Chapter 26


    Amber


    Today might just be one of the best days of my life. Waking up next to Jake, spending time with him, and meeting his wonderful family—I’m honestly having a blast! Jake and his siblings have such a fun, easygoing way of interacting with each other. It’s exactly how I always imagined it would be in a big family. I could listen to their funny banter all day.


    When I lived at home with my parents, it was always pretty quiet. I think that’s why I love playing the piano so much. At least when I played, it wasn’t so silent, even if no one was there to talk to me. But here at Jake’s, there’s a constant hum of chatter and laughter. Even at dinner, everyone’s talking and joking, and although Jake’s siblings just met me today, they’re already welcoming me into their conversations. I love it here!


    After we finish eating the risotto Cooper made, we all pitch in to help Lily load the containers of cookies, cupcakes, and brownies for her assembly into the trunk of Hugo’s black Mercedes.


    ‘Those containers better all be sealed shut,’ he warns Lily with a worried glance, but it sounds more like a desperate plea than an actual threat.


    ‘Don’t worry, Herc. Your precious baby is safe,’ Lily chuckles. She jumps up to kiss his cheek.


    That’s another thing I’ve noticed today. Jake and his siblings are pretty affectionate with each other. I see them constantly touching, hugging and teasing each other, and they all seem to find this very normal. It really highlights just how cold and distant my own parents were while I was growing up. I’d already started to realize this around Ray and Marjorie, who are also very loving with each other and with their children, but with Jake’s family, the contrast is even starker. If I’m ever lucky enough to have a family of my own, I hope it will be just like this one.


    Something about the affectionate atmosphere here seems to be rubbing off on me too, because Jake’s touching me a lot more than he usually does when others are around. Aside from the hours Lily and I spent baking while Jake and his brothers worked outside, he’s barely left my side all day. While giving me the tour, he was either holding my hand or keeping his arm around my shoulders. Later, as we sat on the couch chatting with Lily and Hugo while Cooper cooked dinner, Jake pulled me onto his lap and kept his arm wrapped around my waist the entire time. He even kissed me in front of his siblings. Several times!


    The more he behaves like this, the more confused I feel. Sometimes, it just doesn’t feel so casual anymore. Could he be warming up to the idea of us becoming more than just a casual fling? A glimmer of hope sparks in me, but I caution myself not to get carried away. Jake was very clear about his intentions when this started. I remind myself that I can’t forget that, no matter how much I love seeing this side of him.


    I’m startled out of my thoughts when Lily suddenly appears in front of me and wraps her arms around my neck. She’s a few inches taller, and I nearly stumble backward in surprise.


    ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you,’ Lily emphasizes again while she hugs me tightly. ‘You have been a true lifesaver, Amber.’


    Lily''s spontaneous embrace warms my heart.


    ‘You’re welcome,’ I laugh, hugging her back. ‘Good luck tonight, Lily. And don’t forget to send me that picture of Susan’s face!’


    ‘Oh, I definitely will,’ Lily promises excitedly, her face lighting up in anticipation.


    ‘Let’s go, Lily,’ Hugo calls out from behind the wheel.


    ‘Coming!’ Lily shouts back, but then she turns back to me. ‘I’ll see you in the morning, right?’ she asks, raising her eyebrows inquisitively.


    ‘Yes, you will,’ Jake answers in my place. He just walked up to me and placed his arm around my shoulders again. ‘Have fun tonight!’


    Jake meaningfully wiggles his eyebrows to Lily and I instantly see a blush appear on her cheeks. I wonder what that is about. A college application assembly doesn’t necessarily sound very exciting?


    ‘Shut up,’ Lily mumbles as she half-heartedly pushes Jake’s shoulder.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ‘Go, and fucking stop holding us up,’ Jake laughs. ‘Amber and I have to get ready too.’


    ‘We do?’ I jerk my head towards Jake and give him a puzzled look. I wasn’t aware that we had any plans.


    ‘We do,’ Jake simply confirms. He gives me a quick kiss. ‘So let’s get back inside and get you showered. You still smell so much like chocolate and sugar that I’m about to get secondhand diabetes just from being near you.’


    Taking a shower is easy enough, I brought my toiletries after all, but after that I''m not so sure how to proceed. I had no idea we would be going somewhere tonight, so I didn’t pack too many clothes. I stand in Jake’s bedroom, wrapped in a towel, and stare at my scarcely packed overnight bag on his bed.


    ‘Uh, Jake?’ I ask hesitantly.


    ‘What?’ he calls back from inside his bathroom.


    ‘Where are we going exactly?’


    ‘It’s a surprise.’


    ‘But… I mean, can you just fill me in a little bit? What am I supposed to wear?’


    ‘Wear anything you like.’


    ‘Well, I packed light! I didn’t really bring anything,’ I protest, with both my hands on my hips.


    ‘What, did you plan to walk around naked tomorrow?’ Jake immediately peeks his head around the door, with an enthusiastic expression on his face. ‘Because I could definitely get on board with naked Sundays…’


    ‘No, I’m not going to walk around naked!’ I laugh, exasperated, while I throw a pillow at his face. ‘But I didn''t bring any dress clothes. I only packed a clean pair of jeans and a black shirt.’ I hold up both items in my hand.


    ‘Okay, so just wear that,’ Jake shrugs. He disappears from the doorway again.


    ‘I won’t be underdressed or anything?’


    ‘Baby, you look great in anything you wear,’ he shouts back.


    ‘Wanna bet? You’ve clearly never seen me in the stuff my mother used to buy for me,’ I reply dryly.


    ‘Trust me, nobody is going to notice anything other than your phenomenal ass anyway when you’re wearing those jeans.’


    ‘Fine,’ I mumble, shaking my head with a chuckle at his comment. I drop the towel on the floor and start getting dressed. ‘But a little heads up would be appreciated next time.’


    ‘What’s that?’


    ‘Nothing!’


    Once I''m dressed, I join Jake in the bathroom to put on a little bit of make-up. Jake watches me while I apply some mascara and appreciatively glances up and down my body.


    ‘See. You look sexy as hell,’ he compliments me. He bends forward to kiss me.


    ‘Good, because I''m kind of hoping that you’ll put those thoughts into action tonight,’ I say, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively. I teasingly drag my finger down Jake’s chest towards his crotch. Honestly, I’d be just as happy to lock ourselves into his bedroom for the rest of the night.


    Jake cups my face with both hands and deepens our kiss. He turns us around and pushes me with my back against the sink. I eagerly lean into him, letting my hands roam freely over his body. Jake looks incredibly handsome in his tight green shirt that perfectly shows off his muscular frame. But when I slide my hands beneath it, he suddenly pulls away from me.


    ‘Don’t get me all riled up, damn it,’ he laughs, with a hint of frustration. ‘Not when I’ve got something nice planned for you.’


    ‘This is nice too, you know,’ I say grinning as I pull Jake back towards me. He readily kisses me again, but then he takes my hands in his and guides me towards the bathroom door.


    ‘Later. I promise!’ Jake swears, giving me a longing smile. ‘Come on, I really think you’re going to like this too.’


    ‘Fine, I’ll come,’ I relent with a laugh, letting Jake pull me through the kitchen towards the hallway.


    We shout a quick goodbye to Cooper and Nate, grab our coats, and head out to Jake’s pickup truck. I resist the urge to ask where he’s taking me, instead watching out the window, hoping to spot something familiar that might give me a clue. But since I still barely know the area, I come up empty. After about fifteen minutes on the road, I can’t hold back any longer. I glance at Jake expectantly.


    ‘Okay, where are you taking me?’


    ‘So impatient!’ Jake shakes his head at me, but the twinkle in his eyes tells me that he’s enjoying this.


    ‘Come on! We''re already on the road, you can tell me now, right?’ I almost bounce up and down in my seat from curiosity.


    ‘Fine,’ Jake concedes with a chuckle. ‘I’m taking you to a bar.’


    ‘Oh,’ I say. My expression falls, and my excitement instantly fades. Honestly, is that supposed to be the surprise?


    ‘I thought we should try to give you a better bar experience,’ Jake explains, seemingly unfazed by my less than enthusiastic response.


    ‘I see,’ I respond as neutrally as possible, slumping back in my seat. ‘Are we meeting the other guys from the ranch at Pete''s?’


    ‘We’ve been driving in the opposite direction this entire time, Amber. How can we possibly be heading to Pete''s?’ Jake chuckles.


    ‘I don''t know. You said bar,’ I grumble, disappointed.


    Jake glances sideways and reaches over to give my knee a squeeze.


    ‘I honestly think you will like this one,’ he says encouragingly. ‘Although maybe you should consider giving Pete''s another chance someday too. You''re not the new girl who doesn''t know anybody anymore. You''re with us now, so it might feel different next time.’


    ‘I suppose,’ I say reluctantly, before I resume staring out of the window. I secretly wished we would have just stayed home and locked ourselves in Jake''s bedroom.


    When Jake pulls into a parking lot a few minutes later, I can barely muster up the enthusiasm to get out of the car. I slowly take off my seatbelt and reach for the door handle, but then it already swings open. Jake smiles in anticipation when he offers me his hand to help me out of the truck. He doesn’t let go of my hand, but weaves his fingers through mine as he guides me down the sidewalk. Reluctantly, I follow him. I don’t want to disappoint Jake, but I’m not looking forward to spending the evening in another loud and obnoxious bar. However, when I see the bar we’re actually heading towards, my step falters and my eyes widen.


    ‘Wait, what is this place?’ I ask as my eyebrows fly up.


    ‘This,’ Jake answers, leading me towards the entrance as his smile widens, ‘is a pianobar.’