“I know the next couple of weeks are busy, but don’t think that this is over,” I tell her.
“You have my number, handsome. You could always use it.” She winks at me before making her way up the stairs and inside her house.
I climb into my truck, turning it on when my phone pings in my pocket. Before I open it, I know exactly who it is.
Baby Girl
I’m really glad that there’s still hope, because I don’t know how to do this life without you.
I don’t know how to do this life without you, either.
Baby Girl
We’ll take this one day at a time, okay? And I promise I’ll prove I’m here to stay.
One day at a time, because after that incredible kiss, I’m not letting you go again.
Baby Girl
Good, because there’s nowhere else I want to be but with you.
There’s no one else for me but you.
Good night, Kailyn.
Baby Girl
Good night, Jake. Get home safe
Chapter 15
Kailyn
Iquietly close the front door behind me, giddy after the events of the past twenty minutes. Even after all this time, just a press of his lips on mine has sparks dancing up my spine and a warm fuzzy feeling settling at the bottom of my stomach. His touch feels like a sizzling flame, warm and electric all at the same time.
My fingers brush my lips, replaying the moment over and over again on a loop that I don’t ever want to end.
There’s a cough that comes from inside the living room, and I turn my gaze towards the sound, watching as Lainey smiles at me before waving me over. I walk over, joining her on the couch and curling into her side.
“Did you have fun outside?” She winks, looking down at the hoodie I wasn’t wearing before.
I smack her arm lightly, feeling a blush creep onto my cheeks.
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to.” I try to feign ignorance, but from the quirked eyebrow and the way her gaze is intently directed at me, I know that I’ve failed miserably.
Smiling, I lean my head further into her neck, basking in her vanilla and sugar scent. “Yes, Lain, I had a lot of fun outside.”
Her head leans down on mine. “Good, because you deserve to be happy.”
As my parents and brothers join us and settle in for one of our traditional movie nights, stocked with lots of sugary treats, popcorn, and sodas galore, I come to a sudden realization.
Jake has put everything on the line, kissing me in front of my house with the potential that we could be caught. From the second we talked everything through in the PT room, he’s given a hundred percent of himself to fixing us and while I have as well, I don’t think it’s been enough.
Right here, right now, without him in this room, I have the chance to show that I’m all in.
Lainey shifts under me as I sit up and grab onto her hand, lacing out fingers together. She must see something in my gaze, because she squeezes my hand and nods encouragingly at me. With a couple deep breaths, I decide to put all of my cards on the table.
“Hey, before we jump into the movie, there’s something I wanted to talk to you all about.” I thought I’d be a sweating mess, my ears ringing and heart racing, but all I feel is a sense of calmness, like this decision is the right move for me, which empowers me to push on.
