[chapter twenty-seven]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
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~Jasmine's POV~
It's a good thing we aren't planning on leaving anytime in the next two days, since there are currently about 4000 cars parked in our driveway, Jimmie's driveway and up and down our normally quiet street.
Now this is a party.
"Lex! Get your ass in gear - I wanna go!" I shout through our open doorway to my perpetually late brother. "Or we're leaving you behind!"
"The good news is we won't need a designated driver tonight. Unless it's to walk across our driveway." Jon teased from beside me as Scout dug through a drawer to find his pack of smokes.
"No shit." I say with a grin as the four of us close our front door and make our way to Jimmie's house, where the stereo is pumping out dance tunes and men of all ages are spilling out of the front door and standing around the front lawn, only a few women scattered throughout the crowds. "Our neighbors are gonna kill him."
"Nah." Scout laughs as we step inside. "We'll let him live."
An hour later, fortified with many beers and cigarettes, the roommates and I have scattered throughout the house in full party mode. I've met more drivers, Cup officials, California friends of Jimmie's and random people than I can remember in a while. Despite myself, I keep scanning the room for a certain employer of mine, but haven't found him.
"I know who you're looking for." I hear Jimmie's teasing sing-song voice in my ear as I scan again.
"Who? Junior? Yeah, he bet me he could shotgun a beer faster than me." I throw back and Jimmie laughs.
"Riiiight." He says. "Having a good time?"
"Having an awesome time. I had no idea you knew so many people who claim to be friends with you." I say with a wink.
"Ouch." Jimmie laughs. "I'm glad. This is rad - but my place is never gonna be the same."
"Ya think?" I laugh in return.
"Can you do me a favor?" Jimmie asks and I sigh dramatically. He rolls his eyes and continues. "Can you take this beer out to Chad? He's near the pool. I gotta situation in the back bedroom I need to take care of." Jimmie laughs and I nod, taking the proffered can. I laugh when I hear Jimmie's voice behind me yelling. "Hey! Not on my favorite comforter!"
I slide my way out the back door and hand over Chad's beer as he pulls me into a huge hug and kisses my cheek affectionately. "It's my favorite Jasmine!" He says loudly and I laugh, pushing him away jokingly.
"It's my favorite drunk Chad!" I shoot back and the crowd surrounding him laughs. "How are ya, sugar?" I ask sincerely and he smiles beatifically.
"So good." He says and I laugh as I turn to head back inside.
And that's when I see him.
Sitting alone, just staring at the swimming pool, a beer in his hand and a forlorn look on his face.
Jeff Gordon, party animal.
I'm not sure if he's trashed, catatonic or just introspective, but feel like I better check before he chucks himself into the pool or hurts himself.
"Hi." I say softly from behind him. Jeff whips around to look at me and stands up unsteadily.
"Hi." He says in return, swaying slightly as he regains his balance. Uh-Oh. This is a man who does not drink often. And judging from how dilated his pupils are, he reached him limit about 42 beers ago.
"You okay?" I ask, reaching out to steady him.
"I thought we didn't ask that." He says bitterly and I pull back my hand as though I've been burned.
"Sorry." I say, turning to walk away.
"I'm sorry I haven't called. I just … " He begins walking towards me. "I'm so happy to see you."
"Not tonight. Okay? Let's not talk about this tonight." I say evenly, trying to pacify him as he follows me towards the house. I want to kiss and make up, I do, but not here. Not with him completely trashed, when he probably won't remember in the morning. I step back into the house, Jeff hot on my heels, the crowds in the house crushing every inch of space around us.
"Jasmine. I need you." I hear his voice, so despondent, pleading with me, and I turn back around and look into those beautiful eyes.
And find myself kissing him.