Chapter 18
Revelation
We leave the party early because the boys have football practice.
The vote to eat was almost unanimous. Jake voted against eating.
He wanted to go straight to my house. He must be used to girls that don't need nourishment!
We napped through supper, and I need a little something before we work up another appetite later. Oh God, I can't think about that now.
We head towards our favorite diner. Jake’s being quiet, not saying much since we left. Is something bothering him? Is he tired or something?
The diner is so busy tonight. I get out of the car, and Jake walks over to my side and holds out his hand. I gladly take it as I smile up at him. He bends down and gently kisses my lips. He whispers in my ear. "Why did you vote against me?"
I laugh. "Because I'm chunky and hungry." I blush! I can't believe I told him that. Dang stupid alcohol.
He laughs. "I'm hungry for something else. I want to eat you."
My eyes grow big. I let out a nervous high-pitched laugh. "Shut up!"
He laughs. "I can't wait to get you back to your place. Just call me the big bad wolf, baby."
I cannot with him. With just a few words, I'm already throbbing again.
I jump when I realize we have an audience.
Everyone laughs, even Toby and the petite blonde he brought with him.
She seems nice. I think her name is Karen, but hopefully, she's not that Karen.
You know what I mean. They rode in her car, and he is staying at her place off campus tonight.
She's in her junior year, and a total babe. Way to go, cuz.
The same flirty hostess from the other night seats us.
Oh joy, and our waitress is a snarky flirt.
I know he's hot but damn. Jake has his arm around me and kisses my forehead as she approaches the table.
She rolls her eyes at me, making me laugh, which she doesn't appreciate.
She takes our drink order and then speeds off.
She's unquestionably annoyed. "I swear! Jake, if she spits in my water! "
He grins. "You want me to go flirt with her or something then."
I scowl at him while taking his arm off my shoulder. I pick up my knife. "Do you want to get cut?"
He laughs. "With a butter knife? Good luck. I'm prime A beef baby. It would take at least a good steak knife to cut through this muscle."
Oh no, sir! He doesn't know about me yet. "I've watched the First 48 my whole life. I know things."
Everyone at the table laughs. Jake is trying to keep a straight face. He holds his hands up in defeat. "Yes, ma'am, I'll behave from here on out."
He's so cute. "You better."
He kisses me. While Jaxon yells, "get a room!"
"Dani, what are you going to order?" Toby asks while mulling over his menu. With all the flirting, I forgot how hard it is for him to make a choice.
I shake my head. We may be here all night. "Pancakes. Of course!"
He rolls his eyes. "You order that every time. They have a variety of other choices."
I shrug. "Variety is vastly overrated."
Karen speaks up. "Variety is the spice of life."
Toby gives her a smoldering look. I almost laugh. Toby might be smitten. Okay, Karen! She might be his perfect match. "Toby, whatcha thinking?"
He shrugs, and I feel the need to explain to the table our terrible dilemma. "Toby has taken over an hour to decide what to eat before. Y'all have no idea what we're in for."
Toby looks affronted, and everyone at the table grumbles under their breath. "Really, Dani?"
I smile mischievously back at him. He flips me off, and I laugh. "I'm not wrong."
Jake looks at Toby. "Have you tried the pancakes?"
"Nope. I'm not a basic bitch."
We all laugh at his assessment. Really?! Jaxon puts down his menu. "You just directly called almost everyone at this table a basic bitch man. That's cold. Ice cold."
Axel can't help himself. "Alright...Alright...Alright. I ain't got no problems being a basic bitch. These pancakes are everything."
I laugh. Axel's toasted. My phone pings and it's Jake.
If your cousin doesn't hurry, I will body slam him!
I giggle.
Why are you in such a hurry?
I can't wait to lay you down.
I put my phone down and put my face in my hands. I'm blushing so bad from his reply. He’s laughing and if I had one more limb, I'd pinch him.
The waitress comes back to take our orders.
The football players pressure Toby into getting the pancakes.
Everyone is starving, and we don't have time for his mess.
Poor Toby. I'd feel bad for him if these pancakes weren't so deliciously good.
I also get my usual but decide to add scrambled eggs as another side tonight. It's been a minute since I've had eggs.
All our phones go off at once. I peer down at my phone, and my heart drops. A picture has been posted of us dancing earlier tonight. And another one is posted below it. Someone captured my "Nobody cares, Janet" moment. A new article of the EF Insta accompanies the pictures.
Everything Fearless, 24/7
Word on the street is that our sweet Georgia peach and our favorite quarterback are now exclusive.
That's right, ladies, he's off the market.
Countless women have heard him say that he doesn't do relationships, but Dani "Georgia" Constantine proved that was a lie.
If you weren't at the Alpha Phi Alpha house tonight, where were you at-t-t-t-t?
Our spitfire Dani, and head cheerleader Janet, almost threw down in a catfight to end all catfights.
I would pay good money to see them fight on pay-per-view.
Janet found out real quick how serious Dani is about her man.
It looks like there's a new Prom Queen in town, Janet.
Bless your heart. "Nobody cares, Janet!"
Dani-1 Janet-0
Until next time Bitches!
Jake says it first. "Shit."
Yup. Shit. You've got to be kidding me. Jake puts his arm around me and kisses the side of my forehead. Countless women. I knew he had a past, and I won't judge him for it, but has he been tested? I need to ask him about that before we have any more sexy time.
I'm not scared of Janet, but I wonder if there will be any backlash for standing up to the head cheerleader.
My life just got a little bit more complicated.
I smile up at Jake to let him know I'm not mad.
Him being in the spotlight is just a lot to deal with right now.
Being with him will change my life, and if we stay together for the long term, I will be in the public eye.
Do I want that for my life? That's undoubtedly a question I will revisit as we grow closer.
Hector looks up at Jake with mischief in his eyes. "So, countless women, man! Georgia, you got a full-blown Casanova over there."
Jake flips him off. "Shit."