Don't Hate the Player...Hate the Game(16)

“Man, that’s a pretty screwed up theory and screwed up view of Jake!” Ryan argued.

Jonathan shook his head. “Yeah, it is, but it also sounds like something Jake would do. Hell, he’d probably let the chick keep the ring in the end, too.”

Scratching the back of my neck, I said, “Nah, I don’t think so.”

Jason raised his eyebrows. “Oh really? You think Jake actually had a conscience and wouldn’t do something like that?”

I nodded.

Jason snorted. “Words of wisdom coming from the kid Jake duct taped to his chair in kindergarten.”

While the others howled in laughter, I merely shook my head. “He was changing. You know—like maturing or something.”

“Are you serious?” Jonathan asked.

I thought of the brilliantly vivid flashback I’d had last night. “I know he was sincere about the ring because he told me he’d fallen in love with a girl.”

“Really?” Jason asked.

“Yeah. But he wouldn’t tell me who she was because he hadn’t had the chance to tell her yet. He thought she deserved to know before I did. So like I said, he really was changing into this caring and compassionate dude.”

“Wow, that’s deep,” Jonathan replied. He stared out over the water. “Deep like the deep end of the pool…”

I exchanged a glance with Alex. “Um, Jonathan, what the hell are you talking about?”

He turned back at me. “No, you’re right. Jake really was good guy sometimes.” Jason coughed next to him. “No, man, he was. You and I both know that. He was better than the both of us put together.”

Jason sighed. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.” He shook his head. “Sure as hell doesn’t say much for us, does it?”

“So, just how do you propose to find this girl?” Jonathan asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

He snorted. “It’s not gonna be easy!”

“I realize that.”

“Jake may have been changing like you say, but man was he ever a player. Hell, he got more ass than Jason and I combined!”

Jason nodded. “I don’t know what it was about him. I mean, yeah he was good-looking and all, but man, did he have the way with women!”

Alex started laughing with the others. When I shot him an exasperated look, he abruptly stopped. Once he’d regained his composure, he leaned forward in his pool chair. “So what are you going to do? Start taking depositions from girls like some wacked out Law and Order or CSI show?”

I refused to answer him. Instead, I fumbled under my chair for the beer I was drinking before Mrs. Nelson’s appearance. It was half full. I quickly chugged it down. I cut my eyes over to the guys who were waiting expectantly for my answer.

I sighed. “Look, I haven’t a freaking’ clue how I’m going to do it, but I do know it’d be nice if I you guys had my back a little more.”

Jonathan nodded. “Hey man, you’re right. We all need to be in on this for Jake.” He grabbed his beer can out of its hiding place. “For Jake,” he said and raised his can.

We all brought our cans together—even mine that was empty. “For Jake,” we murmured in unison.

***

Chapter Six

I left Jake’s house around four after I’d sobered up enough. Visitation at the funeral home was to start at six. But instead of heading home to an empty house with Mom at work, I swung by Grammy’s house because I was sure she’d cook for me.

“Hey Grammy!” I called as I headed side door.

She was bustling around the kitchen in her favorite apron that read ‘Kiss the Cook, Sugah!’ She glanced up at me and her face fell. “Noah sweetie, I wasn’t expectin’ you.”

“It’s okay. I should’ve called.” I leaned in as she gave me one of her signature wet kisses on the cheek.

Grammy is one of a dying breed of Southern women—right down to her twangy drawl. My Granddaddy’s people, who were all Irish ‘Yankees’ from New York, use to love sitting around listening to Grammy talk. Nowadays there’s nothing she loves more than to be in the kitchen cooking or out in the yard working in her flower beds. She still goes to the beauty shop every week to get her bouffant hairdo cemented into place.

After kissing me, Grammy pulled me into her arms. “Oh baby, I’m so, so sorry about Jake. I’ve done cried my eyes out all day and night after your mama told me.” She patted my back, and for that moment, I closed my eyes and let her comfort wash over me. Instead of letting my arms lie limply at my sides, I wrapped them around Grammy’s waist and squeezed. “You poor, poor thing. Losing your best friend in the whole wide world. Besides ol’ Jake, there wasn’t a person you were closer to besides your Granddaddy.”

At the mention of my grandfather, I stiffened. It had been two years since he’d died of cancer, and I still missed him each and every day.

With one last pat, Grammy said, “Now you just go on and sit down. I’ll whip you up something real quick just as soon as I finish this cake. Okay?”

“Sure Grammy.”

I slid onto one of the bar stools and propped my elbows on the counter. Grammy’s house was home to me. After all, I’d grown up here since my mom couldn’t afford for us to have our own place until she finished medical school. Besides, Mom and I both loved the love and support we got while living with Granddaddy and Grammy.