I wave her off. “No, go home, really. I’m going to take a shower and go to bed.”
I apologize to Kade for the one hundredth time, and for the one hundredth time he tells me I have nothing to be sorry for. I hand him back the helmet. He clutches me to him, wrapping his arms around me. “Can we go out again? Please tell me that won’t be our first and last date? I can’t go out that way. I need a chance to redeem myself.”
The corners of my mouth perk up. I’m surprised after everything that’s happened that he still deems me worthy of dating.
“Ah. I got a smile from you,” he says. “Now you have to agree.”
I nod and shrug. His hands linger on my hips before they drop to his sides. “I’ll text you.”
I wave goodbye then quickly head inside, hoping not to cross paths with David or my brother if they come back to the house. The TV’s on. An open pizza box sits on the coffee table, and about ten empty beer bottles are next to it. What in the hell happened in the last three hours?
Jack snores on the couch. I start to clean up, extremely irritated. I simply wanted to take a shower and go to bed. I’m still pissed about what he pulled at the club, and now he wants to throw a fit like a child, leaving me to clean up his mess.
Jack stirs and opens his eyes. “Did you have fun on your dattttte?”
“It was fine. Go to bed,” I say. I don’t need to have a drunken argument with Jack on top of my already shitty night.
He sits up, his eyes bloodshot and glazed over. “I want to know how it went. Are you going to see him again? Did you kiss him?”
I drop the pizza box back on the table and place my hands on my hips. I don’t think I have ever felt so defeated. “Jack, I’m not sure how any of that’s your business. Especially after the shit you pulled outside the club. I get it. I’m young. You want me to be with people my age. You want to be with someone more experienced. So, what’s the problem, Jack! This is everything you asked for. I don’t know how to make you happy.”
He stumbles over to me. “You, Jessi, you are my problem. I can’t get you out of my head. I can’t stop my feelings for you when I shouldn’t have them.”
I stamp my foot. “Who says you shouldn’t? You know what, I can’t do this. I can’t. I can’t continue to have whiplash. Kade is a good guy. He doesn’t give me hot and cold. I’m not playing this game. Go to bed. I’ll clean up.”
“You go to bed. I’ll clean up my mess.”
“Fine. Have at it.” I skip the shower and go straight to my room instead. I grab my phone and text my dad, hoping he isn’t wining and dining anyone.
Me
How is your trip going?
Dad
Hey! How is my girl? I added more money to your account but noticed you haven’t spent much. It’s there for you to have a good time this summer. It is going well. So far, no complications. This was a good purchase. How about you? If you and Austin need anything, text Shannon. She will have a quicker response time. I am about to head out with a potential investor. I will text you later.
My throat tightens with emotion.So much for that.One text is all he can be bothered to send? I don’t waste my time responding.
As I set my phone down, it lights with another message. My vision swims over the name on the screen, and for a moment, it doesn’t compute. Kade. Kade. Not Dad?Well, at least someone likes me.
Kade
I’m sorry about what happened at the theater, but until then, I had fun kicking it with you.
Me
I did too. Thank you for the ride, the candy, and the movie. How is your hand? I feel like a shitty date. You defended my honor, and I didn’t even ice your hand for you. Forgive me?
Kade
The hand will be fine. He dropped easily. No forgiveness needed, as long as you let me take you out again.
Me
Thank you. I would love to go on another date with you. Anyone would drop easily, taking a hit from you.
Kade
