Page 21 of Before I Deserved You
Tessa
Summer is officially nearing its end, and we’re currently gorging ourselves on ice cream floats at Carla’s Café while discussing how best to spend our remaining days of freedom. These past few months have been among some of the best of my life. Even Jake’s dad proved he was capable of some form of kindness when he offered his son some much-deserved time off to enjoy the last week of summer break. Something we’re taking full advantage of by spending every possible minute together.
Jake settled into the rigorous schedule Mr. Nelson has set for him much like he approaches everything else in his life, with a stoic acceptance and very little grumbling. He also seems to be coping much better with his home situation. According to my boyfriend, he avoids the older man like the plague, which can’t be easy considering he lives and works with the guy. But since I haven’t noticed any further injuries following the guitar incident, I can only assume his evasion tactics are working.
One other thing that’s changed for the better is that Jake is now the proud owner of an ancient but functional Ford pickup truck. Having a set of wheelsat our disposal is a pretty big deal, and we’re beyond excited, as it’s a way for us to get out of town for short periods of time.
Just last week, Jake took me on a day trip to Austin, where we pretended to be tourists for the day. We had an absolute blast and didn’t want our time to end. I hadn’t heard Jake laugh this much in forever, and I soaked up the sound like I might never hear it again. Unfortunately, a terse phone call from his dad cut our day short and forced us to return to reality sooner than we would’ve liked.
His new vehicle is gun-metal gray and riddled with rust spots, but it comes with a cargo bed that makes it perfect for Jake’s purposes. During the week, it’s loaded with tools and materials, and he mostly uses it to get to and from work. But on weekends, it’s easily converted into a cozy bedroom on wheels. All it takes is a double mattress, a couple of pillows, a plush duvet, and voilà—our very own love nest is ready to go.
When he’s not working, he’s rarely home anymore. He’s taken to spending a lot of time at my house, even bringing his siblings along now and then, which seems to make my mother ridiculously happy. She’s over the moon about having a couple of little ones to spoil and always has a batch of homemade cookies at the ready whenever the Nelson kids come to visit.
I do my best not to pout whenever Jake chooses to hang out in the kitchen in favor of sampling my mother’s sweet treats rather than in my room to sample mine; so much for my delicious peaches. Don’t get me wrong, I love that my two favorite people in the world have bonded so much, but having to fight your own mother for your boyfriend’s attention is a new low, even for me.
The rest of his free time is equally divided between Carla’s, Jackie’s Diner, or our spot by the river, which the seniors of JC High have gradually taken over as the location to throw their infamous river bashes. Jake and Carter don’t seem to mind the invasion. They love hanging out with the older crowd. I, on the other hand, can’t help but feel a little put out over our serene little paradise turning into a social gathering hotspot.
One Saturday a month, Anna and Jude spend the night at the Johnson’s house, which gives Jake the opportunity to cut loose. Today just so happens to be one of his rare nights off, and I can practically feel the anticipation rolling off him.
“At least there’s something going on in this godforsaken town,” Carter says when I mention how much I miss the days when our spot still belonged to us and us alone.
“I guess you’re right,” I grudgingly agree. “It’s just that I used to go down there to get away from people. Listen to the sound of the water and enjoy some peace and quiet. Now, there’s always someone lurking around.” Jake stares down at his drink and seems to be having a really hard time keeping a straight face.
“What?” I snap. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
My boyfriend briefly meets my eyes, a smug little smirk firmly planted on those kissable lips, before he addresses Carter and Megan.
“She’s pissed because the last time we went, Jessica Cartwright was tanning herself with her bikini top undone. I swear, I still have bruises where Tessa pinched me whenever my gaze wandered a little too close to her location.”
“Oh, you do not. You big baby.”
“Do, too. You should’ve seen her. I thought her head was about to blow clean off her neck when Jess asked me to apply sunscreen to her back. Tessa thinks I have the hots for her.”
Carter has the audacity to laugh.
“She kissed Gabby’s boyfriend in the janitor’s closet and acted like it was nothing when she ran into her afterward,” I point out, getting fired up now. “She’s a backstabbing snake, but nobody seems to notice because they can’t see past that enormous rack of hers. I’ve seen you staring down her cleavage. Don’t even try to deny it.”
Jake seems to find my outburst amusing.
“In my defense,” he starts, and I know I won’t like whatever comes out of his mouth next. “Her boobs are always just one loose button away from bursting out of her tops. I’m a guy. I can’t help but notice these things. We’re wired that way. That doesn’t mean I’m interested in a downgrade. I already happen to be dating the hottest girl in town,” he adds, sugar dripping from every word. And how can anyone stay mad when Jake Nelson looks at you with that dimpled smile? “She’s not the sharpest tool in the shed either. The other day, I was talking about music with Chase and mentioned Kurt Cobain. Jess got all excited, clapping her hands like one of those show seals at SeaWorld. I shit you not, she dead ass looks me in the eye and goes, ‘Ooooh, I like him. He’s the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, right?’”
Carter gasps with mock outrage, “She did not!”
“I know, right? Who the fuck doesn’t know who Kurt Cobain is?” Jake asks, shaking his head like he’s still reeling from the shock. I can’t hold back anymore as I join Megan’s voracious laughter. These two are so ridiculous sometimes.
“Did you hear Chase and Ted got suspended for breaking into Jackson High?” Carter asks. “They were caught attempting to steal the school mascot—absolutely hammered. Couldn’t even remember how they got there.”
Jake barks out a laugh and shakes his head, thoroughly amused by the juicy gossip he’s been fed. Chase and Ted are part of the seniors organizing the river parties. Jake has gotten pretty close with both boys but seems to have bonded with Chase over their mutual love for 90s grunge music.
They both play the guitar and enjoy jamming together around the fire pit, which gets them a ton of female attention. I never thought I’d turn out to be one of those clingy girls I used to find pathetic. The type that never lets their boyfriend out of their sight and shoots daggers at any approaching female. But Jake is a popular, good-looking guy, and teenage girls can be ruthless. He’s not fishing for their attention, nor does he encourage their advances, but he sure doesn’t discourage them either.
Whenever I call him out on it, he insists he’s not flirting, just being polite, and maybe that’s true. Jake’s always been outgoing and easy to talk to. But ever since his mom passed and we got together, it’s like he’s drawing them in like flies. And I’m not talking about cute houseflies, either. Slightly annoying but really quite harmless. I’m talking about the kind that circles their prey, just waiting for the right opportunity to sink their teeth into you. The type that keeps coming back, no matter how many times you swat at them. Like a persistent horse fly. Blood-sucking pests that can transmit disease if you’re not careful.
I try not to let it bother me when they bat their fake lashes at him or touch him in a seemingly innocent way when we all know it’s anything but. On the outside, I appear cool, calm, and collected. But on the inside, my blood boils whenever he talks to a girl longer than necessary. Or when he indulges them with funny little anecdotes that make them crack up like hyenas while they claw at his chest.
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve given him the silent treatment more than once. I know it’s childish, but sometimes I can’t control my green-eyed monster. Of course, Jake only makes matters worse by being disgustingly sweet and understanding. The last time I bit his head off for not withdrawing fast enough was when Janet Wilson linked her elbow with his on the way to the cafeteria, and I promised myself I wouldn’t let myself be ruled by my emotions again. I’m better than that; deep down, I know I can trust Jake. So when he asks us whether or not we’d be at tonight’s river bash, I do my best to let go of my insecurities and exchange a secretive smile with Megan.
“Our parents think we’re having a slumber party at Gillian’s house, which means no curfew for us.” My reply is met with my boyfriend's enthusiastic, "Hell yes," before he looks to Carter for confirmation.
