Chapter 26

We all enjoyed some free bowling after that massive win. It was fun hanging out with all of them again. Most of them were off at college and I didn’t really get to see them. Or they simply lived a whole state away. Jagger and I danced under the neon lights and we ate until our hearts content. It was a perfect first date.

I kept noticing Keegan looking at us every once in a while. I am sure it was as awkward for him to see me moving on as well. I am just happy we are friends again.

I ended up riding home with Jagger, and Keegan rode home with Baylen since he was staying there and he had been dropped off. I invited Casey to ride with us, but she wanted to go home and be with her grandparents.

Jagger and I hopped into her dad’s pickup truck that she drove. She held my hand all the way to my house. It was sweet. We sang every song that came on the radio and chatted about what we could do when she came back for Christmas.

As we got to my house, she parked behind my mom’s car. We had a house full tonight again. Mom and Ms. Kyren had work friends over. I could see everyone was gone except for Ms. Kyren. Baylen had also beat us home.

“I had fun tonight Jag,” I said, unbuckling my seat belt.

“I did too. It was nice to hang out with your friends and family. And even Keegan,” she said, smiling.

“He wasn’t too bad right?” I asked.

“I mean other than his obvious feelings he still has for you, no,” she said.

“No Jagger, you’re mistaken there. He was excited that we won. He is super competitive,” I reassured her.

“If you say that’s all it is, I believe you. This Jeff kid I can compete with, but Keegan, I’m not so sure,” she confided.

I moved closer to her and grabbed her hands.

“I’m here with you aren’t I?” I asked.

I traced the palms of her hands. She looked down, away from my gaze. I removed her baseball cap so I could see her face better.

“Jagger, I’m not sure where this will take us, but I know I like you. I hope you like me in the same way,” I said.

She smiled at me and laid her head back on the headrest.

“I don’t need you to be my girlfriend, Brees. I just need you to be open to whatever we could be without Keegan having a hold on your heart,” she said.

I could sense that she was bothered by the interaction that Kee and I had. I wished I could make her see that she was important to me. I began to ramble on and give reasons why Keegan and I could never be together.

“Keegan has a girlfriend. Who is super hot I might add. He hates me. We don’t speak or text or call. Nothing about him appeals to me and the same goes for…” but I was cut off.

Jagger grabbed me by my collar and pulled me quickly to her and kissed me. Stopping me mid-sentence. It wasn’t a very long kiss. But it was so sensual that when she pulled away I kissed the air a few times searching for her lips.

“Have a good night Brees,” she said, reaching across my lap to open my door. Her arm rubbed across my thighs and gave me such a feeling of want. I wished we had kissed more, longer, slower. But this was her taking her time and I understood.

I waved her off and walked into my front door. I set my purse on the coat hanger and kicked off my shoes. It had been a long night. I walked into the living room to watch a little bit of tv, but I was startled to see Keegan sitting there.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’ll just go to my room. I don’t want to bother you,” I said, apologizing for being in my own house.

“No Brees, please stay,” he suggested.

I looked around and then I sat in my dad’s old armchair.

“Okay, but I’m watching ESPN highlights,” I said, grabbing the remote from him and plopping back into my seat.

He chuckled and agreed. We sat quietly for a while, just watching highlights from the Thanksgiving football games.

“Brees, I finally opened my birthday present you sent me. Thank you so much for that,” Keegan said, breaking the monotony.

Really? I sent that back in September for his 18th birthday. He just opened it in November?

“That took a long time. I had to send it though. Even though I know we aren’t friends or…” my voice trailed off.