“Two somethings.”
“Oh, that's great! And you sell them, right?” I've noticed that he goes out fishing regularly, so I figure it's not just a hobby or anything, but probably his means of income.
“Yeah,” he says, taking his last bite of food. “I take them to the fish market.”
“That's in the next town over, isn't it?”
“Yep. That's the one.”
It's quiet for a moment while I chew and swallow, and then, “Do you ever listen to podcasts?”
“You and your fucking questions,” he mumbles, but there isn't any anger behind it. “No, I don't.”
I know I ask a lot of questions. I can't help it. That's how I learn about people, delving into their lives. And learn about things.
Seemingly out of nowhere, a bright flash lights up the entire area, followed immediately by a loud crack of thunder that makes me squeal. I don't know how I didn't notice the storm approaching us so fast. I've heard the low rumblings over the last little while, but I wasn't really paying any attention to it. Now, it's right above us. We both jump to our feet, and within seconds, heavy droplets of rain start coming down.
“I need to run home,” I say just as another lightning strikes even closer than before.
I peer at Jacob, who is shaking his head.
“No, I don't think that's a good idea. Shit. Come on.” He gestures for me to follow him, and I do without any hesitation, grabbing the leftover food as I go.
As we run toward his house, the rain gets heavier, and the wind picks up in an instant like a switch was flicked. By the time we make it inside, we're already soaked.
Standing just inside his front door, we take a moment to catch our breaths.
“You okay?”
I nod. I'm fine, but I'm glad he didn't let me run back to my place in this storm. It only seems to be getting worse by the second.
There's a brief moment where we lock eyes, and neither of us says anything. A defining moment, perhaps, the fact that he's let me in his home.
But of course, Jacob is quick to look away.
He then turns and walks off into another room, so I take the opportunity to check out my surroundings. It's even smaller in here than my place. It's basically just one big room with very little in it. He doesn't even have a TV in here. But I do notice more cameras, which has me curious all over again. I kind of understand the ones outside, but to have some on the inside as well? That's just weird.
I stay standing in the same spot while I look around. Despite the whole thing with the boat, it feels wrong to go walking and snooping through his home now that I somewhat know him a little better.
“Here, you can wear this.”
I turn to see Jacob holding up a black sweater for me. He's already changed out of his wet t-shirt and is wearing another one, white this time, that showcases his muscles just as much as the other one did.
“Thanks,” I say, taking it from him and handing him the food.
Without thinking, I start taking off my t-shirt since it's a lot wetter than the tank top underneath, and Jacob immediately spins around, coughing uncomfortably.
“Oh, it's okay. I have something on underneath.”
I feel like a jerk because it's clear that he keeps himself out of situations where he may be tempted to act inappropriately. Not that I think he can't control himself. I haven't seen anything that tells me otherwise.
He nods his head but still doesn't turn around. One of his hands reaches up and squeezes at his neck before dropping to his side again.
“I'm dressed,” I murmur once I'm wearing his sweater.
It's so big and comfortable and smells divine. I instinctively snuggle into it, taking a deep breath of the manly scent embedded into the material. I'm so immersed in the sweater that I don't immediately realize that Jacob has turned around and is watching me with an odd expression.
Embarrassment prickles at my skin, causing my cheeks to heat. “I, um. It's really warm. Thank you.”
