Lucky in Love by Karina Gioertz Page A

think.” Looking back, I really couldn’t say for sure.
    “So then, the date went well?” Jason seemed genuinely interested, which meant he hadn’t heard any of the commotion Noah had caused the night before after we got home, nor had he and Jason talked.
    “Not exactly.  Have you seen Noah yet this morning?” I asked, suddenly remembering that we had left his truck parked outside of the bar.
    “Yeah, he came through a while ago.  I think he went running.  He didn't really say anything.  Why?” Jason’s interest was quickly turning to nosy curiosity.
    “Oh, it's a long story...” I sighed as I sunk into my chair in an attempt to relax for a few more moments.
    “Are you going to tell me?” Jason raised his eyebrows, a sign that he was still waiting to hear more of an explanation. I wasn’t quite ready to offer him one, so I decided to change topics in an attempt to take the focus off of myself.
    “Later...so, how are things with Tara?”
    Jason grinned.
    “Really good,” he said while nodding his head confidently.
    “Hm.” I took another big gulp of my orange juice.
    “Why? Did she say something?” Jason was leaning forward in his seat, appearing slightly unnerved by the fact that I was clearly holding out on him.
    “I'm not supposed to tell you,” I said seriously.
    “You're kidding me, right?” He looked at me probingly, trying to determine if I was really being serious. Unable to keep it going any longer, I broke into a smile, “Yeah. She thinks things are going really well, too.   I'm really happy for you.” I meant it.
    “Thanks. I'm pretty happy, too.” He leaned back in his seat looking very pleased. Suddenly we were interrupted by a noise outside. We both looked back at the door right as Noah was coming in. He was completely drenched in sweat from running, which didn’t help his already haggard looking appearance. Even if I hadn’t known that he had spent the night, half drowning in whiskey and the other half throwing it all back up, one look at him would have clued me in. Without saying a word to either of us, Noah reached for the fridge and pulled out a water bottle.
    “Good run?” Jason asked him.
    “Yup,” Noah replied, clearly not feeling as chatty as he had the night before.
    “I'm kinda surprised you're up and running so early.  Are you feeling ok?” I asked concerned.
    “Why wouldn't I be?” Noah snorted causing him to spit water, which he quickly wiped from his chin with the back of his hand.
    “I don't know, maybe because you were puking your guts out last time I saw you.” Just like that my concern for him had disappeared and instead I was beginning to feel somewhat agitated by his attitude.
    “It happens,” he said flatly and began to walk away.
    “Ok...did you want me to give you a ride to your truck this morning?” I called after him as he was walking up the stairs.
                  He stopped and turned back to fill me in, “I already got it.”
    “You did?” I asked, beginning to get more confused as the conversation progressed.
    “Gabe took me.” This time when Noah replied, he didn’t turn back.
    “Oh...well, good,” I said quietly to myself, since he had already disappeared up the stairs. I turned back towards the table and my juice and noticed Jason looking at me suspiciously. I ignored him and went back to drinking what was left of my O.J.
    “You guys have a fight or something?” Jason asked after staring at me for a while, hoping I would expound on the issue without being prompted.
    “Or something.  Come on let’s go, it's time.” I tried to change the topic once more, hoping I would succeed in my attempt to avoid discussing any and all details pertaining to the spectacle that had occurred the night before.
    However this time around, I wasn’t so lucky, as Jason continued to press the matter, “Don't think I'm going to forget about the long story and the or something!  I'm going to have hear the whole thing!  And