Page 99 of To Love or to Lose
I take in his outfit beyond the sash as we approach him. He’s wearing an all-black button down and black slacks. The button down’s sleeves are rolled to his elbows, leaving his watch visible. No party hat, though.
I’ve always found Jameson attractive, because it’s an obvious fact, but the slightest amount of alcohol in my system makes the sight of him even more mesmerizing.
He heads toward us, and I’m not even sure if he’s noticed I’m standing here.
“How are you liking the party?” Logan asks. By the look of the almost empty solo cup in his hand, it looks like he’s having a surprisingly good time.
“I’ve only become acquainted with this cup,” Jameson responds with a lighthearted laugh before making eye contact with me. He doesn’t look annoyed or upset by my presence, so I take that as a win.
I could also be making it up in my head, considering I feel dizzy when I look at him.
“Happy Birthday, Jameson.” I tell him with a small smile.
He touches my shoulder as he says, “Thank you, Genevieve.”
My upper extremities now feel as if they are on fire, and I can’t deny the heightened effect Jameson has on me when he’s slightly intoxicated.
I’m barely able to mutter, “You’re welcome.”
Jameson’s not dumb enough to get drunk, but I applaud him for being able to enjoy himself by having a couple drinks. Usually, that is something I am incapable of. He’s much sweeterto me when he’s had a bit to drink, and in turn, it makes me much more attracted to him.
Because, while I would love the banter we share if it weren’t out of spite, I really wish Jameson and I could always be like this with each other.
“What’s it feel like to be eighteen?” Logan asks jokingly.
“Adulthood is already hard.” The ever-slight slur of his voice makes him sound ironically childish.
“I’m sure.” Logan laughs, I stay quiet. “Have you been inside yet? There’s a lot of people here.”
“Yeah, there’s been people coming in and out all night,” Jameson answers. “If I’m being honest, I don’t know at least half of them.”
Sometimes it’s hard to remember these are the people Logan and I grew up with, and that Jameson isn’t as familiar with them as we are.
“Who wants to play beer pong?” Someone suddenly bellows from inside the house. “Callaghan, I know you want to, come be my partner!”
Logan looks back, smiling when he realizes it was Luke talking to him. “Of course I do!” Then, he looks back at us. “Come on, you two can be a team.”
My eyes widen, and before I can protest, Jameson is already walking off with Logan, saying something about how he and I are going to kick Logan and Luke’s asses.
Logan knew what he was doing, suggesting Jameson and I should be beer pong partners. He’s wanted us to get along since we met, and he doesn’t understand how that’s just not possible.
“I hate beer.” I grimace, hoping Logan will let me off the hook.
But neither Logan nor Jameson respond to my complaint.
“I’ve never played.” I tell Logan once we’re in the house. “I could be terrible.”
“The point is not to be good. Everybody’s terrible at beer pong,” he responds. “And the people who are goodat beer pong should be concerned about their alcohol intake.”
He sets a ping-pong ball in my hand. “You and Jameson are on this side of the table, Luke and I will be on the other.”
“I understand the general concept,” I snide as he makes his way toward his designated side of the table.
Jameson stands next to me, looking at the table of cups like he is surveying the best angle to throw the ball.
I can tell he plans to win.
“Do you want to go first?” I ask. It’s not entirely out of kindness, more so because he looks worlds more prepared than I am.
