The Introvert and the Football Player

Chapter Twenty two

Two Years Ago
Jerome's POV:
I took a long drag of my cigarette as I laid in my bed. Paisley, the girl I just fucked, was still sleeping on my chest. I had just cheated on my girlfriend for the fifth time this week. Nova would be better off without me. She could find a nice white guy since I moved to Quincy, it would sure as hell make her grandmother happy. I know Nova loves me despite what her family thinks, but it's not enough anymore. It's a four hour drive between her town and my city, and what can I say, a boy has needs.
I dabbed my cigarette out into my forever present ashtray, and moved out of the bed. Paisley needed to go, but she had to be awake in order for her to do that. I put on my sweatpants from earlier and left my room. Since I moved in with my brother, I got asked less questions. I knew before I got downstairs my brother wouldn't ask questions. I could tell he didn't approve as I walked in top less with my sweats untied. "Another one?" He asked. "They all remind me of her. I can't help it. I know that makes me a dog but I don't care." I answered. He nodded before leaving the room.
"Baby you shouldn't leave before I wake up like that." Paisley said as she wrapped her arms around my waist. Now that I looked at her I couldn't see Nova in her at all. "You should go doll." I told her. She looked hurt but seemed to understand. I watched as she left and took out another cigarette.
***
Two months later;

Since Nova and I broke up, nothing's been the same. I gave her that bullshit about falling for another girl just to make her hate me. I saw the way she crumpled to the pavement as I left that day, and it broke my fucking heart. I didn't deserve her then and I sure as hell don't deserve her now. I go to party's every single night, hoping to find joy in them like I used to. But they hold nothing for me anymore except disappointment. That's all I ever seem to feel anymore.
"Jerome, my man, what's good?" Holden asked me. "Nothing." I answered shortly. My friends thought I was insane, I could tell they did. "I see you're still moody as fuck; come out to the party tonight it'll be fun!" He said. I don't want to party. I want my girl back I thought. "Nah, I can't tonight. I'm going back to Taylor tomorrow." I told Holden. He looked at me like I had just told him I was moving to China. "Isn't your ex in Taylor?" He asked me. "Something like that. I'm going back to see family." I answered honestly. "Man you're actually going to go? You don't seem like the type." He said laughing. "My mom wants me to see my grandma. To set myself straight." I told him. "Aight man whatever. I'll see you get back and stay away from that Nancy girl!" Holden said as he walked away. "Her name is Nova." I mumbled.

It was 8:45 on a Friday night and I was already losing my mind. I needed a distraction from all of the thoughts I was having. Everyone was at the party Holden told me about, so I was pretty much the only one who wasn't there. I knew I could always call Paisley and tell her to come back, but girls get too attached to stuff like that. She was already too attached to me calling her like I was anyways. She thought I needed her. I was out of cigarettes, and it was going to be a long night.