Page 9 of Before I Deserved You
Jackie gives a loud, “Ha,” before she turns on her heel and stomps toward the kitchen, chuckling the whole way. I don’t share her amusement, too busy trying to ignore the stabbing sensation in my chest. I know he’s joking, but it doesn’t make it sting any less. “Now that you’re done charming the pants off Jackie, do you mind telling me where you were yesterday?”
“Huh?” Jake regards Carter with a questioning expression.
“You told me you’d drop by to help me with those barre chords. I tried calling you, but your phone went straight to voice mail.”
“Ah, shit. Sorry, man. I totally forgot. My mom’s colleague was sick, so she got called in on short notice, which put me on babysitting duty. My phone must’ve died.”
Carter shrugs like it’s not a big deal and tears open another wet wipe to clean his sticky fingers.
“I have the day off tomorrow if you’re free?”
“Sounds good. I can come over to your house if it’s easier?”
Jake looks uncomfortable at the suggestion. “Nah, it’s alright. Dad’s been in a sour mood lately. I’d rather avoid dealing with him on my day off. I’ll be over around four.”
“Is this going to be a private lesson, or are we allowed to watch?” Megan asks, pushing her empty plate to the center of the table.
“I don’t mind an audience. But I’m not the one fumbling my way through chord changes, so I guess it’s up to Carter.”
“Har, har,” Carter throws a cold fry at Jake, who snatches it out of the air with catlike reflexes before popping it into his mouth with a smug expression. “Not everyone can be blessed with the finger-picking skills of Jimi Hendrix. I fucking hate that you make it look so easy. How did you end up being the one with all the talent in this friendship?”
“Don’t sell yourself short. There are things you’re better at.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“Well,” Jake starts, looking pensive. “You’re a good listener, and you give amazing advice.”
Carter groans like a dying animal. “Great, because who wants to be Hendrix when you can be fucking Oprah,” he grumbles, glancing at Megan, who’s clearly amused. “I’m telling you. I’ve been practicing beginner chord changes for months, and I’m still nowhere near being able to play a song from start to finish. It’s embarrassing, really. But I don’t mind you guys witnessing my lackluster performance. Someday, Jake might be the frontman of a famous rock band, and when the paps interview you and ask about his life pre-fame, you can say you got to watch the great Jake Nelson play back when he was just another gifted kid from a small Texas town.”
Jake shakes his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Doubtful, but it’s nice to know you have such high aspirations for me. What about you, Tessa?”
“I think you could make it big,” I say with conviction, and Jake barks out a loud laugh, leaving me feeling confused.
“That’s sweet, but I was asking if I’ll be seeing you at Carter’s tomorrow?”
Please, kill me now.“I’ll be there,” I mumble, cheeks burning as I try to play it off. I’m acting like a love-struck fool. The last thing I need is for Jake to figure out I’m into him. Jackie saves me from further embarrassment when she sets a chilled glass of ginger ale down in front of him in passing. He immediately takes a generous sip, and I watch his Adam’s apple bob, barely suppressing a groan when he swipes his tongue across his full bottom lip to catch a drop of perspiration. God, how I want to be that drop. Jackie returns promptly, delivering Jake’s food and shattering the moment.
“Dig in, son. And tell your father to ease up a bit. You’re too young to look this tired. You should be spending time with your friends and enjoying the summer. Your dad’s always taken life too seriously. I don’t know how your mama deals with his grouchy ass.”
“Beats me,” Jake replies, tearing off a piece of bread and popping it into his mouth.
“Can’t help who you fall in love with. As long as he makes her happy and treats y’all right,” Jackie adds while she collects our dirty dishes. Jake produces a scoffing sound but doesn’t elaborate as he starts on his mountain of wings. For the next half hour, I do my best to concentrate on Megan and Carter arguing over the best NFL quarterbacks, trying hard not to drool every time Jake licks his fingers. I almost cry with relief when he throws his napkin on his empty plate and leans back, rubbing his flat stomach with a contented sigh.
“You alright?” he asks when he catches me giving him the side-eye. “You’re pretty quiet tonight.”
“Just tired,” I lie, silently berating myself for being so transparent.
“Tell me about it,” he mumbles, dropping his head back. When his eyes drift shut for a brief moment, I take the opportunity to stare shamelessly because, apparently, I have no self-control. I marvel at the thick, perfectly curled lashesresting on the apples of his cheeks. My gaze trails down the column of his neck and lands on that soft spot where it meets his shoulder. What would it feel like to nuzzle him there? How would he react? Would he shudder if I pressed my lips to the smooth, warm skin just below his ear? Would his breath hitch? I swallow hard and cast my eyes down before he catches me looking again.
“Long day?” I ask, taking a sip of my diet Pepsi to lubricate my suddenly dry throat. Jake blows out a breath and rolls his face toward me.
“Long month,” he replies through a jaw-cracking yawn. “I’m pretty beat. I think I’ll head out soon. Want me to walk you home?”
I don’t want to appear too eager, so I force myself to finish my drink and pop my discarded napkin into the empty glass before answering.
“That’d be nice.” No way am I going to pass up the chance to spend one-on-one time with him just to sit here and listen to my friends drone on about NFL statistics. Jake lifts a hand to signal for the check and pulls a couple of bills from his wallet.
“I’m out. I’m exhausted,” he tells Carter and Megan, who stop bickering long enough to acknowledge his statement. “I’ll walk Tessa home. You guys coming?”
