Chapter 2- 1st Date

After that night at Molly's, Lauren constantly kept her phone close. She'd been so sure he would call her, but doubt was starting to creep in. Maybe she'd been too forward? Maybe he hadn't liked her at all? Maybe she'd imagined the whole night. All these thoughts were starting to drive her crazy because it was the first time she'd ever put herself out there with a guy.

The first half of the week, Kelly had taken off to spend time with her. While she was with him, the crazy thoughts had stayed away. Kelly had taken her to Navy Pier and the Bean. He'd even drove up to Kenosha on Tuesday to see their dad. That had been an interesting meeting to say the least. Benny, their dad, had wanted nothing to do with Lauren claiming she was not his. They hadn't stayed long, Kelly having enough of Benny's behavior. He believed Lauren when she claimed to be his sister because Benny was always with different women.

When they'd left Kenosha, Lauren had convinced Kelly to run her by Med to get a paternity test to prove to Benny she was his. Kelly tried explaining to her Benny probably wouldn't care either way once his mind was made up, but Lauren wanted to try anyways.

On Wednesday, Kelly had apologized profusely that he needed to sleep because he went on shift that night, but Lauren had told him to stop. She understood that he still had to work this summer, even though she was there, and that she would be fine. That's when the worrisome thoughts started creeping in. She'd really liked the guy and he was definitely easy on the eyes, but he'd obviously not been into her as much as she thought.

...

Jay waited an entire week before he convinced himself to call her. He wasn't sure it was the right thing to do since he would be shipping out in a few months, but he couldn't quit thinking about her. She invaded his every waking thought and even some of his dreams. He knew this was crazy, but he had to see her again.

He dialed the number and listened to it ring. He had to stop himself from hanging up several times, but when he heard her southern drawl, it was worth it.

"Hello?" she said.

"Hey. This is... It's Jay from Molly's last week," he said feeling like an idiot.

"Oh," she said surprised.

"I know. I should've called sooner and if you'll go out with me I'll explain why I didn't. I just... I really want to see you again," he said mentally smacking himself for sounding so dumb.

Lauren let out a little giggle and Jay felt it all throughout his body. "Ok. Yea I'll go out with you," she said making his smile grow.

"Ok... ok good. I can pick you up tomorrow at six. I know this great restaurant and place we can go just to talk."

"I'll be ready. I'm staying with my brother. His apartment is in the Cobbler Square Lofts. Do you know where that is?"

"Yea my brother and I are renting an apartment not far from there."

"Oh. Cool," she said. He made her nervous and she wasn't sure what to say.

"Lauren?"

"Yea," she said loving the sound of her name from his lips.

"I only have a motorcycle so... can you ride?"

She let out a little squeak before she could stop herself. "I've never ridden before... but... it... well it can't be that hard right?"

Jay held in his chuckle at the nerves he heard in her voice. "No, it's not. And I wouldn't let you get hurt. I swear. Jeans and boots will be best if you have them."

"Yea... yea I brought some. What about a jacket?"

"You can wear mine if you need it," he said stealing her breath.

"Ok Jay," she whispered and he had to stop a moan of desire from escaping hearing her say his name with her accent.

"I'll see you tomorrow Lauren."

"Ok see you," she said and they hung up.

Kelly and Shay were on shift so she'd have to catch Shay first thing in the morning to help her pick out something to wear. This would be her first ever date and she was excited and nervous and wanted it to go well.

She barely slept that night with all her nerves and excitement. She was up waiting on Kelly and Shay when they got home. "Hey Sis. What are you doing up this early?" Kelly asked giving her a hug. They'd got pulled out on a call right as shift was ending and ended up working over. By the time they got home it was already four in the morning and they were both exhausted.

"Just couldn't sleep," she said trying to send Shay a look.

"You sure everything's ok?" Kelly asked catching her look.

"Yep. I'm good," she smiled reassuringly at her brother.

"Kelly just go to bed and let me talk to her," Shay said shoving him towards his room. She knew he wouldn't go without some encouragement and Lauren obviously had something she wanted to talk to her about.

Kelly sighed looking between the two of them before Shay gave him a nod. He hugged Lauren and told her goodnight before heading for bed.

"Ok, what's up?" Shay asked plopping down at the bar with Lauren.

"I have a date tonight and I need help picking an outfit," she spit out quickly as a blush coated her cheeks.

"A date huh?" Shay said with a smile.

"Jay finally called today and wants to take me out tonight," she said.

"Ah. I see," Shay smiled giving her a hug. The girls had become close in the week Lauren had been there, and Shay was like her big sister now. "What kind of outfit do we need?"

"Ummm... well he said he only has a motorcycle so jeans and boots, but I didn't bring boots and I don't have any idea what to pair with it."

"I've got boots you can try," Shay smiled. "Oh and just the perfect shirt," Shay smiled pulling Lauren to her room.

She grabbed some black boots from the closet and then tossed Lauren a blue and a red plaid button up shirts. "Try either of those with some tight jeans. I'll help you with makeup too if you want," Shay offered knowing Lauren's mom had never allowed it.

"Thanks Shay, I really appreciate this," Lauren said giving her a hug.

"Of course honey. I don't mind. What time is he getting you?"

"He said he'd pick me up at six."

"Ok. I'll be sure to be up. Now, go get some sleep," Shay smiled giving her one more hug.

"You too. Thanks so much," Lauren said heading to bed herself. She was finally tired now that her outfit was decided and she couldn't wait for her date.

Lauren ended up sleeping until lunch. Shay slept until about four and Kelly was still asleep as Shay helped her get ready. "You sure you don't mind telling him?" Lauren asked Shay again.

"I promise. Besides he'll be overprotective at first but he'll get over it. I can handle him," she winked as she finished up Lauren's makeup. She'd braided her hair for her too and Lauren looked stunning.

"This alright?" She asked doing a quick twirl.

"You look great," Shay smiled. Just then they heard a knock. "Go knock him dead. We'll see you later," Shay smiled pushing her to the door.

Shay held in her laugh as she heard Jay's sharp intake of air when Lauren opened the door. After telling her how good she looked and asking if she was ready, they were out the door. Shay curled up on the couch with the TV waiting for Kelly to wake to break the news to him. While she assured Lauren she could handle him, and she could, she knew he was going to flip when he found out his baby sister was out on a date.

Once outside the apartment building Jay helped Lauren strap on a helmet. "Now its not hard. Just hang on and lean with me. If you fight it, that's when it gets tricky," he said making sure her helmet was on snug.

Lauren gave him a nod and he climbed on his Ducati. She slid on behind him, the seat pushing her right up against him. She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight as he fired it up. Damn if she didn't feel good wrapped around him.

He gave her hands a reassuring squeeze before taking off. He heard her short yelp and felt her squeeze tighter and it made him smile. This girl was something else and he loved having her close.

They pulled up outside a burger joint in the city and Jay killed the bike. Lauren was still holding on tight and he couldn't stop his smile from growing. He gently pulled her hands apart and slid off before helping her off. "You good?" He asked undoing her helmet and leaving it on the handlebar.

"Yea... that was... that was fun," she smiled big.

Jay couldn't stop himself from kissing her forehead. Her emotions and demeanor was so catching and she already made him happy. "Good. I'm glad you liked it. Let's go eat," he smiled taking her hand. They went in and found a corner table. After they ordered they shared easy conversation just getting to know one another.

Lauren told him about life in Tennessee, getting to know Kelly, and how excited she was for the summer. Jay talked about his brother Will and life in the army. He told her about his upcoming training and how he'd be away for a while. He said this is why he hadn't originally called because he wasn't sure it was fair to a girl to start something and then leave. At the same time he couldn't stop thinking about her and wanted to see her again. He figured it was better to be upfront with her from the beginning since summer was all he had. He discovered she was almost eighteen and he was twenty.

They carried on conversation as they ate. It was one of the best burgers she'd had. After they were done, he drove them down to the Pier, where they walked hand in hand sharing more easy conversation. They split a milkshake and stared out over the water as the stars shone above.

Jay reached up and brushed a stray hair from face. It'd come loose from her braid and he couldn't stop himself. This girl was absolutely breathtaking and he was enchanted with her. When she smiled up at him his heart almost stopped.

"I really like you Lauren," he whispered cupping her cheek as he stared down into her green eyes.

"I really like you too Jay," she smiled back up at him.

"I wanna kiss you," he whispered leaning closer to her. He saw the blush color her cheeks and smiled. Their foreheads met and he heard her fast breathing. "I don't have to Lauren. It's totally up to you," he whispered rubbing her cheek.

"Jay... I..."

"Shhh... it's ok," he whispered placing his fingers over her lips. He wouldn't push her that was for sure but damn if he didn't want that kiss.

"No you don't understand," she whispered feeling him pull away. She felt the sigh escape as she realized she was ruining this first date.

"What don't I understand?" He asked cupping her cheek again.

"Jay... I... I told you about my mom and how strict she is. You... I... This is honestly my first ever date and I don't wanna ruin it," she said quietly not meeting his eyes.

He gently tipped her chin up so he could see her. "There's no way you could ruin it," he smiled resting his forehead against hers once more. "Yes or no? Do you want a kiss Lauren?" He asked quietly gazing into her beautiful eyes.

"Yes," she whispered almost breathlessly.

Jay had to remind himself to take it slow and not scare her. Her breathless honesty left him breathless and desiring her. Not tonight he scolded his body. Tonight was just for her.

He slowly brushed his lips across her forehead and then her cheek. He gently kissed the other cheek before slowly brushing his lips across hers. When he felt her lips moving against his, he kissed her soundly. He'd never been left so breathless from just a kiss.

"Wow," she whispered as they slowly pulled apart.

"Yea," he smiled wrapping his arms around her and tucking her against his chest. "Wow is right," he whispered.

"Jay?" She asked after a beat.

"Mmm?" He answered slowly easing her back to look at her.

"I've... I've never been this... This forward before, but I really like you," she said with a blush.

"I really like you too beautiful. And I definitely want to do this again," he smiled reassuring her.

"Me too," she smiled big going up on tiptoe and giving him another kiss. Jay slowly responded deepening it just a little before slowly easing them back to catch their breaths.

"I better get you home," he whispered seeing it was already almost ten.

Lauren nodded as he wrapped his arm across her shoulders and they headed back for his bike. "We'll do this again?" She asked as he helped her put her helmet on and then he zipped his jacket around her.

"Of course we will. I promise," he smiled.

Once back at Kelly's, Jay kissed her two more times before letting her go inside. It'd been the best night either of them had in a while. Kelly had slightly freaked out hearing she'd been out on a date when he awoke, but seeing how happy she was when she returned calmed him down.

Jay and Lauren texted and talked on the phone almost every day after that. They hung out a lot too, and even hung out some with Kelly so he could get to know Jay better. A month after arriving in Chicago and Lauren and Jay were officially dating. It'd been the best month so far and she couldn't wait to see what the rest of summer would be like.