"What? Off about what?"
"He's not into me. After Vance had a fit, and I told him that Chase told me he's into someone, Vance filled in the pieces a bit."
"Explain."
"It was nice. We were just talking. I asked about his deployment, and he asked about my plans for school...he called us trouble." I smiled. Taylor put her hands on her hips, "Double Trouble." She throws me a wink. I laugh, "Yeah, that's what he said."
"Okay…so..." She waves her hand for me to continue.
"It somehow got a bit personal. I kind of called him a whore, and he just went off, saying he likes women, but it's not like he sleeps with a ton, though he can't speak for Vance." She makes a face. "I know. I did the same thing. Anyway, I felt like crap for judging him. He said when he's into someone, that's all he sees. He made that specific. I wasn't quite sure how to take it until Vance said he hooked up with this chick."
She looked taken aback, exactly how I felt. "What?"
"Yessss."
"Wait, so he came home, hooked up with some girl, and is now seeing her? I'm not buying it. I see the way he looks at you."
"Then why tell me all this? I mean he says he doesn't sleep around but did just that?" This is starting to piss me off. I groan. "Yanno what? It doesn't matter. Vance was PISSED that we even drove together. That whole conversation was scary. I can't even imagine how we'd manage to get away with dating. I don't know why I'd think otherwise. Let's go…" I grab her hand and pull her towards the open field.
A bunch of our classmates greet us as we make our way to our usual spot at the log near the fire. I have to force myself not to look around. Someone takes a seat next to me, wrapping their arm around my shoulder, I startle and look over at the person. "Jerry!" I yell as soon as I see my very good friend. I snake my arm around his waist and squeeze him.
"Hi, my love!" he says laughing. Seeing Jerry brightens my mood immediately. He is one of the most attractive and charismatic guys I've had the pleasure of knowing. It's a shame for the female population because he does not see us in the same way they see him.
"How are you, baby?" he asks.
"Better now." I wink at him.
"You little flirt." He laughs.
"Is it working?"
"Oh baby doll, if I were to try to be straight for any girl, it'd be you." I grab at my chest, above my heart, and I sigh loudly, "If dreams could come true!"
"Stoppp, you're going to make me blush."
"Hey, Jer!" Taylor leans over me.
"Hey Tay Tay, how you doin' love?"
"Just peachy," she throws back.
"How was the track?" He asks.
"Ugh! My car broke."
"No way!" Jerry shouts.
"Yes, way."
"Oh honey, I'm sorry. You want a drink?"
"Yes, Please!"
"K, I'll be right back!" He gets up and walks away.
"He is too hot for his own good," Taylor swoons.
"Right here," Wes says, staring at her.
She turns to him, "He's gay baby, it's okay." She kisses his cheek, then pushes his face away. Jerry returns juggling with three plastic cups. He hands one to Taylor, then one to me, and takes his seat next to me. I take a sip of my beer.
"Giirrrlll. That fine specimen over there is staring at you," he says in my ear, causing me to choke on the beer. I start coughing like crazy. Jerry is patting my back. "Oh my gosh! You okay?"
I continue hacking up a lung. "I'm good. Wrong tube." I pat my chest.
"V, It's Chase," Taylor whispers.
"I can't look," I tell them, finally getting the coughing under control.
"What is going on?" Jerry asks.
"Nothing." I give Tay a warning, then glance at Wes.
"He won't say anything. I'll make him promise." Tay whispers. She moves closer to us,
"They're hot for each other," Taylor offers. I smack her on the thigh.
"Ow!" She rubs her leg, "You hoe!"
"I'd say! Damn, the way he's watching you."
"How is he watching me?" I question, looking between them.
“With the way he’s glaring at me...I don't think he knows. That’s jealousy,” He pauses, “Should I be scared?" Jerry's panic makes me laugh.
"No worries, honey. I will protect you," I tell him. Jerry grabs my thigh, "Good, I can't have him messing up my face. It's too pretty." We're all laughing hard and only when the heat from the fire disappears, my eyes flash open. Chase is hovering over us, forcing me to crane my neck up. His eyes are hard and his arms are crossed over his chest. The laughter dies on my lips.
"Hey Chase," Taylor says. "What brings you this way?" she asks sweetly.
"I don't think we've met." He ignores Taylor, lowering into a crouch in front of us. Jerry grips my thigh tighter, and I place my hand on his. Chase doesn't miss it, his eyes move from Jerry’s face to his hand, then glances at me before looking back at Jerry. The hand on my thigh disappears instantly, “Hey, we haven't met, that is. I’m Jerry.”
"Chase," his response is simple; to the point. He looks at me, and then back at Jerry again. This is weird.
"Well girlies, it was fun catching up. I see a hottie over there, and my gaydar is going off." He points to the complete opposite side. I smile, "Go get em' tiger."
"Oh, I will honey." He winks at me and looks at Tay. "Bye love." Then whispers to Chase, "Nice to meet you, handsome." Chase coughs and clears his throat. "Yeah, you too."
We all watch as Jerry struts off. Chase takes Jerry's place next to me, resting his arms on his knees.
"He seems...nice."
"Jerry? Yeah, he's great," I say back. He tips my cup and looks into it. "Brave girl. Your brother's right over there." He nods across the way. I look up, but Vance is too consumed with some girl. A blonde within their group glances our way, crosses her arms, and takes a sip from her cup. She looks back at some guy, and laughs, but focuses her eyes back at us again. I wonder if this girl is who he's seeing. I silently shake my thoughts away. "Yeah, I don't think he cares. His attention is elsewhere."
Chase laughs, "I guess you're right."
I take a sip. "I think that girl wants your attention," I bump my shoulder with his. He catches a glimpse of the blonde, and she smiles wide at his attention. He sighs loudly; clearly annoyed, which confuses the heck out of me. Vance has finally noticed that Chase is missing, he's looking around the area but doesn't look this way. He says something to the female companion, who then points our way. I quickly hide my cup, hoping he doesn’t see. He squints, his jaw clenches, then waves Chase over.
"You're being summoned."
"I can see." He sighs, "I better go see what he wants."
"Yeah, you better," I tell him.
"Have a good night girls," he grunts, and then he’s gone.
"Giiiirrrllllll," Taylor drags out, "I think the only girl he's into is you."