All characters in this story are 18 years old except where stated otherwise
****
"We should go by Bobby's too probably." Jessica announces as the pair are leaving Staci's house.
"I can call Bobby. He'll be fine once he sees us together tomorrow." Jake assures her.
"We went and told my best friend in person. We owe Bobby the same consideration." She tells him.
"Maybe but Bobby needs some time to cool off." He states.
"I imagine that he's pretty furious with me right about now, not that I blame him in the least." Jessica says worriedly.
"It's not you, Jess. After the whole Jennifer thing, I was in a pretty dark place. Bobby was just afraid that I'd end up back there if we didn't work this out but we did so he'll be fine now." He shares. "He also needed to be reminded that you're his friend too. Marybeth was reminding him when I left them."
"How was Marybeth with all this? I didn't scare her off with all this drama did I?" Jessica asks.
"No, she was very diplomatic in how she approached it. She wanted to hear your side of things before making any kind of judgment call but she was still very supportive of me." He tells her.
"I knew she was a sweetheart." Jessica remarks.
"That she is and speaking of sweethearts; I think I should get you home and let Sarah see that we're good. I know you texted your mom but wouldn't they all feel better if we told them in person?" Jake asks her.
"You're probably right." Jessica admits. "Mom and dad were pretty concerned and so was Sarah. Turns out, she'd heard me crying back when all this crap happened with Sean. She hates him for making me cry. Apparently she heard me crying last night and asked me if you made me cry."
"Now Sarah hates me?" he asks.
"Definitely not, Jake," Jessica assures him. "I made sure that she knows that you weren't the reason I was crying last night. She told me that she never liked Sean but she likes you. I guess that's Sarah's little stamp of approval for you."
"I'll certainly take it." He laughs relieved. "An upset Sarah sounds bad."
"Yes, an upset Sarah is a sight no one wants to behold," she answers. "My house it is then."
They begin heading towards Jessica's when she plucks his cell phone from the cup holder.
"Should we see if this thing is still stuck on broken heart songs?" She asks.
"Feeling brave are you?" Jake teasingly ask her.
"Honestly with what we just made it through I feel practically invincible." She answers as she plugs his phone into the auxiliary jack and hits Random. The piano intro to Alone by Heart begins to play.
"This is Heart, right?" Jessica asks as Ann Wilson begins to sing. "Yeah, that's definitely Heart. I love her voice!"
"She's great." He states as he makes the turn towards Jessica's house.
"Since Staci was part of Patrick's group of knuckle draggers until this year, I know the two you haven't been friends until this year so how do you know her mom?" She asks.
"That's kind of a long story that requires Staci and Roxie being around when I tell it." Jake informs her.
"Wait, Roxie's a part of this too?" She asks. "Now I'm really curious. Tomorrow at lunch then?"
"Once they finish teasing us about getting together you mean?" He asks with a laugh.
"Especially Shelly," Jessica giggles. "She goes away for the weekend and you and I end up finally taking the plunge. How'd she meet her boyfriend if he lives in Virginia anyway?"
"She didn't explain it to your girl chat group?" Jake asks.
"She was in such a rush to get packed that I think all she posted was, boyfriend, Virginia, bye." Jessica answers.
"They met and started dating last summer at this church summer camp that she's been going to since she was Sarah's age. Her mom's works as a volunteer there every summer." Jake explains.
"No church camps for you, Jake?" She asks.
"I went when I was younger but once dad got me started in football it was all football camps, all summer. For the longest time it seemed as soon as one ended, I was already on my way to the next one. I wanted a car so I took a job the summer between my freshman and sophomore years to pay for it and that stopped the unending camps." He explains.
"What did you do?" Jessica asks.
"It was this crappy moving company gig. I worked it for about a month before I quit." Jake explains.
"Whoa, you quit a job. That really doesn't sound like you at all, Jake." Jessica says.
"The company I worked for sent me and one other guy on a job that could easily have taken six guys a day and a half to finish. We had a day but we got it done, drove the trucks back to the office, locked them up and put our
we quit
notices in the mail slot and left. Dad was pretty pissed but I had the money I needed for my car and I was used to disappointing him at that point anyway. I started swimming to get me out of the house and a more stress free work out." Jake shares.
"In case I haven't made it perfectly clear to you yet, Jake. I really like that you took up swimming." Jessica states with smile.
"It does explain the whole, you dreaming of me shirtless thing. You should come with me one day. There's a YMCA just across the county line. They give free lessons to kids Sarah's age that is if our little overachiever doesn't know how to swim already." Jake jokes.
"We can mention to my parents when we get there. I think mom is looking for a place to work out
****
"We're back!" Jessica announces as the pair walk through her front door.
"Good, I was just about to start dinner." Dr. Golden states as she peeks out from the kitchen.
"Can you stay for dinner?" Jessica asks Jake then turns to her mom. "Can Jake stay for dinner?"
"That would be up to Jake I think, baby." Dr. Golden answers.
"I'd be glad to stay as long as it's no trouble, Dr. Golden." He states.
"It's spaghetti night and I always make a lot so one more person won't make a difference. Jess likes to take the leftovers for lunch before the game. It's important that she carbo load before a match." She informs him.
"Oh my gosh, the game!" Jessica exclaims. "I completely forgot that my first game is tomorrow!"
"You've had a lot on your mind this weekend, Jess." Mr. Golden states as takes a seat at the kitchen table.
"I really have," Jessica agrees. "It completely slipped my mind."
"Do you need me to do anything?" Jake asks her.
"You can maybe help me with some bump set drills after dinner?" She asks then looks at her mom. "Can he do that with his arm?"
"I don't want Jake rotating that shoulder too much so I think we should let your dad help with those for now. At least until Jake's regular doctor can take a look at his shoulder and tell him exactly what he can and can't do with it." Dr. Golden tells her. "If you two want to cut some vegetables for some salads, you can do that."
As Jessica and Jake take turns washing up at the sink, Sarah pokes her head into the kitchen.
"Sissy, is everything okay?" She asks quietly as she peeks through the doorway.
Jessica spins and kneels down. "Everything is great, Sar-bear!" She exclaims. "Jake's helping us cut up some veggies for salads and then he's staying for dinner."
