"Where's Alex?" I asked with a yawn as I made my way downstairs.
"That chick from the record store called said that if Alex wanted the job she could start today. She left about an hour ago." Jay answered, taking a spoonful of cereal from the bowl in his hands. He was sitting in front of the big screen watching some movie with Adam Sandler. I sat down next to him tucking my legs up under me when he added, "Looks like it's just you and me, Red."
"Joy," I teased, bumping his shoulder playfully.
We watched the movie quietly, laughing at the funny parts. When the movie switched to commercial I asked, "What did you end up doing last night?"
"I went to a little bar a few blocks away. I shot some pool, had a few drinks, nothing too exciting." He answered
"You could have done all of that here." I replied in confusion, "For free."
"True, but this house doesn't have sexy little drunk chicks in short skirts and tube tops." Jay answered with his usual smirk.
"Hey!" I yelled hitting Jay gently upside the head with one of the couch pillows.
"No offense, Red. You're cute and all but your whole obsession with Manning is a little bit of a turn off." Jay said between laughter as he grabbed the pillow and threw it across the room.
"I'm not obsessed with Craig." I replied defensively, pouting slightly as I turned my attention to the Mr. Clean commercial.
Jay snickered, "Right, and I'm a straight A honor student."
I rolled my eyes as the movie came back on but my attention was already drifting towards Vancouver. Craig. Maybe I was slightly obsessed, but he'd been a huge part of my life for over a year and yet in the last few days it felt like I had no idea who he was anymore.
"Earth to Ellie," Jay said, drawing my attention back to the present. "Where did you go, space cadet?"
"What? Nothing. Nowhere." I replied, shaking the fog from my head.
"Okay! Then back to my question. What do you want to do today?" He asked, a look of confusion or maybe concern on his face.
"Something fun. Something I've never done before." I answered.
"I think we can do that." He replied standing up. "Go get changed, I think I have the perfect thing in mind."
I watched as he started towards his room, calling out after him, "Are you going to tell me what it is?"
"Have a little faith, Red. Trust me." Jay called back before disappearing into his room.
Trust him? Was that a joke? I sighed but headed upstairs anyway. I would have been lying to myself if I said I wasn't curious. I was. Big time. I quickly changed and grabbed my beach bag before heading back downstairs to meet Jay.
"Jet Skis," I asked as Jay handed the guy behind the counter a credit card.
"Have you ever been on one before?" Jay asked, tossing me a life jacket.
"No," I answered, a little unsure of myself.
"Then it meets your criteria. Its fun and you've never done it before." He added putting on his own life vest. "Come on, Red! What are you afraid of?"
"Fine," I said, giving in. I put on the life vest and followed Jay and the ski guy out to the edge of the water.
I watched as Jay climbed onto the Jet Ski and listened as the guy gave instructions on how to work the thing. I was having second thoughts when Jay asked, "You coming or are you just going to stand on the beach and watch?"
"And let you have all the fun? I don't think so." I replied, mustering up what courage I could find as I climbed on the back of the Jet Ski and wrapped my arm around Jay's waist.
I squealed as the Jet Ski jerked forward. I tightened my grip around Jay's waist as the waves crashed into us spraying us with cool, salty, ocean water. The sprays were a welcome relief from the sweltering heat of the summer sun that was beating down on us. I could feel myself smiling and hear myself laughing as we raced through the water.
"You want to drive?" Jay asked, slowing the Jet Ski down and turning his head to look at me.
I shook my head no as we came to a stop a large distance from the shore. There was no way I was getting into the drivers seat.
"Come on, Red! Live a little." Jay added before diving into the water.
"Jay!" I yelled waiting for him to come back up. I got a little nervous when he didn't. "Jay, stop! This isn't funny!"
He came up on the opposite side of the Jet Ski and splashed water at me to get my attention. I was way beyond furious. My anger only grew as he slowly swam his way towards me, "Scoot up, you're driving."
I scooted forward as Jay pulled himself up on to the seat behind me. I twisted in my seat and hit him several times on the arm, "You a$$hole! Don't you ever do that to me again!"
"Ouch, El, that kind of hurt," Jay replied shielding himself from my blows as he laughed.
"It's not funny, you jerk. I thought you were in trouble." I added, landing one last slap on the arm.
"Red, relax. I'm wearing a life jacket. It's not like I was going to drown." He explained. "Now pay attention."
Jay showed me how the thing worked then helped me steer for a while. Eventually I felt both of his hands on my waist and realized I was driving the Jet Ski all by myself. It was empowering. I felt free with the ocean breeze blowing my hair around and Jay's laughter tickling my ear. I'd never been behind the wheel of anything before. Even my own life felt like I was watching from the backseat as someone else steered me through life.
We headed back to the beach as our time ran out. We climbed off the Jet Ski and pulled it up into the sand. I was bubbling over with excitement. It was an amazing high having done something exhilarating, something I'd never done before. I threw my arms around Jay's neck in a friendly hug, "Thank you."
It must have shocked Jay because he didn't respond right away. It was only after a couple of seconds that his arms went around me and he replied, "You're welcome."
We both took a step back and the space between us filled up with awkwardness. I quickly turned around realizing that just because a hug between me and Craig was completely normal what just happened between me and Jay was anything but. I unzipped my life vest before flopping down in the sand to catch my breath from the excitement.
"I take it you had fun?" Jay asked, sitting down next to me.
I nodded my head before looking at him, "That was awesome. I've never felt so in control."
"You've never driven before?" He asked. I shook my head no and he let out a low whistle before adding, "Wow, you have no idea what you're missing."
"Will you teach me?" I asked hopefully.
"Sure, but not today. I've got a hot date and I desperately need a shower. What do you say we head back to the house?" Jay replied.
"Okay," I added standing up and following Jay.
"Hey," Alex said coming into the house while I was vegged out on the couch.
"So, how was it?" I asked sitting up.
She shrugged her shoulders before flopping down beside me on the couch, "What did you guys do today? And where the hell is Jay?"
"Jay took me jet skiing and now he's hounding some poor girl out of her incredibly short skirt." I replied.
"You and Jay have been spending an awful lot of time together the last few days." Alex added, raising her eyebrows in curiosity.
"I know exactly two people here and you have a job. Who am I supposed to spend my time with?" I shot back.
"Okay, good point. I'm going to go crash." Alex replied. "See you in the morning, El."
"Night," I added as Alex stood up and made her way towards the stairs.
I was bored. I flipped through the channels about five times before flipping the big screen off. I grabbed my cell phone from my beach bag and went out back. I quickly dialed the familiar number and listened to it ring.
"Hey," Craig's voice said on the other end. It was less angry, back to his normal, friendly tone.
I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding and replied, "Hey."
"I'm sorry about yesterday, El. I just…I miss you." Craig said, causing a smile to lift my face.
I sighed into the phone, "I miss you too Craig."
"Then why don't you want me to come visit you?" He asked.
"It's not that I don't want you to come visit me, I do. It's just, you don't like Jay. Don't you think it'll be a little awkward staying in his house?" I tried explaining.
"El, this isn't about Jay, it's about us. I want to see you. If it means dealing with Jay that's something I'm willing to deal with. Come on, El." Craig coxed.
"Okay, but you have to try not to start crap with Jay. Promise," I asked giving in.
"I promise. Look you won't regret this. I've got a break in July so I guess I'll see you then." Craig responded, excitement in his voice.
"July, it is." I added. "Night, Craig."
"Night, El." He replied before we both hung up.
I looked up at another star filled sky and said a tiny prayer that I hadn't just made a huge mistake. I wanted to see Craig but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was going to lead to a whole lot of drama.
