Matthew forces a smile, nodding. “Yeah, sure.”
He glances at me one last time, and for a moment, I think he’s going to say something more. But then he just gives me a small nod, turns, and walks away, disappearing into the crowd. The ache in my chest intensifies, and I feel a sudden, overwhelming urge to run after him, to call out to him and beg him to stay just one more night.
But I don’t. I stay rooted to the spot, watching as he vanishes from sight, the reality of it all sinking in. He’s gone. And whatever we were, whatever we could have been—it’s gone too.
My mom’s voice snaps me back to the present, her tone sharp as she continues her theatrical tantrum about the wedding. I tune her out, my mind still reeling from everything that’s just happened.
“Come on, Dylan. We’re leaving.” She walks off, heading to the parking lot.
Jacob leans in and whispers, just loud enough for me to hear, “You know you're an adult and don’t have to listen to her, right?”
I glance at him. “I know, but I have to ride it out until I can leave for Colorado. I don’t have anywhere else to go right now.”
Jacob’s brow furrows. “We get it. We just don’t like seeing her treat you like this.”
“I’m used to it,” I say. “But I’m done with the grounding. I've graduated, and she won’t be keeping me from you guys anymore.”
Ford lets out a relieved laugh. “Oh, thank God. I’ve been having withdrawals.”
Jacob raises an eyebrow. “Not sure how with the science lab, the janitor’s closet, and the cafeteria pantry.”
Ford nudges Jacob playfully, a grin spreading across his face. “Hater.”
“Can I take you out, then?” Jacob asks, his eyes twinkling with hope.
I can’t help but smile at the prospect. “Yeah, when?”
“Tomorrow. Ford, you’re not invited. I want some alone time with our girl.”
Ford throws up his hands in mock defeat. “Fine, fuck you too. Have fun. Mom wants to take me to dinner anyway, so it’s perfect.”
“Perfect,” I echo, feeling a flutter of excitement at the thought of spending time alone with Jacob. “I’ll text you two later.”
I lean in and give each of them a passionate kiss. My lips linger on theirs, and in that fleeting moment, the world outside feels like it falls away.
Chapter 14
Jacob
Tonight’s the night. I’m finally going on a date with my girl. The one I’ve been in love with for years. I wish I could be more like Ford and not be jealous of the time she spends with him, and soon the time she’ll spend with Matthew. I need to accept her heart is big enough and has enough love for the three of us.
But that all ends tonight. I’m no longer going to allow them to fester, eating away at my mind until I push the love of my life away. Life’s too short to live with regrets and fuck if I’m going to have any with Pickle.
The whole ride to her house I’ve been bouncing in my seat, my body feeling like it’s on a rollercoaster ride and I’m getting the thrill of my life. The only thing I’m thankful for is that her mother thinks the world rises and falls around me, and she agreed to allow Dylan to go out with me tonight. There are stipulations, like an eleven PM curfew, but I can deal with that just to be with Pickle.
Pulling into her driveway, my heart is pounding so intensely a small part of me fears it’s going to explode from my chest, like that monster in theAlienmovie. I don’t see her mom’s car, but it doesn’t mean it’s not in the garage. My heart sends up a silent prayer that she's not here. I don’t want to pretend or be fake with her mother tonight. That would be too much of a tainted omen on what’s going to be an amazing evening spent with my girlfriend.
Taking a deep breath, I pick up the colorful bouquet of carnations. There are green, pink, orange, yellow, and purple blooms. Their smell, a mix of a subtle warm vanilla with a hint of a soft, earthy quality, creates an inviting and comforting aroma in my car. I hope the scent lingers until Dylan gets inside.
I make my way up the driveway to the porch, the crunch of small, loose rocks underneath my feet adding to the pit building in my stomach. Reaching the door, I take a breath and ring the bell. I can hear the tones sounding inside and I rock on my feet to dull the nerves. It’s just a date, and it’s not like I haven’t been intimate with Dylan. Why am I so fucking nervous?
When I don’t hear anything from the other side of the door, I ring the bell again. A few moments later, I hear the thud of footsteps getting louder the closer they get to me.
It has to be Dylan. No way in hell that’s her mom or future stepfather. Maybe my prayers have been answered and I won’t have to face her witch of a mother. Dylan opens the door, a beaming smile on her face, and my whole body relaxes. She looks so beautiful. Her hair is up in a high ponytail, the ends of it dancing along her shoulders and back. She’s in a cute denim skirt and a form-fitting green top with the tiniest of straps on her shoulders. Her perky breasts are on display and her pebbled nipples push through the fabric.
“They’re gorgeous!” she exclaims as her face lights up. “Are they for me?”
“Yes.” I hand the flowers to her as she steps back, allowing me to enter.
