Page 20 of Hate You Forever

“It’s not a line. It’s the truth. I thought I needed more, needed to be more, that more was expected of me. Then I realized that everything I needed, everything that’s really important in life, I already had…and left.”

“You’re really not leaving this time?” she asks, her eyes filled with worry.

I raise my hand and place it on her cheek, forcing her eyes to mine. I shake my head. “I’m really not leaving this time.”

Her smile breaks free, and she closes the space between us with a hug and a long kiss.

I head back to the house and I shower, shave, and get ready for the parade. I pull on my old football jersey, and it fits like a charm. Leaving my room, I find my mom already gone. I wonder if she’s going to the parade. I drive through town to the starting spot for the parade, and I find the float I’m supposed to be on. It’sgot a giant paper-mache football on the back. On the front, it says, “Class of 2010.” I climb up on the float and start talking with some old classmates, some of who only came in for this parade. Before the parade starts, the entire football team here from my senior year has gathered. It’s fun talking and catching up with everyone after being away for so long. We all make a plan to meet up tonight at The Place for drinks and to talk about old times.

The band starts playing, and the line of floats begin to move slowly forward. Someone shoves a bucket into my hands, and I look down to find it full of candy and beaded necklaces. It seems like the whole town has come out for this year’s homecoming parade. The float behind mine has today’s football team on it, and they’re loudly cheering as we drift down the road. It’s hard to believe that ten years ago today, I was right where they are. I look back and see the cheerleaders walking alongside their float, shouting and chanting. I remember being on that float and looking down to find Jade cheering in her uniform. I’m pretty sure the whole time I was on that float, I had a massive erection. It’s funny how little things can cause all these memories to come flooding back, even though I haven’t thought of them in years.

We’re about halfway down Main Street when I look up and find Jade in the crowd, standing withPearl and Blake. I toss them a handful of candy, then toss Jade the only beaded necklace that has tiny little footballs instead of rounded beads. She catches it, puts it on her neck, then smiles and blows me a kiss before waving like I’m her favorite person in the world. I see Pearl whisper something to her, and she smiles and nods. She looks content, and that makes me happier and more excited for the day.

By the time the parade ends, I’m out of candy and hopping off the float. Jade, Pearl, and Blake make their way over to me. Jade jumps into my arms, and I pull her against me for a hug with a wide smile. I set her on her feet just as Pearl and Blake walk up.

“A lot of people from my class are meeting up tonight at The Place. You guys want to go?”

They all agree to go, and we all walk over to the bar, which is already filling up with the townspeople. Blake snags us a table while I grab us all a round of drinks. I get a pitcher of beer and four glasses. Jade meets me at the table with shots for everyone.

She takes her seat and holds up her shot. “To us, just like old times.”

We all toast to that and toss back the liquid.

ELEVEN

Jade

Time passes quickly with the four of us together, drinking, laughing, and talking. There’s a band setting up on stage, and more and more people are piling in through the doors to hang out before the football game starts.

“You guys want to go to the game? Come on. For old time’s sake?” Pearl asks, giving us all those big eyes of hers while she bats her lashes.

We all agree to swing by the game when it starts. The music starts, and Memphis takes my hand and pulls me to the dance floor. He spins me around like a professional dancer, and I can’t do anything but laugh and grow hotter as I feel his body moving with mine. Pearl and Blake join us on the dance floor, and for a moment, it feels like we’re all back in high schoolagain, except Blake wasn’t even on Pearl’s radar, not as much as his younger brother anyway.

We dance and drink the day away until it’s time for the game to start. We all group together and make the short walk to the field a few blocks away. We stock up on soda and junk food before finding our spot in the bleachers.

The homecoming game is one of the biggest games of the season around here, and the whole town shows up for it. The stands are so crowded that we’re packed in like sardines, but it’s the way everyone likes it. We’re a big football town and love the homecoming game because we always play the neighboring town. There have been years of rivalry between the two, and it’s always the best game.

Not much is said between us as we watch the game. We cheer when we score, and we boo when the opposite teams gains on us. We’re neck and neck for the first quarter, and it keeps us all on the edge of our seats.

I lean into Memphis and bump him with my shoulder. “It feels like a lifetime ago but just yesterday at the same time, doesn’t it?”

He laughs. “It really does. I remember being on that field with these lights shining down on me.”

I smile. “And I was sitting right here, cheering you on.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer as his lips land on mine.

“Jay, come to the bathroom with me?” Pearl asks.

I agree, and we head down the stands and toward the bathrooms. While she goes, I head to the concession stand to grab some nachos. I’m standing in line when I hear a man say my name.

“Jade?”

I turn around at the unfamiliar voice and am face to face with Paul.

My mouth drops open, and my eyes stretch wide as I try to figure out what’s going on. “Paul?”

He smiles wide and nods. “It’s me.”

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