The Impact of You

Avery

In the morning, Jase’s mom redeems her cooking abilities by making the most delicious homemade waffles with fresh blueberries. We gather around the table, eating quietly, but I can feel Jase’s eyes constantly wandering to me. He and I haven’t said much to each other after last night’s extremely heated make-out session. I didn’t think Jase was used to going too slow, but I was proud we kept things under control. Even though our shirts were off, our pants stayed firmly in place. Which wasn’t easy, especially since I could feel Jase’s arousal straining against his jeans. Sheesh. I need to keep my mind out of the gutter. I focus on taking another bite of the waffles in front of me.

“So…what should we do today?” Jase asks.

“You guys do whatever you’d like,” his mom answers.

Jase turns to look at me, measuring my reaction.

I shrug, my expression relaxed and open.

“Well, I thought we could hang out with you today,” Jase says to his mom, “And then tonight I could take Avery out and introduce her to a few of my friends.”

“Yeah, that sounds great. I’m open to whatever.” I feel surprisingly at home and comfortable being with Jase and his mom. There’s none of the awkwardness of being a house guest, or trying to force polite conversation just to fill the silences. We’d broken through that pretty quickly last night – gotten into some pretty heavy topics, which Jase navigated us through with ease. He has an easy-going nature about him that makes people feel instantly comfortable. I like being around him. I feel accepted and at ease, which for me is really saying something. These last few years, I haven’t always felt comfortable in my own skin, let alone in the company of a guy like Jase. I’m glad I met him and gave him a chance. Despite what I’d heard about his reputation, he’s been nothing like the hard-partying, womanizing frat boy that Madison made him out to be. And truth be told, I actually like that he has a past he isn’t proud of. It might make it easier for him to accept mine knowing he isn’t perfect, either.

I help Jase’s mom with the breakfast dishes while Jase does a few chores around the house – changing a light bulb in the garage and replacing a battery in a smoke detector. It feels very natural and homey being here with them. I am thoroughly enjoying the weekend break away from campus and the dorms.

We lie low the rest of the day, relaxing at home with his mom. She makes us lunch and even breaks out Jase’s baby albums. He was the cutest, chubbiest, blond-haired, blue-eyed baby ever. Seriously, he could have been a model.

Jase sits in the armchair and frowns while his mom and I huddle together on the couch, flipping through the pictures, giggling and murmuring what a cutie he was. Seriously, he was blessed genetically. I have no doubt that someday he will make beautiful babies.

Jase says the night will be low-key, just a casual get-together at his friend Radar’s apartment. Apparently, his friend Steve’s last name was Radaresky and everyone had called him Radar since eighth grade. Jase has been friends with this group for years and he tries to visit them whenever he’s home for the weekend. They’d chosen to remain in town and get jobs rather than go off to college. He also mentions this is a group of friends his dad doesn’t approve of. No wonder Jase is so loyal – it seems he’d do just about anything to defy his dad.

I dress in a pair of skinny jeans and layer a couple of long-sleeved tees on top. The nights are starting to get cooler as fall settles in. Jase meets me in the foyer, looking scrumptious in jeans and a light blue hoodie that brings out the blue in his eyes. Only Jase can make jeans and a sweatshirt look sexy. Sheesh, I’m in trouble.

Jase kisses his mom goodbye. “We’ll be late, Mom, so don’t wait up.”

“Okay.” She waves us off.

leads me up three flights and taps on the door in a series of secret knocks before pushing it open. It’s interesting to get a glimpse of his life outside the frat house. I like all the sides he’s showing me: first, the sweet, caring side

Jase comes through the door.

ask Jase, trailing behind

and shakes his head.

that. He has a freakin’ eight pack for Pete’s sake. Not to mention that gorgeous face, piercing blue eyes and his perfectly styled hair that looks like he’d rolled out of bed after a sexy

game. He introduces me to Radar, the wide-smiling blond who called him Adonis; Dave, a shaggy-haired hippie type; Sal, an olive-skinned cutie with a baseball cap pulled

friendly. I sense they have a past, and as curious as I am, part of me doesn’t want to know. I’m already aware of Jase’s history with girls, but that doesn’t mean I

tug on his arm. “Can

relieved to leave the awkwardness behind.

bottles of beer while the question about who the bitter girl is in the other room remains unspoken on the tip of my tongue. Part of me just wants to ask him, but I hold it in. I’m not dating him and I’ve told him practically nothing about my past, so what gives

to say something.

“What question?”

I slept with that girl in

me. “And you did?”

nods. “In

are you telling me this?” He doesn’t owe

know you could sense something and I want

What a concept.

drunkenly at a party. I think she was hoping it’d turn

light stubble. I can see how girls probably throw themselves at him, hoping

was getting ready to leave for college. I didn’t want to be tied down with a girlfriend; I wanted to play the field. And when she told me she’d always liked me,

exactly what that girl had gone through, I did still know the string of rejection when the guy you’d given yourself

comes strolling into the kitchen. He and Jase share a bro hug – the kind that comes with a hand shake and then a couple of loud pats across the back. Then Radar turns to

Radar’s love palace.” His hands sweep out in front of him, indicating a tiny messy kitchen, and dim, sparsely furnished apartment beyond. If he believes this is a love palace, I’m certain Radar hasn’t seen any

shoulder. “Keep an eye on Avery for a minute.