understand something. You were actually considering getting back with that asshole after he fucked someone in your bed and you won’t give me a pass because I didn’t tell you what I do for a living?”
The way he brought up Troy and what he did is painful. His choice of words and the tone in which he delivered them are caustic, and they hurt me almost as much as if he physically slapped me.
“You’re a liar just like him.”
“I am nothing like him.”
At this point we are in front of Owen’s place. Owen lives on the first floor of a brownstone and can hear everything that happens outside in the front half of his apartment where we usually study. He opens the heavy wood door to his place in his shirt and basketball shorts, looking meaner than he really is.
“Everything okay out here?” he asks sternly.
I think everyone who matters in my life (and thousands who don’t) now know that I have some sort of association with Jett Caraway, but they don’t know the details because no one dares to ask me (except for my family). I don’t bring it up and they don’t ask. Even if they did, I would refuse to talk about it, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t read. Owen knows exactly who Jason is and from what I know is a big sports fan, but that doesn’t matter right now. He’s got my back as a friend and I appreciate that more than he knows right now.
“Everything’s fine, Owen. Are Paige and Keisha here yet?”
“No, they’re running a little late.”
Jason extends his hand.
“Hi, I’m Jett.”
It’s so weird to hear him introduce himself as Jett, but that’s his name. I’m the only dummy who it sounds odd to.
“I know who you are,” Owen says, and neither Jason nor I miss the edge to his tone. He’s being an ass for my sake, but he may overdo it a bit.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Jason continues with the pleasantries, not taking the bait.
“Uh huh,” Owen says dismissively. “We should probably get going, A. We’ve got a lot of work to do tonight.”
This is getting uncomfortable. I know that Owen probably senses the tension between Jason and me and is only trying to help, but I can feel Jason’s blood boiling. He doesn’t like Owen already, and this can only go in one direction at this point… south.
“She’s not going anywhere until we’re finished talking,” Jason says.
“Wait-” I try putting an end to this but Owen over talks me.
“What you and Adrienne are going through is none of my business, but she’s my friend and I know she isn’t comfortable right now, which means that I’m uncomfortable.”
“Is that fucking right? Damn, Adrienne, you have a lot of men in your life that are always trying to talk to you when I’m around.”
“Listen man, maybe you call the shots in the locker room and on the field, but right now you’re in front of my house. This is my ball game. And you’re harassing one of my friends. So you need to go before I call the police.”
The police?
Okay, wait, this is getting out of hand. I’ve never seen this side of Owen. I’ve only ever thought of him as a reliable study buddy, but now I see his value as a genuine friend. Someone willing to stick up for me just in case I need a little backup, albeit a little too zealously.
“Thanks, Owen, but Jett (I can’t believe I just called him that) and I were just finishing up a little conversation that was long overdue. I’ll be up in three minutes.”
“You sure?”
He touches my shoulder.
“Yes, thanks.”
Jason laughs cynically as Owen returns inside the house. Then he paces back and forth in front of me like a maniac who gulped down too many energy drinks.
“What?!”
“You’re giving me three goddamn minutes?”
“Watch your mouth and I’m here to study, not chop it up with you.”
“Are you fucking him?”
“What did you just ask me?”
“Are you sleeping with that prick?”
“I’m not going to even dignify that with an answer. Go home.”
His eyes look panicked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I don’t know what I’m saying.”
“You’re right, you don’t. I’m going in the house, Jason. You need to leave.”
“I just miss you so damn much.”
Why can’t I just confess? I miss him too.
“We haven’t even known each other that long. Just go back to doing whatever you were doing before you met me.”
“That’s the thing, beautiful, I wasn’t doing a fucking