Just Before You Go

“Your dad is a real dick,” Jen lamented, shaking her head in disbelief. “I’m so sorry, Aria.”
I shrugged it off, kicking my dangling legs that hung off the counter where I was seated, “It’s…fine, I guess. It sucks…But I don’t want toxicity in my life. In with the new.”
She smiled sympathetically, “At least your mom tried, right? That’s something.”
“Yeah, I guess…I don’t see how that will work, though. My dad holds her reigns pretty tightly.”
“People can surprise you,” she said seriously. “Maybe she’ll grow a spine.”
“Maybe,” I laughed. “But I doubt it.”
She raised an eyebrow at me, studying me curiously as she stocked the fridge below my knees, “Jimmy was a bit of a romantic though, huh?”
My cheeks got hot at the mere mention of his little speech.
I’d never had anyone defend my honor in any capacity. It had renewed my absolute adoration of him and had solidified everything I thought I knew. All of my concerns had practically vanished and it had become painstakingly clear to me that I was invested in this for the long haul. At whatever cost, I didn’t care.
Jimmy cared for me…and about me. And he was right, it may not have been the life that I’d dreamt of for myself—it was even better.
“I told you,” I smirked. “He’s really wonderful.”
She nodded once, “Once you get passed the drug addiction and the lies and the manipulation…”
“Please don’t start,” I sighed. “I really don’t want to fight about Jimmy anymore. He’s in my life—so…either get on board or get off the ship.”
She relented immediately, her face softening, “You’re right, I’m sorry. I don’t want to be in the same league as your dad.”
“Like you could ever be,” I stifled a scoff. “That man’s in a league of his own.”
“No shit,” she agreed, straightening her spine out. “So…now that you’re back and I’m not on the verge of death, what are we doing tonight?”
“Oh,” I shifted. “I, uh…I’m supposed to be going to a party at Jimmy’s.”
She looked disappointed, “Oh, okay. No problem.”
“I’m sure you could come along,” I told her happily. “I’ll just text Jim really quick, but I’m sure it’s not a problem.”
As I started typing, Jen was reluctant, “I don’t want to impose…”
“Shush,” I waved.
To: James
Hey, cool if Jen tags along with me tonight?
She disappeared into the kitchen to dispose of all of the empty beer boxes we’d created in our restocking. I couldn’t help but start to make mental pictures of the bar. I really loved it there, I liked my job and I liked the people. I was going to miss it.
From: James
You’re weird for asking. Bring a zoo with you if you want. Lions are welcome, spiders are not.
To: James
What kind of spiders can you find at the zoo?
From: James
…What kind?
To: James
What?
From: James
What?
I laughed to myself, totally and completely confused.
To: James
What the fuck are you talking about?
From: James
Oh. I just reread your text. I thought you were going to make a joke. Turns out I’m just illiterate and arachnophobia. That’s all I meant. I’m tired. See you later.
He appealed to every part of my soul, almost erasing the damage that had been caused the night before. I’d woken up in a haze. It was strange to have abandoned my father, even if he didn’t know that I had.
I’d made the decision to be done with him. I wasn’t at a juncture in my life where I felt capable of letting someone dictate my choices. I wanted to feel grown enough to take charge of my own life. It was deeply disappointing that my father wasn’t willing to get on board with what I’d become…but that was his choice, and I wasn’t going to try to change his mind.
Jen finally returned.
“He says you should come,” I exaggerated a little.
She couldn’t contain her joy, “Oh, cool!”
“Can you just do me a favor though?” I asked coyly. “Can you play nice with Jimmy? I’m not in the mood for any more drama.”
“Of course,” she said seriously.
We worked the rest of our shift in almost absolute boredom. We had no customers all day, which was a little worrisome when it came to tips. I left as broke as I had come. Jen and I went back to my place to get ready for Jimmy’s party. We weren’t really sure how to prepare ourselves, so we went with somewhere in the middle of the fashionable scale.
Once we were adequately prettied, we ventured back out into the world and hoofed it to Jimmy’s. I loved how conveniently close he lived to me—and I hoped that we could find places similar in distance from one another once we got home and I’d found a new place.
“So,” Jenny stated as we walked. “Did I miss anything important this weekend?”
My tongue almost betrayed me. I almost told her all about the big fight Jimmy and I had found ourselves in the throes of. I’d almost told her that I’d nearly thrown it all away over a what if. But I caught myself just in time.
“I met Blair Peterson,” I told her.
She smirked, “You met her before last weekend.”
“No, I know,” I laughed. “But I met her this weekend. Like…we actually had a conversation. I got to know her a little bit.”
“Oh no,” she grinned. “And how bad do you have it for her now?”
“Like a prepubescent boy with his first nude magazine,” I joked.
She cackled, nudging me as we walked, “You’re unbelievable.”
“Have you seen her?” I asked dramatically.
“Yes, I have,” she laughed. “I actually like their music. Which…you know, you don’t.”
“That’s not true,” I argued lightly. “I haven’t listened to enough of it not to like them.”
She nodded, “Fair enough. But…if you’re going to marry this woman, you should probably become familiar with her music.”
“I would totally marry her,” I laughed. “She’s a goddess, Jen. I’m telling you.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” she winked lazily. “Musicians are nothing but trouble.”
I rolled my eyes, “You sound like Brian.”
She stared at me knowingly, “I know. Who do you think taught me that helpful lesson? I think it was after the second hook up…Where he never called.”
“Damn booty calls,” I teased as we turned into Jimmy’s driveway.
I could hear the calls of a crowd from the front of the house. We weren’t sure if we should knock, so we didn’t. The party was seemingly well underway. There were tons of people in his home, and even more out back.
We found Jimmy and Brian at the barbeque, Jimmy’s oversized sunglasses tucked neatly on his sloped nose. He lit up when he caught sight of me.
Brian gave Jen a devious sort of grin, which she shut down immediately.
“Hello, gorgeous,” Jimmy whispered in my ear as he took me into his long arms.
“Quite the turn out you’ve got here,” I smiled, stealing a quick kiss before Jimmy dragged me over to Brian.
“We’re still missing some people,” he told me loudly. “My guests of honor haven’t arrived yet.”
Brian rolled his eyes, “And he’s been really fucking cryptic about it all day.”
“Cryptic?” I asked confusedly.
He nodded grimly, “He won’t tell us who the fuck it is.”
“Larry knows,” Jimmy grinned.
Brian shook his head, “I’m so done with your weird antics, man. He’s officially your problem now, Aria. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, thank you,” I teased.
Jimmy just smiled at me. Brian flipped a row of burgers, which smelled particularly delicious.
Jen was eying up Matt in the pool. I couldn’t really blame her. Shirtless Matt was a sight to behold. But it was strange, because of that whole been there, done that crap. Maybe she’d been there…and she’d done that…but she didn’t seem to be done with it.
I told myself I needed a hobby.
“I’m getting in the pool,” she told us. “Coming?”
Jimmy shooed me, and so I went along with my friend. We spared no time stripping down to our bathing suits and hopping into the lukewarm water. The guys flocked over to us, making chit chat about the last weekend and asking Jenny where she’d been.
My eyes were fixated on my man though, as he paid no attention to me. I enjoyed watching him in his natural state. When he wasn’t looking, that’s when he was at his most magnetic. He laughed at something Brian said, tilting his head back. Brian was shaking his head, a playful grin tucked away behind his strong exterior. I hoped they’d never part.
“So, Aria,” Zack said loudly. “There’s no way that Jimmy didn’t tell you who these special guests are…So, spill.”
I threw my hands up in defence, “I honestly do not know.”
“He didn’t tell you?” Zack asked flatly, in total disbelief.
“I didn’t tell anyone!” Jimmy called over at us, obviously eavesdropping unbeknownst to me. “Except Larry! Larry set it up! Grill Larry!”
“Hey!” Larry groaned at Jimmy. “Why are you dragging me into it?”
The guys all headed out of the pool and immediately circled Larry like sharks circle their prey. I hate sharks.
“What’s the big deal about these guests?” Jen asked curiously.
I shrugged, “All I know is Jimmy said they’re the band opening for Avenged on their tour.”
She nodded, “What band?”
“No clue.”
My eyes fell on Jimmy again, just as he was pulling his phone from his pants pocket. He looked at it quickly and then disappeared inside. My curiosity was peaking.
Brian was trying to sneak a peek at where Jimmy had disappeared to, but he gave up quickly. Jimmy was almost always up to something, so after a while you became used to it and it just wasn’t overly interesting anymore.
But soon he was back and taller than ever. His face had excitement written all over it.
“Okay, cocksuckers!” he called to the boys in Avenged.
Though, everyone in attendance turned to look at Jimmy too.
“After much deliberation, and a fuck of a lot of devious sneaking around,” Jimmy announced. “May I introduce to you, our opening act for the Avenged Sevenfold Tour….”
We all exchanged glances, waiting for fresh faces to emerge from within Jimmy’s home. And the fresh face took my breath away.
In walked a band of familiar miscreants…and Blair fucking Peterson.

Notes

Oh shit. (What's in the bucket).

xx