This is getting uncomfortable. I know that Owen probably senses the tension between Jason and me and is only trying to help, but I can feel Jason’s blood boiling. He doesn’t like Owen already, and this can only go in one direction at this point… south.
“She’s not going anywhere until we’re finished talking,” Jason says.
“Wait-” I try putting an end to this but Owen over talks me.
“What you and Adrienne are going through is none of my business, but she’s my friend and I know she isn’t comfortable right now, which means that I’m uncomfortable.”
“Is that fucking right? Damn, Adrienne, you have a lot of men in your life that are always trying to talk to you when I’m around.”
“Listen man, maybe you call the shots in the locker room and on the field, but right now you’re in front of my house. This is my ball game. And you’re harassing one of my friends. So you need to go before I call the police.”
The police?
Okay, wait, this is getting out of hand. I’ve never seen this side of Owen. I’ve only ever thought of him as a reliable study buddy, but now I see his value as a genuine friend. Someone willing to stick up for me just in case I need a little backup, albeit a little too zealously.
“Thanks, Owen, but Jett (I can’t believe I just called him that) and I were just finishing up a little conversation that was long overdue. I’ll be up in three minutes.”
“You sure?”
He touches my shoulder.
“Yes, thanks.”
Jason laughs cynically as Owen returns inside the house. Then he paces back and forth in front of me like a maniac who gulped down too many energy drinks.
“What?!”
“You’re giving me three goddamn minutes?”
“Watch your mouth and I’m here to study, not chop it up with you.”
“Are you fucking him?”
“What did you just ask me?”
“Are you sleeping with that prick?”
“I’m not going to even dignify that with an answer. Go home.”
His eyes look panicked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I don’t know what I’m saying.”
“You’re right, you don’t. I’m going in the house, Jason. You need to leave.”
“I just miss you so damn much.”
Why can’t I just confess? I miss him too.
“We haven’t even known each other that long. Just go back to doing whatever you were doing before you met me.”
“That’s the thing, beautiful, I wasn’t doing a fucking thing, and I didn’t even realize it. I was just passing time before I met you.”
My head drops.
“You made me cry.”
“What?” He lifts my head to meet his gaze.
