We’re about halfway down Main Street when I look up and find Jade in the crowd, standing with Pearl and Blake. I toss them a handful of candy, then toss Jade the only beaded necklace that has tiny little footballs instead of rounded beads. She catches it, puts it on her neck, then smiles and blows me a kiss before waving like I’m her favorite person in the world. I see Pearl whisper something to her, and she smiles and nods. She looks content, and that makes me happier and more excited for the day.
By the time the parade ends, I’m out of candy and hopping off the float. Jade, Pearl, and Blake make their way over to me. Jade jumps into my arms, and I pull her against me for a hug with a wide smile. I set her on her feet just as Pearl and Blake walk up.
“A lot of people from my class are meeting up tonight at The Place. You guys want to go?”
They all agree to go, and we all walk over to the bar, which is already filling up with the townspeople. Blake snags us a table while I grab us all a round of drinks. I get a pitcher of beer and four glasses. Jade meets me at the table with shots for everyone.
She takes her seat and holds up her shot. “To us, just like old times.”
We all toast to that and toss back the liquid.
Eleven
Jade
Time passes quickly with the four of us together, drinking, laughing, and talking. There’s a band setting up on stage, and more and more people are piling in through the doors to hang out before the football game starts.
“You guys want to go to the game? Come on. For old time’s sake?” Pearl asks, giving us all those big eyes of hers while she bats her lashes.
We all agree to swing by the game when it starts. The music starts, and Memphis takes my hand and pulls me to the dance floor. He spins me around like a professional dancer, and I can’t do anything but laugh and grow hotter as I feel his body moving with mine. Pearl and Blake join us on the dance floor, and for a moment, it feels like we’re all back in high school again, except Blake wasn’t even on Pearl’s radar, not as much as his younger brother anyway.
We dance and drink the day away until it’s time for the game to start. We all group together and make the short walk to the field a few blocks away. We stock up on soda and junk food before finding our spot in the bleachers.
The homecoming game is one of the biggest games of the season around here, and the whole town shows up for it. The stands are so crowded that we’re packed in like sardines, but it’s the way everyone likes it. We’re a big football town and love the homecoming game because we always play the neighboring town. There have been years of rivalry between the two, and it’s always the best game.
Not much is said between us as we watch the game. We cheer when we score, and we boo when the opposite teams gains on us. We’re neck and neck for the first quarter, and it keeps us all on the edge of our seats.
I lean into Memphis and bump him with my shoulder. “It feels like a lifetime ago but just yesterday at the same time, doesn’t it?”
He laughs. “It really does. I remember being on that field with these lights shining down on me.”
I smile. “And I was sitting right here, cheering you on.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer as his lips land on mine.
“Jay, come to the bathroom with me?” Pearl asks.
I agree, and we head down the stands and toward the bathrooms. While she goes, I head to the concession stand to grab some nachos. I’m standing in line when I hear a man say my name.
“Jade?”
I turn around at the unfamiliar voice and am face to face with Paul.
My mouth drops open, and my eyes stretch wide as I try to figure out what’s going on. “Paul?”
He smiles wide and nods. “It’s me.”
I grab his wrist and pull him off to the side, away from the long line of people trying to get their snacks. “What are you doing here? How?”
He shrugs as he tucks his hands into his pockets. “Sorry for just showing up like this. I haven’t been able to log back on, and I had some time off, so I figured I’d come see you. I stopped in town, and they said everyone was at this game, so here I am.”
I giggle and smile, suddenly nervous. “You haven’t been able to see any of the messages I sent you?”
“No, we had another big storm, and it knocked out a lot of power. That’s why I got some time off. Can’t work without power. And I was worried that you’d be concerned since you hadn’t heard from me.”
“Jay, who’s this?” Pearl asks, coming up to stand at my side.
“Oh.” I look from Paul, to her, and back. “This is…this is Paul,” I finally say, pulling it all together.
Pearl looks from him to me with wide eyes. “Oh, Paul. Internet Paul?”
He laughs and shoots her a warm smile. “That’s the one. It’s nice to meet you. Pearl, I assume?” He holds out his hand.
Pearl manages to wipe away the shock covering her face and returns his smile. “Yeah, yep. I’m Pearl.”
I grab her arm and pull her back a few steps, holding up my finger to Paul. “What the hell do I do?” I whisper, hoping he doesn’t overhear me.
“I thought you said you broke things off with him,” she whispers back.
“I did, but he hasn’t seen his messages yet. They had a storm that knocked out power. He thought I’d be worried, so he came here. I can’t break up with him after he’s traveled all this way.”
“What about Memphis? Please don’t screw things up with him, Jay. He’s the love of your life, the one you never thought you’d get back, but you did. You did, Jay!”
I take a deep breath. “I know, but Paul.” I gesture toward him, and we both look in his direction as he lifts his arm to check his watch.
“So what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to take him back to my place. We’ll sit down, have a talk, and then I’ll break the news to him.”
“And Memphis?”
Fuck. Memphis. I can’t exactly tell him that I’m taking another man home to my apartment alone. “Just tell him I wasn’t feeling well and had to leave.”
She nods.
“No, then he’ll come check on me. Fuck, Pearl. What do I say?”
She thinks it over for a moment. “I’ll tell him that your mom called and was needing your help. I’ll tell him that you’ll just call him tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I nod. “Thanks. I never in a million years thought that he’d show up here.”
“Me neither,” she agrees, stretching her eyes wide.
She heads back to the stands, and I lead Paul out of the football field, toward my apartment building.
“I only live a few blocks from here,” I tell him as he walks by my side.
I can’t believe that he’s here. I can’t believe that he’s real. He’s drop dead sexy, just like in all his pictures. I smirk and shake my head.
“What? What is it?” he asks, feeling out of the loop.
“It’s just that…I was almost convinced that you weren’t who you said you were. I thought I was talking to some fifty-year-old man that lived in his mom’s basement. I thought your pictures were something stolen off someone’s Facebook profile. I’m a little shocked that you’re here. I mean, you’re hot! How are you still single?”