22. Twenty-Two #2
“Do you want to take this outside, Nelson?” The anticipatory gleam in his eye makes it clear he’s hoping the answer is yes. Jake clucks his tongue, shaking his head like he’s genuinely disappointed with the bigger man.
“You’re missing the point, Daryl. I don’t have any desire to get into some kind of pissing match with you.
I’m not my father. And you don’t have to drink yourself into a stupor and insult people who’ve done nothing to deserve your misplaced animosity.
Haven’t we lived through enough public displays of senseless violence while the whole town was there to witness our embarrassment?
I don’t know about you, but I’m damn glad I don’t have to experience that shit anymore.
So, instead of beating each other’s heads in like a couple of cavemen, let’s be grateful those days are behind us, and quit stirring up trouble. ”
The behemoth stares Jake down for several more seconds, before his chest visibly deflates. Retreating a step and turning back to his bug-eyed buddy, he barks, “Order your drinks and fuck off, Nelson. I won’t bother your fairy friend again as long as he doesn’t hit on me.”
Caleb produces a pfft sound, followed by a muttered, “As if.” Slapping John Boy on the back a little harder than necessary, Jake turns toward the counter and signals the bartender over.
“One apple martini, two bottles of Bud, one spicy Caesar and a vodka tonic please,” he says before turning to Caleb who gazes up at him with stars in his eyes.
“Thanks, man. Nobody has ever defended me like that. I’m used to homophobic comments. Been listening to this bullshit since before I came out. But I really appreciate you standing up for me, considering we barely know each other. ”
“I don’t have to know someone to stand up for what’s right,” Jake shoots back without hesitation, handing us our drinks and placing a large bill on the counter.
“I don’t know how much Tessa told you, but I grew up with a bully.
So, if I hate one thing, it’s guys like this bozo thinking it’s okay to disrespect people because it makes them feel like more of a man.
Plus, you’ve been looking after my girl when I had my head so far up my own ass I wasn’t able to.
Least I can do is look out for you in return.
Any friend of Tessa’s is family, and I protect my own.
” Jake turns his attention to me and leans in, lips hovering close to my ear when he says, “That’s twice now that I’ve almost gotten into a bar fight since you’ve been back.
Something tells me you might be trouble.
” He presses a kiss to the top of my head and gives me a good-natured wink before he walks off to join Megan and Carter.
“Holy hell, that man is dreamy,” Caleb exclaims the second he’s out of earshot, not even trying to hide that he’s checking out my boyfriend’s ass while he disappears into the crowd.
“So, you never stopped loving him, huh?” he asks once he manages to tear his eyes away, shooting me a contrite look over the rim of his martini glass.
I try to hide my amusement, taking a pull from my beverage before I give him my answer.
“No, I haven’t. Lord knows I’ve tried, but Jake Nelson is a hard man to forget.”
“Girl, I believe it. I only met him a couple of hours ago, but I can already tell he’s one of a kind. Are you planning on staying in Jenkins Creek? Should I be looking for a new roomie?”
Reaching for Caleb’s hand, I flash him a regretful smile.
“I think we both know I was never truly happy in LA. When we first moved here, I couldn’t see past the fact that my parents didn’t give me a choice in the matter.
I wanted to hold on to my anger. I was so caught up in my need to punish them I never even gave this town a chance.
I thought I’d be happier some place bigger.
Some place more exciting.” I shake my head at my own stupidity.
“Looking back, I realize I was foolish. Everyone I love and care about is here. Except for you, of course,” I add when my friend starts to pout.
“I’ve laughed more these past few months than I have in years.
And that’s saying something, seeing as my mother is battling cancer.
..” I pause to consider my next words before meeting Caleb’s understanding eyes.
“I love Jake. It’s always been him, and I don’t think living a full life without him is even possible, no matter how much he infuriates me.
So, the answer to your question is…yes. I think you might want to start looking for a new roomie because I’m not coming back.
I need to be here. It’s where I belong. ”
“Hallelujah,” Caleb booms, pulling me into a bear hug that makes me spill half my drink. “It’s about time you saw the light. I gotta say, you’re painfully slow for such a smart woman.”
“Hey,” I protest, pushing him back enough to glare up at him. “That’s not very nice.”
“Eh, nice is overrated. Every now and then people need to hear the cold, hard truth. Here’s a little piece of advice from someone who’s been looking for his Jake for most of his life.
And sometimes, I feel like I may never find him.
What you two have is precious and rare. Second chances don’t come around for everyone.
Treasure it, and for the love of God, don’t fuck it up.
As much as it saddens me that I don’t get to live with you anymore, you owe it to yourself and that fine specimen of a man to give this a fair shot.
I mean, honestly. Can you imagine the perfect little bundles of joy coming out of your va-jay-jay if you ever decided to procreate? ”
“Alright, take it easy there, champ.” I laugh as we wade through the sea of people to get back to our booth. “I haven’t even told him I’m staying yet. Maybe we should start with that conversation before we think about babies.”
“Okay, but you can’t deny that the practice will be fun.”
Oh, Caleb. If you only knew , I think as my eyes connect with Jake’s. Utterly attuned to me, he seems to know exactly where my mind’s at, for he licks his lips and gives me a slow once-over, raising the temperature in the crowded bar by several degrees.
Later, once an unsuspecting Caleb is settled in the guest bedroom at Jake’s, my friend gets a firsthand demonstration of just how much fun our practice sessions can be. And I don’t feel the least bit guilty when he bangs on the wall that separates our rooms, begging us to go to sleep.