Page 31 of Learning to Love

He nods and takes my hand as we head towards the door. We jump in his truck and head to the most prominent house on fraternity row. He parks his truck in the garage, and we make our way into the party hand in hand.

Benji spots us first and gives me a disgusted look. He's talking to the tall blonde that was sitting in Jake's lap at the last party I attended. Janet, I think. I instantly dislike her but I give Benji an equally disgusted look. He, thankfully, hasn't tried talking to me anymore in Bio this week.

We make our way over to the living room, where all our people are. They are spread out on the brown leather sectional sofa. Toby has a beer in his hand and is laughing at something Hector is saying. I sit beside Sasha, and Jake sits beside me. Sasha hands me a drink and we exchange smiles. Jake nuzzles my ear. "I'll be back in a sec. Going to get myself a beer. Need anything?"

I shake my cup at him. "Thanks, but I'm good."

He kisses my lips and heads for the kitchen. I look at Toby, hopeful he's not still mad at me. I smile sheepishly at his death stare and give him my best double chin move. He cracks a smile and makes himself have a double chin, too. I laugh. It's easier for my double chin to appear, but whatever. I give a huge sigh of relief. He might get on my nerves, but I love him.

Toby comes and sits in Jake's spot. "Is it serious?"

I shrug. "I hope so."

"I don't want you to get hurt, Dani. You're too good."

"Life is messy, Toby. I'm bound to get hurt one way or the other. Whether it be by Jake or some other guy, it happens. He's a good guy, Toby. Just give him a chance."

"Okay. Just make sure Jake uses protection, Dani."

I blush. "I will. Promise."

"Even when he says, but it feels better bareback, baby. Promise me you'll tell him that staying up all night with a baby won't feel too good at all."

I chuckle. "Really, Toby? Don't bring up babies!"

"The hell I won't. Thinking about babies is the best kind of birth control there is! Please repeat after me...Wrap it up, Jake!"

I hear Sasha and Dallas cackle beside me and I punch him in the arm. "We haven't even had sex yet."

"I've seen you two together. It’ll happen, and I'm happy that you're happy. Just please be responsible."

"Okay. Thanks for always looking out for me, Mom."

He rolls his eyes. "You've grown up way too fast! But you'll always be my baby!"

I pinch his arm and get a yelp out of him which makes my night. Jake comes back, and Toby moves back to his seat. Jake looks at me, "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, we cleared the air. We're good."

"What did he say?"

I blush. "I'll tell you later. What was that favor you wanted to ask me earlier?"

"Oh yeah! Let's stay together tonight. I sleep better with you, and practice was horrible today. I got absolutely no sleep. Do it for the team, baby!"

His eyes get big like he didn't mean to confess so much. I may be dead because my heart just melted. Wow. All I heard was he needs me! Toby knows where I stand now, but I need to be with him since he's visiting. "We'll have to stay at my place."

"I knew you couldn't resist my manly charms, Sweet Cheeks."

"Hmmm, you just confessed to needing me. I have made no such confession." I smile, so he knows I'm playing.

"I recall you saying you didn't sleep well either! It looks like you may need me, too."

"Shut up. That's very rude to bring up." I roll my eyes. I thought I didn't say that out loud! Stupid Jake brain. He makes a face at me, and I stick my tongue out at him. Out of nowhere, Janet comes and sits on the arm of his part of the couch. I stare daggers at her beautiful face. She has perfect bone structure. It does little to scare her away. She smiles at me while sticking her boobs out and almost in his face. I mean, she could put out his eye with those things.

She runs her index finger down his bicep to his wrist. "Hey, Jake. I’ve missed you."

I stare so hard at her head that I'm surprised it doesn't catch fire. This is a test, one I hope he'll pass. Toby looks from Janet to Jake. Jake looks from me to her, putting his arm around me, he says, and I quote, "Nobody cares, Janet." He's so savage.