Page 19 of Jake

“Of course,” he answered.

“I’m sorry. I feel like maybe it wasn’t a good night for you.” Lauren no longer thought about her makeup as she sucked in her bottom lip, biting it.

“It’s fine. I had hoped to meet after, but I can respect that you aren’t ready.”

Lauren smiled, feeling a little better that he wasn’t upset. After saying their goodbyes and agreeing to message later, they went their separate ways.

Chapter Seven

He’d be lying if he said he was not disappointed him after not getting to meet L yesterday. He’d thought for sure she would want to after chatting all week.

The date had started awkwardly, though. He had to admit that much. It hadn’t been as strange for him since it was his second time there, but she’d been running late on top of getting used to the darkness.

It had taken them a while to get comfortable with each other, but once they had, the time had passed too quickly. She’d messaged him last night when she’d gotten home, letting him know she’d had a good time and apologizing, again, for not wanting to meet.

He had reminded her it wasn’t a big deal and had left it at that. He wasn’t angry by any stretch, but frustrated for sure. They hadn’t set up their next date either.

All his frustration had landed him at the basketball court with his friends this morning to work it off.

“Heard you had a date last night.” Owen walked up and shook his hand.

“You heard correctly.”

Owen had been a regular in their friend group until he’d gone off and gotten married last year. That had been part of what pushed Jake to really evaluate his life and take note of the people that he was dating.

“How’d it go?” Owen pressed.

“It went good, but she didn’t want to meet outside of the restaurant yet.”

“But you did?”

Jake just nodded. A sarcastic retort had been on his lips but he bit it back. Getting shitty with Owen right now wouldn’t help his situation.

“So now the three-on -hree game to release your frustrations?”

“Naturally.”

Owen laughed and shrugged. “Not much we can do in these situations. Women are the bane of our existing and the greatest gift we’ve been given.”

It was Jake’s turn to laugh now. “Wise man.”

“It’s the marriage.” He winked. “I’ve stolen her wisdom to spout to you.”

“Stealing from your wife already? You should be ashamed.”

“Only the good things.” Owen grinned.

“Y’all old men going to stand around gossiping or are we ready to get started?” Luke dribbled the ball over to them.

“Well, I guess we can get started. Wouldn’t want you to have to stand around and listen to talk of women anymore since we all know you can’t get one.”

As he spoke, Owen got closer to Luke, and with those final words, he snatched the ball from Luke and dribbled it a few times before taking a shot and sinking the ball. Luke looked dismayed as teams had already been decided and he had just figured out he was on the wrong one.

“Let’s get started,” Cade urged.

The men headed onto the court, Luke chasing down the ball that had rolled away. Evan and Cade squared up against each other as Luke dropped the ball between them.

They played for the rest of the hour they had the court reserved. A crowd gathered and cheered them on as they played at some point, mostly women that had stopped as they walked past.

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