(65): Lunch

Jacob Forrest: Hey, Chels.

Uh, I'm leaving today and I just wanted to meet up for lunch with you. I hope you don't mind.

I get that message while watching TV. I bite my lip awkwardly cause I really don't think Kyle will like that. He doesn't exactly try to hide his distaste and possessiveness.

After a while of contemplating, I finally decide that Jake is my best friend and I really do owe him an appreciation and a one-on-one for coming all the way to see if I was okay...

Me: no problem. we can meet at 'Diner Lounge' in an hour.

Jacob Forrest: I'll see you there, ugly.

He answers almost immediately and I find myself grinning at the nickname.

Kyle is in his room taking a shower after hitting the gym. The rest of yesterday was just spent watching movies, speaking and a lot of making out. Like, a lot. I can't help but blush when I think about it. I've never been that... adventurous with a guy before. I'd always keep the sexual contact at a minimal, but with Kyle I can't seem to control myself. I just want his amazing lips on me all the damn time!

Not my fault he can kiss so well.

And gosh, I kept feeling something hard. I obviously know what it was and I'm a bit freaked out cause I wasn't scared, I was... curious and lust-y.

Is that bad?

Wait... does this mean I'm finally ready? Like, to do it? Am I?! Should I be worried? I mean normally the thought of doing it would scare the living hell out of me, but with Kyle it doesn't. It actually sounds... appealing and exciting...!

Chelsea, you're doomed.

Should I tell him?

No, not yet. I'll tell him when I'm sure cause I don't think I 100% am. I'll just wait till then... gosh, I'm scared though. I think I'm addicted to the guy or something.

After not hearing the shower water anymore for a while, I decide to walk to his room.

I knock lightly, just in case he's naked. You wouldn't mind though, would you Chels? Shut up brain and hormones!

"Come in, Chelsea-Anne" He replies.

I open the door and enter. My lips almost water at the sight cause he's shirtless, but with sweatpants on and they're hanging dangerously low. His hair is also wet, some sticking onto his forehead.

WHY IS THAT SEXY?!

I think he's made it his personal mission to torture me.

My eyes rake his prominent abs and I'm pretty sure I want to lick them and be under them or something. They trail to the 'V' disappearing into his sweatpants and I feel my heartbeat quicken.

Snap out of it!

"Done eye-fucking me?" He smirks.

I shake my head quickly before looking into his amused eyes. I clear my throat "Uh, what are you talking about?"

He laughs at me "I'd be scared at the way you're looking at me if I was a piece of meat"

Busted. I do indeed want to eat him.

I just roll my eyes, acting unaffected, as I walk closer and sit on his very comfortable and big bed "You're seeing things, Chambers" I reply

meekly, watching him.

He's so gorgeous.

"Okay" He snorts amused.

He grabs a lotion bottle and squeezes some onto his hand before continuing to rub it on his neck then chest. He looks like an ad for Playboy, playing in slow-motion in black and white.

Lord.

He laughs loudly "You gotta stop looking at me like that, sweetheart"

Well, you gotta stop being fucking sexy.

"Can you put on a damn shirt already" I mutter instead, my face feeling hot and lips feeling dry and deprived.

"I doubt that's what you really want"

I roll my eyes with a serious look "Kyle..."

He just laughs winking at me but proceeds to grab a black shirt that was on the bed and puts it on.

"Happy?" He teases.

I nod "Very"

He joins me on the bed "You ready for classes tomorrow? I don't think you should go if you're not" He says concerned.

"No, I am" I say assuringly.

"Sure?"

I nod confidently "Yep, I've already missed enough work"

"Okay" He takes my hand and kissed it.

"So, uh" I start nervously and he raises a curious brow "I have to... go. Now"

He furrows his eyebrows "Go?"

"Yes. Jake asked to meet up. He's leaving tomorrow and wanted to have lunch"

"Jake?"

"Jacob. Forrest"

I watch his expression go from confused to agitated to angry and then annoyed, as his jaw tightens and his eyes close briefly.

"Why?" He utters tensely, dropping my hand.

I whimper.

"He's leaving and he wants to speak" I reply softly, still kind of hurt that he's this annoyed at me.

He runs a hand through his hair "So?"

"What do you mean 'so'? He wants to meet. He came all this way just to make sure that I was okay, Kyle" I start to get defensive.

I can't help it. When I feel attacked, I have to attack back. It's just how I am.

"Well does he know that you're with me?"

I scoff "Yeah. You didn't exactly try to hide it from him"

"Why the hell are you saying it like that? Did you not want him to know?" He bites annoyed, his face tense.

"I was gonna tell him myself"

"Okay well I did it for you. You're welcome"

I just sigh loudly, pinching the bridge of my nose "Okay... I'm going"

"Going?" He raises his voice.

"Yes. To go meet up with him. I wasn't asking for your permission... I was just informing you"

He starts to laugh, but it's not a happy one; far from it "Oh, so you wouldn't mind if I just up and went to go meet up with a girl who's in love with me?" He asks sarcastically, voice cold.

Are you kidding?

"Jake is my best friend" I hiss defensively.

"Yeah, who's in love with you" He argues.

"So what, Kyle? I'm not in love with him now, am I?" I reply flustered, hands waving around everywhere.

"I saw how he looked at you. I don't like it"

I groan annoyed "Kyle, I'm not going to do anything with the freaking guy. We're just having lunch and speaking"

"Do it over the phone" He shouts.

"No!" I object.

"I don't fucking trust him, Chelsea-Anne" He hisses lowly, jaw clenched. "Don't fucking do this right now"

"You don't know him"

"I don't need to" He says "I know enough"

I cock my head to the side, arms folded "Yeah? And what do you know?"

"I know that he's in love with you and you had your fucking first kiss with him" He replies agitated "Don't make me feel stupid for feeling like this"

I'd even forgotten about that dang kiss.

"Kyle, he's my friend" I reply softly, coaxing him.

Now that I know why he's acting like this, I kind of understand a bit. I think I would too. The last thing I want to do is fight with the guy I like. It's really not worth it.

"Fine" He breathes.

I frown confused "Fine?"

"Yeah, you can go" He says looking away from me.

"Well you can't be mad"

He shrugs "I'm not"

He is.

I just get up, deciding that he wants to be alone and kiss his cheek meekly "Okay, well I'll ask Winnie to drop me off" I say.

He just shrugs.

Great.

***

"Sorry if I'm a bother" I say sheepishly to Winnie after a while of driving.

I've been quiet thinking about Kyle.

"Oh nonsense" She dismisses, offering me a smile "It gets boring in the apartment so I really don't mind driving you around"

"Oh good. So why don't you get a roommate or something" I ask curiously.

She hums "I like my space"

I couldn't imagine living all alone.

"Doesn't it get boring?" I enquire.

She laughs "Uhm, it does but I think getting a roommate would drive me crazy"

"You won't know unless you try" I sing-song.

"Mhmm" She hums smirking "You want me to end up like you and Kyle?"

"It doesn't have to be a guy" I giggle.

"Well actually I wouldn't mind ending up like you two. You guys are so cute" She says grinning and I blush sheepishly "Seriously, you really are the Kim to his Kanye"

"Oh my gosh" I bark laughing, throwing my head back "Will you and Nicholas stop saying that?!"

"It's true. You truly make him happy"

I frown suddenly "Well not right now"

"What? Why?" Her voice is concerned as she glances at me slightly.

"Uhm, he's kind of mad cause I'm meeting up with Jake and stuff" I mutter.

She raises a brow "Jake? The guy from your dads that you had a crush on?"

"A long time ago" I defend.

"I was asking" She drawls in her defense "Anyways why is he mad about that? It's pretty clear that you only have eyes for him"

"Yeah" I mutter "And he's mad because Jake may or may not be in love with me"

"Oh" She drags in realization.

"Well..?"

She shrugs "You can't blame him, Chels. Maybe it's also jealousy but I don't think it's also a good thing to hear that your girlfriend is meeting up with someone who's in love with her"

"But were just friends"

"Yeah, but he's allowed to feel like that"

Great.

"I don't know, Winnie. He was just super annoyed with me"

"No worries, he'll be fine" She assures.

We continue to drive, speaking about lighter things, until we reach the restaurant.

"Okay bye lady" She bids.

I unbuckle my seatbelt opening the door "Bye. Thanks again. I'll call you" And with that I exit with one more wave.

I start to walk into the place and immediately notice Jake's black hair at one of the tables in front. A waitress offers me a table for one (sounds so sad) which I kindly decline, telling her that the person I'm with is already inside. I take a deep breath, collecting myself, before walking to him.

The table is for two people, with the chairs on opposite sides. I hate how date-y and intimate it feels but I decide to ignore my thoughts.

You're literally just friends.

"Hey" I get his attention because he was playing on his phone. He looks up, putting it away and gets up, offering me a hug which I return awkwardly "Sorry, uh, if I'm late"

I sit and he follows suite "No, I'm early" He dismisses.

"You always were pretty punctual" I joke lightly, toying with my hands under the table.

Why am I so nervous?

He laughs "Yep. You know me"

"So how are you finding my city so far?" I ask, glancing around for effect.

"Not bad at all" He replies amused.

I offer him a smile before breathing "Uh, Jake, I just wanted to thank you for coming all the way just to make sure I was okay. I want you to know that it truly means a lot to me"

"I literally live three hours away" He jokes causing me to laugh "Anyways... you know I'd do anything for you. I'm just glad you're okay"

"Good" I smile, relieved for some reason.

A waiter approaches our table, asking what we'd like to have. Jake had asked for him to return only when a 'female companion' (me) was here. He's so sweet.

"Just a cheese burger and fries, please" I say.

He jotes it down "No problem" Before looking to Jake "And you, dude?"

He hums thoughtfully "Uhm, buffalo wings and a can of Coke, please"

He gives us one last smile before leaving.

"Nice guy" Jake notes jokingly causing me to laugh "He called me 'dude'. It must mean he's nice"

"It can't possibly mean anything else" I play along amused.

He laughs one more time before his face turns serious "So, uh, Jean huh? Well apparently her name is Riley" He drags interested.

"Yeah" I breathe, nodding "Small world"

He agrees in disbelief "Small fucking world"

"Have you guys spoken? Like, do you know the full story and all?" I ask, playing with the napkin on the table.

"Yeah. It was an interesting conversation" He tells me. "I knew she was mysterious"

I laugh "You were right. I think we should start calling you Agent Forrest from now on"

"Sounds about right" He jokes "I can't believe Montgomery knew and didn't tell me. I feel very much deceived"

"Yeah, I guess he had his reasons"

"Weird" He mutters.

"Yeah" I agree before we're enveloped in silence. I'm just glancing around awkwardly and he's doing the same. I can't think of anything else to say right now.

"So..." He starts looking up at me "You have a boyfriend"

Gosh.

I nod slowly "Yeah..."

"And he's my brother-in-law" He continues, his tone not really giving much away.

"Yep" I nod again.

"Small world" He trails, avoiding my gaze.

"Small world" I repeat.

He then looks to me again "He didn't seem very fond of me at the hospital. I'm guessing he, uh, knows about..."

"Something like that" I bite my lip awkwardly, knowing where he was going.

"Well, I can tell family gatherings with him aren't exactly going to be rainbows and puppies, huh?" He says jokingly but seriously at the same time.

He's so right.

I laugh nervously "I don't know..."

Yeah you do.

"He didn't want you to come here, did he?" He asks, his voice serious.

I nod slowly "He wasn't happy"

"I would never do... anything weird, Chels. You're in a relationship and I would never try to ruin it for you. I have too much respect for you" He says sincerely and my heart softens at how thoughtful and sweet he is.

I put my hand over his on the table, on instinct, and squeeze it lightly "I know, Jake"

I wish Kyle knew too.

"Good" He smiles softly.

I retract also smiling "So, uh, what about you? Do you have a girlfriend?"

He's about to reply but our waiter shows up, with our plates in his hand and I grin happily at the sight of food. We thank him before he walks away. I immediately dig in, forgetting about our conversation. Jake watches me, laughing at the sight.

"Eat your food and stop staring" I demand jokingly, popping a fry in my mouth.

He sips on his coke "You're just amuse me, Chels" He laughs.

"Leave me alone" I grumble.

We start to eat again, a comfortable silence taking over, until my plate is almost empty and so is his.

"So, uh, anyways, no I don't have a girlfriend" He gets my attention as I look up at him "I'm still, unfortunately, very in love with you"

I hold my breath absentmindedly.

"Sorry?" I try but it comes out as a question.

He laughs at me "You have nothing to be sorry about. It's not your fault"

"You make me sad when you say that" I frown toying with a fry using my fork.

"Chels" He scolds and I look at him "You have nothing to be sad about. This is supposed to be a happy lunch"

"Okay..." I trail.

"I have been speaking to this girl though" He starts mischievously.

My eyes light up "You have?"

"Yep. She's pretty cool. Her name is Jaida. She has this nice-smelling curly brown hair, and light brown eyes to match"

I smile "Sounds pretty"

"She is" He smiles dazedly.

"Do you like, like her? Does she like you?" I ask curiously; coyly.

"She likes me. That's kind of why we're speaking; she approached me; shot her shot and whatnot. She's real cool" He adds.

I raise an unimpressed brow "But do you like her, Jakey-boy?"

"I don't know. Maybe" He shrugs.

"I'll take what I can take" I smile.

"You look happy to be getting rid of me" He teases, squinting his eyes.

"Oh no-no" I pretend to be sarcastic.

He feigns hurt, touching above his heart "I've always known it, you ugly girl"

"What a charmer" I say dryly.

He suddenly starts laughing and it's infectious so I start laughing too and soon we just look like idiots. I'm too happy to care about the eyes watching us like we're demented and just focus on my best friend.

"Missed ya, Chels" He tells me softly after sobering up "Don't be a stranger again"

I stick out my pinky finger "I promise" He smiles and connects his with mine "I missed you too, by the way"

"Oh I know" He grins boyishly.

I roll my eyes amused "Of course you do"

He just laughs before an alarm starts going off on his phone and I look to him curiously "I have to catch a bus in two hours and I still have to pack and shit" He says awkwardly.

"It's fine. I had fun" I smile.

He puts his hand up to get our waiters attention and he makes his way to us after noticing "Could we get the bill?"'Jake asks.

He comes back with it and Jake pays for both of us after me obviously protesting cause I wanted to pay for myself.

We both get up from our chairs and walk to the exit.

"So what are you leaving with?" He asks me after locating his cab.

I shrug "I'll call Winnie"

"Okay" He replies before smiling and enveloping me into a very tight hug, causing me laugh against him "Bye, Chels. It was nice seeing you again" He says after pulling back.

I grin "The feeling is mutual"

He smiles one more time, waving and walks to the car before entering and driving away.

That was actually nice.

I'm just standing awkwardly before finally deciding to walk back into the diner and take a seat on the waiting chairs, as I take out my phone and send Winnie a text to come pick me up. I tuck it back into my hand purse waiting for a reply.

I look up and notice a woman watching me curiously as if remembering me. She has a doggy bag in her hand and I'm guessing she just got her order.

Wait, that's...

"Chelsea, right?"

I nod slowly getting up so I'm not having to crane my neck to look at the woman "Uh yes. Mrs Chambers?"

God, she looks just like Riley.

***

This not a cliffhanger; I just wanted to carry on on a new chapter.

Also if they break up, you guys can blame the people that were begging me for drama after 'Let's Talk' didn't indeed turn out to be a drama chapter 😂👀. I hate making my babies fight dou 🥺. Let's hope they patch things up.

Do you guys think Kyle should be as mad/annoyed as he is?