“Oh no, this doesn’t sound good.”
As we sit, he says, “It’s good, I promise. At least, I hope you will think it is good.”
At first, he hesitates. “Like I said, I will be at the Academy for four years. Once I am done, I will be sent to Texas for basic training and then assigned a base where I will live until they move me. I will do my best to request a base close by, but they don’t always honor that.”
“Okay?”
“Jayden, I think that if we don’t explore what it is between us, we could be missing out on something great. I think we should try the dating thing, even though it may be a rocky start because of the long-distance thing.”
I’m totally speechless. It is the last thing I expected him to say, and frankly, I am at a loss. When I don’t reply, he continues.
“Come on, JJ. You know I’m crazy about you, and I believe you feel the same. We are both labeling our relationship because of the friendship we share. But what better way to start a romantic relationship than being friends first?”
“I’m scared,” I say, and it’s all I can get out.
“What are you afraid of? We have nothing to lose and so much possibility of having something pretty fantastic.”
“You’re wrong, Jake. We have everything to lose. We could lose each other and destroy our friendship.”
He leans in close, and our lips are almost touching. “Baby, have faith. Have faith in me and in us. We can make this work. I know we can.”
Before I can answer, his lips brush against mine. He’s asking, and I want it. I reach my hand around his neck. It’s all the invitation he needs, and he kisses me. Our lips move together as if they were destined for each other. There is no awkwardness or clumsiness. It’s natural.
He breaks away and kisses my nose. “Well?”
“Okay, let’s do it.”
He pulls me into his arms again. “Oh, baby, you won’t regret this, I promise.”
I can’t help but laugh. This can work, can’t it? I’m mean, we already know everything about each other.
“So, wanna go out on a date?” he asks with a smile and a wink.
I decided I’ve made this too easy for him and now it’s time for him to work for it. “I don’t know. I have to ask my dad, and well, you know how he is with the boys I date.”
Jake laughs. “That’s because you weren’t dating me,” he says in his best cocky manner.
Oh man, this is gonna be fun. But he is correct. Dad is going to be over the moon that I am now dating Jake.
***
Jake and I spend the rest of the summer together. If I am not working, he’s at my house or I am at his. His parents have also had Dad and me over for dinner several times. Dad seems to be doing better, but there are some days I can tell he’s struggling.
Grandma has been over several times, and we have really worked on my cooking. It’s gotten so much better, to the point Dad commented on the pasta dish I made him, saying it “tasted just like mom’s.” If that’s not a homerun, I don’t know what is.
Dad and I have learned things we never knew, like Dad loves to do the grocery shopping. Mom always did it, but he insists on doing it now, Which is fine by me because I hate it. I love to cook, like it’s not a chore anymore but something I enjoy doing. I love to experiment with food. Dad is great guinea pig too. He will eat anything, and he will tell me the truth if he doesn’t like it.
Jake and I are doing great. He was right. Even though it’s kinda new, the romantic side of things, it’s pretty awesome. Sometimes, I think it is too good to be true, like it is impossible for two people to be so much in love with each other and to click like we do. Then I think of my parents. It was like that with them too, and I have never seen two people more in love than they were. The two of them as a couple was a great role model for me, and regardless of if Jake and I work out, I will strive to have the same time of relationship. Anything else would be settling, and I will not do that. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that time is precious. I will not waste it on something mediocre. It’s unacceptable.
It’s odd in a way. I can experience this tremendous loss, a loss so profound it leaves a huge gaping hole in my heart and my life, yet life still goes on. The world doesn’t stop turning, and I don’t stop living. I could not imagine being alone and having to deal with all this. I’m lucky. I have Dad, Jake, Jake’s parents, and Grandma, who all are an amazing support system. I love them so very much.
***
The day I have been dreading all summer is here, and I want to crawl in a hole. Jake is leaving. I know this is something he has to do, something he wants to do, and what an honor. I mean, it’s not easy to get into a military academy. I’m so proud of him, but I am also selfish. I want him here with me, always. Since we have taken our relationship to the next level, I’ve realized he is so much more to me than my best friend. He is the love of my life and the only man I have ever been able to see a future with.
Jake’s parents bought him a car for graduation, and he’s got it all loaded up. The drive to Colorado is a long one, so he has several books on tape to keep him company. We are all standing in the driveway, his mom, his dad, and me. It’s time.
He walks to his parents and gives them both big hugs. “You both are amazing parents, and I love you guys a lot.” He hugs them again. “Thanks for making this possible. I will make you both proud.”
