More Fine Carriages
Chapter 9: Of Sisters and Best Friends
A/N: Okay so I am pretty sure I am getting viruses from this website which really, really sucks. Sorry for the slow update but Midterms are upon us poor college students. Please pray for us all.
Anyway this is the Jenna/Craig issue rearing it's ugly head, but I hope you enjoy. The other chapter is half way done already so I promise a speedy and hopefully very satisfying update.
Before I even opened my eyes I felt the pain; it was in my right knee, a dull ache. I wondered at what had happened. I was on my stomach, and I turned onto my back with a groan, my eyes fluttering open.
It was then that I realized I had absolutely no idea where I was.
Needless to say, that's never a desirable situation. The room was all white, and looked as though it was straight out of a decorating magazine; the curtains framing the spotless windows looked like satin, the armchair in the corner probably could have paid for at least half of my rent, and the bed was so massive, with huge blankets, that I felt dwarfed by it.
I struggled with the weight of the blankets and slowly ambled out of bed. I was still in my black dress from the night before, and as I adjusted myself, the previous night's events ruthlessly came back to me.
I cringed as I remembered leaning on Jake. I couldn't even imagine what he thought about it, and I probably didn't even want to know. I also remembered falling out of the car to puke. That explained the throbbing knee and why I didn't feel sick now. I had already emptied my stomach.
I was about to make my way to the door when it flew open revealing Jenna. I was flooded with relief when I saw her.
"Good, you're awake," she said, handing me my purse. "Everyone's downstairs eating breakfast already."
"Where are we?" I asked as took my purse from her outstretched hand.
Jenna laughed as she left the room, with me following her lead. "We all just crashed at Jake's." She then stopped and looked my straight in the eye with a smirk. "I tried to take you home but you wouldn't leave Jake. He had to stay with you just so you would go to sleep."
I groaned in embarrassment. It was all even worse than I had thought.
Jenna crossed her arms then and continued to give me her smug expression. "Something you care to share with me, Adeline?"
I gave her a glare. "I was just drunk and stupid, Jenna."
"Mmmhmm," Jenna smirked, and turned around, continuing to lead the way to breakfast. I braced myself as we went down the stairs.
Firstly, I was extremely embarrassed. Why was I such an idiot? I knew better than to get wasted like that. What was I doing? Secondly, I didn't know how I felt about being in this house. If house is what you even want to call it. I felt as though I was in some grand ballroom, when really it was just a hallway. I couldn't even imagine how much money Jake Hudson had and to be honest, it made me more than a little nervous. It wasn't that I wasn't used to rich people; I went to Brown. There were plenty of them there. It was more along the lines that Jake seemed to love to flaunt his wealth and that was just a bit tacky to me.
"I can't believe this place," I said quietly as I looked around.
Jenna gave a nod. "I got turned around trying to find you. I don't know why they ever wanted a house this big."
"They?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah… Nick told me that this was where he and Jake grew up. Apparently, Jake's parents built it."
So I guess I couldn't blame him for the gaudiness of the huge house. Then I felt the panic begin to rise. We were in his parents' house? Were they here? Was I going to meet them?
"Are his parents here?" I inquired trying to keep my voice calm. I'm not sure if I managed but Jenna didn't seem to notice any difference.
"No," she said quietly. "I guess they passed away a few years back… car accident."
I felt relief at first only to have it crushed with terrible pity. I couldn't imagine losing one parent, let alone both at the same time. Poor Jake. Poor Julia.
"That's awful," was my reply. I really didn't know what else to say.
"Yeah Nick was telling me about it this morning. He was pretty much adopted by their family I guess."
We fell silent as we entered the kitchen. I liked it much more than the other rooms already. It was bright, with a deep red wall and tan tiling. The sun was filtering through the huge windows on the east wall, giving the whole room a welcoming glow. Everything looked state of the art. But I couldn't focus on that too much, because I was soon distracted by the laughter of the three guys at the table. They all looked up at us, still chuckling, as we made our way over.
Jake and I shared a look, and then I promptly looked away.
"How are you feeling?" Nick prompted looking directly at me.
"Suprisingly not bad at all," I responded.
"Hungry?" Jake asked, standing up.
"Um, sure," I said with a shrug, as I put my purse on the counter.
"Jenna you want anymore?" Jake asked as he made his way toward the stove were a pan full of eggs was sitting.
"I couldn't eat any more even if I wanted to, but thank you." Was her response.
Nick then smirked, as he glanced at me and Jake. "Jen, Joe, why don't you guys come outside with me… I want to get both of your opinions on something…"
I could see what he was trying to do, and I instantly felt mortified. Joe on the other hand, was a little out of the loop.
"After I am done with my paper," he sighed.
"Joe, bring your paper," Nick demanded as he stood and clapped Joe on the back. Joe looked up to Nick's face, and then it seemed to dawn on him just what Nick was trying to accomplish.
"Oh…oh yeah, sure."
I gave a pleading glance to Jenna, determined not to look at Jake, but she just smiled and followed Nick and Joe out of the kitchen. I was annoyed. They were treating it all as if we needed alone time, as if we were some sort of couple… as if we even liked each other. Sure there was a physical attraction – we had certainly established that. But I wasn't going to cave in. I wasn't going to do anything.
I snorted as I sat at the table. "They are really smooth aren't they?"
Jake didn't say anything, and moments later, he brought me a heaping plate of eggs.
"Thanks," I said, while I felt my face flush as I couldn't help but stare at his beautiful face. So much for not looking at him. His jaw line was so strong and perfect; I just wanted to touch it. I shook my head slightly hoping to clear it while he returned to his seat, which was directly across from mine.
"How's your knee?" he asked, his eyes concerned. I was surprised that he remembered and somewhat warmed by the fact that he had asked.
"It's fine. A little sore, but I guess falling out of a car will do that to you."
He smiled. "You scared the shit out of me and Jenna."
"Sorry," I said between mouthfuls. I took a slug of water and then, looked at him. "Thanks though… for everything, I mean letting us stay here and paying for all of it, and breakfast and helping me." It came out in a rush and sounded like complete nonsense. I was aware of how idiodic I sounded, so I shut my mouth and looked down, blushing furiously.
Jake laughed. "Are… are you nervous?"
"No," I snapped. So maybe I was a little. But I certainly was not going to tell him. I was mostly just antsy because I kept thinking about kissing him again. And I didn't particularly like how it was just the two of us. Nick, Jenna, and Joe were all assholes as far as I was concerned.
He chuckled appreciatively and I flung some eggs at him with my fork.
"Hey!" he said as a giant chunk off egg connected with his chin. It was my turn to laugh.
"I'm not going to sink down to your level," he said as he crossed his arms, looking rather smug. But I noticed that, despite his words, his condescending tone was gone. And that was more than what I could ask for.
"Party pooper," I responded.
Then as I began to eat some more, I wondered about something that had been plaguing my mind ever since the dinner.
"So where's Craig? I mean I thought you two were BFFs and then he doesn't even come to celebrate your birthday…" I said with a teasing smirk, but really I was burning with curiosity. I knew that it was the only reason Jenna had agreed to go along in the first place.
Jake looked instantly uncomfortable and I wondered if I had said something wrong. Still it seemed weird that Craig and Jake would be on bad terms – guys rarely fought.
"He's busy." It was short and blunt, and definitely not the whole story. But for some reason I couldn't just let it go. I got the very distinct impression that Jake was lying. He hadn't made eye contact when he had said it, something I had never seen him do before.
"Well, what's he doing?" I pressed. I watched as Jake became stiffer.
He shrugged. I was beginning to get a little irritated. Why the secrecy?
"He didn't say?" I continued.
"Why are you so interested?" Jake asked suddenly, finally making eye contact.
"Why are you making it a big deal?" I asked back, my frustration coming out in my voice.
"You're the one that won't let it go."
"Because you are all fidgety and weird about it," I countered angrily.
"I don't want to fight with you Adeline," Jake said sternly.
"Well then just tell me what he's doing," I huffed.
Jake sighed. "I told him not to come." It wasn't what I had been expecting at all. Maybe they had fought about something.
"Why?" My voice was soft and surprised.
"Because… because I didn't want him to have to deal with Jenna."
"What? What does that mean?" I demanded.
Jake rubbed his hand through his hair. "Look Addie, Craig… he's a nice guy. A nice guy that a lot of women take advantage of… and I thought that your sister…"
He stopped here, clearly searching for words. I raised my eyebrow, curious as to just what he was getting at. All I knew was that if said a word to slander my sister, I was out of here. And I would not be looking back.
"I thought that maybe Jenna was just sort of playing him… Leora and I wondered if she really had his best interests at heart."
The whole thing was ridiculous. "What?" I spat, standing up from my chair.
Jake stood up in response. "Addie, calm down."
I hated when people said anything like that. OBVIOUSLY it was just going to make the person angrier. And I had every right to be angry. How dare he think poorly of Jenna at all; if it had been anyone else he may have been justified. But he didn't know her! How could he judge her? She was the most perfect being in the world.
"So what did you think she wanted?" I placed my hands on my hips.
"Look you don't understand. Craig's naïve. He lets people walk all over him, and he always gets hurt. I thought that he was only going to get hurt again. I mean, their relationship would have never worked… with her in Iowa and him in Delaware."
"That isn't even any of your concern! It's their relationship, their decision, not yours. Ugh! You do not know everything, Jake," I replied, my voice growing louder and louder as I continued. "So you told him what exactly? 'Don't do it man, it's too far'? It's not even any of your business!"
"He's my friend! Of course it's my business," Jake yelled back. Then he seemed to gain control of himself, something that I was still having trouble doing. His voice was much quieter as he said, "Look Addie, I do not want to fight with you. You might think I am a jerk, but I don't think you have any idea where I am coming from."
"You're absolutely right. I have no idea where you are coming from." I said it in a harsh tone as I sat back down to finish my eggs. I really wanted to leave but seeing as I had no idea where Jenna was (or even which WAY to fucking go) that was going to be quite the challenge.
"Please tell me you are not going to hold this against me too," Jake said, almost desperately.
"What are you talking about?" I snapped back.
"You know what Addie? I am so sick of all of this shit. I don't want to fight with you at all, and I don't want to play these stupid games."
"I'm not playing any games."
"So you can honestly say that you have absolutely no feelings for me?" He challenged, still standing, crossing his arms.
I felt my stomach plunge. I couldn't believe that he had just asked me that. I was sure I was gapping at him. I had no idea how to respond. Thankfully I didn't have to. Just then, Jenna, Nick, and Joe appeared through one of the many doors. They looked confused when they saw us still there as though expecting us to have long quitted the room. Jenna's eyes nervously darted from me to Jake and back again. She could tell from my face that not all was right.
"Addie… are you… do you want to go home?" Jenna asked worriedly. I nodded as I stood and retrieved my purse from the counter.
Jenna mumbled more thanks to Jake as I exited the kitchen and waited for her to guide me out.
When she finally came out, she was looking at me with a very motherly expression. "What happened? You look as though you are about to start bawling."
I shook my head. I didn't even know how to explain it. Maybe that I had let myself, for some stupid, fucked up reason form an attraction to Jake Hudson? Maybe that I hated him and at the same time I really liked him? I couldn't figure him out; he was arrogant one minute, then a great person the next. A gentleman to my aunt and uncle, but an absolute asshole to my mother. Was he insane? More importantly, was I?
I was beginning to think in the affirmative to the last one.
"I know you are concerned, Jen, but I don't want to talk about it. The only thing I want to do is shower."
Jenna gave a nod, and led me out of the house. And I kept true to my statement before; I didn't look back.
I was looking back now though, that was easy to see.
I was standing in the shower, and had been doing so for the past fifteen minutes, and although it had only been an hour since we had left Jake's, it felt like days. I didn't really understand what was happening to me.
And that was when it hit me like a bus.
I was in lust with Jake Hudson.
Now I certainly wasn't in love. I had known Jake for two months, hardly enough time to love someone especially when you aren't even together. Furthermore, I don't even know if such a thing exists.
But this was definitely what all the love songs were about; confusion, lust, hate, and passion all rolled into one fun little ball.
But I knew that I could never give into it. I wasn't one to just go have sex with someone on a whim, or because I just felt like doing it. Granted, I had never quite reacted to someone like him before. That kiss was just too good to be true. But I pushed that out of my head.
After my shower, I changed and thought of my next course of action only to be rudely interrupted by Denise, as she peeked into the bedroom.
"Hey, we just got an invite from your friend Jake Hudson's for dinner tomorrow. Is it alright if you and Jenna have the night to yourselves?"
I was too surprised to even speak. So now he was befriending my relatives? What was he going to do, turn them all against me?
I recovered as quickly as I could, Denise looking at me strangely.
"No that's… you guys go ahead," I stumbled over my words. It was the best I could come up with at the moment.
"I'm sorry, its just Max really wants to go. Apparently they got into some heavy political debate last night, and you know how he is about that…" Denise gave a warm smile.
It was true. Max was as liberal as they came and always had a lot to say about anything involving Politics.
I forced a laugh. "It's fine, I don't mind at all."
Denise nodded and then closed the door.
But it was not fine. I was beyond irritated. Why hadn't he even invited me and Jenna? After all, we were the reasons that he even knew Max and Denise. It annoyed me that he got along so well with Max.
I had spent most of my day contemplating it. And now that it was 9:00PM on Saturday, I couldn't resist, as I plopped onto the bed with my cell phone in hand.
I found him listed under my phone contacts and pressed the send button. I wasn't going to just not say anything about him inviting my aunt and uncle over. Maybe it was immature and stupid but I was accepting it. Plus there was a part of me, a part that I didn't want to acknowledge, that just really wanted to hear his voice. He answered on the first ring.
"Just what do you think you are doing?" I hissed at him. I was of course still irritated about his dinner invitation to my aunt and uncle. But Jake didn't get it.
"Sorry?" He replied.
"I asked you what you think you are doing?"
He sighed. "Addie what do you want?"
That was a loaded question. I knew I was being really immature. I knew that I was confused. But what did I want?
"I want you to tell Craig you were wrong about Jenna."
He sighed again. "Fine."
It was easy, way too easy. "Are you admitting that you are wrong then?" I demanded.
"No."
I bit my lip. He probably never would. But then I wondered if he even was. Maybe it was just like he said. Maybe I just couldn't understand until I was in his position.
It was my turn to sigh.
"Addie, what are you doing right now?" He suddenly asked, catching me off guard.
"I-… nothing," I stuttered.
"I want to see you." His voice was husky and I was immediately glad that he couldn't see me, as my whole face burned.
"Uh, that probably isn't a good idea," I said softly, my brain struggling to think reasonably. I had a very good idea of just why Jake wanted to see me. It was nine on a Saturday night… this was his booty call. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't tempted. I was. But on the other hand I knew that I couldn't. It wasn't like I was just going to throw away my virginity because some pretty boy confused me. I had always wanted to be in love and I was not going to change my mind. That just wasn't who I was.
"It's…" he paused for a second, searching for the right words. "I don't mean that Addie. I mean… Do you want to get some dessert or something? There's a great café place on the corner of Longbourne and Mifflin." His voice was pleading and altogether adorable. I could feel my resolve wearing. Besides dessert really did sound fantastic.
"Just dessert, Hudson," I said in a warning tone. Jake laughed and I wondered at all of it. We were probably the two most opposite people on the planet, yet here we were both suffering from an attraction that neither of us could really understand. It was bound to blow up in our faces. But for some reason I couldn't help but feel giddy. We had issues… that much was certain. But it finally seemed as though maybe, just maybe, something good could finally happen.
"I'll see you in a half-hour?" he asked and I could hear his smile in his voice.
I gave my agreement and hung up, my heart light while I scurried to get ready.
A/N: So next chapter Addie and Jake have their first date... excited??
Don't forget to review! And as always, thank you.
