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Past
Jase
By the time I get a few drinks in, Nora and Frankie are screaming at each other, and I’m rushing to break it up.
“You’re a piece of shit, Francis Satoray!” Nora yells, and then her palm collides with his face. The smack silences everyone within five feet, me included. I nearly spit out this watery beer I’ve been sipping on since arriving.
“Really? Eleanor? Really! I apologized! I did!”
“I’m fucking pregnant!” Nora yells, making us all falter in our steps.
I watch as Frankie’s face drains of color, his ashen complexion staring back at her then flashing to me in the next moment. I’m stalk-still, holding the beer in my hand, not even sure what to say.
Nora is pregnant.
Oh, fuck.
“You’re what?” Frankie asks, his face still going through the motions.
“I’m. Pregnant. With. Your. Child.” Her words are so slow. It’s like she doesn’t believe he’ll understand her unless she speaks to him like he’s stupid. “Makes it better that we were dumb enough to get married at a fucking drive thru and you didn’t even tell Jase.” My eyes bulge, my mouth stuck wide open. They got married? When? Holy shit. No wonder she’s furious about him cheating. It makes perfect sense.
He tries pulling her into him, but she’s too frantic with tears and flailing arms, and he can’t get a hold of her.
“El,” he softly repeats her name over and over again. “I’m here. I’m here. I got you. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
He finally gets her to stop hitting him, but she’s still sobbing, and I’m still holding my drink, not knowing what the fuck is happening.
Their hushed whispers remind me of my girl and the date I bailed on.
Lo.
I never texted her back. Dammit! She’s going to be pissed.
Whipping my phone out, I see several missed texts, video calls, and regular phone calls.
Jase, you ready for me?
Jase?
Why aren’t you answering?
Babe, you okay?
Did you fall asleep? I’m starting to worry.
What’s going on?
Jason Collins, I swear if you’re playing a joke...
Fine. I’m going to bed. Better hope you’re alive, so I can kill you myself.
I love you for always.
I feel like such a fucker. She’s worried about me while I’m out at a party. At least she’ll appreciate that I’m trying to help her best friend be happy, but the fact that I never told her, well, that’s going to get me in trouble.
Hey, Peaches. I’m so sorry I missed our video call, the texts, and everything. I was trying to help Eleanor and Frankie get back together. Apparently, they’re married. Please don’t be mad. I totally spaced. I love you for always. Text me when you’re up. Hope you’re feeling better and that you ate.
She doesn’t respond, but I’m hoping that’s just because she’s asleep. I’m also hoping she ate since I forgot to text Toby to feed her. Finally, I’m hoping she’s not sick either.
My eyes catch the couple. Frankie no longer holds Nora. He’s standing there, his arms wrapped around himself, and I know it’s not a good outcome.
“I’m done, Francis. I can’t be with a man that makes more time for drinking than be with his wife.”
Did I miss something? They were just hugging.
Francis turns around, his eyes red-rimmed. “Can you keep an eye on her?” he asks as he’s walking toward the door.
“Yeah, man,” I confirm.
“Just need air.”
He stares at Nora for a moment longer, pulls out a joint, and leaves. Do I go after him, or stay and make sure the pregnant chick is okay? He did ask, after all.
All the girls, Maverick included, surround Nora, comforting her. I decide Frankie needs me more than she does.
I set down the drink and head to the door. Outside, it’s lit up with Christmas lights. I think it’s their way of making it seem proper or something. Usually, it’s strobe lights and girls dancing on pool tables. Tonight, it’s not. It’s still loud with EDM and dubstep, but just lacking the usual vibes.
Inside my pocket, my pack of smokes feel heavy. Since college and my coach being on my ass, I’ve tried quitting. After the drama today, my body is twitching for a smoke.
Reaching inside to get them out, I pause on the rectangular box, wondering if Lo would chastise me for my poor choice.
She wouldn’t. She loves me even with all my vices.
I pull out a cig and zippo, and after lighting it, I breathe in the cancer stick like it’s oxygen. I meander through the yard, seeing people making out and drinking, just like old times.
“I thought you were quitting,” Frankie presumes, leaning against the brick wall taking a big hit.
It’s dark out, not even the twinkling lights show him. If not for his voice and the sweet scent burning from his weed, I would never have guessed he’d be over here.
“Says the stoner that said the same thing in high school,” I rebut, sucking in another drag.
“You’re such a smart ass,” he growls. I hear him kick the wall, mentally preparing myself for his breakdown. “Fuck! How did she hide that from me?” He moves past me into the lighted area, gripping his long hair, all while keeping the joint from falling off his lips.
“I don’t know.” I shrug nonchalantly, wondering why she didn’t tell him before. Did she just find out? Maybe that explains her moodiness. “How the fuck did you hide that you guys were fucking married?”
He shakes his head vehemently. “If my parents knew, they’d flip their shit.”
“Other than your age, why would they care?”
“Did you forget my family owns Hollow Ridge?” He rubs his head like he’s unsure of how I missed this. I didn’t, it was another forgotten memory from high school.
“Ah, yes. I remember now.”
“If they knew, they’d cut me off. I’m supposed to marry huge, have some heir or some shit. My family is worth billions, bro. And Ellie? They’ve never approved. They would have forced a prenup on her.”
I nod, shocked that his family is this stuck up.
“I’m so fucked,” he mutters, inhaling more of his sweet smoke. The smell invites me in, it’s been ages since I’ve gotten high. Even longer since I’ve been wasted. With Lo, I don’t need that shit.
“Don’t sweat it, the ‘rents will understand.”
“No, they won’t. They aren’t like Millie and Gene. They love Lo, my parents loathe El. And her being standoffish lately isn’t helping. It only makes me worried about our child.”
“She’s hormonal, dude. She’ll get over it.”
“You swear you didn’t know?”
“What the fuck do I look like, a Jerry Springer host?”
“You talk to her all the time! Didn’t she feel off?” he shouts. “It’s why I’ve been pulling away. I figured she was one foot out the door, heading right to you.” His eyes are full of pain, his jaw tight, and face full of unsurmountable pain. “There’s nothing going on with you two, right?” His voice is insecure and unlike the Frankie I spend most of my days with.
“I wouldn’t do you or Loren like that, Frankie. Maybe she’s just going through the motions,” I attempt to reassure.
Honestly, I hadn’t noticed anything about Nora. I’ve been too stuck on getting good grades so I can get to my girl fast enough. Like Frankie being nervous and jealous, I’m the same with Toby. Being away from them both has me wracked with every fear possible. Shouldn’t I be able to trust that my brother wouldn’t hurt me like that?
But my insecurities could eat me alive. Literally. Piece by doubtful piece, and I’d let them. It’s all I know.
Frankie comes nearly nose to nose with me. “Think it’s mine?” He shudders with his own question then inhales a drag so large I’m surprised he doesn’t pass out from lack of air.
My surprise must be on my face.
He shakes his head. “I’m not trying to be a dick, Jase. It’s just odd timing. And she’s been absent for weeks.”
All true but it doesn’t feel accurate.
“Are you projecting?” I offer, trying to understand what I’ve missed while being focused on my classes.
“Dude, have you really not noticed shit?” he says, exasperated.
“I’ve been kind of busy. Not only does Coach have me doing twice the work as usual for nationals, but I’ve been making sure I finish all my assignments right as class ends rather than procrastinating like I did in high school. If there were moments shit went down, and I missed it, I wouldn’t be surprised. My only goals are to graduate and get back to Loren.”
He kicks his foot into the ground. His anger, frustration, and horror seem to be corroding his usually laid-back demeanor, and I honestly don’t know what to do for him.
“I keep getting wasted in result of her absence. I’ve been hanging out with you constantly. The worry that you both have been fucking behind my back has been my biggest concern, and I kissed Maverick in hopes Ellie would come back to me. Fight for me. Be with me. Her mind is elsewhere. We rarely have sex, and we don’t see each other. She’s constantly making excuses as for why she can’t hang out. I’m losing her, Jase, and I didn’t even see it coming.”
His eyes are wet with emotion, and his hands shake beside him. I’ve never seen Frankie destroyed over anything, but right now, he’s losing it.
“What can I do?”
“Stay away from her. I don’t know what she’s doing or why she’s acting this way, but I worry about you. I think she’s in love with you or something.”
“She’s what?” I scoff, “that’s insane.” I lean against the bricks, breathing in the last of my smoke, wanting nothing more than to keep inhaling the fumes like the addict I am.
He stares me down, his face muddled with a barrage of emotions. “In high school, she was obsessed with you. I actually think she was only friends with me for that reason, and for the fact that it’d get her closer to you.”
I’m momentarily thrown off. Nora in love with me?
“You’re crazy, dude,” I say, scratching my head. He has to be. That’s insane.
“Haven’t you noticed she hangs out with you every chance she gets? She doesn’t even hang out with me,” he complains, his anger abated by sadness.
“I haven’t, no.”
Throwing my cigarette into the ground and rubbing it out, I drag my palm down my face. This is all news to me. I remember her being obsessed with me before I met Lo, but I never imagined she’d go through such lengths.
“I’ll stay away,” I add, needing to get back to my dorm and be away from dramatic bullshit.
“Thank you,” he conveys his gratitude. “You’re a really good friend, Jase.”
I laugh at that. “I’m going to head out,” I announce with a nod. This entire night went from bad to worse, and it has nothing to do with me.
“Need a ride?” he offers, holding his keys out to me.
“No, I’m going to walk off this booze.”
“See you at practice on Monday.”
I nod again, placing my hands in my pockets. This isn’t good. I need Lo.