Oh, shut up!I think to myself.
“Did you say something, Jake?” Coach asks as he walks up to our table.
I shake my head. “Nope, you must be hearing things, Coach.” I brush it off. None of them need to know I talk to myself. Although, I am sure they all do it, especially where girls are concerned.
I don’t know what in the hell I was thinking. I should be celebrating, having a great time with the guys and my team, but no, I’m sitting here sulking, while everyone else is having a great time.
I can’t stop watching them. Part of me wants to go over there and drag her out of this place and away from him. The other part of me wants to punch his lights out. I’ve never felt such anger and violence before.It’s jealousy, and you have it bad.
I look at my watch and see it’s after eleven. Shouldn’t he be taking her home soon? I look back up, and they are laughing, having such a good time. He makes her happy. I need to stop. I should want what makes her happy, and I should be happy for her. It’s what a good best friend would do. It’s what I should do. And I will. I will be the best friend she has ever had, and one of these days, she will see I am the perfect guy for her. And who knows, I just might still punch Randy.
Yeah, I got it bad.
***
I really thought as I got older, my feelings for Jayden would change. I mean, I was in seventh grade when I met her, and I realized I really liked her in eighth grade. Kids’ stuff, right? Nope, the older I got, the deeper my feelings grew. I watched her date Randy for two years. Even when he left junior high and went to the high school, they continued to date until the day it simply didn’t work anymore.
It was a few days before the end of our ninth-grade year. Jayden was so excited because next year, we would be at the high school and she would see Randy all the time. I was dreading it. And then her excitement plummeted. Randy told her he wanted to date other girls and it was over.
Jayden was devastated, and I was the one who was there for her. I really thought then she would see me as more than a friend, but nope. By the beginning of tenth grade, she was dating John, or Mark, or Dave. Mark and Dave are twins, and I could never figure out which one she was dating. I don’t think she could at times either. And then there was another Mark. Now that I think about it, I believe there were three Marks. I can’t remember. The point is none of them were me.
Now we’re juniors, and Jayden and I are still friends—great friends. At least that has never changed. I’m still playing football, and Jayden is a varsity cheerleader. I’m glad our families are close ’cause even though we aren’t dating, our families get together at least once a week, and their friendship gives me more time to spend with Jayden.
Tonight is bridge night, and the McKenzies are hosting. That means we have dinner at their house and then the “adults” drink wine and play bridge. Then I drive Mom and Dad home. I don’t care. At least I get to hang out with Jayden.
After dinner is finished and the kitchen is squared away, Jayden asks, “So, what do you want to do?” She looks at the kitchen table as our parents are getting ready to start their game. “We can watch TV down here and deal with their noise.” Our parents get excited when they play cards. Sometimes it is really fun to watch, but other times, it’s embarrassing. “Or we can go hang out in my room, where it’s quiet.”
I laugh. “Let’s go to your room. Let the adults have their fun.”
Jayden laughs as well as she turns and heads for the stairs.
We get into her room, and she walks to her record player. “Who do you want to listen to?”
“Who do you got?” I ask.
“Oh, I have a bunch of albums.” She shuffles through, reading each one. “Queen, Billy Joel, REO Speedwagon, J. Geils Band, Elton John, Steve Miller, and Leif Garrett.”
I burst out laughing, “You have a Leif Garrett album?”
“Yeah, I do,” she says proudly.
“Isn’t he that guy who sings ‘Run Around Sue’?”
“He is, and he’s cute too.”
“Whatever, I’m not listening to Leif Garrett.” I look back at the stack and ask, “KISS?”
She winces. “I don’t have any KISS albums. I’ve never really been into their music.”
“Jayden, are you kidding me? I know you would love KISS. I’m so buying you a KISS album. Anything to get you away from teeny-bopper Leif Garrett.”
I grab the stack of albums and look for myself. “How about Elton John?” I suggest Elton not only because I like him but I know she adores him. I believe he is her all-time favorite musician.
She squeals. “I was hoping you would pick that one.” She has several Elton John albums, and to no surprise to me, she picksGoodbye Yellow Brick Road. She takes the album out of the jacket like it is a fine piece of china. She gently places it on the stereo, turns it on, and positions the needle at the start. She does it with so much reverence, and I know why. She loves Elton John.
As Elton’s music fills the room, we sit on the floor and lean against the side of the bed. For a while, we just listen to the music, and it’s nice—nice that there is no awkwardness between us and we can sit here and not have to talk to be comfortable. My thoughts begin to go places they shouldn’t, and I think, if I just kiss her, maybe she will realize. Once the thought enters my head, I can’t make it go away no matter how hard I try.
She is sitting there looking through the album jacket. How many times has she looked at that?
