HIM
I had a company come in and lay checkered flag ceramic tiling throughout the office. I also got Luke and Ernie brown leather couches, just like the one my dad had. His one retired to the break room for others to have a little bit of my dad.I've called Luke every day this week at least twice, sometimes more if I started to miss him or got a weird vibe. Every time, it goes straight to his voicemail. Sometimes I call him to listen to his voice, to hear, you've reached Luke Jameson, leave a message. I wish I knew where he was. I wish he would text me and tell me that he's okay. Even that much would suffice.
I hear a slight commotion as Maureen gets up from her desk, grabbing her things.
"I'm heading out for the day. Have a good weekend," she smiles.
"You too," I smile back.
The shop closes in a half-hour; I will sit and wait until five to see if the desks arrive. I plop my laptop from Facade on Maureen's desk, and I continue working on the Christiansen project designs. It's fantastic, I can handle this project from anywhere I am. It's been nice to see and work with everyone this week without being there in person.
THE DRIVE IS NICE ON my way home to my dad's, I sing along with the radio and let the hot afternoon air race through my car with the windows down. I feel somewhat content today, better than I have all week. Am I losing hope in myself and Luke, or am I coming to terms our short relationship may have come to an end? I know he needs space and time to think, but I need him and his reassurance too.
I bring my purse and laptop into my dad's house, setting my purse on the chair in the entryway. I set my laptop down on the kitchen table, then grab a single box of Stouffer's lasagna, and toss it into the microwave. I press the power button on my laptop to reply to client emails and co-worker chats. After I finish my pasta and respond to my final client email for the day, I mosey on upstairs to take a shower and get ready for Jason's party.
My shower is brief, as I did not get too dirty today, and I also did not have much to ponder over. I dry myself off then flip my hair up in a towel. My sunburn has dissipated, leaving a soft gold hue to my skin but still has a slight sting. I plop my suitcase on my bed; I should unpack my shit since I'm here until the end of September. I grab a pair of nude lace boy shorts and my nipple pedals. I slip on my panties and peel the tape from the pedals, securing them over my nipples.
I decide on a floral sleeveless mini dress for tonight; it is hot out, and it should help the uncomfortable sensation of my sunburnt skin. I check myself over in the mirror; this dress is super cute, allowing my skin to breathe. I remove the towel from my head, and I blow dry, straighten, then add some soft waves to my hair. I pin the top half back in a slight poof. I apply some makeup, light and subtle. I'm not really in the mood to go all out with my makeup tonight; I'm not feeling it.
I don't know why I'm getting so dressed up, but I haven't done much involving hair and makeup all week. I go back to my room to put in a pair of pheasant feather earrings, a long dangly necklace, and a bracelet to complete my wardrobe. I check myself over in the mirror then flip my hair out over my shoulders. Maybe part of me thinks I may see Luke tonight, and I want to look somewhat presentable.
I'm a bit nervous about going to Jason's since I decided not to go there at all this week to see if Luke was at his house or if he may have packed up all his belongings. I tried to focus on other things, although I did drive there once but never turned down the dirt road leading to his place. I don't know what I'd do or say if he's at his house tonight. I have so many mixed feelings floating around that it is hard to decipher what possible reaction I would have in such an event.
Chapter Seventy-Two
I follow two cars down the long dirt road. I'm not showing up too late this time around. The butterflies go crazy wild in my stomach as Jason's house comes into view. I can see that he hasn't lit the huge mound made of brush and other shit piled on top of his fire pit. The music is getting louder as I pull up closer toward his garage; I can feel the rumble from the bass as it hits my car.
I look around to see, besides my car and Jason's truck, there are only six other vehicles here. The last party I came to, his place had so many cars that I had to park away from his house. I'm arriving an hour earlier than I did the last time, but I figured there would be more people here by now. At least, I will be able to find Jason right away.
I flip down the visor and check over my makeup and hair; I reapply some lip gloss and flip the visor back up. I open my door and pop my trunk. I picked up two cases of beer and a bottle of Fireball on the way. I figured it's the least I could do for all the liquor I drank at the last party I attended here. I set the cases down, adjust my dress, then close my trunk. I walk up the rest of the driveway to the garage.
"Hey Ali, let me help you with those," Austin says