14. Jake
Jake
Our first official date as boyfriends, and I know already it’s going to go well.
There’s no magic eight ball that could tell me otherwise.
Going to the movies for our first date is corny.
But somehow I guessed right when assuming he’d like it.
He kept telling me how much he wanted to see the newest dinosaur movie to be released.
I found out that he's a closet dinosaur and shark movie lover.
Especially the B-rated ones with the horrible CGI.
I splurged on drinks, popcorn, nacho cheese, and of course, chocolate.
Let’s just say Victor was mind blown when he took his first bite of popcorn dipped in the warm cheesy goodness.
The previews haven’t even finished rolling, and he’s reaching into the bag, taking out more popcorn.
At this rate we’ll need a refill before we even get ten minutes into the movie.
“I know it’s amazing, but slow down, baby. Otherwise we won’t have any for the movie.” I pick at him, covering the lid of the popcorn bucket so he can’t stick his fingers back in.
“What? It’s all your fault. I was never a fan of popcorn until you introduced me to how you eat it.” I move my hand and he quickly snags a few kernels. “And if we need more, I’ll go get it.”
“You’ll do no such thing. If we run out, I’ll go get more.” I lean over and kiss him on the cheek, then quickly eat the cheese covered piece in his hand. I think he makes it taste better.
“You thief. Wait until I tell your cousin, or better yet, your parents. You know your father and I do have a date to go watch a game,” he teases.
“Yes, I somehow think they love you more after two days than they do me after twenty-eight years. But I can’t blame them; you're lovable.”
Fuck me, did I say that? It’s far too early to be saying the L word in any capacity. I sneak a look at him to see if he takes it as more than a phrase but he doesn’t give me anything to think that he took it that way.
Thank God.
“Loveable huh?” There’s a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I think you’re the lovable one.” He takes another kernel of popcorn from the tub and holds it out, inviting me to take it from him. And I do.
“I think meeting in the café was the best thing to ever happen to me. Are you sure you still want to spend the night with me?” I ask, needing to know.
Things moved fast this weekend but I want him to know that I really do want to spend time with him, not just have sex.
“I just want to wake up with you in my arms.”
“I am, and I want the same thing. It was nice not sleeping alone.”
“SHHHH,” comes from behind us and we turn our heads at the same time to see an older woman with a pissed off grimace on her face.
“Sorry,” I whisper to her and we both turn around leaning into each other trying to stifle our laughs.
He reaches into the bucket again and I catch his wrist. He lifts his eyebrow and I whisper to him. “You get one more handful.”
“Aren’t you generous?”
“Some would call me a saint.”
“Shhh, the movie’s starting. If you’re going to be talking the entire time then please move,” the older woman leans forward and chastises us.
“Sorry,” I say.
Victor and I smile at each other, both holding back our laughter at being scolded like children. He reaches out and takes my hand in his, letting his fingers intertwine with mine. When I look at our joined hands, it feels right. Like he’s the piece I’ve been missing in my life.
Not wanting to risk the wrath of the Karen sitting behind us, we don’t speak for the rest of the movie. Victor doesn’t even release my hand, opting to use his other to reach over and steal popcorn from the bucket.
The movie is actually good. At least, I think it is. I spend a decent amount of time pretending to watch while stealing glances at Victor. Each time his knee bumps into mine, my cock twitches. I have to think about anything other than him to keep from getting a hard-on in the theater.
By the time the credits roll, we've finished the popcorn, most of the soda, and all of the candy. And still haven’t had dinner. But that’s okay, I have something planned.
Outside, the evening air is warm, yet comfortable. We walk toward the park, hand in hand, talking about absolutely nothing and somehow everything. It’s a perfect night.
Somehow we get onto the movie and how cheesy it was, and the ending was one neither of us saw coming. I make sure to point out the plot holes to him, and he just shakes his head grinning the entire time.
“Hungry?” I ask him when I spot the hot dog vendor up ahead.
“I could eat. The popcorn filled me up pretty good but I always have room for more food.”
“And the chocolate. I don’t think I got a single M&M.” I did, but they weren’t my favorite so I only ate a couple. There's something about the ones with peanut butter in them that I just don’t like, which is odd, because peanut butter sandwiches are my favorite.
We step up to the stand and order four hot dogs all the way. Once we have them we make our way over to a bench and sit down.
The park is busy but peaceful, full of people strolling beneath the trees and couples sitting on benches or blankets in the grass. Somewhere nearby, a musician is playing guitar, the melody drifting through the evening air.
“Did you have a good night? I haven’t taken anyone on a date in so long I wasn’t sure what the proper protocol was.”
“It was perfect. I don’t need or want anything fancy. Hot dogs in the park are better to me than a steak in a fancy restaurant.”
“I think that’s why I love you.”
I did it again. That damn L word. Why do I keep saying it to him when I’m talking? Am I in love with him already? Did Cupid shoot me with his arrow?
“I know it’s why I love you,” he says back and my heart races.
Be cool, Jake. He’s not saying he’s in love with me.
“Don’t freak out, Jake. I know you’re not in love with me.”
“Not yet, but I’m working on it,” I confess, not caring anymore. This relationship of ours is moving in fast forward anyway.
“My sister wanted me to tell you hi.”
“Oh, guess I have some brownie points with her.” I take a bite of my hot dog and ball up the empty wrapper.
“Yeah, she even wants me to bring you with me when I go see her when she has the baby.”
“When is she due? I don’t know if I can get the time off but if I can, I’d love to go.”
It’s just as big a step as him coming to my cousin’s wedding.
“A few weeks if she doesn't go into labor early. It’s her first, so the baby could be later. I’ll be heading home in a little over a week, just to ensure that I’m there.”
He’s going to be gone. But he made sure to tell me when he didn’t have to. And he invited me.
Victor leans in slowly enough that I have every opportunity to move away but I don't. His lips brush against mine, then he licks his tongue across them.
“Umm, you had a little bit of chili that I couldn’t resist tasting.”
When he pulls back, I find myself smiling.
“Ready to head to my place?” I ask as he takes the last bite of his dog.
“Yep, only if you promise we can make out when we get there?”
“Victor, baby, that’s most definitely on the menu.”
“Don't get cocky.” He tries to keep a stern look on his face but fails.
“Too late, you had my cock hard the entire movie.”
“Same.” He stands up, takes my hand in his and pulls me up. “Now, take me home and ravish me.”
I’ve never walked so fast in my life to get us back to my truck.