HIM

by J. M. Elliott

  A knock at my window startles me from my pity session. I look up to see that it's Jason, standing there in just pants, no shirt, and barefoot. I roll down my window.

  "Alicat, are you ghosting me now?" he says in all seriousness.

  I am confused as hell by his comment and the blank expression on his face. I open my mouth to ask him what the fuck he means. However, before I can utter a single word, he blurts out.

  "You sleep with me then leave. I'm crushed!" he bursts out laughing in the most resonant belly laugh that I've heard from him in forever.

  I glare at him and tell him to fuck off. Then, I start laughing myself as he had me going for a second there.

  "Let's go get some breakfast," he takes a moment from his laughter to say.

  "Um, I'm pretty sure it's lunchtime now, Jay," I reply as I squint to look up at him.

  "Well, whatever, let me go grab some shoes," he states as he takes off back to his house in a little jog.

  "And a shirt!" I yell.

  Chapter Seventy-Four

  Jason hops in the passenger seat of my car, fully clothed. His face is a bit scruffy with a chin full of more than a five o'clock shadow. Although he looks quite hot. He can rock out any outfit he wears. The only other person I know who can pull that off is Luke. Good thing I was able to salvage some of my makeup and apply new lip gloss when he ran back into the house.

  Jason plays with my radio, and I'm suddenly brought into some crazy deja vu feeling as I vaguely remember a moment like this one with him from back in our High School days. He was once my best friend, and we did everything together. He smiles at me as he turns up the volume to a silly song we used to jam out to and begins doing a little dance in his seat. The song's echoed start brings a huge smile across my face as I watch Jason's goofy moves to

  Ssss-Aaaa-Ffff-Eeee-Tttt-Yyyy Safety Dance!

  He mouths all the words to me as the song progresses; I laugh, also chiming in here and there to the part when the woman says, "and sing." What a great way to work off a hangover on a Saturday morning.

  We head to the local bar and grill since Jason wants a greasy burger as well as a Bloody Mary. Those are so gross, but a greasy burger doesn't sound half as bad right now.

  "So, who was the chick in bed with us?" I giggle, making some small talk.

  "I honestly have no clue what her name is. She came with some of the other girls last night, but she isn't from around here as far as I know," he says, shrugging his shoulders.

  "Classy," I reply, sliding my sunglasses on.

  "She has nice tits and a mean blow job, but it was like fucking a warm cup of water," he exaggerates.

  Ugh, that's a visual I did not want or need to add to the one I saw of the poor girl this morning that has burnt into my retinas.

  "Yuck, Jay," I practically gag.

  "What? She was loose as fuck," he smirks.

  "Loose or is your dick just that small." I chuckle.

  Puffing up his chest, in defense, he lets out, "It was pressed up against your back all morning, so why don't you tell me?"

  My mouth drops open as I look over at him with sheer disgust then punch him. He flinches, lifting his leg and arms to shield himself.

  "I bet you got a good look at the beast this morning," he laughs.

  "You're gross," I growl.

  I pull into the bar and grill. As we walk toward the entrance, I pull my dress down, and Jason reaches under it from the back, pinching my ass. I punch him as hard as I can. He laughs while putting his arms up as a truce. I walk behind him since I don't trust his sneakiness. He opens the door for me, and I tuck my dress under my butt to protect myself.

  "I hate that fucking dress, by the way," he says through his teeth.

  "Why?" I say.

  I look back at him as I smile, still covering my rump.

  "I have a few reasons," he states while pushing me inside the building by the small of my back.

  I raise a brow at him, "Well, enlighten me, please."

  We walk through the building, and I can feel Jason watching me as I move toward the bar.

  "For starters, it's way too fucking short," he whispers in my ear.

  We take a seat at the bar. I look at Jason, he smiles at me then looks around for the bartender. I check the clock as the bartender notices our presence. It's two-thirty already. Holy shit! Jason orders himself a Bloody Mary with all the fixings, two burger baskets, no tomato on mine, and a Shirley Temple for me without the cherry because I'm allergic to them. I can handle artificial cherry, although, like grenadine.

  We joke about how he just up and left the girl in his bed as well as everyone else who had passed out last night at his house. I feel bad for that girl, but she brought it on herself. Jason starts bitching about how big of a slut Bridget is and that his ex-girlfriend gets laid more at his house than he does. It's just like hold times, him bitching about Bridget and bragging about his sex life.

  As we wait for our food, my eyes bug out of my head when I look over the miraculous Blood Mary sitting in front of Jason. He doesn't even need a burger basket with the six-course meal parading out of his drink. There's a beef stick, hard-boiled egg, an olive, pickles, onion rings, motzi sticks, a slab of steak, and a damn muffin. No wonder Bloody's are so popular. By the time you scarf down all the food, you're so exhausted and thirsty; you slam your drink.

  Jason slides the olive off the stick and hands it to me with a wink. He goes back to his conversation with the bartender about a car or something. I drift off a little thinking about Luke and the woman who had answered his phone last night, running every scenario I could think of through my mind. I thought he had asked me to be his girlfriend when he was in Milwaukee and that we were officially dating. Does his disappearance and the woman answering his phone mean that he has broken up with me? I want to call him again, but my phone is in my car charging. I excuse myself to grab it as I watch Jason's eyes follow me then he continues to talk to the bartender.

  I walk out to my car, open the door, and lean over my seat to unplug the charging cord from my phone. I feel hands grasp my hips and a body thrust into my ass. I dart into my seat and look up to see that it's Jason laughing.

  "Gee, don't be so jumpy, Alicat. It's only me! Sorry," he says as he continues laughing.

  I roll my eyes then get out of my car. I push him back with both hands, and I turn on my phone.

  "You really shouldn't bend over in that dress," Jason continues.

  I glare at him, not amused at all, and head back into the building. Our food is waiting for us at our spots at the bar.

  "Are you even still hungry?" I ask, referring to all the food he just ate from his Bloody Mary.

  We sit back down. He looks at me as he lifts a brow and takes an overly large bite of his burger while rolling his eyes in the back of his head as he moans "nom-nom." I guess that answered my question. I roll my eyes and shake my head at his childish antics. I add some ketchup and mustard to my burger before placing the bun on top. I take a bite of the greasy burger, and it hits the spot for my hungover growling belly.

  After we finish our meal, we play a few rounds of pool. I decide to have a few drinks, which help ease my mind over Luke and my hangover. Jason and I are extremely competitive with each other, so our pool game is strong. Jason pays for our food and bar tab before we leave.

  "You okay to drive?" Jason asks.

  "I only had two, I should be okay," I reply.

  He grabs my hand and drags me across the street.

  "Where are we going?" I grumble, badly needing to burp.

  "Let's go for a walk in the park, so your food can soak up the alcohol you just drank before you drive," he replies with a smug smile.

  I roll my eyes and follow closely behind him to the park. I check my phone to see if Luke has called or messaged me, but Jason grabs my phone and takes off running before I can look. I chase after him, yelling for him to stop being a child and give me back my phone. He zig-zags through the park as I pace myself behind him. Ja
son is such an ass! I run after him for a little bit then stop to catch my breath. Jason notices and walks up to me.

  "Out of breath already, tsk tsk," he says in a whiney girly voice.

  "Shut up!" I growl.

  I try to snatch my phone from him. He puts his arm over his head, and I jump for my phone. He then switches it back and forth through his hands over his head. I stop jumping and hang my head down in defeat.

  "What, you can't go two minutes at all without talking to lover boy," his whiney voice echoes.

  I give him a look of a thousand deaths.

  "Woah, touchy, aren't we?" he mumbles.

  He brings his hands down and hands me my phone. The death stare worked.

  "Where is your piece-of-shit knight in shining armor, anyway?" he asks rudely.

  I wish I knew. With one eye squinted from the sun, I look at him then look down at the ground. I admit he has me here because I don't have a clue, and I can't even make up an excuse.

  "I don't know," I sigh.

  An awkward silence takes over for a moment or two before Jason throws me over his shoulder and takes off running through the park. I scream in laughter as his shoulder presses against my bladder, giving me a very sudden urge to pee my pants. I yell for him to put me down before I pee. He sets me down, and I fall over, taking him with me.

  He lands on his back, and I land on top of him with my hands pressed against his chest. We both release an "oft" sound as our bodies finally come to a halt. I look up from Jason's chest, into his baby blue eyes. He looks back into mine then reaches his hand toward my face, running it through my hair and resting his thumb just before my ear, then leans in toward my face.

  I stare into his eyes, then look down his face to his lips and back up to his eyes. Jason brings his face closer to mine. I can feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. I part my lips a little when I feel his nose press against my upper lip. I take a tiny breath, release it, then open my eyes wide. I push myself off Jason and stand up, fixing my dress. All I can think about is Luke right now, and kissing Jason would not be the best thing for me to do.

  Jason sits up and bends one of his legs while fixing his cap. We are both wafting in awkward silence. I look at him and notice that he's also looking back at me; he is a bit flushed. He gives me a slight smirk.

  "Ali, I'm s—" he begins to say as he stands to his feet.

  I interrupt him by shaking my head, then grabbing his hat and taking off running. He stands for a second in disbelief at my recent reactions, then he starts to chase me.

  Chapter Seventy-Five

  The drive back to Jason's place is not as awkward as I thought it would be after we almost exchanged a kiss at the park. He is still being his goofy self and acting as if nothing happened. Well, nothing did happen. I'm glad it didn't, it probably would've ruined our friendship, plus I would've just been another notch on his headboard. We pull down the long driveway to his house. I had a fun afternoon with him; it was like old times minus the moment that almost took place. I missed him and his shenanigans. Although he's grown up a lot appearance-wise, he's still the goofy kid I remember.

  I only notice Jason's truck and two other vehicles remain at his house, now that it's after six.

  "You're coming back tonight, right?" he asks.

  "Um... I don't know if I can handle another night of partying," I give him a side-eye and a smile.

  He rolls his eyes as he opens the door and steps out. He closes my door, still holding onto the window frame as he looks around the yard. He then bends down and rests his elbows on the window.

  "Please," he says with a pouted lip and puppy dog eyes.

  I hate it when he does that. He looks so cute and innocent with those eyes. I huff and roll my eyes at him.

  "Fine," I let out an exaggerated sigh almost effortlessly.

  I know there is no way I could wiggle out of this as he is persistent. I want to be here if Luke comes back tonight so that I can beat Bridget to him. Jason makes a "yes" motion with his body then smiles as he stands up and backs away from my car.

  "Go wash your face because you look like a clown, and please don't wear a short ass dress this time," he yells with a huge shit grin on his face.

  I mouth fuck you and flick him off before turning my car around to head back to my dad's. I do need a shower because I stink, and my makeup looks like a kindergartener did it. As I make my way back down the driveway, I start to think about Luke. I want to call him, but I most certainly don't want to listen to that chick's voice on the other end.

  Then it hits me, what if the woman who answered his phone last night is the one, he told me about from Colorado; the one he said that he last slept with before me, who he would meet up with every few months. My stomach starts to tie in knots, and I begin to not feel very well just thinking about that. I look down at my phone, just chilling in the cupholder. I grab it and set it on my lap. I contemplate for a solid five minutes whether I should call him or not. I decide to call Ris instead.

  "Hey, girl," she answers almost immediately.

  "Hey, Ris," I reply to her without hesitation.

  "How are you doing? Any news on Luke? Did you find out who that skank was that answered his phone?" she asks, with concern in her voice.

  The last two questions I could not answer, and the first one was obvious. I was confused, upset, and conflicted. No matter what, Luke could have just texted me that he needed some time to process things, but he has gone completely MIA.

  "I'm okay; spent the afternoon with Jason. He kept my mind off, Luke," I ramble.

  "There's still no sign of him. I've come to a possible conclusion on who the girl might be, though."

  "Ali, please don't come to any conclusions as they will drive you insane," Ris says sternly.

  Since I've thought about the Colorado woman as a possibility, I have made myself sick. But I don't know who else it'd be or why he'd even be with another woman in the first place. I thought he liked me and was even falling in love with me. That's why all of this doesn't add up. It makes zero sense. I want to understand his reasoning, but I can't when he won't talk to me.

  "Remember when I told you that he said the last girl he slept with before he slept with me was a chick from Colorado, who he would fool around with every few months. What if it was her?" I ask.

  I cringe my teeth waiting for her to explode on me in her Ris way. She is silent for a moment before she speaks. Part of me is thinking that perhaps she agrees with me.

  "Girl, trust me when I tell you this. That man is head over heels for you. I have seen the way he looked at you and had to touch you every chance he could. The information he learned at my parents was a lot to process for him. Shit, it was a lot for me when you told me," she states.

  Ris loves to give me her philosophical speeches. They usually make me feel better about myself and the situations I am in.

  "He needs time to process it. He will be back, and you two will be stronger than ever. Trust me."

  I smile as I know she's probably right, and I have nothing to worry about, but I'm still apprehensive over the whole situation. I, as usual, am very likely overthinking everything. I hope she is right.

  "Oh, I forgot to tell you," she starts to laugh.

  "Brady came into work yesterday as he has taken most of the week off. His face looked so bad. He still had a cut on his eyebrow, nose, and lip. Plus, he had two slight black eyes," she bursts out laughing.

  After she catches her breath from her contagious laugher, she continues with her story.

  "It was the first time that he's ever looked ugly and like an embarrassed little bitch," she chuckles.

  "Good," I reply with some "he deserved it" attitude behind my reply as I laugh with Ris.

  Karma is a bitch. He had it coming to him. Just thinking about Brady makes me queasy but a little relaxed to hear about his new makeover.

  I pull down my dad's driveway and sit in my car while I continue the conversation with Ris. She goes off more about my relationsh
ip with Luke and how we will be just fine once he returns to town. I need to be patient with him and give him some time to process everything. I agree with her, even though it's hard not knowing what's going on with him. I would at least like some acknowledgment from him that he is safe, and we are fine.

  After our call ends, I head into my dad's house. The sun is starting to set, so I need to shower and get ready quick to head back over to Jason's for another night of distractions, I hope. I rush up the stairs and head straight for the bathroom. I turn the shower on, and before I step in, I call Luke.

  It's ringing. My heart starts to pound. It rings for the second time, then the third, and the fourth. Just as I am about ready to hang up Luke answers.

  "Hey."

  I freeze as the voice on the other end is Luke's. My heart drops and begins to pound in my chest. I don't say a word but listen.

  "Ali?" he says.

  A tear slides down my cheek. I lower the phone from my ear, staring down at the floor.

  "Ali? Hello?" he says again, muffled from the distance my phone is from my ear.

  I press the end call button on my phone and hang up as I rest my arm against my thigh. I stare at the floor as I stand there and cry. I'm still very frozen in shock from the voice I heard on the other end of the phone.

  My phone buzzes, and I turn my wrist, which is still hanging down by my thigh. Luke flashes across my screen, and I hit the ignore button. I put my phone on silent then throw it onto the counter of the stink. I slip out of my dress and panties then step into the shower.

  Not thinking for one moment about whatever that was that just happened, I start to scrub my face, body, shave my armpits and legs, and wash my hair. I step out of the shower, wrapping myself in a towel and throwing my hair up in one. I walk into my room and turn on my old CD player. An old school metal song comes on, and I turn up the volume.

  I grab a shirt that has a low scoop neck and rips up the entire back of it. I used to wear a bright neon sports bra with this shirt, but I decided to live dangerously and not wear one tonight. I grab a pair of white ripped jean shorts and my black sandals. I head back into the bathroom to blow-dry and straighten my hair.