“I thought you’d be glad to see me.” He smiled as he sauntered over and sat next to me on the couch. “What’s with the blanket? It’s hot out.”
“I like snuggling.”
He smiled. “I can help you with that if you want.”
“As tempting as that offer is, I think I’m going to pass.”
“All right, just saying…” He put his feet up on the ottoman and put an arm behind me.
“Make yourself right at home, why don’t you?”
“I used to live here, you know.”
I rolled my eyes, but I’m sure he didn’t notice. “Used to, meaning past tense.”
“But I like it here better than my place.”
“Take it up with your parents and not me.”
“Oh, but I’d rather take it up with you.” He grabbed my bag of popcorn and shoved a handful into his mouth.
I shook my head. “You are so annoying.”
“You are so beautiful.”
“Ok, what do you want?”
“What do you mean?” he asked as if he was actually insulted.
“You obviously want something, what is it?”
“You.”
“Get serious.”
He leaned in toward me, and if his behavior didn’t make it obvious, his breath did. He was drunk.
“I hope you didn’t drive home.”
“I’m not drunk. And I am being serious. I want you.”
“Jake.”
“Becca. Just hear me out. The way I see it, we’re being really dumb here. We’re totally perfect for each other. Why stay just friends?”
“Because we’re not attracted to each other.”
“You’re not even the slightest bit attracted to me?”
I shook my head.
“You really don’t find me attractive?”
I tried not to laugh. He looked crestfallen. “I said I wasn’t attracted to you, not that you’re not attractive.”
“How is that different?”
“You want to sleep with every girl you think is pretty?”
“Well, I happen to think you’re more than pretty.”
“We already established that.” I tried scoot out from under his arm, but he just moved closer.
“Let’s find out.”
“Find out what?”
“What we’re like together.” The heated look in his eyes let me know exactly what he was suggesting.
“Okay, time to leave.” I used my left hand to remove his arm and got off the couch. In the process, I lost the blanket.
His eyes widened. “Nice, very nice.”
“Jake, I’m serious. Get out of here.”
“You’re the one who said I was drunk. Do you really want me driving home?”
“Your parents’ house is right out that door. Go sleep there.” He was seriously getting on my nerves.
“I know what the problem is.”
“What’s that?” I replaced the blanket.
“You think I’m just saying these things because I’m drunk.”
“I know that’s why you’re doing it.”
“Don’t you know that alcohol makes people honest?”
“Yeah, and it also makes people stupid. In what insane universe would I sleep with you?”
“You slept with Gavin.”
That was the last straw. I was angry. “Are you kidding me?”
“Whoa, Becca. I didn’t mean it that way. I just meant, why him and not me?”
“I was drunk and had a lapse of judgment.”
“You really think that’s all it was?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know. I like him, Jake. Okay? I like him. I might even consider doing it again sometime. There, see you aren’t the only crazy one. I’m into Gavin.” Wow, saying it aloud actually felt good.
I looked down at Jake and realized he’d fallen asleep. “Great.”
I poked at him, trying to wake him up. It was a studio, and there was no way I was sleeping in the same room with him, even if he was passed out. Not after that display. Besides, what would that look like in the morning when Gavin came to pick me up?
I couldn’t move him myself, and I figured telling his parents on him was a low blow. I couldn’t call Ben, not with the news Molly had delivered. The only one to call was Gavin—at least that’s how I rationalized it. I got up the nerve and dialed his number.
“Becca, hey,” his deep voice answered. I heard talking in the background, and then it got quieter, so he was probably walking out of the room. “I’m glad you called.”
I got right to the point. “I kind of need a favor.”
“Sure. What kind of favor?”
“It’s a removal.”
“Removal of a person or a thing?”
“Person.”
“Is this a personal or professional removal?”
I hadn’t even thought about Gavin being a cop. Oops. “Personal, definitely personal.”
“Are you at home?” His voice was tense.
“Yeah.”
“Who’s at your place that you need removed?”
“Jake.”
“Do I even want to ask?”
“He came over here really drunk and passed out…”
Gavin laughed, but it sounded forced. “Okay, I’ll be right there.”
“Thanks.”
“Not a problem. See you soon.”
I hung up and went into the bathroom to change. I couldn’t deny a little bit of excitement at seeing Gavin again.
Chapter Twenty
Gavin
I loved making Becca blush. I had a feeling I’d never get tired of it. For such a confident girl, she sure embarrassed easily. I was still having trouble wrapping my head around the idea that she’d given me her virginity. Sure, she was drunk, but she had to have been drunk with guys before. Whatever the reason, I liked it. I liked knowing I was the only one who’d ever had her. The more I got to know her, the more determined I was to keep it that way.
Running into Becca at the convenience store had been a surprise, but the bigger surprise was my reaction. I probably would have done anything in that moment to keep talking to her. I had been right from the beginning: one taste was definitely not enough. I was still thinking about her hours later when I’d just folded my third hand in a row. For some reason, the cards were not happening for me.
“So did the car do the trick?” Greg asked.
“Yeah, it worked.”
“Then what the hell are you doing here?”