Chapter 12
Twelve
JAKE
Willowbrook was a peaceful town with beautiful views from almost every corner, and various seasonal activities for all to enjoy.
Winters often brought historic snowstorms perfect for activities like building a snowman, sledding, or—if you were on the wealthier side of town—snowmobiling.
Moonshadow Falls and its trails acted as an unofficial skiing and snowboarding location for the locals.
When Crystal Hollow Lake froze over, it transformed into a large skating rink.
In the springtime, once winter released its icy grip on the town, Willowbrook came alive with color to chase away the dreariness of winter.
The birds chirped in the early hours of dawn.
Flowers bloomed on every corner of Main Street.
The mountains practically shook with glee as their leaves sprouted with life like a verdant wave.
The cool temperatures of spring eased into the hot and humid summer.
Most of the town spent their time at the lake, beach, or cove.
The hiking trails became a favorite stomping ground, with their variety of walkable paths or more challenging hikes.
Family picnics and camping were popular activities.
In the past year, since Marley had moved in with him, he’d watched her come out of her shell little by little. With the extra daylight hours, Marley grew like a wildflower stretching for the sun.
This past summer was the first time Alina had brought back the summer carnival, which had been one of his fondest memories when he was younger.
He’d forgotten what it was like to be filled with childlike glee surrounded by neon lights and cotton candy.
Jake hadn’t realized Marley had never been to a summer carnival, and vowed to make it a tradition to take her every year.
But his favorite season of all was autumn. He loved it when the summer fever faded, and there was a cold bite to the air. The leaves all changed color into vibrant hues.
Fall reminded him of his two favorite people in the world the most. Often, he’d hike up Moonshadow Falls and sit on the bench and talk to his old friend.
He’d pack them a picnic consisting of their favorites: a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich for Thao, one with strawberry jelly for Gia without the crust, and an apple for himself.
He’d pretend they were there with him as he told them about his summer activities and caught them up on the latest gossip.
Occasionally, Marley would join, but she’d rather sunbathe at the picnic spots near the main trail.
Marley used to think Jake was crazy for talking to himself, but seemed to understand it was a ritual he needed to do. Jake suspected it was the real reason she preferred to wait for him at the bottom.
After Gia dropped him off in front of The Lotus earlier, he’d walked the rest of the way home.
He probably should have told her to drive him to his house, but watching her wrestle with her feelings had been too irresistible.
A part of him hadn’t wanted to get out of the car at all.
He’d have to get his car at some point, having left it in the commuter lot.
With the sun disappearing for the evening, it got chilly. The dampness clung to the air like a low-hanging cloud. Not quite foggy, but misty as the wind blew the storm through town and off toward the lake.
Rounding the corner onto his street, he spotted lights on the upper level.
Marley was probably up there reading her new book or jamming out to music.
His phone rang as he was wiping his feet on the rainbow welcome mat—Marley’s choice.
Shutting the door behind him quietly, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and frowned.
An unknown number flashed across the screen. Unsure if it was a spam call, he let it go to voicemail and shrugged out of his jacket. Within seconds, his phone rang again. Same unknown number.
Swiping to answer, Jake hesitantly brought the device up to his ear.
“Hello?”
“About time you picked up, Jake-ass.”
A wave of apprehension washed over him. Though he’d asked for a favor, he hadn’t thought Kenji would come through. Or so quickly.
“Kenji.” Jake cleared his throat. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so quickly.”
“Anything for my friend.” Wherever Kenji was, there seemed to be a lot of background noise. Was someone screaming for their mommy? “Sorry, I might lose you in the elevator.”
Within seconds, the background noises faded away.
“So, I got the information you requested.” Kenji whistled in disbelief. “I don’t know why a model citizen like yourself wants to get involved with this, but I gotta say—you’ve got balls, my man.”
Dread filled his gut.
Who could Kenji be talking about?
“Who is it?”
“Can’t discuss it over the phone. Meet me on Raven Rock in two days at two p.m.,” Kenji commanded, tone serious.
He was all-business and no-nonsense Kenji now.
This was the version of Kenji Jake had met before they hit it off and became friends, though Jake never forgot how dangerous a man like Kenji could be if double-crossed.
“Got it.”
“Oh, and Jake?”
“Kenji?”
“Bring me those fresh summer rolls I love from The Lotus, will ya?” Kenji laughed.
Rolling his eyes, Jake hung up on Kenji without responding. Walking farther into his house, he stopped at the foot of the stairs.
“Marley, I’m home!” He knocked on the wall three times in case she had her headphones on.
“Welcome home!” Marley’s voice was muffled as she responded to his greeting. A small smile worked its way across his face as he headed into the kitchen to make dinner.
He’d brought the usual snacks on his hike, but the rain-soaked, tension-filled hike with Gia within arm’s reach had made him hungry. Despite his limited culinary abilities, he could cook the basics to sustain both Marley and himself.
Tonight’s menu included spaghetti and meatballs. Well, frozen meatballs. And frozen garlic bread. It was a simple meal, but one both he and Marley enjoyed.
While the sauce was simmering on the stove, Jake grabbed a beer from the fridge.
Popping the top off with the magnetic bottle opener he kept on the fridge, he nearly groaned out loud as the flavors exploded on his taste buds.
The muscles in his shoulders relaxed as the alcohol worked through his body.
Once dinner was ready, he plated two servings and brought them to the adjacent dining table. Again, he knocked on the wall three times.
“Dinner’s ready!” Jake shouted up the stairs.
“Coming!” Marley shouted before rushing out of her room.
“How’s the book?” Jake asked as Marley hopped off the last step, landing with a dramatic flourish.
“So good.” Marley practically raced into the kitchen. “Yummy, my favorite!”
Chuckling, Jake grabbed utensils before sitting across from a drooling Marley.
“It’s still hot. Be careful.” He handed over the fork and knife, which were practically ripped out of his hands.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Marley brandished her fork like a weapon as she speared the giant meatball covered in steaming marinara sauce to her mouth and bit into it. Her eyes widened comically a split second before she plunked her fork, meatball with a giant chunk out of it, back into her bowl.
“Ow, it’s hot,” she said with a mouthful of steaming meatball, blowing air out of her mouth to cool it down.
Jake shrugged and pointed his beer at her triumphantly. “Told you.”
Marley rolled her eyes in response and fanned her mouth.
Meanwhile, Jake took a large swig from his beer bottle and placed it gently on the table.
He sliced into his meatball, watching as steam rose from the center.
With his fork, he twirled some spaghetti around the tines before bringing it to his mouth.
“Mm-hmm, so good,” he said with a flourish.
“You’re a butthead.”
“You’re not allowed to call me that.” Jake pointed his fork at her.
“Why not?” Marley asked impishly.
“Because I said so.”
She rolled her eyes. “Really original.”
“Yeah, well, it’s true.”
Marley braved another bite and chewed happily on her prize. “So, why do you look like a drowned rat?”
“Excuse me?” Jake sputtered.
“Were you dancing in the rain or something?”
“Something like that.”
At Marley’s cocked eyebrow, Jake shoved a forkful of pasta in his mouth, buying himself some time before he answered her.
“I went to visit Thao,” he started, but then took a swig of his beer. Marley nodded as if she knew what his answer was going to be. “I ran into Gia.”
“What?” Marley shrieked. “But we haven’t even revealed the plan! What happened? Did you scare her off?”
“Chill, homie.” Jake raised his hand and motioned for her to stay calm. “I was cool as a cucumber.”
“Oh, God. Things are worse than I imagined. You’re doomed. This mission is doomed to fail before it even begins.” Marley plopped back into her chair, covering her face with an arm.
“Quit the dramatics, will ya?” Jake balled up his napkin and tossed it at Marley, who ducked out of the way.
“Well, tell me what happened!”
“Aren’t you too young to know about these types of things?”
“Age is just a number. Besides, I know more about what’s in than you do.”
“Fair.”
“Well?” She gestured for him to continue with an impatient hand.
Sighing, Jake finished the rest of his beer and sat back.
“She still hates me.” Jake sighed.
“Right…”
“I don’t know if our plan is gonna work, kiddo. She really, really hates me.”
Marley chewed on her spaghetti thoughtfully. “We need to review the cat socialization chart ASAP.”
“Yeah, it might have helped.” Jake rubbed a hand on his chest.
His gut twisted. Jake hoped it was indigestion and not regret making his stomach turn. He knew time was of the essence. If he couldn’t get Gia to stick around, she’d slip through his fingers. He couldn’t let it happen again.
“Okay, I’ll grab my laptop and meet you after you shower. You stink.” Marley scrunched up her freckled nose adorably.
“I do not,” he said, though he turned his head to sniff covertly.
Okay, I do stink.
“Told ya.” She stuck her tongue out at him.