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"Oh, right," I said sleepily, sat up and looked around the room. She already thought we were a couple. Adults had sleep overs too. But I wasn't going to push the point. He knew what was better for her than I did.
I got dressed and he walked me downstairs.
"Thank you," I said as he walked me out.
"For what?"
"I don't know why I said that. It's kind of like a reflex. Like when you're at the grocery store and you're picking out something and someone else comes and you apologize and get out of their way even though you have just as much right to be there as them."
Great, now I was rambling.
He laughed and I wanted to cry. Last night was amazing and confusing and I didn't know where we stood. I just wanted him to tell it to me straight.
I fiddled with my hair and bit my lip, the silence heavy, and I wanted to yell to burst it, but I didn't. "Ok, well, I'll get going."
I turned and headed to the sliding door. "Molly, wait." He caught up with me and touched my arm.
"What?" I turned to him, and his face was soft and full of concern.
"I don't want to be fake anymore."
"You want to end things?" My words were breathy and slightly panicked.
"What? No, I want to start things or continue them at least. What do you say?"
"I think that sounds perfect," I said, bouncing on my toes and throwing my arms around his neck. His hands looped around the small of my back and he whispered, "Good," before pressing a soft, sweet kiss to my lips.
"I'll see you later," I said through a giddy smile.
"Yes, later." He let me go and I walked across the yard to Amy's house. Once I was inside, I flopped down on the couch and exhaled a contented sigh.
Jake and I were real.
12
JAKE
"Dad, where's Molly?" Hailey asked, her voice hopeful as she stepped into the kitchen.
I cleared my throat. "She's at her house."
"Why isn't she here?" Hailey asked, her tone accusing.
"We don't spend every minute together, kiddo," I said. "Have you eaten? Maybe we should go out. How about the diner?"
"We should invite Molly." Her fondness for Molly was putting my back up. I wanted to see how it was to really be with Molly, but I didn't want Hailey to get caught up in our drama if things went bad.
"I'm not sure Molly can come. Maybe some other time."
"Fine. Can I call Mary quick before we go?"
"Sure," I said and watched her run up the stairs to her room. Glad for the break under her scrutiny. A few minutes later, I leaned against the counter, scrolling mindlessly through the news. The rise and fall of Hailey’s voice upstairs trickled down. The abrupt buzz of my phone in my hand shouldn’t have caught me off guard but it did. I jumped, nearly throwing the damn thing. Regaining my composure, I read the new message. My heart stormed a new uneven rhythm in my chest as the now all too familiar unknown number’s message loaded on my screen.
I’m still watching you.
I clicked on the number, my thumb hovering over the block button, but I couldn’t press it. Closing down the only means of communication I had with this person seemed unwise. Anger coursed through my veins as I typed my response.
Are you satisfied that your little puppets are playing along?
