I thought I would give you all something before the year was up... Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! I really did miss you guys!

Chapter 10 Guy May Sneak Out of the Friend Zone

"So why does your son's teacher have your car? Wait, don't tell me. Did you guys bone? Wait, wait she was so good, you let her take the car?" Paul broadcast across the driveway toward my front door.

"Are you coming in or not. I don't have time for this shit. Are you trying to embarrass me?" I shove my hands into my jean pockets and look down the street both ways. I really don't need the gossip around my name when I've got to see these same people at tribal meetings. I can hear it now. Womanizer this, single parent that…You need to find a good woman to raise your child. You and your son are too skinny, who's feeding y'all. The pressure is real around here.

"I just like seeing you squirm, Jake, that's all." Moving around the fallen trees, Paul saunters into the front door and heads toward the living room. "Dude it reeks of bleach in here. Like wow my nostrils are burning. Open a fucking window." The asshole plops down on my couch like he owns the place. I really don't know why my sister married him.

I open a side window and cut to the chase. "I'm not giving you a play by play of what happened last night. She came over to take care of Kenny, and the tree wrecked her car. I need you to help me fix it. Anyway, it's not what you think. She's at home with Seth. I don't know what's going on between them." I shake my head back and forth. What am I thinking? Does she really expect me to believe that nothing is going on? "He has a key to her fucking house."

"Wait is she with Seth or is she with you I'm confused…" Paul questions as he picks lint off his sweater.

I huff in exasperation. "I'm more confused than you are. I don't know what to say to Kenny. He's already calling her mom. I told her I wanted to get to know her more, and she kinda freaked. She's not telling me something, and I can't have anybody walking in and out of Kenny's life."

"Look, I say have your fun at night, and call it quits when you're done. You need to get back out there and date. Nobody said you have to find a wife." Paul leans back into the couch and shrugs his shoulders.

"Paul I'm not you. I don't sleep with random women. I feel something when I'm with her. Something I didn't feel with Jessica. Like I know she won't run from this, if I show her the truth." I started pacing the floor back and forth.

"Yeah, sure, whatever the hell that means. She's obviously not serious about you. She left in your car, to meet another man at her house. What page are you on because she ain't here playing house with you. She's with the baker boy who thinks he's better than everyone else. I wish I could beat his ass. Like seriously, get a grip. Who do you think you are? You bake cookies while your sister fights your battles for you on the council."

I shrug my shoulders. Maybe he is all he says he is. "I don't know man, maybe he's the better choice. He's not a single parent. He owns his own business in town. Sounds pretty drama free to me. I mean I can't even make pancakes." I lean against the wall and let my head fall back. Is this my surrender? I cross my arms in defeat. Next time I see Seth I may wave the white flag.

"Dude you sound ridiculous. No wonder she walked out of here so quick. You need to grow a pair. Since when has a female asked for a man to know how to cook? That's her fucking job. We fix cars for a living. What can little Seth do? Put together a fucking ikea bookcase? I'm starting to think you playing mom and dad to Kenny, has stripped you of your manhood. I never thought I'd see the day, when you would see Seth as actual competition. Who gives a shit if she's with him. You want her, steal her. They're not married. And he's a pussy." Paul's getting mad all over again. Seth had beef with Paul once upon a time, and Paul just can't seem to let it go. I think Paul feel dumb around Seth.

**Beep beep** we both look towards the window and hear my sister yell her usual, hurry up slowpoke.

Paul takes a big huff and tosses me the keys to the company truck. " Anyway, I gotta go. Rachel's outside waiting for me. I can't believe you're making me ride around in a fucking minivan for two weeks because you want to fix some chicks car. Not to mention she's not your girlfriend and she ain't giving it up. If you don't get anything out of the deal, I'm gonna be mad for you."

********_*****_***** lapse

"Common, I'm sorry I upset you. Let me finish cooking for you. I love you." Seth breathes into my neck, kissing all the way up to my ear. "I'm sorry. I love you more than you know." He starts kissing me behind my ear as I sniffle.

My arms slink up past his chest, over his shoulders, and around his neck. I believe him. I believe he's sorry. I believe he loves me. He has not let me go even for a second.

His lips slide along my jaw and to the corner of my mouth. Our noses kiss, and I look up into his eyes. They're so soft and kind.

I feel my Seth come back to me. So sweet and gentle, sure of himself. One of his hands slid down to my butt and squeeze as he takes my bottom lip between his. His other hand weaves into my hair and pull. My lips part as we inhale together.

"Bella, I want you to want me." His grip on my hair tightens and then releases. After a moment, he takes my hands from behind his neck and leads me to the kitchen table. "Try this truffle butter grilled cheese. I made love to this sandwich just for you to enjoy." He squats down to table level, and looks up at me with a half smile. "I put a dollop of my signature raspberry preserve on the side. I wanna add this to the menu, and figured you could help me name it."

It smells so good. I take an embarrassingly large bite and my eyes roll to the back of my head. I lose myself for a moment and dip the sandwich in the preserver for another bite. So good I almost moan out loud."Arugula." My voice sounds low and raspy. Oh god, can he tell this sandwich is turning me on? This feels like a set up.

"Huh?" He looks into my eyes and then down at my lips.

I nervously divert my eyes at the intensity. "It needs arugula and a thin layer of preserve in the center."

"Thanks babe. I've got the perfect name, 'Babe truffle toast'. Sexy right, just like you." Wow such a cliche. How corny can you be? He's really showing his young age at this point, and I oddly start to relax a bit.

I look into his eyes, and see hunger, and it's not for what's on my plate. He takes his thumb and swipes jam from the corner of my mouth. With lightning speed, he sticks is thumb between his lips and heads back over to the fridge.

How does he do that? He always catches me off guard.I blush like the dollop of raspberry preserve on the white plate. So much of a contrast that I let my hair fall forward.

He takes the seat next to me with a tub of praline whipped cream. "Look, I don't even think pie would do this cream justice. I'm thinking giant cream puffs." He takes a heaping spoonful of cream and stuffs it in his mouth.

I look up to find a smudge of whipped cream smack dab on his nose. I can't help myself! I bubble up in a fit of laughter. I started laughing and now I can't stop.

"What?" He raises his eyebrows with a confused smile on his face. "Bellllaaaa what is sooooo funny?" His face comes closer to mine, and now we're laughing together.

Before I realized what I was doing, I lick the cream off his nose. His eyes grow big as quarters, as I gasp in embarrassment at myself. Our laughter ceases. I think we both held our breath for a second.

We stare at each other for what felt like forever, and then erupt in a fit of laughter again. I feel like a kid again.

Before another word is said, we hear the doorbell.

**Ding dong**

Who do you think is at the door? I would love for you all to make a guess…