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“Princess, he really was trying to break it to you without losing you…don’t you think? I know you’re angry and scared that he found out, but honestly, maybe that’s for the best. Now it’s out there. There’s no way you two could ever move forward without him knowing.”
“His finding out is what initially freaked me out. I was worried if he could find that information, who else could uncover my history? A lot of people could get hurt, especially now after the Jumbotron incident. The whole world knows my face. But now that Jenae explained how they found out, I’m notas worried that it’s super easy or something that will surface…I would never want you to get hurt by all this.”
“I certainly don’t care about me in the equation. I have known Jenae from years ago. She’s a good person, and she’s gone through her own struggles; she’d never say anything,” Matt explained.
She swallowed the last of her water. “I just need to take a deep breath and think. I am crazy about him, but I’m not sure what that means because I haven’t dated, so I have nothing to compare it to. I mean, not sure what love feels like, but if this is it—it sucks.” Holding her glass up in the air, she wiggled it in Matt’s direction.
“Of course, Princess, at your service.” Matt jumped up, grabbing her water glass, walking toward the kitchen.
“I love you, Matt,” she yelled after him.
“He loves you, too,” Jonathon said, raising his empty wine glass in the air. “I do, too. With that, I will say you do know what love feels like…” Jonathon waved his hand toward Matt and then between them. “It’s the safety to be yourself in this crazy world, knowing you have someone who will bandage you up when the world takes a swipe at you…and you have that…” He stopped, seeing water well up in Rakell’s eyes. “Okay, you’re right, it sucks…”
“Ahh, maybe it’s both the icky and then all that beautiful stuff you described,” she said, smiling at Jonathon, then looking at the TV, grimacing when she saw Jake’s worn face. “Jonathon, can you…”
“Got it,” Jonathon said, reaching for the remote when he saw Jake on the screen being interviewed by Levi Storm. Just seeing those two together on camera made her shoulders jump toward her ears, but she knew Levi wouldn’t go there. Jake had been asked hundreds of times but had mastered the perplexedexpression as if the woman on the Jumbotron was so far from anyone he’d ever met.
Chapter Nineteen
Dwayne:We won the Super Bowl. You got the girl of your dreams. We live in the hottest city in the nation…So why do you seem like the world is coming to an end? Honestly, I don’t know who this Jake is. What the hell is going on?…Send
Dwayne:Let’s go out. Higher Ground? Shantal may join us. Invite Rakell…Send
Jake:Who the hell is Shantal?...Send
Dwayne:Met her after the UT party at Volstead Lounge. If you weren’t so wrapped up in the Aussie girl, I would have dragged you there. Seriously, Christmas time for us. The women!!!!...Send
Jake:BTW…I didn’t get the girl of my dreams. I haven’t talked to her since last Sunday…Send
Dwayne:Okay, now that mopey dog face is making sense. Let’s hang out…Send
Jake:Not in the mood. Think I’ll hunker down with Dolly…Send
Dwayne:Get your ass over here. I finally have furniture. I’ll order pizza…Send
Jake:Dude, you don’t want to spend time with me when you could be with Shan-something…Send
Dwayne:True! But your pathetic self just helped me get a ring and now you’re moping around…I know it’s that sassy Aussie girl…so we are getting to the bottom of this shit with pizza and a bottle of Tequila…Send
Jake:Best way to solve problems! Mr. Gatti’s and I’m in…Send
Dwayne:Two meat lovers on the way…no onions in case I need to kiss you…Send
Jake:Come on, love means onion breath and all…Send
Dwayne:Get your ass over here…Send
Dwayne opened the door to his new East Austin condo. “Come in, my prince,” he said, half curtseying. “Can you believe I finally bought a place?”
“Damn, this place is cool. Love all the neighborhood joints around, and you’re super close to Lift ATX…kinda jealous right now. You and my dad found a great place,” he said, following Dwayne up the stairs from the foyer to the second floor where the kitchen, living room, and master bedroom were located.
“Your dad is a genius, he really has a good handle on what areas are up and coming, perfect for investment. I’ll give you a tour, but I only have furniture on this floor…kinda afraid to get beds for the two upstairs bedrooms. My mom’s already talking about moving here and has definitely more than hinted that Eva can live with me if she gets into med school at UT in a few years…Jeez can you think of anything more devastating to a bachelor pad than your mom and sister living with you?”
“Hell, no, but actually that might be good for you.”
“Yeah, no…”
“Let’s start with whiskey,” Jake said, holding up a bottle of Balcones whiskey. “Then we can give McConaughey’s tequila a try,Pantalones…see if we can keep our pants on…” He threw his other hand in the air, gripping a bottle.
