Page 6 of Saved
“Well, I guess I better get back down there and help Jason with my stuff. Sorry for the noise.”
I turned to go but stopped when Jaz spoke up. “Welcome back.” Her arms were crossed again but she at least was looking at me. Not smiling, but her eyes met mine.
“Thanks. I’ll see ya around, I’m sure. I’m right down there if you need anything.”
“Well, we’re up here. It’s been a while and there’s new grocery stores and all. So, if you need any help finding stuff to get settled give me a shout.” Her tone wasn’t very warm, but I silently thanked God she was at least speaking to me. I wanted to reach out and grab her, but she was so closed off.
I nodded and walked out, closing the door gently behind me. I walked to the staircase and Jason was sitting at the bottom. He turned when he heard me and stood up.
“Let’s get moving, it’s gonna get hot as hell soon.” I started down the stairs.
Jason grabbed my arm. “You okay, man?” His brown eyes searched my face.
I nodded. “Yeah, let’s get this done.”
After a few hours we got all of my stuff moved from the truck and everything that had to be put back together was assembled. Jason followed me in his car so I could return the moving truck.
Once I hopped into Jason’s car I asked, “Hey, you mind swinging by the grocery store? I need to get a few things for the fridge and get situated.”
“Sure thing. Lucy’s at the club making sure Matt and the new girl are all set for later. Plus, she sets up the bands for the weekends.”
“She’s great by the way. Happy for ya, man.”
Jason nodded, a grin spreading on his face. “That she is. I never thought I’d have a family again, but now I feel like I do.”
“Speaking of that…I really hate I wasn’t here for Pop’s funeral.”
Jason waved me off. “Man, that was a long time ago and I get it. Your folks came, were a big help. I told you not to risk your scholarship for me and I meant it.”
“Still, so many things I wish I could change from the past. I wish I could have told him goodbye.”
“And…”
I whipped my head to him. “And what?”
Jason chuckled.
“What?”
“I may not say much but that keeps me observant. What the hell happened with Jaz? You both said you ended on good terms, young, for the best, all that shit. Yet, both of you seem, I dunno…tense.”
This conversation was making me tense. “Nothing. Like you said, we broke it off because I was on the West Coast, we both had school and other responsibilities, it got hard to stay connected, and we had a couple years at least to go. It made sense.” I don’t know why I never explained how it happened, and I wasn’t about to now.
“Okay, then why do you both act like you’ve seen a ghost?”
I shrugged and turned back to staring out the window just as we pulled into the grocery store.
The stroll through the store was quiet as I filled my cart with groceries and a few other things I needed to stock up on. Jason was quiet most of the time anyway, so I told myself it was him being him. Then the car ride back to my apartment was quiet. Not even normal small talk.
Jason and I carried the groceries inside. He grabbed the toiletries and put them in the bathroom while I added food to the fridge. I turned around and he was sitting at the breakfast bar, staring me down. He even took his hat off.Here we go.
“I know that look.” I put the bag I had in my hand on the counter. “Let’s hear it.”
He rubbed his hand over his beard and sighed. “Look, I know you and I know Jaz. Both of you are acting weird. She is the most chill lady I know but she’s been nothing but uptight since you got back. Did you forget to tell me something?” He leaned in and clasped his hands together. “You’ve been my best friend since we were kids, I got your back. I just wanna know what happened.”
I shrugged. “I told you everything, I swear. It was rough, butshe’sthe one who said we should call it quits.” I thought back to that night and stared down into the sink. “I came back for holiday break after I left for Cali. I knew when I saw her something was off. I was excited to see her, but when I hugged her, she was…stiff. She played it off when I asked her and we did the visiting of families, met a few friends, and well, you know.”
Jason grinned but then waved me on.
