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I knock on the door to Jason’s room but hear no answer. My hand turns the doorknob, and I open the door a few inches, disappointed to find that he is not inside. I sulk over to my room across the hall, and when I walk in, I’m startled.
“Jason, you scared me,” I say, bringing my hand to my chest.
“I didn’t even do anything. I’m just sitting here.” He's lounging on the extra-long bench attached to the big bay window in my room, which overlooks the backyard. I’ve spent so much time reading in that same spot.
“What are you doing?” I ask, taking a seat on the other side of the bench. The bench is long enough for both of us to have our legs stretched out fully without touching.
“I could ask you the same thing,” he says, with a slight smirk. “Want to explain to me why we are going to the Lonely Tavern tonight for dinner?”
“Well …” I look out the window and try to decide how I should explain this.
“Let me guess. It has to do with the guy who drove you home today?” Jason asks.
“How’d you know?”
“Call it a brotherly intuition.”
“Ok. Maybe, it has to do with that,” I say as my cheeks flush.
“Well, are you going to let me know who he is? I am yourbigbrother, after all.” He crosses his burly arms over his chest.
“Ok fine, but please don’t say anything to mom and dad,” I plead.
“Oh, so they do know who he is. Well, this is getting interesting.” He scratches his chin like he’s deep in thought.
“Yes, and actually …” I pause and take a deep breath, worried what he is going to think. “You know him too.”
“Go on,” he says hesitantly.
“Wait, you have to promise me you won’t say anything,” I insist before continuing.
“Nat, you know I won’t say anything. I promise.” He looks reassuringly at me.
“Ok. You’re right. I know you won’t.” I take another deep breath, trying to find the courage to say his name out loud. “It’s Nathan. Nathan Thomas. You might know him as Nate.” I look at Jason, who shows no emotion and sits in silence for what feels like an eternity. “Well, are you going to say something?”
He bursts out laughing. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see you sweat it out.” I roll my eyes before crossing my arms over my chest in annoyance. “I like the guy. He seems pretty cool.” He shrugs his shoulders. “I mean, I don't personally know him, but I remember him being pretty damn good at baseball, and sometimes I would see him working at the yacht club when I went there with Dad. I’ve seen him around town a few times with friends.” He looks out the window and then back at me. “And oh yeah, his brother, Nick, is in the grade below me. We’ve played some pickup basketball games at school every now and then.”
I nod my head in acknowledgment. “Alright, well, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I feel better.” In fact, I’m relieved. “You know your opinion means more to me than anyone else’s would.”
“Well, someone’s got to look out for you and your horrible taste in men,” he teases.
“Hey, not true,” I say as I inch my foot closer to him to kick his, but I can barely reach, so it’s more of just a light tap.
“My foot!” He rolls off the bench and onto the floor with a loud thud and holds his foot in the air. “How will I ever play football again?”
“If that hurt, then what do you do when a three-hundred-pound guy charges at you on the field?”
“Run for dear life and never look back,” he responds, making us both laugh.
Jason gets up from the ground, pretends to limp, and then sits back on the bench. “So, what’s the game plan for tonight?”
“Well, I was hoping you might be able to drive me to the Lonely Tavern? And possibly back home too? Nathan is planning on being there tonight, and I didn’t give him a definite answer on whether I could go or not, but I would like to see him.”
“Alright, I guess I could get a few of my friends to meet me there.” He pulls out his phone and starts swiping his finger over the screen.
“Thanks, Jason.” He gives me a knowing smile.
“If he hurts you, though, I will have to kill him. You know that right?” he asks, his tone serious.
