Jeff Chandler

Jeff’s family owned a crab and crawfish trapping company called Chandler and Sons, and he and his brothers literally are the richest kids in our school.

“Yeah, I’ll ask my brother and see what his plans are. You should totally come to his friend Keegan’s party next weekend. It’s at the field near the Jackson’s farm. It’s his 16th birthday party,” I shared.

I probably should have asked Keegan or Bay first, but it just kind of came out.

“Dope. For sure! I think maybe my buddies Hale and Cyman would like to come too if that’s ok?” he asked and sort of invited them all at the same time.

I agreed and we made plans to sit together at lunch Tuesday when school started back. After we hung up, my hands were shaking, but my face felt warm.

“James, you are blushing my girl! I am so proud of you. We gotta pick you out something so super hot to wear for Kee’s party. Not that you care, but I think he should see what he is missing,” Casey teased.

Casey calls me by my middle name so much that I think she forgets my name is Brees. A little more on why my mom named me after my grandpa. My mom gave Baylen our paternal grandpa’s name as his middle name. When I was born, her dad was really sick and she wanted to honor him as well. Unfortunately I was a girl, but she decided to give me the name James anyways because that was his name. I miss Grandpa Jim. He always had gum for me. He wore suspenders and a hat every day. He was so fancy, I would say. He died about six years after his diagnosis and my birth.

I smiled at her and touched my cheeks. I don’t blush often and it’s hard to even tell with my freckles and tan skin, so I must really be red. This may be my chance to finally move passed my Keegan crush. Sophomore year was going to be all about Brees and not about Keegan at all.

Just then I heard a knock at my bedroom door. Who even knocks in this house? My mom and Bay, both just whip my door right open. Which is hella rude, but my mom says her house, her doors. I walked over to open it and standing there with his wet curls and shining blue eyes, looking yummy as ever, was KEEGAN! Why is he here at my door? What does he want? His baby blue eyes studied my face for a second.

“Hey Squirt! I just wanted to check on you after last night. Missy said you didn’t have a concussion so that’s good. My mom sends her love and said that if you need a check up to please come and see her soon,” he said with such realistic concern in his voice. “We need our running back ready for next week's two-hand touch game at my party,” he said, messing up my hair playfully. I pushed his hand away. His face looked shocked and worried.

“She won’t be playing any two-hand touch unless it’s with Jeff,” Casey joined in, “he is coming to the party and she is going to look smoking hot when he does,” she said.

He turned back to look at me. I almost could see a slight frown and a furrowing of his eyebrows. No one said anything for what felt like forever. He looked at me and gave a warm smile. I melt every single time he smiles, even if it wasn’t in my direction. He threw his arm around my shoulders and put his hand on top of my head to bring it closer to his mouth. Then he planted a kiss right on my head near my hairline like he always does.

“Well good for you Squirt. You are growing up right in front of our eyes. Jeff is pretty cool, his brother, Sterling, is on the football team. You guys should have lots of fun at my party. I will see you guys at school Tuesday!” he said leaving my room.

As I watched him walk away, I couldn’t believe how cool he was with Jeff coming to his party. He really doesn’t have feelings for me like I had imagined. I smiled slightly at the thought that I was letting him go. Letting my heart release Keegan, was like a weight that has been dragging endlessly on my heart. I was surprisingly okay with the idea. I think I will always love him, but now I felt free.