Chapter 7
drinking games
Jax
I didn’t expect to go to a football party when I made plans with Morgan.
I didn’t think that she was really interested in football, and only pretended to because of our friendship.
But apparently there are things that I wasn’t aware of, and maybe I need to take a look at this fantasy football roster that she has - just to make sure that she’s making wise decisions.
Her friend Alexis seems decent, but I haven’t officially met the others here yet. I’d rather sit in the background, seep into the paint on the wall and have no one know that I was here, except, I know that wouldn’t be possible.
Morgan has moved to my other side, her eyes are on the screen, and she’s watching Jackson Washington with an eagle eye.
He’s a good pick, he’s strong and quick.
I would say that out of all teams, his lineup is solid at creating a path for him to pile on through to score in a tight spot like they’re in.
The whistle blows. I watch as if it’s in slow motion and I see the defensive line get into their positions and separate the offense. With ease, Washington darts through, and crosses the finish line, resulting in 6 points.
Everyone in the living room erupts into cheers. Standing up and reaching over one another to high-five, then a few of them turn to Morgan and congratulate her.
One guy in a ridiculous outfit and a Nacho Libre mask hugs her, and locks eyes with me in the process.
“Um, Morgan? Did you know that Jax Carr is in your house?” he whispers, loud enough for me to hear.
Great. Here we go.
I stand up and offer him a smile, extending my hand.
“Yeah, uh, Mikey, I sure do. Jax, this lunatic is Mikey. He’s a good friend, despite his chosen outfit for the day.”
Mikey steps around Morgan and in front of me, takes my hand in his, jaw to the floor, and stutters. “Wow man, super awesome to meet you. What are- what are you doing here? Morgan snag you as a client or something?”
“We grew up together. He’s my best friend.” Morgan replies for me.
“I thought I was your best friend?” Mikey pulls his hand across his heart and fakes a sad face.
“Is it normal for people to have more than one best friend?” I ask, confused as I shake his hand.
“Really great meeting you. No wonder Morgan always demands that you’re on her fantasy roster, I get it now. But I mean, holy shit. I’m not going to fangirl or anything, but you’re pretty fucking solid.”
“Thank you. And I would hope that she demanded it, otherwise I would need to divulge all her secrets to the press.”
“I’m no big star, J. The press wouldn’t care,” she retorts.
“Yes! First down!” someone cheers from behind Mikey. “Hey Mike, grab me a beer, will ya?”
“What do I look like, your fucking wench?”
“No, you look stupid. Grab me a beer anyways since you’re up.” The guy looks over, back to the screen, then snaps back to Mikey, and in return to me.
Here we go.
“Jax Carr?” the guy asks, standing.
“Present.” I say.
“No fucking shit. We have San Francisco royalty here. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Leave it to have the party at Morgan’s house and she get’s a celebrity here.
Notes motherfuckers, everyone take notes.
I expect next week to have someone show up to Kendra’s house. You got that Kendra? Maybe a rapper?”
“Not happening. I don’t get any rappers coming to school. How the heck do we have a football god in our midst?” Kendra asks.
“You guys, calm down. This is, well you know who this is. Jax and I have been friends for ages, he’s just a normal guy, let’s treat him like it, yeah?”
I smile, appreciating her trying to persuade her friends to ignore my status.
After all, to her, I am just another guy.
After I got drafted, she never treated me any different than before.
And even now, years later, our friendship has remained the same.
Except for whenever we go out and I pay for the bill before we sit down, or when I don’t let her pay for things.
“Thanks for coming to Morgan’s party and making it way better than any one else.” The same guy replies turning his attention back to the television. “Holy shit, who the fuck scored? Anyone catch that?”
And thankfully, all attention is back to the game and away from me.
Morgan runs into the back of her house, then returns with her laptop a moment later and pulls up her fantasy dashboard.
“Who has Callaway?” she asks the room.
Groans reverberate.
“Let me look at that.” I grab her laptop and pull it in front of me.
“Don’t touch anything. I have it exactly how I want it right now.”
“What if I don’t agree with you?”
“I don’t want to cheat.” She shakes her head with her hands on her hips.
“It’s insider information, not cheating.”
“Tell Martha Stewart that.”
I look over her picks, and note that she actually has a good line-up.
I honestly wasn’t expecting that. I would make a few trades, but overall, she has a strong team.
And on bonus, she has the Wolves as her whole team, which makes me proud.
She is and will always be my number one fan, and I know that I scored bigtime in having her as my best friend.
“Can I make one trade, please, just one trade?” I ask.
“What’s wrong with my team?” she asks.
“Actually nothing, but I think you should have a few key guys on your reserves.”
“You are allowed to make two trades, no more than that. Got it? It costs me money everytime I make a trade. But let’s do it later, when everyone leaves, I don’t want them to think I’m cheating or anything.”
“You don’t think that now, since they know that we’re friends?” I interject.
“Okay, well you’ve got me there, but after. Let’s have fun. Drink, eat, be merry.”
“I don’t do merry.” I state.
“No shit, Sherlock. But pretend.”
“Okay assholes. Drinking game time.” Mikey stands and faces away from the television during a commercial.
Everyone gets up and gets a refresher of their drink and another for good measure. Morgan hands me another beer and smiles, get ready for this.
“Someone needs to explain for the newbie.” The woman who spoke up before says.
Alexis stands on the couch cushion so she’s taller than everyone else.
“Okay, this drinking game consists of everytime the announcers say something that sounds like its pornographic, you drink.”
“I don’t think the announcers would say anything like that, the FCC would fine them up the ass.” I say in return.
“Oh Nelly, you better get ready. Looks like you’re crashing here.” Alexis grins, her words directed to me.
“She’s not wrong.” Mikey joins in.
Everyone sits down and leans in.
We watch as plays commence on the screen.
I wasn’t aware this was a thing. I doubt that the announcers would say anything thats inappropriate, they could get into a lot of trouble.
He just needed two thrusts to get it in.
A resounding, “Ooooh!” erupts in the room. “Drink.”
I did not just hear that.
I cannot believe that pass. Michaels was in there one moment, and then the next he pulls out. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a hole that big.
Holy shit! Did they just say that?
I take a long pull of my beer at the same time as everyone else.
The game goes to commercials and I’m stunned. I turn to Morgan’s friend Alexis and smile.
“So, Mr. Football. Why haven’t we met before? Were both two prominent figures in Morgan’s life and all.”
“Well, I’m sure you are aware that I’m not around all the time. But I do make time to get together when I can.”
“I hope that we get to see more of you. She likes having you around.”
“Games back on.” Someone says from the couch, and all attention returns to the screen.