Chapter 24

*Mikayla*

It’s been a few weeks since we got back from the wedding. I work two days a week with Nathan and he pays me, like discussed.

Personally, I think he overpays me, but what can I do?

The summer days go quickly. Jake spends every morning working out and training, the afternoons are relaxed and lazy. I drive Julie around, as agreed, and we hang out with Jake's friends when we can.

Unless I’m at work, or he’s training, were always together.

We haven’t had any more ‘moments’ since the night we got home. I think we’re both just happy to be around each other. We haven’t talked about taking things further.

I don’t know about Jake, but I’m waiting to see how things go when we go to college. It might be completely different once we’re not around each other all the time.

“What are you doing?” he asks, stepping out onto the back patio.

“Looking online for apartments and jobs near campus.” I turn to face him.

He looks at me for a beat, before sitting in the chair opposite me.

“You can’t do student housing?”

“You have to pay for the year in advance, so no, I can’t. I’m hoping there are some cheap share houses nearby. And I’m hoping that whatever job I get will be enough to cover the rent. Plus, I gotta consider how close everything is to bus stops because I won’t have a car.”

There aren’t too many options out there, especially now, this close to the school year. I don’t tell Jake this because I know he’ll worry, and really, it’s not his problem, as much as he would like to make it his.

“What about you?” I ask. He hasn’t even mentioned where he’ll be staying.

He stares at me, an emotion I can’t decipher on his face. I try to hold his gaze but it’s so intense, I have to turn away.

Finally, “I haven’t decided yet, what I’m going to do.”

“Seriously, Jake? It’s like, around the corner, you better decide. There aren’t many options available.”

He smirks at me “Kayla, I’ll be fine. Me,” he points his thumb to himself, “I’m kind of a big deal. I’m sure whatever I decide they’ll make work.”

“Okay…”

The back door opens and Julie comes out.

We’re going to the mall today, I think she’s bored out of her brains. I can’t remember what summers were like when I was that age, depending on others to get me around.

I stand up to leave.

“Where are you guys going?” Jake asks, standing up too.

“Out!” Julie snaps, “And you, Jacaaaaarb, are not invited.”

“What? Why not?” He actually sounds annoyed.

I nudge Julie a little, “C’mon, Julie. He won’t take no for an answer, just let him tag along. Please?”

Honestly, I just want an excuse to spend time with him.

“Fine! I’ll be waiting in the car. Don’t take too long.” She pivots and walks away.

“Jesus christ,” Jake huffs, adjusting his cap. “What’s her problem?”

I shrug.

*Jake*

The Mall. Yaye. #sarcasm.

Julie’s been in a mood since we left the house. I don’t know what her deal is but she better snap out of it because her little brat attitude is pissing me off.

Kayla’s over at one of those skill tester machines, trying to cheer her up by winning something for her. She doesn’t win, and now Julie is standing there kicking the shit out of it.

What the hell?

I walk over to her, pick her up and face her the other way.

“What the hell is going on, Ju-ju?”

“Shut up, Jake. Don’t call me that! That’s a babies name and I’m not a baby!”

Hell.

I role my eyes. “Okay, Julie. Wanna tell me what’s going on?”

“You! You are what’s going on. You are not supposed to be here. This was supposed to be my day with Kayla, and you ruined it!”

Kayla’s eyes go big and she bends down to Julie's level and speaks to her softy, I don’t hear what she says.

“Give us a minute?” Kayla asks me.

Shit, if this is Julie now, I’m glad I won’t be home for the teenage years.

“Have all the minutes you want.” I walk away shaking my head.

***

As I wait for them to talk, a few girls from school walk past and wave, I nod back. Then a realize they’re Casey's friends and my eyes dart around like a maniac looking for her. If she’s here, I’m getting the fuck out.

Luckily, Kayla and Julie walk up just before I have a panic attack. That Casey bitch is legit no joke.

Kayla stands next to me and takes my hand. I love it when she does this shit in public. It’s like an unspoken agreement, that I’m hers and she’s mine, and even though we haven’t done shit since that night a couple weeks back, nothing’s changed.

“Julie has something she would like to say to you.”

Julie steps in front of me and crooks her finger so I bend down to listen to her. “I’m sorry,” she whispers, before putting her arms around me.

Thank god she’s back to normal, another crisis averted, thanks to Kayla.

***

We walk around the mall, Julie walking in front of us.

“So what’s the deal with her?” I ask Kayla, pulling her hand to my mouth and kissing it quickly.

Because seriously, I can’t seem to keep my hands and lips off her and if we can’t be intimate in the way I want, the way my dick wants, then I’ll take whatever the hell I can get.