Chapter 51

Winnie I’m lounging on the couch and wondering what I should do with my life. My exams are over, and endless time is on my hands. I will intern at Tobias’s company in a couple of weeks, but right now, my life is dull.

I don’t even have friends to hang with… like, why am I living in this city when everyone else has moved?

I miss the twins…

A sudden image of Jake’s head between my legs plays in my mind, and I shudder in my seat.

It’s been two weeks since Jake ate me out. He is back in his own city now. I watched his game on the TV a couple of minutes ago. Jake and Mark played well. It was unfortunate to see Jake get an ugly black eye after crashing into the plexiglass.

But… his team won.

I’m happy for him but also a bit perplexed. I saw a pretty girl kissing Jake’s cheek on the TV. The scene only lasted a few seconds, yet it was enough to see her lips form the words, “Poor baby.”

As I think back on this, a weird feeling settles over me. My chest is hurting, and my heart is pounding in an irregular rhythm. I’ve never felt like this before. Could it be jealousy? Of that girl with Jake?

I stare at the TV, but they no longer focus on Jake. He is in the background somewhere, and I feel a twinge of longing. I always used to watch his games back in college.

Not being in the hockey fan club anymore sucks. I miss going to the games and wearing… well… I used to wear Jake’s jersey. But I’m guessing that will never happen again.

Jake and I are friends, but it’s not like before. We don’t hang out as we did in college, nor do we text each other anymore, and now, if he is together with a girl, I should just lay off.

But I suppose congratulating the twins is proper. I text them the same generic message.

Me: I just saw your game on the TV! It looked tough and sweaty! Congratulations on your big win!

Jake sees the message but doesn’t respond. Mark does, though.

Mark: Winnie!

Okay, is he drunk? Why is he so hyper?!

Before I can write him a message, he sends a second one.

Mark: It was a tough game. Heading home now… or perhaps I will sleep at a hotel or something.

Why would he do that?

Me: At a hotel? What? Why!

Mark: Because the girl my brother is dating is a control freak. Her name is Kelly, and she is always at our place. I can’t take it anymore, Winnie! Yesterday Kelly complained that I leave the toilet seat up… like, excuse me, I live there, and she fucking doesn’t!

I chuckle and begin writing back to him, but Mark beats me to it with yet another message.

Mark: Ugh… I’m sorry for venting. I’m glad Jake is seeing someone, but whenever I date girls, I don’t take them back to our place. You fuck at their place and get out in the morning.

I snort.

Me: Stop pretending that you’re still a player, Mark. Those rules were for your college years; you’ve matured now. You don’t sleep around.

Mark: Perhaps you’re right… anyway, I have a therapy session booked because I’m losing my damn mind over this girl.

Me: Seriously?

Mark: Yup… oh, by the way, are you still into Jake?

I gasp.

Me: How the heck do you know about that?! I haven’t fully accepted that myself yet! Are you psychic?!

Me: Haha, intuition! It was very… tense around you two during our last day in town. Anyway, got to go. I’m heading to bed after I’ve taken a long, nice shower.

Me: Good night.

I turn off the TV and stare down at my phone. There is still no reply from Jake, and I’m guessing he isn’t going to write to me either. It’s expected, yet I still can’t help but feel jealous.

I groan at myself, close to pulling my hair. ” You put yourself in this situation, Winnie… there is no one to blame but yourself… you basically said you didn’t want Jake. Then you find out he is a walking fantasy, and then you’re reminded of how awesome he is…

typical.”

Defeated, I curl up on the couch. I’m a bitch, and now the guy I like is with someone new. I guess it was never meant to be?

***

There is an interesting text on my phone the next day.

Mark: Winnie! So, Mark and I are invited to this fancy dinner, and I’m wondering if you could be my date?

You get to make Jake jealous.

Me: Wait, what do you get out of this? And what do you mean jealous? He is with Kelly, lol! Also, I’m not in your location. Even if I wanted to be your date, how would I make it there?

Mark: I will ask my nice brother to private jet you there. Don’t worry. Big brother Tobias got our back. A private flight is much quicker than me buying a commercial ticket for you.

Sometimes I forget how much money all these brothers have. Tobias is a CEO, and then we have Mark and Jake, who both play professional hockey. They are all walking with gold in their pockets.

Me: I don’t know, Mark… if Jake is happy…

Mark: No, he is delusional and an idiot for dating this woman! I love my brother. I do. Jake and I are closely knit together, and I couldn’t imagine living without him. But this woman? KELLY IS NOT THE ONE!

Me: Wow, you seem really passionate about this. Take a chill pill.

Mark: She ate my KitKat, Winnie! It’s personal. The worst part is that I can’t tell Jake because it was in my secret stash. Kelly somehow found it and used it against me. Sneaky little witch!

I’m laughing so hard that my stomach hurts.

Mark is funny. He really doesn’t seem to like Kelly, but I can’t judge before I meet her.

Only a toxic person would hate Kelly in my situation. Sure, she is with the man I like, but she might be a great person? You never know. All my friends ended up with the men I wanted, and I’m still friends with them, so things like that don’t bother me.

Me: I think I should stay home.

Mark: I need a date!

Me: It will hurt to see Jake with someone else. I’m saving myself from that heartbreak.

Mark: Just tell Jake you’re sorry and ask if he is exclusive with this girl. Because newsflash, THEY ARE NOT! They have seen each other for less than a week, and she is already bossing me around… shit.

Have you actually tried being honest with your emotions?! Get your feelings out there and save me from my misery.

I can’t fight my smile.

Me: I will go with you, but only because you need a date. Okay?

Mark: Awesome! And if you end up in Jake’s bed after our date, no hard feelings from me.

That makes me pause and blink at the screen.

Me: Wait… don’t tell me you have also had feelings for me for plenty of years, like Jake?

It takes a while for Mark to respond, but when he does, I’m relieved.

Mark: Nah, of course not! I will have Tobias contact you regarding the flight, okay? This date is going to be great. Plenty of fancy food!

I smile. Mark might be my fairy godmother. I doubt Jake would leave his new girlfriend for me, but it would feel better if I were honest with him. I like him… it just took forever to realize it.