Blue - Dodge Mason

EIGHT

'Every player has a story'

"Jer my car is tweaking out again can I take your truck to work." I called through practically silent household. No response. After trudging up the stairs and entering my brother's room, I realized I should've knocked first. "Can I borrow the truck-" I swung his door open and saw my brother barely covered with his arm draped over a girl- "oh." "Have it back by 4." Jeremy chuckled while reaching over to his nightstand, taking out the keys and tossing the to me.

Work was unusually show, giving me way too much time to replay the events of last night in my head. There was a lot to unpack. Yet what hit me the most was the guilt I've been feeling. Guilt that I'm playing the very game that nearly killed my brother. Guilt that I'm playing so I can selfishly leave the family and friends who shaped me into who I am. Guilt that I hurt my best friend by playing. Guilt that- "Jacky can you fix the ice machine." My coworker snapped me out of my thoughts and I looked down, realized I had been swirling an iced tea continuously and not actually doing my job. I nodded, "Yeah I got it." And went over to the ice machine that tended to break down due to the Texas heat.

After my shift I sat in the truck for a moment, checking my messages. I was glad Nat forgave me but I had several texts from Bishop and Heather, both saying I should come to Nat's house with them because Heather was going to attempt to mend their friendship. For some reason along with that Heather thinks it'd work better if I was there as well. 'Today the court is hearing the case of Heather Nill vs Natalie Williams, are you bringing the popcorn or should I?  I read Bishop's text, shit is Heather going to talk to her? I sighed while starting up the truck to head to Nat's.

"How are we gonna win this thing." Is what I heard as I pulled up in the truck. Well looks like I missed the show, Nat and Heather look like best friends again to me. And Nat hasn't even been answering any of my texts after I apologized to her yesterday about playing. I bit my cheek anxiously as I walked over to them. "I owe you an explanation too." Heather said to me, "My mom took my money- all of it, that's why I'm playing." "Heather I had no idea-" "And I know I completely contradicted myself when I told you to go to Nat when you knew you were playing I had no idea I would have even considered playing. And I'm sorry, I am." Heather looked between  us, "Nat, I'll say it again, I'm sorry. Jacky, I'm sorry I didn't tell you either, both of you had already left for the jump." "I forgive you." I turn to Nat, "I'm sorry again, you're my best friend, you both are." At this point I'm looking between the two of them and Natalie grabs my hand, "I forgive you, I'm sorry if I overreacted, I just don't want you to get hurt." "Same to both of you." I smile at Heather and Nat, and Heather pulls both of us into a hug.

I pull back and it's just Nat and Heather hugging as I watch them smiling. Bishop swings the door open, "Are you guys going to make out?" "You wish." Heather wraps her arm around me and lays her head on Nat's shoulder. "So, all good?" Bishop asks, "You guys friends again?" "Partners." Nat looks at Heather and I feel a small pang of jealousy, not realizing I'd missed that conversation as well. "No hard feelings, right J?" Nat looks over at me and I smile, lying through my teeth, "None at all, just happy to be best friends again."

"All of this reuniting has me hungry." Bishop comments and I perk up, "If only there was a place with great chicken tenders and we can scope out some competition." Heather laughs, "I like the way you think." "Am I missing something?" Natalie asks and I smile, "Just get in the truck."