Jase, Fields, J. [story reading TXT] 📗

called and I answered thinking that you had realized you had left your phone. He was NOT happy.”

“What did he say?” I know that came out a little too desperate, but hey-- I kind of was.

“Well he asked who the fuck was answering the phone?” Brad used a thick Jersey accent trying to be funny so I laughed to be polite, “Here, maybe you should call him back.”

I grabbed the phone, “Thanks,” and ran into the bathroom.

He answered on the first ring.

“Hi, Jase.”

“You wanna tell me why that fuck had my God Damn phone!”

“I left it in class, I didn’t…”

“You left it in class? Do you think I am going to buy that shit Carly?” Jase was over the top pissed, “Like you went to fucking class! So easily replaced, huh?”

“Jase, I went to class,” I felt my face getting red and tried to breathe.

“You have probably been making that boy wanna fuck you for months now. Playing all innocent and stupid.”

I couldn’t breathe, I could not believe he was talking to me like he was. “Jase, I’m sorry,” I had to stop talking because I couldn’t breathe. I quickly went into the kitchen and grabbed my bag and grabbed my inhaler and took a big puff.

“I’m sure you’re sorry Carly,” Jase snapped.

Brad watched as I took another puff, “Are you okay, Carly?”

“Is he with you now?” Jase screamed in the phone.

I exhaled loudly, “Yes-- he came to bring me the phone, which was very nice…”

“Yes just great. Brads a great guy isn’t he?” Jase snapped.

I heard a flight being called.

“Are you at the airport Jase? Are you coming back?” I know I sounded needy and excited all at the same time.

“Now why would I do that when you have already replaced me, Carly?”

“Jase are you drunk?” He did not answer for a minute.

“Well let’s see, I have had the most fucked up day in years, two to be exact, and I have had a few drinks yes. Do you have a problem with that?”

“No I’m sorry you’ve had a bad day. Talk to me Jase, tell me what I can do to help you,” I almost begged him.

“Did you love me Carly?”

I had no idea how to answer that. I am sure I did, still do, “I think so, yes.”

“Well that’s where you are wrong. I would not be replaced so fucking easily,” Jase laughed and I am pretty sure it was at me.

“Jase, please don’t be rude,” I whispered and started walking into the bathroom.

“Carly-- you don’t have to put up with that shit,” Brad said from behind me.

“Tell that fuck, if I ever see him, he will know just what kind of shit I can bring. Have fun with him Carly.”

“Jase where are you?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Well here is the deal: We will never be together. Do you understand?”

“Is that why you called Jase? To hurt me more?” I couldn’t stop the tears.

“Sure if that makes it easier,” Jase snapped.

“For who, you or me Jase?”

“Goodnight, going to bed landing face first on realities cold hard concrete floor,” Jase hung up the phone.

I quickly texted him

-I don’t understand and it hurts like hell…Carly

He did not reply.

“Carly?” Brad’s voice made me jump, I had almost forgotten he was here.

“Sorry. Thanks for the phone, I guess,” I looked up at him.

“I’m sure,” he smiled shyly, “I do think you might be happy I brought this though,” Brad opened the bag and pulled out chocolate ice cream and a box of tissues.

“You shouldn’t have,” I was embarrassed.

“Well look-- I have two sisters and apparently this stuff really works,” Brad smiled. “But in order to get the full effect, you have to eat it out of the carton with a friend as you talk about all the rotten things he did to hurt you.”

“I don’t have friends remember?” Yes-- I was pissed about the comment he made.

“You have me, and I’m used to this, so grab two spoons,” Brad reached into the bag and pulled out a movie, “I even brought a movie.”

I smiled and shook my head in agreement.

Brad and I sat on the couch laughing and eating Ice Cream as we watched the newest Vampire spoof movie. I learned a lot about him. He was from the Midwest and had two sisters: one older, one younger. His parents owned a ranch and he was at school on a full scholarship. He and his girlfriend of three years broke up before he left for school, and he had not dated since. He was too busy with classes for that. He was going into medical research and wanted to cure cancer. His paternal grandfather had died from the disease the month before he graduated high school and that’s when he decided that’s exactly what he would do.

Mom came home and was happy to see me smiling. Brad left shortly after she returned.

“Anytime you need a friend remember—I’m here.” He said before leaving.

“Brad seems nice,” it was a statement but I knew it was more a question.

“I left my phone,” I smiled and then corrected myself. “Jase’s phone, in class. He returned it.”

“And he brought a movie and ice cream,” she smiled.

“And tissue’s. We have a few classes together. Jase called and he answered the phone, apparently that pissed Jase off,” I rolled my eyes.

“Okay,” Mom grabbed two cups and made some green tea.

Mom and I talked for a while about her doctor’s appointment after school and then I lied and said I was tired. I was just trying to get out of talking about Jase and I think she knew that.

I put the Jase phone on the charger: the battery was almost dead. I know I shouldn’t care and should just send it back but I couldn’t.

-Going to sleep, confused, thinking about you…Carly

He didn’t reply.

5

Jase opened his eyes. He had fallen asleep on the hard, cold chair at Chicago’s O’Hare airport. He had missed his flight by five minutes. Five fucking minutes! Putting him behind schedule by ten hours. He