Page 120 of Withered

“Anything you make will be delicious,” Jake answers.

Half of the fridge is full of bacon and chicken. I turn around and ask him the same question.

“I love chicken.” He shrugs.

“Okay.” I take some out and start to roast some chicken for him.

The oven beeps, and Jake takes out the leftovers. He sets it on the table and comes to stand beside me.

“Have you eaten?” Jake asks.

I turn to face him and nod. “Yeah. Kind of. I was worried about you, so I couldn’t get much in.”

A peaceful silence falls in the room before Jake calls my name. “Rose?”

I hum in response.

“I missed you,” he states.

Even though we weren’t apart for long, I did miss him too.

So, I reply honestly, “I missed you too.”

EventhoughI’munsureabout some things in my life, I’m certain that I don’t want to forget this night.

Jake silently stands beside me, at ease, as I make roasted chicken. He keeps poking my sides and tickling me, so I shove him away. With an adorable pout, he sits on the kitchen chair, playing that ridiculousAngry Birdsgame. I tell him to start eating the leftovers, but he suggests waiting and eating together.

I set the food in front of him and take a seat next to him. We eat together and talk about the upcoming game. I never imagined that having dinner with Jake would be so easy, given that our last dinner together was at my house. That seems like a lifetime ago.

Jake pauses while taking a bite and turns towards me; his eyes have an amused look.

“What is it? Is there something on my face?” I touch my cheeks to check if I smeared any chicken over them.

“No, I just realized something.” Jake tilts his head, eyeing me.

“And what is that?” I ask him.

“I’m your first boyfriend. Your first everything.” He smirks, and I know he is thinking of that first kiss I had with him when I was out of my mind. He’s not going to let that go.

My cheeks burn, and I’m certainly blushing. I look down at my plate and mutter, “Yeah.”

I hear his chair shift, and in seconds, my face is pulled back up by my chin.

Jake looks at me with an odd gaze—a gaze I can’t read yet so fierce. “Don’t worry. You are my first girlfriend too.”

A smile breaks out on my face. Jake has been with a lot of girls. Jake’s confrontation has put my fears to rest. I’m glad that this journey is new to both of us.

He continues, “And I intend to keep it last.”

My heart damn near explodes in my chest. He plants a sloppy kiss on my forehead and goes back to eating.

After dinner, Jake helps me clean the table and follows me to the dishwasher, where I rinse the dishes. He stands in front of me while I am backed up against the counter. “I won’t be able to pick you up tomorrow. We have an early morning practice.”

I nod. “It’s okay. We see each other all the time in class and at lunch.” I shrug my shoulders.

When I hop on the counter, my shorts rise, revealing my bare thigh. When I look at Jake, I notice that his eyes are glued to the same thing. When his eyes meet mine, pure heat fires up in those forest-green orbs.

He comes closer and stands between my legs. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, and his hands go to the nape of my neck. With his other hand, he pulls me towards him and kisses me. With Jake leaning over, my body leans back. Although he isn’t wearing a shirt, his body is warm and sending hot waves toward me.Is that even possible?This kiss is slower than any kiss we’ve ever shared. No tongue, no rush, just pure passion. I feel something poking my thigh, and at the same time, Jake breaks the kiss. With a final peck, he helps me get back on my feet.

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