Page 65 of Jake

“Say something.” Catherine finally broke the silence.

“I’m going to kill him,” Cade gritted out.

“Something else.” Catherine rolled her eyes. “I’m going to go call Mom now.”

“You punched him?” Cade asked.

“Not as hard as I could have. I avoided his nose out of respect for you,” Jake told him. “My fucking hand hurts. Can confirm he’s thickskulled.”

“Catherine,” he yelled. “Can we get footage of that from somewhere?”

Ryker snorted. “I’d pay to watch it. Your dad’s a dick.”

“Mom’s on her way over. Dad hasn’t been home, and apparently, she wants to talk to us.”

“I think that’s our cue.” Jake stood.

“Lauren, I’m really sorry. I genuinely don’t know what he’s thinking,” Cade told her.

She stood and turned toward Cade. “It’s not your fault. There’s nothing for you to apologize for.”

“Still,” he pressed.

“Thank you, Cade.”

“Can I assume that I don’t need to wait up?” Catherine teased.

Lauren blushed but kept her head up, progress for talking about their relationship. “I’m going to stay at Jake’s tonight. Don’t wait up.”

“Tomorrow, too,” Jake added.

They were all leaving as he overheard Ryker talking to Catherine.

“Do you need me to stay?” Ryker asked her.

“It’s just my mom, but thank you. I’m sure Cade will fill you in on whatever you miss.”

“I’m worried about you. This is your family that’s about to combust,” Ryker said.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Jake turned to see Lauren looking back at him. She’d heard it too. Since when did Ryker have a soft spot? Lauren grinned at him.

He arched his brow at her. “What do you know?”

“I know so much,” she teased. “I could maybe be persuaded to tell you about it.”

“Oh? What could I do to get it out of you?” he played along.

“Hmm, you’ll have to be creative.”

Creative sounded like a great way to end this day, something he could definitely do with a smile on his face.

He helped Lauren into the car and slid in next to her. Now they just needed to drop off Evan and Kayla and she would see just how creative he could be.

Chapter Twenty-One

“Come away with me this weekend?” Jake said as they got to his place.

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