Page 14 of Learning to Love

He smiles and has a mischievous glint in his eyes. He gives me a high five and heads back to the couch. I head out the door, proudly wearing his shirt, and it has his name and number on the back. He’s number 11.

I make up my mind to go to the bookstore. They didn't have a book I needed the other day and said it might come in by the end of the week, and I haven't checked since. My heart skips a beat as I see Jake’s Silverado turn into our parking lot. Why Lord, why? I turn down the side of one of the other dorms. Maybe he didn't see me. I stop as I hear him shouting my nickname. He won't stop. "Georgia! Wait! Please!"

He did say please, so I turn around and wait for him to join me. He goes from running full blast to jogging when he sees me stop. He notices my shirt first and scowls. I can't help but ask him if he likes it. "You like it, Jake? Jaxon said if we were all going to be friends, I didn't need to wear my UGA shirts around campus."

"Yeah, that was sweet of him. I'll bring you some of mine later, and you can give that one back to him."

"That's nice, but I think I'd rather just keep this one."

He scowls again but doesn't argue. "Listen, Georgia, I'm sorry about last night. We were hanging out together exclusively, and I should have pushed Janet off my lap when she jumped on there. I'm just used to ignoring her, and she eventually leaves. She can't take a hint, and as for Carrie, she's a lesbian. She doesn't like me, and I don't like her. We're just great friends. I didn't think about you not knowing that."

My heart flutters. Stupid treacherous heart. I've had butterflies in my stomach since I saw Jake's truck. I think I like him more than I’m willing to admit. "I'm sorry, also. I shouldn't have flipped you off or danced with Benji. I only did that because I know you don't care for him. Which I still don't know the reason, by the way. I just did it to see if it would piss you off."

He chuckles. "Oh, it did."

I extend my hand out to Jake. "Good. Friends?"

He stares at my hand, then looks up and searches my face, refusing to take my hand so I say, "I don't know how they do it in San Diego, but in Georgia and Texas, it's impolite to leave a lady hanging."

He smiles, his mind finally made. He extends his hand but doesn't place his palm in mine. "I don't want to be friend-zoned, but I don't do relationships either. However, can we shake on seeing where this goes?"

I'm speechless. I wasn't expecting that. I feel vulnerable, and I don't want to get hurt, but granny Betsy Jean says life is about taking chances. I shake his hand, and he smiles a let's get naked kind of smile. My butterflies go into overdrive as he brings me in for a hug. He smells good and feels warm and surprisingly cuddly. He kisses me on my forehead, and I blush a million different shades of red. I love forehead kisses, and I just got my first one. He's blushing a little too. Maybe he's never given one before.

"I was just heading to the bookstore. They were out of a book I needed. You want to tagalong?"

"I do Sweet Cheeks. You wanna ride or walk?"

"Walk. There's a nice breeze blowing today. Probably won't be that way for long." Sweet Cheeks? I had to keep myself from laughing.

He nods in agreement. He places my much smaller hand into his gigantic one, and I lace our fingers together. This is nice. Odd but nice. I've been on three dates my whole life, and never have I been forehead kissed or had my fingers laced together when handholding. My actual first kiss had been so awkward I said I didn't want to do it again. Maybe I need someone like Jake to teach me how.

The closer we get to the school, the more stares we receive from onlookers. Mostly girls and they don't look too happy. "Seems like I'm not going to be too popular with the female population."

He laughs. "I noticed. Most of the girls I don't know, though. Some I do. I've not exactly been celibate here at college, but I never made them any promises. I told them what the deal was."

I mull over his confession. I knew he was a man-whore. It may cause problems later, but I can handle their stares for now. I can't be mad or upset about his previous sexual history. "Jake, thank you for being honest. If we do this, we've got to be that way. I'm going to admit something, and it may make you change your mind about me, and that's okay if it does. I'm not ashamed.” I pause briefly before saying, “I'm a virgin, and I don't think I'm ready for sex yet. You like it a lot. No judgment, just basing that off the stares I'm currently receiving."

He looks down at me and pulls me a little closer. "I'm cool with that. I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do. I can't lie to you, it was all I wanted from you initially. Then I got to know you a little bit, and now I'm curious to get to know even more about you. I can wait on the physical aspect. I'm not some sex-crazed maniac." He laughs.

I let go of the breath I didn't know I had been holding. Totally relieved, I smile back up at him and release a small giggle. "Well, that's nice to know, and I'm relieved that part of the conversation is over. I want to know more about you, too."

We make it to the bookstore, and thankfully the book has been restocked. I was terrified of not being prepared on my very first day. That would have been a nightmare for me. Crisis adverted!

He takes the bag from me. "What classes do you have this semester?"

I place my credit card back in my wallet. "I did some college classes back home during senior year, but not enough to be considered a Sophomore. I'm taking Biology and British Lit this summer. Are you taking any or just here for football?"

"I'm only taking one, And that's British Lit. When do you have it?"

"It's Monday-Thursday, starts at 10:15."

"Shut up! That's when I have it." He smiles and twirls me around on the sidewalk.

He makes me giggle again. He's fun when he wants to be. "We can be study buddies!"

"I like that. I may not be able to concentrate because you're so beautiful."

"I like smooth, Jake. Smooth Jake is good for my ego." I blush profusely.