Page 62 of Learning to Love

I make a face at him. "But 98 is even better!"

He sticks his tongue out at me and does a little dance. "It's not bad, that's for sure. All packed up and ready to go, I see."

I smile. "Yes and no. Jaxon, I'm more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of people in rocking chairs."

He laughs. "That came straight from Granny Betsy Jean, didn't it?"

I nod. "You know it."

"Georgia, I know you didn't meet his parents under normal circumstances, but they honestly adore you. I heard him talking with them the other night, and they couldn't wait to get you to California. His Mama wants to take you to the beach and cook you her almost famous banana pudding."

I smile from ear to ear. Jaxon, my bestie, always knows what to say. "Thank you, my second favorite." I give him a big hug as the door opens and Jake appears.

We both laugh as Jake gives Jaxon a dirty look. "He's your best friend and also one of mine. Be nice, my Jakey."

He laughs. "I'll always be jealous of you and anybody you hug. Jaxon is not scared of me. Although I don't know why, I'm very menacing when I want to be."

Jaxon rolls his eyes. "Yeah, on the field, but out here in the real world, you're just a big ol' softy, my Jakey!"

Jake pushes him out the door and threatens his life if he ever calls him that again. I saunter to him and wrap my arms around him. "You about ready, baby?"

"Yes, ma'am. Thanks for packing for me. I'm so ready to bring you to Cali. My sisters are so excited, hysterical even. We're going to go out on the boat, and catch some fish, might even catch some fresh shrimp. We'll see if the tide is right."

"Sounds like a dream. I looked at our grades before Jaxon walked in. We both made A's! I got a 99 for my essay in Lit and 97 for my test in Bio."

"Damn, little Mama. You got the beauty and the brains."

"I do, and don't you forget it. You're not going to ask about your grade?"

He shrugs. "I might’ve already looked."

I laugh. "Who's the nerd now?"

"You. I only made a 96." He pouts.

"You're still a winner to me, Jakey."

"That's all that matters, Sweet Cheeks. You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." I give a playful shrug.

We walk out and head to the airport. I'm nervous but excited. This is a big step toward our future together. Our families are essential to both of us. Hopefully, they will still adore me after this long weekend.

Chapter 40

You Know Like One of those Hot Girls From a 90's Movie but she's a hoe.

Everything Fearless 24/7

Our Fearless leader has taken our darling Georgia to spend the weekend with his parents. I wonder what Benji thinks of their sweet escape.

We make it to San Diego around midnight. Once we get to Jake's house, his sweetheart of a Mama greets us with a super tight hug. She's beaming. "I'm so glad you two made it here safely!"

Jake takes our bags to his room while I make small talk with Mama Ryan. I'm so nervous. "You have a lovely home, Mrs. Ryan."

The house is enormous and sits close to the water. The whole backside of the house is full of windows, it’s a red marble brick house. The kitchen is spacious and looks like it's out of a magazine. Every room I've walked through is chuck full of farmhouse decor. Can you say, "dream house?!"

She smiles. "Thank you, we're blessed, and please call me Debbie. How was the flight?"