“Kelly,” Karen urged, her eyes conveying that she wasn’t going to let me off the hook. “You have to talk to him about it.”
I took another bite.
She continued.
“You know I’m not Sean’s biggest fan, but I’ve never doubted his love for you. I don’t think this thing with Madeline was something he entered into easily, and he never would have done it had he known you were going to wake up.”
I stared ahead while I chewed and felt her arm come around me.
“Three years is a long time to be lonely. He and Jake weren’t getting along, your mother was as mean to him as always and honestly, if I had free time, I was spending it with you, not checking in on him. He didn’t really have anything, other than the bookstore, and a business can’t give the emotional support that we as humans need.”
I gave her the side eye and finished my burger.
“Look, Kel, I’m not saying you have to be happy about it, or even forgive him. Only you can decide if your relationship can survive all that’s happened or not. But I do think you need to hear him out … try and put yourself in Sean’s shoes.”
I sighed and tossed the wrapper in the bag.
Finally, I shifted toward her on the bed and said, “I know you’re right, Karen, but it was such a shock. I mean, in my wildest dreams I never would have imagined Sean cheating, and no matter the circumstances, that’s what it feels like to me. Cheating. I promise that I’ll give him the chance to tell me what happened, no matter how much it’s going to hurt, but I really want to wait until I’m in the comfort of my own home before I have to deal with any more life-changing moments. Okay?”
“Of course, Kel, whatever you need,” she assured me with a small smile. “And you know, no matter what happens, I’ll always have your back.”
“I know,” I replied, and honestly, it was the only thing in life I was sure of.
Thirteen
Jacob
I slid my books off the desk and into my backpack seconds before the bell started ringing, signaling the end of the school day.
I walked out of the room, not paying attention to those around me as I headed toward my locker.
“Baby!”
I glanced to the right as I opened my locker to see Ally bounding down the hall toward me.
My heart clenched, but I managed a smile.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked casually.
“Nothin’. You want to get out of here? Go to my place, or yours?” she asked, doing that thing with her lips she did when she was trying to be sexy, or let me know she was hoping to get off.
“Can’t,” I said, slamming my locker shut.
“Why not?” she asked with a pout.
“My mom’s coming home tomorrow, so Dad wants us to do this deep-cleaning thing on the house, so it looks nice for her. Then I’m going to hit up a few places and see who’s hiring. I need to find work.”
“Oh, well, I could come help you clean,” Ally offered.
I smirked.
Yeah, right, Ally never lifted a hand to clean anything if she could help it.
“Nah, I don’t think so,” I replied.
When her face dropped, it made me feel like a dick, so I put my arm around her and pulled her close.
“If you’re there, I won’t be able to concentrate,” I murmured, leaning in to place my lips on her neck. “You know how distracting you are…”
Ally sighed and tilted her head so I could continue what I was doing.
I bit, then licked her sensitive skin before nuzzling her just under her ear.
“You know how my dad’s been. Constantly threatening to take the keys to the Jeep. That’s why I’m going to go do what he wants then find myself a job so I can make my own money and eventually get the fuck out of his house.”
“I know, baby, I just hate that we haven’t been getting to spend time together. What with your mom and all,” she said, causing my stomach to tighten.
I didn’t know what her deal with my mom was. I’d asked her about the way she’d acted when they’d met, and Ally had said she’d just been nervous, but it hadn’t felt that way to me. She’d been intentionally rude and had almost seemed like she was jealous.
Of my mother.
“And now if you get a job, you’ll have even less time with me,” Ally complained.
I tried to ignore my doubts about her being jealous and clingy, cause this was Ally. The girl who was always there for me. The only person who believed in me. My first everything.
So what if she sometimes did things that got on my nerves, I’m sure I did too. Probably all the time.
“I’ll always make time for you,” I promised.
Ally pulled back and looked me straight in the eyes.
“Prove it.”
I grabbed her hand in mine and tugged, leading her down the hall and out of the building.
Instead of going to the parking lot, I turned left and headed toward the bleachers.
It was a common hookup spot, although usually in the evening or after dark, not right after school when students were still milling around, and the jocks were getting ready for practice.
But I didn’t have a lot of time and I knew if I relented and took Ally home with me, I wouldn’t get shit done. She wouldn’t allow it. So, I needed to get her off my back … hell, I just needed to get her off, give her what she wanted and get the hell out of there.
“What are you doing?” Ally asked with a giggle, but I could hear the anticipation in her voice. The breathiness.
Ally was an extremely sexual creature. We both were. I don’t know if our relationship was typical, but I knew I was lucky that she’d picked me out of every guy in our school.
Rather than respond, I walked faster, intent on getting us under the bleachers. Once we were about halfway in, I stopped and maneuvered her, so she was facing me. I took her hands and moved them above her head, indicating she should hold on to the bar above.
I did this all without saying a word and I could tell that was turning her on as much as the anticipation of what was to come.
Once she was secure, I stepped in closer, so there was barely an inch between us, and placed my mouth once again on her neck. I started to suck as my hands explored. First, under the thin cotton of her shirt, I caressed her soft skin, and when my fingers reached her bralette, or whatever the hell she called that barely there scrap of lace, I felt her heartrate pick up.
She moaned as my hand cupped her tit and thrust herself forward as I pinched her beaded nipple between my fingers and tugged.
“Jake,” she purred, and I knew she wanted more.
My girl burned hot and fast, like a lit match.
While my mouth and left hand continued what they were doing, I moved my right down until I hit her thigh, then moved up under her skirt. The lace of her panty was already wet, just like I knew it would be, and I ignored the urge to free myself and fuck her right there.
Instead I moved her panties aside and thrust one finger inside, her hot, soaking core clamping down over it as she threw her head back and pushed down on my hand.
“Oh yes, Jake,” she murmured. When I felt her head turn, I moved my mouth to the other side and began sucking in earnest. Ally got off on having evidence of our sex life she could show off to her friends, so she loved it when I gave her hickeys. “Oh my god, someone’s watching.”