Chapter Thirty-Two
Emily
Later that Night
I tap my fingertips on the steering wheel along with the tune on the radio. Jake called after he stopped to see Mackenzie, letting me know that our services weren’t needed. Clearly, that meeting didn’t go well. And that was the last time I heard from him.
As I roll to a stop, I place my fingers onto my lips. Jake kissed me today. Heat floods throughout my body, staring at my core and zipping outward in all directions.
Was it real?
I shiver like a little girl getting presents on her birthday with a Barbie cake and ice cream included.
In the past, I’ve kissed some toads. I’ve regretted going all the way with some guys. But nothing was ever like this. All day, my pulse has been higher, erratic with visions of his hard, warm body pressed against me. Him caging me against the wall.
I blink and fan my face. Shit. I’ve been sitting at the stop sign for who knows how long, fantasizing about him. Again. When did the radio station switch to a slow song?
Thankfully, Dale kept his mouth shut and didn’t ask any awkward questions that I didn’t want to answer.
Yes, Jake said he wanted me, and at that time, I would’ve followed him anywhere. But now? What happens now? He didn’t say it was anything more than a physical attraction. Maybe all he wants is to break his dry spell.
I understand that. It’s been months since I’ve had sex. Okay, it’s been over two years. So, ending the dry spell sounds like an excellent idea.
Does he really expect me to show up at his place tonight? Probably not. That was hours ago. Besides, I had to work past my shift due to a call and ended up stopping by to see my mom even though Jake said he would, so he’s probably given up on me anyway.
I should go home. I flip the blinker to go to my place and stop at the next sign. Right goes to my apartment. Left goes to Jake’s house.
He’s only a couple of blocks away.
When my phone dings, I glance in all directions and place my car into park. Anywhere else, I’d have to pull over, but this is Brookhaven, and there’s no one out running the street at this hour.
Jake: Why’s your blinker on going the wrong way?
A smile curves up to my cheeks as that stupid heartbeat of mine flutters in my chest.
Me: Are you stalking me?
Jake: Maybe.
Me: Where are you?
Jake: I’m parked a block over. I was on my way home when I saw you. It’s been a long day, and I can provide you with a place to relax. And that meal I promised you.
Mira Woods snaps on her front porch light. What am I supposed to say to her if she asks why I’m idling at the stop sign? This is ridiculous.
She probably has Dominic on speed dial. That’s the last thing I need. One of my brother’s friends rushing to the rescue. Catching me flirting with his best friend.
Me: Can you cook?
Jake: I’m wounded. Of course, I can cook.
Before I can respond, another message pops up.
Jake: If you like cold cereal and apple slices. Never mind. I’m not sure the milk is any good. And the apple? It’s probably bad.
My finger hovers over the screen. I force myself not to respond with the words floating in my head.
A one-night stand doesn’t equal happily ever after, and if I tell him that I’d gladly eat cold cereal with him every morning for the next sixty years, he’s going to toss his cell phone into a boiling vat of hot water.
If he knows how to boil water, that is. I giggle despite myself. I finally decide on a compromise between sounding desperate and uninterested.
Me: I’d love some cold cereal. Tonight.
Jake: Is that a euphemism for oral? Missionary? Or reverse cowgirl?
I laugh and glance from left to right like someone is going to pop out of from behind a trashcan and tell me I’ve been pranked.
Mira snaps off the porch light. She’s either decided I’m harmless, or she’s studying me from the dark recesses of her living room where she can gawk without causing attention to herself.
Jake: Shit. Forget I said that. I promise if you come over, I’ll be a perfect gentleman.
I should be relieved by his response, but instead, it feels like a letdown.
Me: What if I don’t want you to be?
My finger hovers over the send button. I can’t send that. Can I? That’s too forward. Except, he just asked me what position I wanted. Heat roils in my core.
Mira’s light comes back on again as her front door swings open and she steps onto her front porch. She’s wearing a thin robe that flutters in the breeze and a pair of slippers on her feet.
After I roll down the window, I say, “Hey, Ms. Wood.” I give her my most disarming smile. “My car was making a noise, so I stopped here to listen to it for a second.” Or five minutes. “I don’t hear it now.”
“Are you sure?” She descends her front steps. “I can have Dom stop by.”
“No. No.” Think of something. You’re digging yourself a grave you can’t get out of. “That’s fine. I appreciate the offer though.”
“Are you sure?” She stops on the sidewalk.
“Yes, I’m sure. I haven’t heard anything since I stopped. It could’ve been the radio.” Heat slides over my neck and up to my cheeks. Lord, that makes me sound like an idiot.
“Well…” She frowns and crosses her arms over her chest as if she’s protecting herself from the cold winds. “I guess that’s possible. The music these days is nothing like what we listened to as kids.”
“I need to go.” I wave my hand toward the road that leads to my apartment.
“Have a good night. I’ll wait here to make sure you get going, and if I hear anything I’ll call Dom for you.”
“Perfect.” I smile at her. “Thank you so much.” So much for going to Jake’s house. I roll my window up and turn toward my apartment.
Going to Jake’s house was a fantasy anyway. It’s not real. Yes, the sex would be phenomenal. I have no doubt about that. But then what? He has girls lining up propositioning him everywhere he goes.
Just like the other night at the bar. And at a fire for God sakes. I can’t compete with that. Especially since that’s not what he offered. He offered a good time. Not his hand in marriage.
The second I pull into my parking lot, my phone rings, and Jake’s number lights up the screen.
“Yes?” My hand shakes as I lift the phone to my ear.
“Shut off your car, lock up, and get into my pickup.”
I twist in my seat, finding his vehicle not even half a block away. He came to pick me up. This is crazy.
“Em, shut off your car, lock it up, and get into my pickup.” The words are slower this time as if he’s struggling to maintain his patience.
“Okay.” I jump out before I come to my senses, jog over to the darkened corner where he’s parked.
“I figured you needed rescuing from Mira.” He grins and my heart lodges itself into my throat. A man wearing a baseball hat, a tight-fitting T-shirt, and shorts displaying muscular thighs should be illegal.
And when you pair that with the beginnings of a 5 o’clock shadow, damp hair, and the heady scent of soap and cologne, it’s a surprise my panties aren’t tossed into the backseat.
“When I drove by her house, I told her I’d check on you. So, I’m getting Brownie points in the town’s gossip mill for being a standup chivalrous guy. And we have an alibi for talking if anyone sees us together.”
And my panties are back on. This is a hook up at most. Not a date.
“Thank you.” I lean into the black leather seat and snap on the belt.
“All tucked in?” His gaze rakes over me, causing my toes to curl in my shoes.
“Yes.”
“Perfect.” His eyes narrow as he grabs my hand, squeezing it, and then, rubbing the back of it with his thumb in a slow, circular motion. “Your mom is looking good.”
“She’s doing great. Kaleb took her to a doctor’s appointment yesterday, and everything is healing as expected. She’ll be increasing the intensity of her physical therapy next week.”
“That’s fantastic. I know she hates depending on others. It’s not her style.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Like mother like daughter.” He winks at me and my insides flutter.
When we go back past Mira’s house, I contemplate ducking below the window, but her light is off.
Again, the streets are utterly silent and devoid of traffic.
Once we’re inside his garage, he lowers the door and shuts off the engine. I bite my bottom lip. What am I doing? This isn’t some random guy I’m going to fuck. This is the guy I’ve crushed on for years. My brother’s best friend.
There’s a potential storm cloud on the horizon if we do this. One with epic crashing of thunder, and slashes of lightning.
He turns slightly in his seat and cups my cheek, stroking his thumb along my cheekbone. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” My voice is breathy and sounds anything but fine.
I’m in an enclosed vehicle with Jake Thompson. He’s not just my crush and my brother’s best friend. He’s more than that. He’s the guy I’ve been in love with for years. It doesn’t matter that I tried to convince myself I was over him. It never happened.
When he doesn’t move closer, I ease back into the cushions. He means about finding the baby this morning. “I called the hospital before my shift was over, and everything’s going well with the baby.”
“That’s great news.” His eyes are hooded as if he’s considering the same thing I have when not obsessed with thinking about our kiss–imagining finding the baby too late. After something….
No. Don’t go there. Everything’s fine. The baby is safe and healthy.
“Shit.” He frowns and shakes his head. “I invited you over so you could relax after a stressful day. Not to bring you down even more.”
I finally meet his gaze again. “You don’t.”
His eyes drop to my lips and stay there for a beat. And then, he drops his hand and opens the door. “Let’s get inside.” He winks with a wicked grin curving his lips upward. “Your cold cereal awaits.”