37. Jake
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
jake
W hen I get home from work, Riv’s new Land Rover is parked next to Thoren’s truck outside my house. Neither are in them, which means they’re somewhere in my house. Parking my bike in the garage for the weekend, I’m surprised to find my gear already in the bed of Thor’s truck when I walk past.
They’re walking out my front door, snacks from my pantry in hand, when I step onto the porch. “Hey, buddy,” River says, hauling me in for a hug. “Want to ride with me?” Thoren slaps me on the shoulder as he passes while tossing trail mix into his mouth.
“You break into a man’s home, steal his snacks, and still want to be friends?”
“Yep, get in the car.” He smacks the back of my head before hopping in the driver’s seat. About fifteen minutes up the mountain, he turns onto a dirt road.
“Are you sure we’re supposed to be here?” I ask. This is the second private-property sign we’ve passed.
“Yes,” River says. He swore he had the perfect spot for us and made Thoren follow in his truck behind us. I really need to get my mom a new car so I can get my truck back.
River beams at me, proud as punch as he finally pulls into a grassy clearing. It’s a nice spot, a big enough clearing for the cars, our tents, and to build a firepit, while still being far from the main road and in the middle of the forest.
“This is my land,” River says when we’re all out of the cars.
“What?!” Thoren and I shout at the same time.
“I bought it a few months back. Put Michele through the ringer making her stomp through the woods for me. You can’t say she isn’t dedicated to her job. I want to build a home on it for when I retire. Figured this was a good chance to get a feel for the land and what I’m working with.”
“So this boys weekend has nothing to do with you wanting to spend time with us?” I ask with mock hurt in my voice. River rolls his eyes and shoves me, and Thoren opens his tailgate and pulls out our gear.
“He didn’t even put plumbing in before he made us come out here.
Straight savage,” Thoren gripes. Out of all of us, he’s the one who spends the most time in the woods.
I’m not sure the last time River went camping, but it’s probably been longer than me, and mine was two years ago on a backpacking trip with Thor.
We unpack everything and put River’s dainty hands on tent duty while Thoren and I collect firewood and dig out a spot to safely start one.
Riv griped the whole time he was in better shape than us, but his contract with the league prevents him from taking risks on injuring his hands.
He’d be fine cutting up some fallen trees, but it’s more fun to make him feel like a delicate flower.
As secluded as this place is, there’s thankfully still service. I planned to not check my phone this weekend, but the incessant buzzing from it is testing my willpower. Focusing on the task at hand, I get the firepit dug and a fire started while the brothers finish setting up the camp and chairs.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Thoren incessantly checking his phone. “Are you going to survive two nights without your girl?”
He flips me off and keeps texting. “She’s growing my kid, fuck off. She said you have news for us too.”
I groan, even knowing I had plans to talk to them.
If Amber’s talking about me to the girls, that’s a good thing.
I’m desperate to get their advice. I’ve never been in this situation, and I don’t want to screw it up.
As tough and stubborn as Amber can be, she’s a broken girl on the inside, wanting someone to love her.
I don’t know how deep her hurt with her mom goes, but I know that.
There has to be a right way to navigate this all with her.
River pulls out the cooler and places it between our chairs around the fire. He cracks a beer and takes a seat, spreading his legs out in front of him. “Alright, you have an hour before I get hungry again. What’s going on?”
“You’re worse than a pregnant Lily,” Thoren says, taking the chair on the other side of him and nudging him to pass a beer. As soon as he opens it, he’s resting his arms on his knees, both of them focused on me.
“Well, fuck, this is intimidating.” I crack a beer of my own before settling into my seat, watching the bubbles fizzle from the beer instead of looking at them. “I’m in love with Amber.”
They stare at me deadpan. “Okayyy, don’t all jump at once.” Running my free hand down my face, I take a deep breath. “I don’t know where we stand. She asked me to be her fuck buddy a while ago but agreed to a date last weekend, so I think we’re past that, but I’m not certain.”
River scratches at the back of his neck while Thoren scratches at his stubble. Yeah, that’s how I expected them to act. “At least now you know you’re not shit in the sack.”
“The hell.” Thoren glares at him. “If it makes you feel better, Lily said she’s crying in a good way because of something you did. ”
That sends a rush of warmth though my chest. Lauren said she would make sure she saw the storage room, but I ducked and ran so I wouldn’t have to see if she hated it.
The rose might have been too much. Since I started stalking—I mean, paying attention to her, I’ve noticed that same pink rose in her passenger seat every time she visits Jana.
I’ve never whittled anything like that before, but it turned out nice, and my mom was all too happy to paint it for me.
I wonder when she will see what I left at Jana’s gravesite.
I’m doing too much, I know that. I can’t help it, though. She said she felt like she only had family on loan and no one left for the good or the bad. I need to show her she’s not alone and I’ll be there for both.
“I need help deciding on a date idea. I only have one shot, and I cannot fuck it up.”
“Tie her to your bed and eat her pussy until she can’t form words anymore,” River says with a shrug. “That’s your thing, isn’t it?”
While Thoren and I have had a few locker room chats, River and I haven’t.
My accusing stare bounces between them when River cackles.
“Saw rope in your bedside table. In college and your cabin.” He shrugs like it’s no big thing that he’s been snooping in my room, and I’m tempted to chuck him into the fire.
Not like I can judge though, Thoren and I snooped through his room so many times in high school …
and maybe in college a time or two also.
Thoren nods, reclining in his chair. “Sex is an awfully good way to lock someone down. But you need a real date. You can’t do something boring like dinner or movies.”
“Oooh, take her on a bike ride. She’s a little wild, right? I bet she would love that.”
“Finally, a decent idea.” Thoren slaps Riv on the chest. “Pack a picnic.”
Well, color me surprised. That’s actually a great idea.
When my phone buzzes in my pocket again, I finally give in and pull it out.
The first few are from Colby ensuring he locked up the shop and was grateful for the chance to prove himself and to earn my trust. He’s a good kid, and I’m lucky to have him.
The next is from Michele with a bunch of emoji hearts.
Michele:
I always knew you were a big softie. It was fun making the wedding pact with you, but it’s going to be even better watching you crumble when Amber walks down the aisle to you.
I chuckle, wearing a stupid grin. My God, Amber would be stunning in a white gown. The last is from Amber, and even though it’s simple, it means the most.
Amber:
Thank you, Jake. Just …thank you.
It’s followed by another that makes my heart beat through my chest.
Amber:
You can take Socks for a sleepover any weekend you want as long as I’m invited too.
Things are finally falling into place with her. Maybe I didn’t do too much but just the right amount. “I like that plan. Going to take her to the lookout and show her she’s mine.”
“Great, you and Thoren are twins now. All demanding and shit with your girls. I brought sausages to grill for dinner,” River gripes, heading to the truck bed to get the food cooler.
“He just doesn’t get it because his girl walks all over him, and he doesn’t have the balls to do anything about it.” Thor leans over and tips his can to clink it with mine.
“I heard that, asshole. ”
We burst out laughing, only laughing harder when River throws a raw sausage at Thoren’s head.
This is what has been missing from my life.
Laughter and time spent with friends and people I love.
I’ve been making an effort to spend more time with my friends and family, and it has made such a difference for my happiness.
I hope Amber is feeling the same this weekend with the girls.