“Hello?” I asked, bringing the cell phone to my ear.
“Where are you?” he asked.
“Um, the mall... where are you?” I asked.
“I just got home from practice. I’ll meet you up at the mall,” he said.
“No, Im about to leave,” I said, not wanting to see him anymore tonight.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because, I want to go home, Im tired of walking around,” I lied.
“Well, why don’t you meet me over at Don Pablo's and we’ll get something to eat,” he suggested.
“I dont really feel well,” I lied, yet again.
“Whatever Casey,” Josh said and hung up. I sighed and hung up my cell phone and looked at an annoyed Howie.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
“Its not your fault,” he smiled weakly.
“Well, did you want to go home?” he asked.
“Um, if you want to,” I said.
“Ok, I think you’ve shopped out every store in this mall,” he laughed, looking down at all my bags. I laughed, “Yeah, I think so too.”
“Hey, my parents are going away for the weekend and Im throwing a party Saturday night. Do you want to come?” I asked smiling.
“I dont think I’d fit in,” he said standing up. I stood up with him and we began to walk to his car.
“Why not?” I asked.
“Your friends are completely different than me,” he replied.
“So, you could hang out with me,” I said smiling, I knew I was flirting and to be honest, I didnt care.
“Don’t you hang out with that cool boyfriend of yours?” he asked, obviously being sarcastic.
“No, actually. I dont. He has dumb little contests to see who can drink the most, so him and his friends stay in the living room and get drunk. Im a floater. I go all around the house,” I laughed.
“Oh, well, I dont think Josh would want me there,” he told me.
“He doesnt even know you Howie,” I argued.
“Well, I dont know. I guess I will, if you stay with me,” he shrugged.
“Great. You can bring some friends, if you want,” I said smiling.
“Ok, yeah, I think that would make me more comfortable,” he smiled.
I loved Howie’s smile, it was so perfect. I shook the thought out of my head and looked at him.
We got to Howie’s car and he walked over and once again, opened the car door for me. I smiled and got in and waited for him to get in. After Howie had dropped me off at my house, I walked inside and was greeted by Josh.
“What are you doing here? Why wasn’t your car out there?” I asked, irritated.
“My car is out there, it’s across the street,” he replied.
“Oh, well, I didnt see it,” I shrugged and began walking upstairs, taking all my bags up with me.
“Who took you to the mall?” he asked, following me.
“A friend,” I said.
“Does this friend have a name?” he asked.
“Of course,” I said and threw all my stuff on the bed.
“Well, what is it?” he asked.
I looked at him and hesitated, “Howie.”
“Howie? A male?” he asked, his face getting an angry look to it.
“Correct.”
“Why did you go to the mall with some guy I dont know?”
I looked down at my finger and studied it.
“Nope, no ring. Guess you don’t have a say as to what I do or who I do it with.”
“Casey,” he said and turned me to look at him.
“What?” I asked.
“What is wrong with you lately? If you’re going to break up with me, just do it.”
“Who said I was going to break up with you?”
“Well, you act that way.”
“Because now, Ive started to get a little sense as to not succumb to your every word and demand,” I said. He looked at me blankly.
“Is there something you are confused about?” I asked.
“No,” he said.
“Ok.”
“Im sorry,” he said, looking into my eyes.
“Josh, do you ever think you say that too much?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“Well, stop doing dumb and ignorant things,” I told him.
He looked at me and took my hand in his hand.
“I told Chad and Will I’d go hang out with them tonight. I’ll call you later,” he said and turned to walk.
“It’s things like that, that upset me Josh,” I told him as he started to walk.
“What?” he asked.
“Everyone always come before I do. When is the last time you’ve had a real conversation with me?” I asked.
“I... I dont know,” he replied.
“Go,” I said and began to hang up my new clothes.
He walked behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“I love you,” he whispered. I looked into his eyes and I like I had many times before, I didnt see love in his eyes. I didnt see the sparkle or the admiration that people should have when they love someone, but also like any other time I smiled.
“I love you too,” I replied smiling.
“I’ll call you tonight,” he told me.
I turned around and studied all my clothes and heard him shut my bedroom door.
Just then the phone rang.
“Hello?” I asked, picking it up.
“Casey?” a male asked.
“Yes, who is this?” I asked.
“Howie, hey you left a bag in my car, would you like me to drop it off for you?” he asked.
“Um, yes please.”
“Ok, I’ll drop it off in a few minutes,” he said.
“Ok, thank you,” I said and we hung up.
I felt a tear drop fall from my eye, I didn’t understand why Josh always put his friends before me. I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror.
“Im not going to deal with this anymore,” I told myself.
Chapter One
Chapter Three
All I Have To Give Index
Howie's Intoxication
The Ultimate Intoxication
Backstreet Bar
