28. Chapter 28
Charlotte
We stay on the beach for some time, cuddled up in the blanket, just taking in the sights and sounds of everyone around us.
There are children playing with a football, laughing with such carefree looks on their faces.
There are runners and, as much as I detest running, I wish I could be back out there—I always felt good afterward, even though I’d sound like a woman giving birth with all my puffing and panting whilst actually doing it.
Before long, the air grows cooler and we head inside.
Bella trots alongside Jake in the hope he might take pity on her and give her some treats.
That man is wrapped around that dog's little paw and there isn't much he wouldn’t do for her. I roll my eyes, knowing she’s about to get her own way…
again. It’s approaching lunchtime as we reach the house, and whilst Jake makes us something to eat, I take a shower.
Stripping off, I try to avoid looking at myself in the mirror—I’m still not quite ready to go there just yet.
I pop some music on and Kelly Clarkson's “Stronger” blasts out. Perching on my shower bench, I let the steam envelope me in its warm misty hug whilst I indulge in a bit of shower karaoke. I lather up my hair and then step briefly under the spray to wash the shampoo out and repeat the process with conditioner. Once I’m done, I wrap my hair in a towel and cover myself with a toweling dress Alyssa got for me.
Holding a towel up with crutches is just a recipe for a disaster, especially with Jake currently staying here—I don’t want to give him a peep show.
I can smell the intoxicating aromas coming from the kitchen and I head out to see what my personal chef has whipped up for me.
“Something sure does smell good out here,” I say, taking a deep inhale.
He’s at the stove stirring something, Bella literally glued to his side.
“I’m making grilled cheese with tomato soup,” he scratches the back of his neck and his cheeks pinken.
“I know it’s your go-to when you’re sad or not feeling great, your mom used to make this for you.
Now I’m not saying mine will be anywhere near as good but-”
I cut him off, putting my hand on his arm and looking into his eyes, “Jake, that’s so thoughtful of you.
I’m sure it’ll taste just as good because you thought to make it for me.
” I smile up at him and feel myself falling further for this man.
This is more than a crush. Shaking those thoughts away, I ask, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Nah, it’s nearly done now. Take a seat and I’ll bring it over.” He winks at me, and my insides flip-flop all over the place.
Jake brings over my lunch and I try my best not to inhale it.
God, it smells incredible, and he’s somehow managed to make grilled cheese and tomato soup look like it belongs in a Michelin-star restaurant.
I dip my sandwich in the soup before bringing it to my lips and, a moan escapes my lips, making Jake look up at me.
I must have been louder than I thought. The flavors from the soup burst on my tongue and the cheese is rich, smoky, and creamy.
“Wow, this tastes incredible. Certainly better than mom used to make, that’s for sure.
It’s rich, creamy, and garlicky, just how I like it. ”
He laughs, “Great, at least I know it’ll keep the vampires away.”
We continue to make small talk as we eat and, once we’re done, we clear up. Or rather, Jake does. He shoos me away, but I wish him good thoughts as he loads the dishwasher while I sit my ass on the sofa.
I started watching The Great British Bake Off when I was hibernating in my room, and Jake has now become addicted too.
We sit there laughing at some of the baking disasters, knowing we couldn’t do much better ourselves, but it’s nice to dream.
As they announce the star baker and the show ends, Jake turns to me and pulls out my journal from his other side.
He wants to go through my to-do list and why I’ve picked each item, except watching him play—that one's all him and needs no explanation.
He shudders at the thought of a marathon, and to be honest, it brings me out in a cold sweat, but I’d love to say I’d done one.
Then the conversation takes a turn, and we end up talking about how I met Wren.
Surely, we must have discussed this before, but I tell him anyway.
“We’ve been best friends since we were little.
Our parents were neighbors and close friends, so we spent a lot of time together.
She was—is—my protector.” I laugh at the thought of a seven-year-old Wren beating off my bullies.
I take a deep breath and carry on; the memories of my childhood swirling around me.
“I struggled to make friends from a young age; I just never seemed to make the right choices. I had friends before you, or I thought I did at the time. Then they would turn on me for no reason, accusing me of talking about them behind their backs when I hadn’t even said anything.
” I shake my head, the memories become more vivid as I speak.
“I was mercilessly bullied at school even once we started talking, I’m not sure if that’s something I ever told you? ”
He shakes his head, and while I pick at a loose thread on the blanket, I continue.
“I was picked on for my weight, my teeth, my likes and dislikes. I was always timid, never outspoken, and I guess that’s why they chose me—an easy target that would never speak up.
I gave up trying for a while, and then when I went to junior high, I tried again, tried a different approach but still had the same outcome.
It just turns out kids are cruel. When Wren was there, she always had my back, but it didn’t lessen the hurt or the sting of rejection. ”
I sigh, fidgeting with the blanket. “By the time I made it to high school, I stopped trying altogether. I even begged my parents to homeschool me, but they were convinced I’d find my feet, and Wren was adamant we would go to school together.
” Tears prick at my eyes as Jake grabs my hand, anchoring me in that moment.
“I was so worried about what people would think about me I just didn’t speak, I didn’t try to make friends.
I’d speak when I was spoken to and that was it.
Why would I let these people see the real me when all they did was tear me down?
I isolated myself, ate lunch only with Wren, where I knew I would be safe.
” Jake nods and looks at me like he’s desperate for me to carry on, soaking in all this new information.
“I never went to prom or homecoming. The thought turned my stomach. God, I sound like such a loser.” I bury my head in my hands and let it all out.
“I’ve never told anyone any of this, not even my parents.
I never wanted to burden anyone with my problems, but I guess as I let it fester for so long, it then became harder and harder to break free from my own little bubble. ”
I feel Jake’s arms wrap around me, stroking my back trying to soothe me, and it’s working. I take a big inhale into his shirt and I’m surrounded by his spicy scent, like the best comfort blanket in the world. I feel him whispering into my hair.
“You just needed to find your people, sweetheart. We’re your people and we always will be. I’m so glad you moved to San Diego to be with us.”