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I’m no longer a virgin.
And I couldn’t be happier that it was him I gave it to. The guy I’m pretty sure I’m slowly falling for. I might be an idiot for trusting him too soon, but I don’t care. I trust him, nonetheless.
My thoughts are interrupted when my phone rings and it’s my mom calling. I immediately pick up and grieve for my ear drum when I do.
“My baby’s all grown up!” My mom practically screams into my ear. The timing of that is hilarious.
I’ve just gotten back from a day with the girls, Jake, and Hunter. We just hung around the city, eating cheese fries, living life. Jake told me to be dressed tonight for something special, and I don’t know what that entails.
“What did you do today?” The sounds of ruffling in the background momentarily distract me.
“Mom, what’s that in the background?” Every time we speak, there’s always something going on.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I’m trying to sort out papers in your dad’s office. Do you have any plans for your birthday?”Yeah, maybe give a hot hockey player my virginity. Nothing to write home about.
“Not really. I just spent the day with the girls and...my new boyfriend.”
My mom gasps on the phone. “New?! You didn’t tell me you were seeing someone new! Wait, what happened to Nick?! Who’s this new boy? What’s his name? Is he in your class? Why did you and Nick break up?!” I suspected she was going to bombard me with questions.
“His name is Jake. He’s a senior, so he’s a bit older. That’s part of the reason I came to Europe. He wanted me to be with him for his international hockey series. The Nick issue...I’ll tell you about it later.” I’m not ready to rehash those details to my mom. She doesn’t seem to care, though.
The squeal in my ear is enough for me to pull the phone away. Her excitement is super overwhelming. I’m appreciative, but this is really something to talk about in person.
“Awww, you have a boyfriend! Well, if he’s treating you right, then I say he’s good in my book.” Mom would love him. Like, overtly so. The only thing I’m concerned about...is if mydadwill like him. My dad is a different beast, and I’m not sure if Jake would be ready for that. Wait...why am I thinking about Jake meeting my parents?Surely, he wouldn’t want to do that. I’m thinking too far ahead, and that will ruin things. “Leia? Are you there?”
“Yes, Mom. I’m still here.”
For the next ten minutes, we talk about what I did during the day. It takes a minute to finally realize...I miss my parents. I haven’t seen them in a few months now, and I’ve barely spoken to them on the phone or on video call. I can’t even see them on Thanksgiving, since I’m here for another few weeks.
“Are you coming home for Christmas?”
Christmas. Crap, I forgot about Christmas.
How did you forget about Christmas when it’s your favorite holiday?
“I honestly forgot about Christmas. I’ve had so much on my mind lately. But yes, I can come home for Christmas, Mom.”
We always spend holidays together and, since I’m missing Thanksgiving with them, I owe it to them to make it home for Christmas.
This earns another squeal from my mom. “Good news! Your sister and her boyfriend are coming home for Christmas, so I’m glad to know the whole family will be home!” I can’t say I’m not happy about that. I haven’t seen my sister, Lia, in forever. Just likethat, I’m excited for the winter holidays to come.
Jake makes it back after physical therapy, and we’re watching TV for an hour before he takes me to celebrate my birthday tonight. He needs the break to sit down and rest his leg. It seems like every time I see him, he’s always in some broken state. Whether it be an injury or a fight of some sort, it makes me concerned for him.
“If you want, we can stay in tonight.” I don’t want him to feel obligated to take me out. We already spent a day out. One night won’t hurt.
He brushes it off and continues icing his hip. “No worries, babe. It’s your special day. I promised you a special night, so I’m gonna give you that.” He leans in and gives me a quick kiss before looking back at the TV. I can’t help the smile on my face.
“But I don’t want you to feel like I’m dragging you out when you could be—”
Obviously annoyed with me, he pauses the TV and turns to me, groaning while doing it. He pulls me close, kissing my forehead before looking into my eyes.
“Baby, it’s your birthday. I would be an idiot of a boyfriend if I didn’t take you out for dinner. I might be new to this ‘boyfriend’ thing, but I know one unspoken rule is to treat your girlfriend. Let me do this.” He gives me a look before I nod. He smiles at me and then gives me another kiss, this one more romantic. A romantic one that turns hungry. Groaning against my lips, he suddenly pulls back. “If you continue kissing me likethat, though, we won’t even make it from thiscouch.”
I can’t help but laugh at that.
JAKE
