Chapter 10
Laida
It felt like I’d been living in a dream.
No one had ever woken me up the way he did, and it was so hot.
A girl could get used to that every morning.
His words kept playing over in my head, “You’re perfect, Laida.
Made for me.” When he said, “Mine,” I wanted to melt away.
I could feel myself blushing all over again just thinking about it.
When we finally pulled ourselves out of bed, we got ready for the festival.
It turns out all of Main Street shuts down for the big day.
There were food trucks lined up all along the street, local businesses with booths, and a temporary stage for live music.
Kids were running back and forth, playing tag with their faces painted and balloon crowns on their heads.
Even the firehouse had a booth set up. I nudged, Jesse.
“Hey, I’m surprised you didn’t have to give a safety briefing today!
The guys from the firehouse are over there. ”
“Tell me about it. I’m glad to have the day off, though. Want to grab some lemonade and go listen to the music?”
“Yeah, let’s do it.” Jesse grabbed my hand, lacing his fingers with mine as he led the way.
After we got to the lemonade stand, I stood aside while Jesse ordered our drinks.
I had turned my back for ten seconds, taking in the view of the festival, when yelling caught my ear.
I turned around to see Jesse arguing with some guy.
They were in each other’s faces when I screamed, “Jesse!” and ran over to stand between him and the guy. “Jesse, look at me.”
He finally did. Instantly, his eyes softened. “Laida, we should go,” he said, with his eyes trained back on the guy.
“Okay, come on.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him to a set of picnic tables, far away from the stranger. “Sit with me. What was that about? Who was that?” Jesse was still visibly angry. His knee was bouncing and he was knocking on the table with his knuckles. “Jesse…”
“That piece of walking shit was my ex-best friend, Jacob.”
My jaw dropped. “Oh.”
Jesse’s eyes darted to mine. "That’s who fucked my ex-girlfriend behind my back.”
“I’m sorry. What did he say?”
He chuffed and explained, “He tried to ask me how I was? Like it was no big deal. Like I didn’t catch him balls deep in my girlfriend on my truck.
” It was clearly still painful for him. The betrayal cut deep and he was still working through it.
“I just haven’t seen him since it all happened, so it feels a little fresh…
and only for that reason.” He looked at me while he stressed it, as if to reassure me there was no other reason, like jealousy.
“I understand.” It was quiet for a moment, so I asked, “Is this event salvageable, or are you ready to go?”
“Honestly?” He asked.
“Yes, honestly. Whatever you want to do, I’m down with it.”
He smiled and grabbed my hands. “Then I honestly just want to take you home and fuck you through the mattress.”
“Sir!”
We laughed and raced each other to the truck.