting to the couple dirty dancing.

Brandon grabbed Rachel's ass and hiked her red dress up even further. She started grinding into him and running her hands down the length of his body while singing off key to the song.

The girl was all over Brandon, and Sienna started feeling sick again. What the fuck was wrong with him? Why would he do this to her?

Sienna put her arms around Chris's neck and glanced at Brandon. He grinned in her direction and then took a sip from his beer while the red headed bitch turned around and bent over in front of him.

That was it! Sienna had seen enough. Obviously he was sleeping with this woman too. Sienna couldn't believe she had fought with her father for damn near a month over this asshole.

"I'm sorry Chris, I need, I need--, I'm sorry, I have to get a second to..." was all she got out before she started to walk away. She wasn't sure where she was going, but she had to go.

"Oh, no worries. Take your time," Chris told her as he followed her off the dance floor.

Sienna hadn't meant to do it, but she glanced at Brandon one more time. He was damn near making out with his date on the dance floor. She felt tears stinging her eyes again. She had to get out of there now.

She started walking up the giant winding staircase. This mansion was huge. Maybe she could get lost in it, she thought to herself. She scanned the artwork as she took a random hall leading toward the back of the house.

Bingo! She found an area upstairs with a powder room. She sat down on the pink cushy stool and stared at herself in the mirror. She grabbed a Kleenex and dabbed at the corner of her eyes and then laid her head down on the cool vanity top. She thought about the apology that she was going to have to deliver to her father tonight.

"You look beautiful," a familiar deep voice said to her.

Sienna looked up and stared at him through the reflection in the mirror.

"What do you want?" she asked Brandon.

"You sure do move quickly. Think that kid was ready to propose to you," he said with his white cap underneath his arm while sipping his drink.

Sienna spun around in her seat, "Fuck you!"

"Any time, any place."

Sienna turned away from him and continued to pamper herself in the mirror. She couldn't think when he looked at her like that.

"Chris is a great guy. He finished his first year at Annapolis and his father is a Vietnam hero and really big into charities. He's sweet and considerate, which is nothing like you, actually," she spat at him.

"Well, he's close to your age, black and from a good family. Shit, I missed the boat on all of those. You're right, he's nothing like me," Brandon retorted sarcastically as he walked closer to her.

"Stop right there! You know none of those reasons are why my father doesn't want us together," she said rising to her feet.

"Maybe not the race or family thing, but he does think I'm too old for you."

"Well, in 2 or 3 years who really cares," she quietly said.

Brandon walked over to Sienna and stood behind her. He got a chill thinking of what happened the last time they were in a bathroom together. That thought just made him feel like shit. He wanted to hurt her now.

"So, you going to show lil Chris a good time tonight?" Brandon whispered to her. "After all, I know how hot you can get if--"

Sienna stood up quickly and swung at him stopping him mid-sentence, but he had seen it coming. He grabbed her wrist and jerked her toward him.

Brandon stared down at her. Fuck, he was starting to get hard. She had the most beautiful brown doe eyes he'd ever seen. Her nose was tiny and round and her lips were soft and full. He could tell she was scared, but also excited.

But then the resentment started to build back up in his chest. She was going to pay.

He pushed her away.

Sienna stumbled back. She was two seconds from leaning up and kissing him until he had shoved her. She couldn't believe she had almost given in that quickly.

"Why didn't you make an effort to come see me?" Brandon vented.

"I did make an effort Brandon! I tried. My father wouldn't--"

"Bullshit! You're fucking 18 years old and you can't stand up to your dad and tell him that you want to be with me?! Fuck you! I've seen you stomp your feet and snap your little spoiled fingers and get your way. If you WANTED to see me, you could have."

"I tried! He took my phone, computer, credit cards and my car. Every form of communication I had! He wouldn't even let me hang out with Lori. And then he threatened--"

"I damn near got arrested for your ass! Oh, boo fucking hoo he took your credit cards away!" Brandon yelled, interrupting her again. He was so pissed right now, he knew he should just walk away, but he couldn't.

"You what?" Sienna asked. Arrested? Her father hadn't mentioned anything to her about that. "So you came by the house then?" she asked with hope in her voice.

Brandon stared at her, his chest rising up and down quickly. He didn't know if he wanted to choke her or fuck her at that moment. Or both.

"Yeah, I came by twice last week, while you weren't there. You obviously had something...or someone more important to do," he retorted, burning a hole through her with his eyes.

Sienna stopped to think about this new information. But still, his date was downstairs waiting for him. She was confused.

"Who's the woman you're with?" she asked as she turned back around to play with her hair some more.

"Who gives a shit?"

"I do," she said. But Sienna couldn't help herself. He had intentionally hurt her by bringing that other woman, and she wanted to wound him back.

"But never-mind actually, I don't care who she is. I'll be going home with Chris tonight anyway, and since my father won't be coming home until late, Chris and I will have the whole place to ourselves."

And she glanced up at him in the mirror, and slowly said, "Including my bedroom."

In an instant she was being lifted off the stool and pushed into the wall. He grabbed both of her hands and pushed them into her chest, pinning them there. She could see the veins starting to surface from his neck.

His other hand lightly rested around her neck, and his thumb flexed over the base of her throat. Brandon felt his insides burning. Why did she do that to him? Why did she say these fucking comments that she knew would set him off?

"Sienna," he warned in a low tone, narrowing his emerald eyes at her, "Don't fuck with me."

Sienna didn't know if it was the way he was looking at her, or touching her, or how intense he was at the moment, but she strangely started to get turned on. She could feel the wetness between her legs.

Brandon knew he would never hurt her, but sometimes he wanted to pull her ass over his lap again and wear it out. The thought of her even entertaining the idea of that guy entering her bedroom, made his stomach turn. But Brandon was sick and frustrated with all of it.

So he let go, walked toward the door and turned to her.

"You know," he said while in deep thought. "I believed you. When you told me you loved me, I believed you."

"Brandon, I--" Sienna started.

"Don't worry about it. We had a good few days, right? When you grow up, give me a call," he said to her as he walked out.

Sienna couldn't breathe again. She tried to avoid it as long as she could, but her chin started to quiver and then the tears started pouring down her face.

"Knock, knock," Chris said while entering. He immediately froze when he saw her crying.

Sienna tried to turn her head away. She fanned her face and tried to smile through her blurry vision.

"Crap. Sorry, I'm a mess right now. And sorry it took me so long," she apologized.

"Hey, no problem. It's so boring down there anyway. But your father is about to make a speech. Are you okay?" he asked.

Sienna shook her head 'yes' but she couldn't stop the tears. Chris walked over to her and handed her some tissue. She noticed him out of the corner of her eye staring at her.

"Was that BT leaving? That's his name, right?" Chris asked. He had been about to enter when Brandon rushed out of the room and slowed in his tracks when he saw Chris approaching. The two men stared at each other for a moment. But then Brandon turned and walked away.

She shook her head again as she blew into the tissue.

"Oh. Hey look, this is none of my business, but this relationship doesn't seem all that healthy to me," he said.

"It's complicated," was all Sienna was able to say.

"Okay. Is it alright that I'm with you?" Chris asked. "I only wonder because I heard he can be a little crazy and I just don't want him to come back in here and kill me or anything, you know," Chris laughed nervously.