A year into Austin, Jason rung me to tell me to pack my bags. The Belle Jar’s debut CD, Pick Your Poison, Miss Smith went platinum and the label was throwing a party. Also, he said I wouldn’t be coming back to Austin. Supposedly, I’d impressed Seven with my recent picks lately and they were sending me overseas. Dude, I was incredibly pumped and couldn’t believe my luck. It was a dream come true for me. Now, if I can just endure Kelly’s presence, just long enough to hop a plane over the Big Blue and leave her memory behind. Yeah, you’re running from Kelly, dude. Kelly.
“Oh, God,” I said under my breath as I picked up my luggage at the carousel and began the descent down the long corridor to catch a cab.
At the end, near the doors, stood Cherry, Charlie, Callum, Harper, and the rest of the gang, including Jason. Just to the right stood a bouncing Kelly on the arm of Carter. My stomach plummeted but not at the sight of Kelly, which shocked the hell out of me. No, it was because my eyes kept searching behind Jason for January, of all freaking people. January!
Marty held up a huge sign that read, “Mister Thomas Eriksson, Big Shot and All Around Badass.” I dropped my bags and held out my arms. She ran to me and I picked her up, spinning her around, before setting her down and hugging all of my extended family.
“Love the sign, M,” I told her, squeezing her shoulders.
“You’re welcome.”
“So, my place or yours?” I asked everyone, inciting a cheer.
“Ours,” Charlie said, gesturing to Cherry, as we all began to fall out the door, chatting amongst ourselves, excited and full of mischief.
“How’ve things been around here?” I asked for the millionth time that week when Jason and I got a few feet ahead of everyone.
“Dude, you keep asking me that and I told you, everything’s cool. Is there something in particular you’re worried about? Because Europe is a done deal, my friend. I’ve got your tickets all ready in my office. Chill.” He eyed me warily before it dawned on him. “Oh, shit! It’s the girl, isn’t it?”
“What girl?” I feigned...badly.
“You’ve still got it for January MacLochlainn, don’t you? She is hot as shit, Tom, but what about the one responsible for this wardrobe malfunction you’ve got going on?” he teased. I peered over my shoulder at Kelly, surprised that I sort of forgot she was behind us. Jason looked as well and nodded discretely. “Ah, I see.”
“No, it’s not like that anymore.” I shook my head in disbelief at that revelation. “I guess I just needed time.”
“Then, what, dude? I’m confused. You’ve been in my business hardcore lately and I’m curious as shit.”
I sighed deeply. “It’s nothing, man, really. I’m at a crossroads in my life, I guess. I’ve got this, though.” I grinned. “Come on,” I said, wrapping my arm around his neck and nudging his head. “Let’s go get shit-faced.”
“Cool.”
The reason I’d been harassing Jason, it seemed, though I wasn’t aware of it until he’d enlightened me, was because I was fishing for information about January. There, I said it. I wanted to know more about this girl, the girl who infected my thoughts with the insane kiss she also polluted my dreams with. I convinced myself that she wasn’t as beautiful as I imagined her to be, that she wasn’t as sexy as I conjured her up to be. I knew then that I’d have to visit the label, and soon, to see for myself. Remind myself that she didn’t affect me as much I thought she did, that I dreamed her up to help me get over Kelly. I was grateful for that little fact but needed to free all ties to her . I was ready to move on.
Then I remembered she’d probably be at The Belle Jar’s Platinum Party the following night. In the car ride to Charlie’s, I sat quietly staring out the window. It felt so good to be home again, but it wasn’t too long before I began to wonder what she’d wear to this party, if she’d wear her long dark brown hair up or down, if her ears were pierced or not, whether she was still dating the mail guy. Get a grip, Thomas! I ran a hand down the front of my face before turning my attention to the car conversation.
I thought my distracted mind escaped the notice of all but when I caught Cherry’s gaze, I knew she saw right through me. She narrowed her eyes at me.
“Callum, baby, switch places with me,” she said.
Callum kissed his wife deeply, making me think about January again, before moving to shotgun.
“Spill, Tommy. What’s up with you? Aren’t you happy to be home?” she asked. She was the only one allowed to call me Tommy. I didn’t feel like I was ten years old the way Cherry said it.
“Of course, Cherry Bomb. I will never be able to be away from you guys for that long again,” I said honestly, hugging her close.
“Then why the long face, kemo sabe?”
Quick, think of something. “It feels bittersweet,” I said. Not a total lie. “I’m leaving for Europe in just a few weeks.”
“Oh, Tom, you’ll only be gone for the same. It’s okay,” she said, snuggling closely into my side. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and squeezed, happy to be near my friends again.
That night we all got sloshed on wine and good food. The group sat around telling stories of the shenanigans I’d missed since my last visit and I almost died laughing hearing them.
“This is a refreshing side,” Jason said to me as we both settled into chairs on Charlie’s patio.