Chapter 7
The Morning After
I wake up on the floor of my bathroom. I must have moved closer to the toilet at some point during the night. I slowly get up and look in the mirror. My hair is a sweaty glob on top of my head and I look like I've just been through some things. Never again, I vow.
I text Sasha to see how she’s doing and jump in the shower while I wait for her reply. Hopefully, this will make me look better than I currently feel. When I finish, I quickly dress as Sasha starts knocking on my bedroom door. "Give me a sec," I yell.
Opening the door, I am stunned that it's Dallas and Jaxon standing there. Thank God I dressed before I opened the door otherwise three of us would’ve gotten the surprise of our lives. I give them what I expect is a welcoming smile. My head is still killing me. "Hey, guys."
"Hey, Georgia." They say in unison.
"How can y'all be so bright-eyed and bushy tailed."
They laugh and Jaxon speaks first. "Okay, I have never heard that saying before. I like it, and I think I'll keep it."
Dallas hands me a cup of yellowish-brown liquid.
"My Nana has the best morning-after cure for a hangover.
We make a big batch the day before a party and warm it up the morning after.
We thought you could both use some this morning.
" I smile and take the cup, motioning for them to follow me to our living area.
Sasha is already sitting on our couch, sipping hers.
“This is very thoughtful of you two. Thank you." I quickly add. "I'm very sorry if I was rude last night. I'll text Jake later and tell him, also."
Jaxon looks at me seriously. "Don't text Jake. Let him come to you."
"I don't want him to come to me. I'm steering clear of alcohol, parties, and him from here on out."
They all smile at me, clearly not believing the words coming out of my mouth.
I smile back, then stick my tongue out. I'll have to prove it then.
I drink the broth-like liquid in my hand slowly.
It's pretty good and it tastes like chicken broth but has a hint of nutmeg thrown in the mix.
It sounds gross, but trust me, it's not terrible.
We turn on the tv and watch some popular reality shows.
We laugh until we have tears. That kind of drama is hilarious.
It's so fake but so great at the same time. I turn my phone on, and it instantly pings. I got a text and all three of them stare me down, trying to find out who it is by gauging my reaction. It’s Jake.
Hey Georgia. We need to talk. Are you up yet?
I leave the text on read and drop my phone back down beside me on the love seat. "Nosey much? And yes, it was Jake, and yes, I left it on read."
Another knock comes at the door, and the boys start laughing.
I head towards my bedroom quickly. I don't know what was in that drink they gave me, but I need the recipe.
I feel like I could run a marathon now. I put on a shirt over my tank top and head back down the hall.
I'm going for a walk. I peer around the corner, relieved when I don't see Jake's tall frame.
I grab my crossbody off the counter. "Hey guys, I'm going walking.
Does anybody need anything?" I smile when I see the last member of the Fearless Five, the one I haven't met yet.
He and Axel were the ones at the door. I wave at the new guy. "I'm Georgia or Dani."
He stands up and gives me a fist bump. "Yes, I've heard about you. Hector Rodriguez at your disposal, ma'am."
I laugh. Latin lover it is. "Nice to meet you. I'll see you later. Sasha, you good?"
I believe these guys won't hurt her, but I still ask because that's what you do. Us girls have to stick together. She nods her head and goes back to arguing with Dallas about something. I wink at Jaxon and wave bye to the other guys. How did our dorm turn into Fearless Five Central?
Before I walk out the door, Jaxon gets my attention. He takes his shirt off. "You can't be our good friend and still wear the UGA shirts on campus. Take mine and wear it proudly. Be sure to let Jake see you wear it."
"Jake will not care if I wear your shirt, but I'll wear it proudly. I can't say I won't ever wear this one again." I pull my UGA shirt off and lay it gently on the counter. I put Jaxon’s shirt on over my tank. Surprisingly, it's loose. I figured it would be more fitted to my body. "Thanks, friend!"
He smiles and has a mischievous glint in his eyes. He gives me a high five and heads back to the couch. I head out the door, proudly wearing his shirt, and it has his name and number on the back. He’s number 11.
I make up my mind to go to the bookstore.
They didn't have a book I needed the other day and said it might come in by the end of the week, and I haven't checked since. My heart skips a beat as I see Jake’s Silverado turn into our parking lot.
Why Lord, why? I turn down the side of one of the other dorms. Maybe he didn't see me.
I stop as I hear him shouting my nickname. He won't stop. "Georgia! Wait! Please!"
He did say please, so I turn around and wait for him to join me.
He goes from running full blast to jogging when he sees me stop.
He notices my shirt first and scowls. I can't help but ask him if he likes it.
"You like it, Jake? Jaxon said if we were all going to be friends, I didn't need to wear my UGA shirts around campus. "
"Yeah, that was sweet of him. I'll bring you some of mine later, and you can give that one back to him."
"That's nice, but I think I'd rather just keep this one."
He scowls again but doesn't argue. "Listen, Georgia, I'm sorry about last night.
We were hanging out together exclusively, and I should have pushed Janet off my lap when she jumped on there.
I'm just used to ignoring her, and she eventually leaves.
She can't take a hint, and as for Carrie, she's a lesbian.
She doesn't like me, and I don't like her.
We're just great friends. I didn't think about you not knowing that. "
My heart flutters. Stupid treacherous heart.
I've had butterflies in my stomach since I saw Jake's truck. I think I like him more than I’m willing to admit.
"I'm sorry, also. I shouldn't have flipped you off or danced with Benji.
I only did that because I know you don't care for him.
Which I still don't know the reason, by the way.
I just did it to see if it would piss you off. "
He chuckles. "Oh, it did."
I extend my hand out to Jake. "Good. Friends?"
He stares at my hand, then looks up and searches my face, refusing to take my hand so I say, "I don't know how they do it in San Diego, but in Georgia and Texas, it's impolite to leave a lady hanging."
He smiles, his mind finally made. He extends his hand but doesn't place his palm in mine. "I don't want to be friend-zoned, but I don't do relationships either. However, can we shake on seeing where this goes?"
I'm speechless. I wasn't expecting that.
I feel vulnerable, and I don't want to get hurt, but granny Betsy Jean says life is about taking chances.
I shake his hand, and he smiles a let's get naked kind of smile.
My butterflies go into overdrive as he brings me in for a hug.
He smells good and feels warm and surprisingly cuddly.
He kisses me on my forehead, and I blush a million different shades of red.
I love forehead kisses, and I just got my first one.
He's blushing a little too. Maybe he's never given one before.
"I was just heading to the bookstore. They were out of a book I needed. You want to tagalong?"
"I do Sweet Cheeks. You wanna ride or walk?"
"Walk. There's a nice breeze blowing today. Probably won't be that way for long." Sweet Cheeks? I had to keep myself from laughing.
He nods in agreement. He places my much smaller hand into his gigantic one, and I lace our fingers together.
This is nice. Odd but nice. I've been on three dates my whole life, and never have I been forehead kissed or had my fingers laced together when handholding.
My actual first kiss had been so awkward I said I didn't want to do it again.
Maybe I need someone like Jake to teach me how.
The closer we get to the school, the more stares we receive from onlookers. Mostly girls and they don't look too happy. "Seems like I'm not going to be too popular with the female population."
He laughs. "I noticed. Most of the girls I don't know, though. Some I do. I've not exactly been celibate here at college, but I never made them any promises. I told them what the deal was."
I mull over his confession. I knew he was a man-whore.
It may cause problems later, but I can handle their stares for now.
I can't be mad or upset about his previous sexual history.
"Jake, thank you for being honest. If we do this, we've got to be that way.
I'm going to admit something, and it may make you change your mind about me, and that's okay if it does.
I'm not ashamed.” I pause briefly before saying, “I'm a virgin, and I don't think I'm ready for sex yet.
You like it a lot. No judgment, just basing that off the stares I'm currently receiving. "
He looks down at me and pulls me a little closer.
"I'm cool with that. I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do.
I can't lie to you, it was all I wanted from you initially.
Then I got to know you a little bit, and now I'm curious to get to know even more about you.
I can wait on the physical aspect. I'm not some sex-crazed maniac. " He laughs.
I let go of the breath I didn't know I had been holding. Totally relieved, I smile back up at him and release a small giggle. "Well, that's nice to know, and I'm relieved that part of the conversation is over. I want to know more about you, too."
We make it to the bookstore, and thankfully the book has been restocked. I was terrified of not being prepared on my very first day. That would have been a nightmare for me. Crisis adverted!
He takes the bag from me. "What classes do you have this semester?"
I place my credit card back in my wallet. "I did some college classes back home during senior year, but not enough to be considered a Sophomore. I'm taking Biology and British Lit this summer. Are you taking any or just here for football?"
"I'm only taking one, And that's British Lit. When do you have it?"
"It's Monday-Thursday, starts at 10:15."
"Shut up! That's when I have it." He smiles and twirls me around on the sidewalk.
He makes me giggle again. He's fun when he wants to be. "We can be study buddies!"
"I like that. I may not be able to concentrate because you're so beautiful."
"I like smooth, Jake. Smooth Jake is good for my ego." I blush profusely.
He kisses my forehead again. "It's the truth."
We walk in companionable silence back in the direction of my dorm. Jake's phone rings, and he answers. I hear Hector's voice. "We're going to order pizzas, man. You guys want to come back and eat some?"
He looks down at me and I nod. "Yes, please, I'm on the verge of being hangry."
"Yeah, man. Go ahead. We'll be there in about 10."
"How do they know we're together?"
He shows me his phone. It's a screenshot that one of them sent to him. It's an Instagram post, and it's got a picture of us to go with it. Everything Fearless 24/7 is the username.
Everything Fearless 24/7
Hot off the presses. Is The Jake Ryan off the market, ladies?
Who is this Buxom brunette? Better yet, wasn't she dancing with Benji last night?
And why is Benji sporting a black eye today?
So many questions and so few answers! This author will personally make it her life's mission to find out all the things. Until next time.
I stand still, mouth wide open. How did someone get a picture of us so quickly? It wasn't even thirty minutes ago. At least it's a decent picture. And thankfully, I'm wearing the tights that hold me in. "This school has a whole Instagram page dedicated to the Fearless Five?"
He shrugs. "Yup. Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. You can't help it. It is what it is. Did you give Benji a black eye last night?"
He lets out a slow breath. "Thank you for being understanding. When you are with me, you'll get a lot of attention. Only you can decide if you're okay with that. I hope you are. As for Benji, he had it coming. He's always trying to take what's mine."
I nod my head. Did my knees just go weak, or did he call me his?
He doesn't elaborate further, and I don't ask for any details.
I'm 100% satisfied with the answer he gave me.
Their problems started long before I came along.
All I did was add more beef to the mix. I won't have anything else to do with Benji now.
I'll see if I can find out anything from Jaxon.
I think he'll tell me if I corner him and he's not around the other guys.
My stomach growls loudly. I hope the pizza arrives before we do.
We spend the rest of the afternoon holding hands and eating pizza.
No one was shocked when we came back together.
They must have all seen the article. Jake doesn't hold back any affection in front of his boys.
That's a good thing. I won't be with anyone that wants to hide me.
My self-esteem may not be at an all-time high, but I refuse to let it get that low.
I'm trying to learn to love myself. Then and only then will I be able to love someone else the right way one day. Maybe that someone could be Jake?