The Final Score (17 page)

“Thanks for leaving it alone,” I say humbly.

“I know your plan. You and JJ are going to fix it up together,” he says confidently. I wish some of that confidence would rub off on me.

“Did you tell her about it?” I ask curiously as we step out onto the front porch, locking the door behind us.

“No. It’s not for me to tell. I get your lawn cut every now and then to keep the neighbors happy. By the way, that’s one more thing you can add to the list,” he jokes. “I told the landscaper if he sees anything go up for sale on the street to let me know. It’s a great street. He called me a couple of weeks ago and I got right on it.”

“Awesome. It really is a great street,” I agree, taking it in.

“Yeah, I was gonna bring De over the other day to get her opinion, but never got around to it.”

“She’ll love it.”

“I know,” Mikey says, deep in thought as he glances back at his future house.

We arrive at the stadium early, giving me time to meet with some of the people from management. Everyone seems interested in my progress and word is out that I’m excelling rapidly in the minors.

***

(Jesse)

I call my dad on the way in to The Blue Martini for my shift.

“Hi, Dad, what’s up?” I say cheerfully, calling him for the second time that day. I don’t want him worrying about me, knowing he’ll be flying home soon. This morning I filled him in about my run-in with Luke last night. I assured him I was happy we had the chance to talk, but I needed time to sort things out.

“Hi, Sweetie, are you at work?”

“I’m heading in now. Where are you? I wanted to see if you feel like stopping in for a bite to eat?”

“Ah… Hon… I would have loved to, but I’m pulling into the stadium for the game. What’s your schedule tomorrow?”

“Oh, I didn’t know you were going to the game tonight. Are you with Cheryl?”

“Uh no… it was a last minute decision,” he says suddenly, sounding evasive.

“Who are you with?”

“No one…
now
.” He hesitates before continuing, “I’m meeting Luke.”

“Oh.” There’s a moment of silence between us.

“Are you okay with that?” he asks quietly.

“Sure, of course. I told you, I was glad we talked. He’s back. I don’t expect everyone to ignore him because of me. He needs his friends, too. He’s been without them for too long.”

“Yeah, but I’m not everyone, I’m your dad. If you’re uncomfortable with me seeing him, just say the word.”

“No, really, I’m fine with it. It’ll give you two a chance to talk. Then you and I can sit down together and you can give me some feedback,” I joke.

“Done.” He laughs.

Later that night, after my shift, Mya and I arrive home within minutes of each other. I heat up the leftovers I brought from the restaurant while Mya whips up a pitcher of margaritas. We sit on the couch and talk. I tell her about Luke and my dad being at the game together.

“Jess, you know I’m not the nicest person in the world. I live to give people a hard time, but I have to say… he’s pretty fuckin’ irresistible. I feel for you. I tried to give him such a hard time last night, but even I caved. What are you going to do?”

I laugh, remembering old times. Luke had always been that way. I tell her about high school and how all of the teachers loved him, how he always got out of trouble; got us both out of trouble.

“I used to get so mad at him for it,” I say, laughing. “Even, my dad loves him,” I add, shaking my head. “But even though he got away with a lot, he was never a smart ass about it. Now, Mikey on the other hand, he was the smart ass.”

“That, I can see.” Mya laughs.

It feels good to be able to talk about some of the good times for a change. I wouldn’t allow myself to remember any of it for a long time.

***

(Luke)

David and I have a good night. It gives us the chance to discuss JJ. I recap everything I told her last night. I tell him I’m thinking of giving her a call. David reinforces to me not to push her into something she isn’t ready for. I agree and tell him I’m hoping to at least start off by rebuilding our friendship. I figure it’s a good place to start. That, I can live with.

Chapter 14

(Jesse)

The aroma of coffee fills the air as my dad and I sit at an outside café and enjoy our breakfast. He seems happy with the way I’m handling things. He’s surprised at how relaxed I seem, considering the circumstances. I want to leave him with a good feeling so that he’s not worrying about me while he’s home.

Before heading to the airport, he drops me off at school.

I still have a good twenty-five minutes to kill before class so I stroll towards the lake near the fine arts building. Spreading my sweatshirt on the grass, I sit down and take in the fresh air while reading through my art history notes. I have a test coming up at the end of the week and I’ve been lacking in the studying department as of late. As I get through the second page, I’m interrupted by the buzzing of my phone sitting on the green grass beside me. I answer, not recognizing the number.

“Hello.”

“Hey, JJ,” The voice on the other end is not who I’m expecting. I freeze. “JJ, are you there?”

“Uh-huh,” is all that I can manage to come from my mouth.

“Mikey said you didn’t have class till ten so I figured I’d give you a call to see how you’re doin’, do you have a minute?”
Luke says sounding a bit winded. I know the tone of his voice as if it’s my own. He’s nervous, but trying to conceal it.

“Uh… I guess. I’m at school now. My dad dropped me off on his way to the airport, but I have a few minutes before I have to get to class.”

“I won’t keep you. That’s right, he’s leavin’ today. We had a good time at the game. It sucks they lost, though. It would have been nice to win the series at home.”

“Yeah, I think they’ll be okay. They only need one more.”

“Mikey left for Texas this morning.”

“I know… are you going?”

“I wish I could, but I can’t. I’m working with the pitching coach all week. I’m actually here now, but I’m on a break… I have to get back soon.”

“Oh okay, I’ll let you go then,” I answer, cutting him off. My nerves are getting the best of me. It’s difficult making small talk with him, talking as if we’re strangers.

“Whoa… slow down.” He chuckles. “I have a few minutes.” A pause. “I want to ask you somethin’.”

“Oh.” My stomach swirls.

“I was wondering if maybe you felt like getting something to eat with me later.”

“I can’t… I have work after school,” I answer much too quickly.

“What about when you’re finished work?”

“I told Mya I would help her with something and I have a lot of school work. I don’t think I’ll be abl
e—
”

“Ah, c’mon. How about after that? Just for ice cream, Mya can come, too.”

He’s persistent. I contemplate whether or not to agree, but, if Mya comes…

“Hello… Are you still there?” he asks after a long period of silence.

“I’m thinking.”

“C’mon, it’s ice cream. What’s there to think about?” he teases.

“I guess,” I whisper, not really sure if I said it out loud.

“Awesome,” he answers enthusiastically. I guess I did say it out loud. “I’ll call you later. You can let me know a time that works for you.” He pauses. “You’re not going to cancel on me, right? You know, like hang up the phone and spend the rest of the day thinkin’ up a good excuse?”

“No, I won’t. Especially since you just brought it up, it would be too obvious,” I say dryly, attempting to make a joke.

He laughs, catching my sarcasm. “Cool. Thanks. I’ll see you later,” he says cheerfully. I hang up the phone and suddenly realize I feel those butterflies again instead of the bats that have taken over my body the last couple of years.

I somehow manage to get through school and I even spend time in the student center, getting my work completed so I won’t have to worry about it later.

While I change into my work clothes, it hits me like a ton of bricks. I have yet to face Frank since the night Luke confronted me at the game. Guilt overcomes me, thinking about how fast I had forgotten. He’s been a good friend to me the last several months. I’ve really grown to care about this man and I don’t want to hurt him.

When I arrive at the gallery, I poke my head into the office, expecting to be greeted by Jazz. Instead, Frank is working at his desk. I didn’t notice his car when I came in.

“Hi, Frank,” I say sheepishly.

“Hi, Jesse, how are you today?” he asks casually, doing paperwork.

“Good. Is Jazz in?”

“She called out today,” he answers.

“Where have you been?” I ask, trying to make conversation.

“I had a few auctions to attend.”

“Did you find anything good?” Auctions are one of the things I enjoy attending with Frank. He picks up some really interesting pieces of artwork when he goes. He’s taught me different things to look for while making purchases.

“Yeah, I did. It’s in the back; go take a look, let me know what you think,” he says excitedly. This is why I like spending time with Frank. We both have the same enthusiasm when it comes to discussing art and discovering new pieces. I turn to leave so I can check out his new find, feeling as if I’ve been let off the hook. “Actually, Jesse, come sit for a minute. There’s something I would like to talk with you about,” he calls out before I have a chance to escape. So much for being let off the hook.

I slowly turn around and walk towards Jazz’s desk, across from Frank. I’ve been dreading this conversation, but knew we had to have it. I have a lot of respect for Frank, and I owe him an explanation, but finding the words is not coming easy for me.

He puts down his pen, leans back in his chair and folds his hands on his desk. He senses my uneasiness and takes the lead. “I guess you know what this is about?” he asks, looking me in the eyes. I nod. “I want you to know that the reason I hired you is because of your knowledge of art history. I value your opinion and I admire your work. As far as I’m concerned, nothing has changed. About the other night… you need to do what makes you happy. I can see that there is a lot of history between you and Luke. Things seem to be left unsettled between the two of you. I think we both know that you and I will never really be more than friends.”

“But Frank… ” I cut in, finding my voice, “…the other night, you asked me how I felt about you. I feel as if I misled you. I swear, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t think he would ever come back. I wanted to move on, but then, suddenly, he’s here and… I really do care about you.” I’m not sure what I’m feeling or what to say to make this less uncomfortable.

“Jesse, stop. Don’t worry about that. I know at the time you meant what you said, but seeing your reaction when you saw him… I knew and, to be honest, I have to respect the fact that he was one hundred percent up front about his feelings for you.” He laughs. “The point is, I do not want there to be awkwardness between us. You work here and I would like you to continue working here. Like I said, I admire your talent, your input, and your knowledge.”

“Frank, thank you for understanding. I do love working here. You’ve taught me so much. I love being surrounded by all of this beautiful artwork. You’ve been such a good friend and I’m sorry,” I say as I walk towards him to give him a hug.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Now that we settled that… go check out that painting. I’m anxious to hear what you think.” He gives me a smile as he pats me on my back.

Relief consumes me and thankfully we are able to spend the remainder of the evening working together and discussing art without having tension between us. I know in my heart that Frank has admirably given me an out. I’m confident, that in time, we will get past it. Our relationship never had time to develop and Frank is a good-looking, successful man. I know he’ll be fine.

As I step out of the gallery, the warm evening breeze feels good against my face. I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the fresh air. I’m looking forward to getting home and, if I admit it to myself, I’m looking forward to seeing Luke. I feel anxious, wondering what he will be like; will he seem different to me?

I have yet to break it to Mya that she will be accompanying us to the ice cream parlor. She’s working till eight. I don’t want to give her a heads up in fear that she’ll have time to come up with a good excuse as to why she can’t come. I want to face her while I ask, with a desperate look on my face, of course. She won’t be able to resist. After finishing up the last bit of school work, I jump in the shower, while the clock slowly ticks by. What if he forgets or changes his mind? I look at my clock for the tenth time.

Finally, my phone rings and I recognize the number from earlier.

“Hello?”

“Hi, JJ. How was your day?”

“It was good,” I answer, trying to steady my voice.

“I figured you were busy, I didn’t want to bother you earlier. I forgot to ask what time you’d be done working. We’re still on for ice cream tonight, right?”