It was the summer I turned 18 and I had just graduated high school. My mom and dad were going out of town for the weekend to visit my two older brothers in college. On Friday afternoon after saying good-bye to my parents I was just watching TV at home when my cell phone rang, it was my dad's business partner, Jason. Jason had been business partners with my dad since I was only two or three years old. He had never been married and didn't have any kids. We had always considered Jason family because he was a family friend before he and my dad went into business together. He always came to birthday parties and family dinners and such; I had grown up with him around.
I answered my phone, "Hey Jason. What's up?"
Jason talked into the phone, "Hey Gemma, I called your dad but he said he already left town and you were at home. He was supposed to drop off a box that was delivered to the house and a couple of files that I need this weekend but didn't have time before he left. Would you be able to drop them off at the office?"
"Yeah, I can do that." I really didn't want to drive over there but also didn't have anything better to do.
"Thank you! No rush but if I could get them sometime in the next few hours that'd be great. I'll be here for a while." Jason seemed relieved to get some help.
"Alright, I'll be leaving the house here shortly," I told him.
"Cool, see you then. Thanks Gemma!"
After we hung up I walked into the kitchen and found the banker's box and files on the counter. I grabbed my keys off the key rack and loaded up my car. I drove to the office and saw Jason's black BMW in the parking lot when I arrived. My dad and Jason own a home development company that did mostly custom homes all across the metro area. I walked in and saw Jason in the conference room. "Knock, knock," I tapped on the doorframe. "I have your stuff."
"Hey, Gem," Jason greeted me. "Thank you so much for bringing this over. I'm meeting with clients tomorrow to go over selections and your dad had their file and a box of new samples I was supposed to review with them."
Jason was a good looking guy at 39. He stood at 6'2" and had a nice toned body. Since he had no wife or kids he had time to work out regularly. His short brown hair had good style and his chiseled jaw featured a sly smile was a sly one that could bring a nun to her knees. Sure, Jason was good looking but I never thought of Jason as anything other than a family friend, I had known him my entire life. One of those things you notice but don't actually notice. Jason would watch my brothers and I sometimes when my parents needed a night out or went or if they went out of town, not to mention I worked part time at the office so I was very accustomed to being with Jason "No problem. I didn't really have anything better to do so you got lucky enough to see me" I giggled.
I noticed all the files and samples of wood, carpet, paint, cabinets, and countertops on the conference room table. Jason doesn't usually meet with clients, my dad usually did and I could tell Jason had no idea what he was doing. "Do you want some help?" I had done prep work for my dad for these kinds of client presentations before.
Jason looked at me with relief, I could tell that's exactly what he wanted even if he didn't ask outright. "If you don't mind...I hate doing these meetings."
"Of course," I laughed. We spent the next couple hours at the office finishing stuff up then decided to head out.
"That took way less time with you there, I thought I would be there all night! Thanks for staying. Make sure you log those hours too!" Jason thanked me.
"No problem. Good luck tomorrow!" I told him as I got in my car. I went to start the engine and nothing happened. I did it again and still, nothing.
Shit
, I thought. I had been having issues with the transmission. Dad was going to take it in when he got back, the car obviously didn't want to wait that long. I wasn't even planning to go anywhere until Jason called.
"That blows. Your dad told me he was going to take it in on Monday. Do you want a ride home?" Jason came up to the window and asked
"Yeah, thanks." I jumped out of my car and got in Jason's. We talked on the way home and I thanked him when we got back to the house. When I got to the door I tried the handle, locked, I had locked my keyring with my car and house keys in the car...at the office. Ughhhh! I turned around and heard Jason laughing. "Your dad would flip if he knew you locked yourself out." I just nodded my head, yup, he would indeed. "Come on, get in, you can come to my place.We can figure this out tomorrow its too late now."
I got back in Jason's car and we headed over to his place which was only a few minutes away. I made myself at home and shrugged off staying the night there. He had two guest rooms and I could borrow a t-shirt.
When we got to Jason's we were both starving. We had worked right through dinner. He started the grill and made burgers. "Want a drink?" he asked while dinner was on the grill. "I'll take water, thanks." Jason laughed, "Oh come on, what do you really want to drink? Your parents aren't here and I do remember being 18. I know you're not driving anywhere so if you would like a drink I'd be happy to make one for you." He went on to make a Jack and Coke for himself. "Okay, sure. I'll have what you're having" I laughed and he made me one too. We ate dinner and had more drinks. I was feeling slightly buzzed and wanted to relax.
"Hey can I use the hot tub?" I asked. Our family often came over to Jason's for a BBQ or tailgate or sport on TV that I didn't care about and used the hot tub a lot and enjoyed the pool in the warmer months.
"Yeah, sure. That sounds good; I think I'll join you," Jason chimed. My family all had swimsuits that we kept at Jason's since we were there so often. I ran upstairs to change into mine. My swimsuit was a black bikini. The bottoms were tied together with strings on each hip.I went outside and saw that Jason already beat me in. "I made you another drink," Jason mentioned.
"Thanks," I said as I slid into the warm bubbling water. "Ohh, that hits the spot." Jason and I sat in the hot tub and continued talking and drinking for over an hour. I definitely was feeling the effects of the alcohol. My skin was buzzing on the surface, my belly had a warm fuzzy feeling, and my head was getting light.