“You’re with Leo?” Now he was really mad. Hurt. I hadn’t thought of how that might come across—that the two of us were together and hadn’t included him.
“No. I didn’t know he was coming. He didn’t know I was here. But I meant that you don’t have to worry about me, because Leo’s here.”
Nate mumbled something I didn’t catch. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow, Quinn. Have fun tonight.” There was a click on the other end of the line, and when I checked the screen, CALL ENDED flashed.
I couldn’t remember Nate ever hanging up on me. I sat staring down at the phone, frowning, until I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“Hey.” Jake stood next to me, smiling down. “Are you ready to head out? Pretty sure things are only going to get wilder, and I’d rather not be here when it goes south.”
“Yeah, I’m ready to leave.” I stood up and gave a quick look around the backyard, but neither Leo nor Sarah were anywhere in sight. I tried not to think about where they might be as I followed Jake through the side yard.
“So how was the game?” I picked my way through the dark until we reached the sidewalk. “Did you kill a lot of ... whatever you were hunting?”
Jake chuckled. “I got a little bit of play time, but most of the guys were pretty wasted. It wasn’t much fun.” He held the passenger door open for me, and I slid into the seat, nerves suddenly dancing in my stomach. This was the part of the night I’d worried about most. Did Jake expect me to kiss him? Or sit in his car in my driveway and make out with him? I felt stupid and naïve, a seventeen-year old girl who’d never had to deal with this up until now.
Making it worse, of course, was the niggling knowledge that if Leo were the one driving me home right now, I’d be wishing and hoping for him to kiss me. I’d be plotting how to make sure that happened.
We pulled into my driveway, and I was relieved when Jake immediately opened his door and hopped out, jogging around to my side to get my door for me. He walked me up to the front door, where I turned with a smile. I hoped he couldn’t tell how forced it was.
“Well, thanks for a fun night.”God.I sounded insipid even to my own ears. “I really enjoyed the pizza, and ... just hanging out with you. Thanks for asking me.”
“You’re welcome.” Jake laid a tentative hand on my upper arm and slid it lower to link his fingers with mine. “Would it be okay if I kissed you?”
If I’d thought things were awkward before, now they were a hundred times worse. If he’d just leaned in for the kiss, I would’ve dealt with it. Now there was the whole issue of giving him permission and then ... what?
“Um, sure.” Oh,feelthe excitement I was exhibiting.
Jake grinned, and without further ado or time for me to worry about which way I should tilt my head, he tugged me closer and pressed his lips to mine.
I waited for the spark. I waited to feel the same thing I had when Leo had kissed me outside the hospital. But it never came. Kissing Jake was ... pleasant. His lips were soft, his breath wasn’t bad, and he never moved his hand from where it was linked with mine. He didn’t open his mouth or stick his tongue down my throat.
But I was able to think about all of this as he kissed me. I wasn’t lost in the sensation or overwhelmed with desire. I analyzed it as though I were watching the two of us from a distance. My heart didn’t speed up, and my pulse didn’t race.
After a minute, Jake stepped back, smiling at me, and touched my cheek. “Thank you, Quinn. I had fun tonight. Maybe we can do it again?”
“Um, sure.” Apparently those were the only words I could handle at this point. I disentangled my hand from his and reached for the doorknob. “I better get inside, though. Thanks again, Jake. See you on Monday.”
I didn’t wait for him to answer or watch him leave. I managed one more pseudo-smile and slipped inside, closing the door behind me.
When I used to picture my first date, I thought I’d come back home dancing on clouds, just like the girls in romance novels. Or in the movies. But all I wanted to do right now was throw myself across my bed and cry.
