I pull up to my condo on Friday after work to find Jimmy, the guitar player, waiting for me. Jimmy has long hair and really does have a rock-and-roll-star thing going on. My friends think he is really hot. He is, but he’s nothing compared to Phillip, and Phillip is the only thing I can think about lately. Jimmy is just a decent diversion.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to take you with me.”
“With you where?” I reply, not following him.
“It’s so exciting, Jadyn. The band is playing at The Bash tonight. There was a cancellation, and they called us to play at the last minute. There will be a bunch of music industry people there. This could be our big break, and I want you there with me.”
“But I told you last week, I have to go to Phillip’s house tonight to get all the food ready for the big party tomorrow.”
“Of course,” he snarls, “Phillip is much more important than I am.”
Yeah, I think but don’t say it.
Instead, I say sweetly, “You know I care about you and your career, but I have thirty-two people coming to the party tomorrow, and they’re expecting something to eat! And the game is early—eleven thirty. There’s no way I could get everything made in the morning; I haven’t even been to the grocery store yet!”
Jimmy pushes me away. He looks angry. I have never seen him look this way before.
“I am so sick of Phillip this and Phillip that. I’m sick of being compared to Mr. Perfect. As a matter of fact”—he grabs me by the wrist hard and looks straight into my eyes—“you’re done hanging out with Mr. Perfect. You’re coming with me tonight.”
I wrench my arm away from him.
I don’t like to be told what to do, and I’ll be damned if he’s going to do the telling. I look straight at him and speak very slowly, so Mr. Dense can understand, “I’m going to keep my plans for tonight. I’m sorry I can’t go to your concert. If I didn’t have people depending on me for this, I would change my plans and go with you, but I can’t. You’ll just have to deal with it.”
“That’s it. It’s time for you to choose.”
He is furious with me.
“Choose what?”
What is he talking about now?
“Between Mr. Perfect and me. You know, everyone thinks the two of you have something going on. I always say it’s not true, but now, I’m not so sure. Maybe the real reason you want to go has more to do with cooking with Mr. Perfect than cooking food.” He adds, “In fact, if you don’t go with me tonight, we’re through. So, choose.”
Okay, that’s it. He’s pushed me too far.
“Let me get this straight. You want me to choose you, someone I have known for, like, two seconds, over someone I have been friends with for, like, my entire life? Well, let me tell you, Jimmy, the choice is easy.” I wave bye-bye with my hand and say, “Good-bye.”
“I knew the two of you had something going on the whole time. I’m outta here.” He storms out the front door and yells, “You’ll miss me when I’m famous!”
