Chapter 14
Jared
Two soft beeps from the coffee machine pull me from my memory of the other night at the rural station with Kailey.
Steffan sent me to turn off lights and check outlets, giving me a perfect spontaneous date for us.
One she won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
I shake my head, smiling wide, at the lesson that was learned.
The smell of fresh roasted coffee fills the kitchen.
To me, it’s the second best smell in the world.
The first choice is Kailey’s lavender mint pear perfume.
The smile that hits my face, anytime I think of her, almost hurts.
Joey and I haven’t been in a room together longer than a few minutes for most of the summer, only seeing each other in passing.
This morning, I’m going to change that. Beth surprised Kailey with an overnight trip, just the two of them, and is taking her to get matching tattoos for a birthday present.
Today is her actual birthday. I’m not allowed to know what they’ve picked out until I see it up close and personal tomorrow, at her party.
So now my plans for the day involve hanging out with my big bro and seeing what he’s been up to lately.
Hearing the shower down the hall turn off, I yell to Joey, “Hey do you want coffee?” Already knowing the answer, I pull out his signature black skeleton mug and a dark gray mug for myself.
Cracking the bathroom door open, he yells back to me, “Yeah, but don’t put any of that girly cream shit in mine!”
Laughing out loud, I pour “that girly cream shit” into mine and give it a good stir. I really should add some to his, just for shits and giggles. But in case he’s in a grumpy mood, I’ll be good, for now.
“Nooo promises if you don’t hurry it up in there,” I yell back, just as he strides into the kitchen wearing a plain black shirt and white basketball shorts.
His blonde hair is brushed back, slick, still dripping wet.
Joey picks up his mug, eyeing it suspiciously, smelling it before he takes a satisfied gulp.
I stare at him over the steam of my coffee mug, the warmth landing on my lips, the scent putting me into a relaxed state.
Joey heads to the cabinet, grabbing a bowl, spoon, and cereal, and milk from the fridge, before sitting at our small kitchen table.
He starts to mix his cereal and milk together, and it’s then that I notice his jaw is sharper than usual, and he’s tapping his right foot at a fast pace.
Is he nervous? Did he stay up too late? A touch of darkness colors the skin under his eyes.
Walking over to where he’s sitting, I nudge his foot with mine. “Hey, are you good, bro?”
He slams his mug down a little too hard, causing some of the coffee to spill out. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Am I good? Can I not just be tired and ready to get the day over with?”
I’m taken aback by his outburst, and I try to smooth it down by sitting in the seat across from him.
“Uhm, yeah, sure…” I hold my coffee mug up and toward him.
“I actually don’t have any plans today and was hoping we could spend some time together.
We’ve been running on opposite ends for a while now.
” I shift in my seat uncomfortably as I stare back at him, resting my cheeks inside my palms, elbows on the table top.
Joey rolls his eyes and points at me, swallowing the cereal that was in his mouth. “Well, you’ve been pretty busy with Kailey, not having any time for me. That isn’t my fault—” He drops his spoon into the cereal bowl, and it clinks against the glass. “It’s yours, Jared.”
“I know. I get it, okay? But that’s why I want to hang out with you today. Whatcha got going on? I’m game for whatever,” I say, raising my eyebrows, and shimmying my hips and shoulders back and forth in an attempt to crack the ice that’s taken over the kitchen.
Joey stops himself midbite, and his head dips into a slight nod, conveying annoyance. “If you’re down for a little road trip, I have to meet some friends in the next town over and pick up some things for the party tomorrow. I actually invited some of them, didn’t think it’d be too big of a deal?”
I place my palms down and do a drum roll against the table top. “Hell yeah, road trip! And the more the merrier, right?” Quietly I wonder what all he needs to pick up for tomorrow… He must see the confusion on my face.
Joey moves his hands, nonchalantly, in midair. “You know, like, the keg and other odds and ends to make the party fun, maybe even some water balloons?” I mouth, Wet T-shirt contest, which makes him chuckle beside me.
“Oh okay, I see where your mind is going now,” I say lightheartedly as I fan my shirt up and down, causing him to laugh and shake his head at the same time.
Joey only finishes about half of his breakfast before dumping the rest into the trash and placing his dishes in the sink.
He tells me to be ready to go in five minutes.
Lucky for his crabby ass, I’m already dressed and ready for the day in cargo shorts, black tennis shoes, and a yellow shirt.
Before the hustle of the day starts, I grab my cell phone, pulling up Kailey’s name.
Me
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, beautiful! I hope your day with Beth is going good. I can’t wait to see what tattoo you picked… Where did you say it was going again?!
Dimples
Thanks, babe! (: Finallyyyy 21:P
Haha, I didn’t tell you where it was going. Real solid try though!!:P Sarah texted me this morning. She just got back into town, so you’ll finally get to meet her at the party tomorrow!
Me
Well, you can’t blame a guy for trying… Joey and I are going to hang out today. We just finished breakfast and are about to head out soon. Just wanted to msg letting you know I was thinking about you.
Dimples
I’m always thinking about you ;) Have fun with your brother. I’ll call ya before I go to bed.
Me
Sounds good. Don’t miss me too much! *kiss*
Dimples
Ehhhh, no promises! *kiss*
I pocket my phone and hear the front door slam as Joey walks out to his truck. Grabbing the closest hat I can find, a tan one hanging on the back of a kitchen chair, I run out the front door and chase after him.
The music is already blaring by the time my butt hits the passenger seat.
Joey is tapping his fingers on the steering wheel along with the song’s beat.
He and I both start singing along to “Crazy Bitch” by Buckcherry as he puts the truck into drive.
Hopefully his sour mood will get better on the drive.