Returning Hearts

Chapter 3: New to Dating

Jackson's heart aches as he leaves August and Dolly at the park. He wants to look back at August but his bitterness drives him not to as he exits the park. Pulling out his phone, he texts Tommy.

I'm in.

3:36pm

Really?

You're right. Time to move on.

3:37pm

Sweet! How about tomorrow. Dinner at Italiana's. 7?

Okay

As he arrives home, he grabs a pack of beer out of the refrigerator before moving over to sit down on the couch. He knew this was going to be a hard day but August showing up makes it even harder. As he begins to drink, his mood drops even further. He angrily begins to open boxes he has yet to unpack, soon finding a box labeled Memories of Zuri. He opens the box and pulls out disks labeled Zuri's Birthday and Christmas with Zuri. He spends the remainder of the evening watching the home movies of Zuri at Christmas time and at birthday parties repeatedly. A scene of a Christmas party flashes onto the screen and shows August pulling him under mistletoe. They are kissing and laughing happily as Jackson opens another beer sorrowfully looking away from the TV screen.

2:36pm

You are not going to bail on me, are you?

Tommy's message wakes Jackson, who has spent most of Sunday on the couch watching golf and drinking his sorrows away. He doesn't feel like going on a blind date but he knows this is the only way to get August completely out of his system. Her being back is more hurtful than he ever imagined.

Nope

2:37pm

I will be to your house at 6. Then we can go pick up the ladies.

Cool

He is still sitting on the couch in his sweatpants when the doorbell buzzes. He throws his head back with a sigh after looking at the time on his watch. The door buzzes again and Jackson sets down his beer bottle with the other collection of bottles on his coffee table before quickly making his way over to open the door.

Tommy looks him up and down. "I thought you weren't going to bail?"

"I haven't been on a date in a long time." Jackson mumbles as he closes the door behind Tommy.

"The first rule. Take a shower dude." Jackson slightly laughs at Tommy's tip as Tommy disgustedly picks up one of the many beer bottles all over the living room. "If you plan to get lucky, you need to clean this mess up."

"Give me ten minutes." Jackson rolls his eyes as he turns to go take a shower.

"This is why I came so early." Tommy yells after him. "Try shaving too man!"

Soon, Jackson emerges back in front of Tommy in dark jeans holding two shirts. "Which one?" Tommy has cleaned up all the beer bottles and is now relaxing on the couch.

"What are we girls now? Just pick one." Jackson throws the blue button up top on the couch and begins to put on the grey t-shirt. "Not that one. Wear the other one." Tommy snaps at him.

"Seriously?" Jackson looks at him confused and slightly annoyed before switching shirts. As he finishes buttoning his shirt, he holds out his arms, "So how do I look?"

"You look sad. Almost pathetic. Like a lost dog. But chicks dig that."

"Thanks." Jackson gathers his wallet and keys. "That was really helpful."