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. Jason 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
