Chapter IX

Jake

He knew that he had to shake Sherry from his mind somehow. He couldn't stand it anymore – she was not going to leave Jeff, and he was still pining after her. It was a waste of time and slightly pathetic.

He decided one morning after she declined to see him because she was going to see Jeff that he would move on.

He hung up on her that morning and instantly went to a bar in search of someone. This was the life he had succumbed to in Sherry's distant absence. He would stop this now.

At the bar he drank, waiting for the right girl. He noticed a few but also noticed that they tried way too hard to flirt, he didn't like this, it was just as he was about to leave that he noticed her.

She had dark skin, much like that Sheva woman and long brown hair with intense eyes watching a television screen. Her mouth was perky and full, she wore a skirt and he could see long shapely legs.

He stood and walked over to her, she noticed him and her big brown eyes moved to meet his. Her eyes seemed to be confused and amused, but also expectant and knowing.

"May I buy you a drink?" He asked her carefully.

The dark eyed girl smiled, not revealing her teeth to him, "I'd like that very much, thank you."

"Perfect." He smiled his smallest smile and asked her what she'd like; in her small feminine voice she told him she'd like water. He raised a brow at this and went to the bar to get her just that. When he returned he found that she was sitting all the way back in her chair and had removed her eyes from the television. She was staring at the table before her and then up at him as he took a seat and handed her the glass.

"Curious thing right?" She asked him softly, smiling, "you're probably wondering why water."

"Yes I am."

"Well, that's a secret." She smirked and sipped it carefully. He noticed that her dark skin had a hint of sweat on it, he wondered if she was nervous.

"What's your name?"

"Lily." She answered easily.

"I'm Jake, pleasure to meet you."

She took his hand and shook it carefully. Her hands were soft and dainty, easily breakable.

"So Jake, what made you come over here and buy me a drink?" She asked. "I'm not stupid; I know you're expecting something. I'm almost afraid to ask what it is."

"Oh, it's nothing much, I just needed a change." he answered. "I'm glad to see you're blunt and honest."

"I have to be in this setting. People get the wrong ideas about girls who aren't forthright. They think we are teasing them and lusting after them or that we're teases 'looking to get raped'." Her blunt sentenced surprised him, in a pleasant way. "I mean isn't that what they always say, 'she wanted it, if not she wouldn't be there'."

"I see you're point."

She smirked and continued drinking her water. He noticed that her pretty eyes were not just brown but almost black. They shined in the bar and it made him feel a bit uncomfortable, she was attractive.

"I want to try something new. I need a date." He murmured, slightly sheepish. She looked up at him in surprise and could only raise a brow. "I just need a change."

"I have a feeling you don't do this type of thing often." She said, sitting forward now and speaking sweetly.

"What type of thing?"

"Talk to people honestly."

He blanched, "what would make you say that."

"For one you weren't looking me in the eye, and second, you keep shuffling awkwardly. You want to lie but know that you can't."

"Impressive." He murmured dismissively.

"Okay, I'll go with you. I have nothing to do, I might as well make this night interesting. But know that if you are going to try to do something with me that I have a tracker on my phone. It wouldn't e the wisest thing to do."

"If you really believed that I would hurt you wouldn't come with me in the first place." He told her standing up and putting on his coat. She grinned beautifully up at him, her dark eyes flashed.

"Or maybe I'm just attracted to danger."

One month later.

The girl had truly fallen for Jake Muller. She enjoyed his demure attitude, which instantly shifted when she was around. Sure he didn't become a bubble of joy, but he was definitely more relieved with her around, she noticed how he would smile slightly at her and then embrace her tightly.

To be honest Jake had grown fond of the girl too. He limited his conversations with Sherry as much as he could. He was tired of the little games they played. He didn't like the on and off type of friendship they had, so rather than ruin it all he decided that it would be easier to spend time with other people too.

Lilly was a ball of realism and positivity. Her voice calmed him when he felt angry, and while he didn't love the care, and wasn't looking for something too serious with her she understood that and told him she wasn't either.

"I understand that this is a playful relationship we have. I do not expect that you and I will become boyfriend and girlfriend, no offense, you're a great guy." She smiled.

"I am glad to hear that," he said honestly, pressing her tightly to his chest on the morning of Thanksgiving. Her body was lithe and frail, it made him want to hold her even tighter and more protectively, "I do care about you," he admitted, "don't think I don't just because I'm not looking for something permanently."

"I understand, Jake," she pecked him on the chin and smiled a bit sadly, "but if you did do something with someone else, it would hurt me… I think we should have that clear."

"I understand," he murmured, then remembered, "tonight my mom wants to have a dinner, do you want to come?"

"I'd love to." She grinned up at him; he pecked her softly on the lips and smirked when she started trembling in his arms. "Are you going to invite friends?"

"Probably, my mom is dying to see a long time friend of mine," he had longed to see her a lot, and did so whenever he could, but the more serious her and Jeff got the more difficult it was.

"Okay, so I'll go home and meet you here in about two hours?" She softly asked him.

"Yes, that's perfect," he kissed her again, "but before you go… "He didn't finish, he just claimed her full lips and let his hands skate down her brown arms and then tearing the bed-sheet away from her thin frame, she laughed as he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

He slammed her into the bed and relished in her moan as he instantly claimed her breasts in his hands and her full mouth again. "Let me this time," she whispered huskily and pushed him to his side. He raised a brow as she kissed his neck gently. She grinned when his eyes fluttered closed and then carefully through one leg over his hips before dropping down onto him with a cry and an ecstatic smile

Hours Later

The phone rang three times before she finally picked up; her voice was giggly and bubbly so he knew that the Jeff guy was there. It made him feel slightly numb, "Hello!"

"Hey, it's Jake."

"I know, silly," she laughed and he could distinctly hear a meow in the background. "What's up?"

"I wanted to see if you'd like to spend the night together. My mom is making some food at her house; you could bring the guy if you want to."

"Really? You're sure? We were just trying to figure out what we should do." Her voice sounded apprehensive now. "I know how you get."

"I'll be on my best behavior, and besides I'm going to bring someone." At this there was a long pause from her side, he could hear Jeff saying something jokingly and then she spoke.

"That's nice, I can't wait!" Her voice sounded exaggeratedly happy. He frowned, that was not the reaction he had hoped for. "I'll see you at what time?"

"How's eight sound? You know how to get there.."

"Yes, I'll see you there. Thanks again."

Sherry

"I'm not sure about this." Jeff told the petite blonde who shivered as she stepped up to the porch of Jake's mom's home. "He hates me."

"He doesn't hate you," she laughed easily. Inside she agreed with his opinion. "Just act normal. Jake seems to be here." She noticed the motorcycle parked in the driveway.

The large house had been a gift from Jake to his mother. The home had a white porch and pretty lights to guide one up the stairs. She had never seen the inside of the house but had always wanted to. She could tell it was two floors.

She knocked on the solid white door and laughed when she heard Jakes mother calking for him to get the door. He seemed to be protesting by the sound of him sounding off with, "Mom you're right there!"

"I am having a discussion Jake Muller!" She called back to him with a heavy accent. "I am your mother and you are much younger but I will beat you with my shoes if you do not get that door this instant!"

"Oh my god." Sherry laughed outside.

"Whatever mom," Jake sounded off with a grumble but was stomping towards the door anyway. Always so childish, she giggled mentally.

Jake pulled the door open with a heavy sigh, he looked at Jeff first and put on a small smirk that to anyone else would seem friendly, but Sherry knew better. She glared at him and grinned quickly when he turned his eyes at her. "You came after all."

"Of course we did." She laughed and swatted him on the arm, Jeff extended his hand and shook Jakes, and Jake led them both into the house. Jake could feel his hands twitching to crush Jeff's hand when it was in his. He had used more force then was necessary and had seen Jeff's eye twitch slightly at it.

The first thing Sherry noticed was how large the hallway they stepped into was, well. It was large.

To the left there was an opening where she could see movement and to the right there was the living room which was neat and organized.

"Give me your jackets." They did as Jake said and he hung them up quickly. Sherry noticed he was wearing the usual black long sleeve t-shirt and black jeans with thick boots. She on the other hand was wearing a pretty blue cardigan with a white button up shirt and a pair of black pants with flats the color of the sky. Jeff looked handsome as ever in a black blazer and dark jeans with a green shirt.

They'd followed Jake to the left and stepped into a huge kitchen with a soft lighting and wide windows above the shiny metal sink inside the granite table top. There was also a huge table top in the center of the room with bowls and different foods inside of it. She noticed Ms. Muller coming out of a small doorway. Upon seeing Sherry Ms. Muller blanched.

"Sherry! Oh I am so happy to see you!" Her heavy accent was comforting to Sherry who ran into her arms and greeted her with a strong kiss on the cheek. "How have you been? You look thin! Just like my Jake. Look at him Sherry. He does not eat."

"Mom," Jake groaned and frowned evilly.

"I know right, he's so weak, just look at him," Sherry teased Jake who glared at her from the side of the fridge beside the entrance. "Ms. Muller this is Jeff, my close friend and date tonight."

"Oh, what a handsome young man." She extended her arms and enveloped him in a hug to which he grinned.

"You have a beautiful home," he commented easily down to her. She was probably the shortest in the room. Her eyes were the color of the grass after heavy rainfall and her hair was light brown, pinned loosely behind her head. She was slightly frail looking =, not thin, but not plump either. It was in her eyes, she looked tired. Her smile was frail, but her voice was the opposite.

"Thank you, oh. I'm so rude, take a seat dinner will be ready shortly."

"Thank you," Jeff pulled out a chair for Sherry and then one for himself.

"Is there anything you need help with?" Sherry asked.

"Oh no, Lilly and I basically got everything." Jakes mother smiled softly. "But you and Jeff can chop these fruits for me. I don't let Jake near a knife; he's not handy with them."

Sherry busted into laughter. Oh he was quite handy with a knife, she remembered it.

Jake just glowered with embarrassment.

That's when Sherry stopped as she suddenly remembered what Ms. Muller said. "Lilly? Who's Lilly? I wasn't aware that we were going to having other guests."

Right on cue a female stepped out of the bathroom.

Ms. Muller

This was awkward. She knew what her son was doing; she was not as blind as he would like to think she is. She knew that he had feelings for Sherry, he was much too protective of her, and spent every moment he could with the girl. So when he showed up with the beautiful girl on his arm, and it was not Sherry, she assumed he had moved on.

But she had assumed that Sherry knew the girl, after all that was what Jake had told her. And now here sat the petite blonde with a confounded expression. Ms. Muller bit the inside of her cheek. Her eyes were wide and she noticed Lilly exiting the bathroom.

"Oh," Sherry said, as if she had the wind knocked out of her as the girl stepped forward into the kitchen.

"Oh, good evening," the girl smiled brightly, her eyes went to Jake who walked to her and wrapped an arm around her small waist. "My name is Lilly," she extended her hand to Sherry who shook it gently, and then to Jeff who smiled and shook it too.

"Lilly, this is Sherry, and Jeff." Jake introduced them with an air of nonchalance. Rudeness, I never taught him that!

"How nice to meet you," Lilly smiled softly. The first thing Ms. Muller had noticed about the girl was her intelligent stare. She could see that the girl knew more then she was letting off about the situation while Sherry stared dumbly. Unable to see through Jake.

"Lilly, can you please check on the meat, I need to show you something Jake." Ms. Muller said truthfully. She was going to show him the palm of her hand on his cheek.

Her son looked to her questioningly and then begrudgingly followed her out and into the living room.

"What do you think you're doing in my home? This is no game Jake; you're toying with those girls feelings."

"Sherry will be-

"I'm not talking about Sherry!" His mother said with an irritated fashion, "I'm talking about Lilly."

"Lilly… she knows what's going on; we're not anything… much."

"I do not doubt that. But did you ever stop think that it didn't dawn on her until now that you have an interest in Sherry and did you not think that you may be putting her through hurt and embarrassment!" She whispered harshly. Jake said nothing and stared at his mother blankly. Unsure of what to say for the first time in a long time.

"The look on Sherry's face speaks volumes Jake. Lilly must know that you did this for some reason other than whatever lie you may have conjured."

Sherry

"So how do you know Jake?" Sherry asked softly as she cut the apples carefully. Jeff looked up at the female expectantly. He noticed, just like Sherry, the female was stunning in her simple clothing which oddly was similar to Sherry's. Her dark skin seemed to shimmer slightly and she looked at the blonde nervously. Her eyes were wide and dark, her mouth a soft brown and her body was skinny without looking sickly.

"I've known him for a while now."

"That's nice. So, what do you do?" Sherry continued interrogating.

"I go to college and I work at a rehab center." The young woman stated softly. Her eyes focused on the pieces of basil she chopped with precision.

"That's nice. So when did you meet Jake-

"Sherry." Jeff placed his hand on her lower back, he gave her a warning stare, and he was pleading her to not be rude, she understood.

"Oh you've done wonderful!" Ms. Muller's voice returned to the room with a joy that had gone out with her. "This is perfect. Just look at these bits that you've chopped them to. Thank you Jeff, thank you Sherry!"

"No problem." Sherry grinned proudly. She looked to what Lilly was doing, when Ms. Muller thank you and complimented her skills Sherry grew acutely annoyed.

"Let's eat shall we?"

Jake

He shouldn't have done this. He could see Lilly's confidence as she lied easily but he noticed the way she gripped her thighs beside him on the table. She was growing tenser as they continued to press her with questions.

So how long have you and Jake known each other? How long have you two been friends? Where did you meet? How did you meet? What's your favorite color? Do you know Jake's favorite color? Oh you don't? It's black, obviously, right?

These were all questions Sherry pressed. Her small face grew harder at Lilly who was obviously overwhelmed.

"I met him recently – we're still getting to know one another."

"Oh, wow." Sherry laughed softly.

Lilly looked up at her with wide innocent eyes. Jake glared crossly at Sherry. He wanted to choke her. "And what about the two of you?" She asked softly, sipping her wine carefully. "How did the two of you meet?"

"Jake and I-

"No I meant Jeff and yourself." Lilly interrupted.

Sherry glared at her food and then raised her eyes with a soft smile, "Jeff and I met where I work. Top secret type of stuff that I can't get into now," Jake rolled his eyes, "we've been dating for a while now." She grinned at Jeff who looked at her curiously as she kissed him on the cheek and took his hand in hers. Ms. Muller chewed quietly. Jake sat in front of Sherry with a hard glare. Lilly sat in front of Jeff just as confused as he was.

"That's nice, how long have the two of you been dating?" Lilly asked, trying to ease the tension the petite blonde radiated at her.

"A while." Sherry answered shortly.

"That's nice; do you enjoy your job?"

"I do, very much," Jeff answered as Lilly asked him. "It's quite an ordeal when there are too many things to do but at the end of the day saving lives is better than anything else I could possibly imagine doing. I mean of course you could be famous and get a lot of money for that – like a sport player, but I don't want to do something that will not benefit someone else."

"That's very kind of you."

"And you work at a rehab clinic?" He asked her carefully, "that's very kind of you too."

"I think it's nice to help someone else too. I mean the stories you hear there are incredible."

"If they're addicted to something they did it to themselves and they deserve no compassion." Sherry muttered angrily. She didn't mean it, but she just wanted to offend the girl. She didn't like the proximity she had to Jake, they were too close, and Jake was staring at Sherry with too much anger.

Lilly stared at her with a blank gaze. "I was addicted to alcohol. I think I deserved compassion considering that I couldn't control myself and did my best to get myself into a better situation just like people in rehab..." Her voice was so quiet that it was almost like a slap at Sherry.

"Why did you turn to alcohol for whatever problem it is that you had." Sherry asked shortly.

"Stop it. "Jake glared at her. "That's none of your business."

"My father killed himself and I wanted to drink it all away, the sadness." Lilly countered hotly now.

Sherry stopped herself, her eyes wide suddenly. They had one thing in common it seemed.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what I was saying. Please forgive my rudeness." Sherry whispered softly. Suddenly her eyes turned to her plate, embarrassed and red. She gripped Jeff's hand tightly beneath the table; the embarrassment was almost too much.

"It's alright," Lilly smiled to try to alleviate the tension, Sherry looked at her gratefully, "I understand people feel that way sometimes… about addicts." Sherry smiled softly at her, "but it's alright, I mean I do miss my father, I loved him very much but it isn't something that I think about with sadness anymore, he made that choice for himself and while I hated him for it at one point I realize he was sick, mentally, he couldn't take the depression he was going through."

"That's very admirable," Ms. Muller interjected with a smile.

Jake sat there wanting to kill Sherry.

"Everyone done with their food?" He asked carefully, Sherry nodded and he took her plate and then his own and walked to the kitchen where he put them in the sink and started washing them with too much force.

He was going to strangle her; she was acting so unlike herself. So angry and hateful towards the girl who she didn't even know and then! To top it all off! Ends up embarrassing herself.

The plate cracked beneath his hands and there was a gasp from the living room. He distinctly heard Sherry saying she'd check on him.

He growled at the plate shards and stood there as she jogged into the kitchen, she saw his bloody hands and frowned, running to him and grabbing the nearest towel, luckily it was black. She took his hands.

"It's fine!" He exclaimed but she'd have none of it, she took his hands into her own and frowned at the sight of the blood.

"Jake, stop it!" She exclaimed quietly as he pulled his hands away from her. "Why are you being so difficult-?

"No why are you being so difficult!" He hissed at her. She glared angrily at him.

"I was being irrational, defensive for no reason; I apologized to her already-

"You were way out of line-

"I know that." Sherry glared at him, "don't you think I feel bad? I apologized – I can't change the past. I plan to apologize later on tonight so don't make me feel bad when I already feel like shit."

"You should!"

"Oh please Jake, don't act so innocent. You've been much worse to people for simply saying something that is different from your opinion! You've demeaned me on multiple occasions and other people, the difference is that at least I can apologize but no – not you!"

"This isn't about me-

"Oh but it is!" She cornered him against the sink, he glared at her, and "You think I can't tell that you don't really know her at all? You did this to bother me Jake, I know it. I'm not that fucking dumb."

Jake's hand shot out and he grabbed her tightly by the waist, "I didn't do this to get you bothered. She is a good friend to me. Unlike you who brought him here-

"You told me to-

"I know that! This is my entire fault; I should have never invited you. I shouldn't have spoken to her. I never should've thought that she could replace even half of what I feel for you!" He growled down at Sherry, whose eyes bulged, "and you never should've been so stupid as to think that she could ever be mine when you're still in my life."

It shocked Sherry. Her eyes grew wide and bulged. What was he trying to tell her? She failed to bring out the question and instead tried to remove herself from his one armed grip, instead she found him crushing his mouth to her own, but without hesitation her mouth started moving to his.

The blood rushed to his ears when she responded, their lips moved against each to her quietly and he could distinctly feel the hairs rising on the back of his neck as her cold fingertips brushed against the nape of his neck and her chest swelled as her breathing quickened.

Sherry couldn't tell what was going on – all she could hear was Jake, and she could feel Jake. But she shouldn't be doing this, right? It felt right, but it felt wrong.

"Jake no – I have Jeff. I can't do this

Just as she started to pull away there was a strong gasp behind her. Sherry whirled around too late, she was waiting to see Jeff there but to her shock it wasn't Jeff.

It was Lilly who stood there with a face that shattered her heart but just as she opened her mouth the girl fled from the entrance and out the door.

"Fuck!" Jake hissed and ran after the girl at a blinding speed.

DONT WORRY THIS IS A JAKE AND SHERRY STORY (a... Shake... story, hahaha I just made that up) but I wanted to make Jake seem a bit more realistic, he is a human and his attention can be diverted - but only for this chapter.

This is like a Thanksgiving gift :)

Have a great thanks giving and yes I skipped weeks ahead so that they are on our date :)