Jerry stayed the night at Roger's place, he didn't feel like driving home after the long day and the longer night. He helped Roger stumble into bed, he cleaned up the empty beer cans, and the tequila bottle, and settled onto the couch in the living room. It wasn't the most comfortable spot, but comfort wasn't on his mind. His eyes roamed around the room as sleep avoided him. The mostly empty tequila bottle, a bag of chips that had spilled on the ground, and some candy, all items from his store. He turned to lay on his side and closed his eyes, the last thing he saw was the chair that Jessica had laid her clothes on.
The morning sun broke through the blinds, waking Jerry to the smell of frying bacon and freshly brewed coffee. Roger, seemingly back to his normal self, stood at the stove, flipping eggs in a skillet. He sat up, rubbing the stiffness out of his neck, and walked toward the small kitchen.
"Rise and shine, Jerr!", he yelled out as he prepped two plates. "Made 'em just the way you like 'em! Come on, let's eat! Man, what a crazy night, huh?" Roger said, grinning as he served Jerry his plate at the table. "You and me, huh? One for the record books! We really tore it up!"
Roger paused for a moment before sitting down, "It was a hell of a game and you're a hell of a drinking buddy, Jerr!" Jerry hesitated with his hand on the back of a chair, then gave a small chuckle. "Yeah, hell of a night," he said, deciding it was easier to let Roger believe whatever version of events he could piece together in his hazy memory.
Roger poured coffee into two mugs. Jerry sat down, leaned back on his chair and took a sip of his coffee. He looked on, surprised by the energy Roger had for someone who had been barely upright the night before. "We should do this more often. Good times." Roger said, pushing a whole in his mouth.
Jerry and Roger sat at the small kitchen table, munching on bacon and eggs, Roger paused mid chew, his face lighting up with sudden enthusiasm. "Shit Jerr, I just remembered the dream I had last night," he said, chuckling to himself. Jerry glanced up from his plate, with intrigue. "Oh yeah? What kind of dream?"
"Me and Jessica get this we were at the game together! Chicks and football huh, just like the good ol' days!" he said, lifting his coffee mug in a toast. Jerry tensed slightly at the mention of Jessica but tried to keep his face neutral, "Jessica? At the game?"
"Oh, it gets better," Roger continued, laughing and leaning back, "Jess was a cheerleader, man. Full routine! Pom poms, mini skirt, the works! Twerkin' on my lap, shakin' that ass like a damn stripper! Right here! Shakin' her ass for me! Right here!" He gestured at his lap, accidently spilling his coffee. "And then, oh this part was wild, she stripped for me! Full on strippin' out of her cheer uniform! You been to the strip club recently, Jerry?"
Jerry nearly choked on his eggs, but Roger was too engrossed in his story to notice, "No. That's quite the dream you got there, Roger. Jessica's... not the cheerleader type."
"Exactly!" Roger jabbed his fork. "That's the kicker! Maybe it's a sign, ya know? Like, deep down, she's got a thing for me but she don't know it yet." He winked. "Too bad I can't remember the rest of the dream."
Jerry forced a chuckle, staring at his plate. "Yeah too bad," he mumbled, taking another sip of his coffee and deciding not to push the conversation any further. Roger's dream left Jerry feeling unsettled all the same.
Jerry appreciated having breakfast with a friend but couldn't shake the thoughts of Jessica swirling in his mind.
Roger leaned back in his chair, nursing his coffee, and smirked. "Speakin' of that little minx Jessica," he said, his tone slick with suggestion, "has she been sendin' you any more of them signals?" Jerry paused to think and swallow his food. "What signals? You think every woman who makes eye contact is ready to jump into bed with you."
"That's because most of them are," Roger shot back, grinning like he was delivering the punchline of a joke. "Don't be naive about it now. They're all in it for something, Jerry. Money, attention, whatever, you name it. You think she's any different?"
Jerry set his fork down with a clatter. "Yeah, Roger. I think there is something different about Jessica." Roger raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Different how? She whisper somethin' naughty by the registers?" Jerry hesitated, the memory of last night flashing through his mind. Jessica sitting on the couch, poised and graceful, her half naked body walking through Roger's kitchen.
"She's not like most people, that's all," Jerry snapped, sharper than intended. He took another sip of coffee, hoping that was the end of that. But Roger wasn't done. "Oh, come on. Don't play coy with me, Jerry. If you're catchin' on to somethin', spill it. What are you gettin' at?"
Jerry shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing. She's just trying to make a life for herself like anyone else. Not everything's a game." Roger scoffed, throwing his head back. "She's got you wrapped around her finger. A girl like Jessica? With her dollface and figure? She knows how to play the game, believe me, she knows."
Jerry put his head down focusing on his plate. He wasn't sure he wanted to talk about Jessica with Roger. Whatever her motives were, they were a mystery to both of them. "So... has she said anything to you at the store?" Jerry let slip out.
"Who the minx? Nah, she's givin' me the cold shoulder all week, one word answers, eye rolls, you know her routine. 'Course I did ask her to swing by here for the big game," Roger stopped mid sentence to take a bite of bacon, making Jerry's heart race, "but, I got my best bud instead!" He jabbed a thumbs up at Jerry.
"Besides she talks to me with her hips! Swayin' like a pendulum every time she stocks my favorite chips. And those eyes," He leaned in, lowering his voice like they were sharing a secret. "Baby blues that say 'Roger, honey, wreck me.' She'll crack, they always do." He said, chewing on his bacon.
Jerry stood abruptly, chair screeching. "Thanks for breakfast. Work calls," he said, already halfway to the door. "Anytime, Jerr. Let's do it again soon," Roger called after him, raising his coffee mug. "And don't let that boss lady work you too hard!" Jerry's hand froze on the doorknob, as he was about to step out.
"Hey Rog, who won the game last night?" Jerry yelled from the doorway. Roger blinked, bemused that he didn't have the answer. "Uh... we did. We're always winners."
"And the Score?" Jerry persisted. "Come on we watched it together, ain't you running la-"
"Thanks. I'll see you later." The door clicked shut. Roger stared at the empty chair across from him finishing his coffee.
Jerry stumble through the automatic doors at the Moo & Oink Market, running a hand over his face and muttering under his breath about lost time. The morning rush had already begun, shopping carts bustling through the aisles, and the sound of the check out registers beeping floated through the air.
