chapter Fifteen
Jake
I’m not sure why I invited them to the game. I could have come up with a better suggestion, but at the time it seemed smart. I knew the kid was young, but most boys liked watching sports, right?
Texting Emily had been an impulse—but calling took a lot more nerve. I never chased girls. They either came to me, or I forgot about them. Of course, there was the stupid thing I did to Ben and Molly, but that had more to do with jealousy than trying to get a girl. Maybe I was delusional, but sitting back and waiting was usually a good plan. I’d never had a problem getting girls, and I’d never played their games. That was for pathetic guys who were desperate. Maybe I was desperate.
Emily wasn’t going to come to me. If I wanted her, I was going to have to do the work. It may have taken a few days, but eventually I realized I liked her too much to stay away. My biggest worry was that she wouldn’t want me around Noah, but that was for her to decide. I had to at least try.
As soon as she said my name, I knew it was worth the effort. I had to see her again. The question was how I was going to convince her of the same thing.
I hung up with her on a mission. She said she might come to the game. If she did, I’d have to make sure I made the right impression. I had no idea how to make that happen. I needed advice, and there was only one person I wanted to ask. I only had one female friend, and she was back in Boston finishing up law school.
Becca picked up on the first ring. “Hey, Jake. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Did I wake you up?” I glanced at my watch. It was eleven thirty, still early for a Friday night.
“Nope. We’re up.”
I heard some mumbling in the background. I laughed. I’d definitely woken Gavin up. I had no problem with that. There was no love lost between her boyfriend and I, but he made her happy.
“Good.”
“How are you feeling? I’ve been so worried.”
“I’m fine. Thanks for the flowers and card, by the way.”
“Of course. I wish we could have been there.” I didn’t doubt it. Becca really cared.
“It’s fine.”
“Okay. So what’s going on?”
“I need girl advice.”
“Really? Ohh, this is going to be so good. Hold on a sec.” She tried to muffle the phone but I heard her talking to Gavin. “I don’t want to keep you up. I’ll go talk in the other room.” I’m guessing he said something like, “don’t take too long,” because she continued, “Jake’s never asked for girl advice, I have to talk to him.”
I heard her moving around, and waited as patiently as I could.
“Okay, I’m ready.”
“What exactly did you need to get ready?”
“A sweatshirt and a glass of water.”
“Okay…because that’s not random.”
“Do you want to make fun of me, or do you want advice?”
I could practically see her glaring at me. “Advice.”
“Good. Now what’s up? Who’s the lucky girl?”
I sat back against the couch. “Her name’s Emily, and she’s incredible. Absolutely, incredible.”
“Incredible meaning the sex is good or…”
“Seriously? That’s the first question you’re going to ask me?”
“Okay. Good. That response means it’s more than that. Keep going.”
“Like I said, she’s incredible. In bed and out.”
“Jake.”
“Okay, you started it. So things were going great until she dropped a bomb on me and I didn’t exactly have the response she wanted.”
“What kind of bomb?” Becca’s voice got kind of high. She was probably on the edge of her seat.
“She has a kid.”
“Wow.”
“Wow? Is that all you’ve got?”
“It’s just surprising. Is she older or…”
I yawned. Either I was getting old, or it was an after effect of the accident, but I got tired so much earlier than I used to. “She’s twenty-one.”
“How old is her kid?”
“Almost two. She had him young.”
“How did you react? Or do I not want to know?”
I ran a hand through my hair. I didn’t want to repeat this again. “Not well. But how could I have acted? It was surprising.”
“But you’re still interested?”
“Very. I don’t care whether she has a kid. I like her.”
“Do you know anything about the dad?”
“He’s dead.”
She didn’t say anything for a second. “Oh…wow.”
“Yeah. Wow.”
“Does she know about what happened?”
“She was my nurse.”
“You picked up your nurse? Are you kidding me? Wait. Scrap that. It doesn’t surprise me at all. But that means she knows about you drinking and driving. You’re going to have to work extra hard then.”
“Extra hard?”
“To convince her you’re mature enough to be with her. You have to be the man she needs for herself and her son.”
“What, like be his daddy?”
“No, Jake.” She sighed. “But no mom wants an overgrown adolescent around her child. Does that make sense?”
“I guess. But how do I show her I’m mature?”
“Be patient, be respectful and be what she needs.”
“How do I know what she needs?” I put my feet up on the ottoman.
“You need to figure that out.”
“How?”
“Jake?” A gruff, pissed off voice took over.
“Hi, Gavin.”
“Do you realize it’s almost midnight?”
“Yes.” I held back the snicker that wanted to come out.
“I think it’s time you said good night to my girlfriend.”
Before I could respond, I heard Becca. “Give me the phone.” I could just picture Becca pouting.
“Sorry about him.”
“As much as it pains me to say this, he’s right. I’ve kept you up enough. Thanks for the advice.”
“No problem. Call anytime.”
“Thanks. Have a good one.”
“You too, and good luck. It might be hard, but if she’s really as great as you say she is, it’s worth it. Love’s worth it.”
“Love’s worth it? Maybe if the law school thing doesn’t work out you can get a job at Hallmark.”
“Shut up, Jake.”
“Now that’s the way to end a conversation. Bye, Becca.”
I hung up and decided I might as well get some sleep.