Chapter Eight

Adam POV

The rest of the weekend past by without anything eventful happening, but I couldn't stop thinking about Jake. The way he had been so sweet and understanding when I talked about my Mum, but when he had held my hand and looked at me with those caring brown eyes I felt completely secure with him and I felt like we could talk about anything. Until Blaine came over and ruined the moment (it was only a moment between friends, but it was still a moment). I hadn't called Blaine to talk about Sectionals, I wasn't really planning to either.

Blaine was an okay guy, but he wasn't my type and it was annoying that he kept trying to flirt with me. It seemed like he was too into his appearance and I was a substance over style kind of bloke and I'm attracted to guys who were also like that.

Like Jake, he's really deep and caring… definitely nice to look at too.

But he's my friend and he's straight, I'm not going to risk losing a decent mate over a stupid crush.

I walked through the school entrance as my phone chimed to let me know I had a text, I opened it and grinned at the message.

Jake: Morning sunshine ;)

I couldn't help but laugh as I wrote my reply:

Me: Sunshine? We've got nicknames now? Seriously you're taking the phrase bromance to a new level lol

I only had to wait a moment for his reply.

Jake: Don't flatter yourself, Adam =D We still on for your dance before lunch, it's a free period?

My mood fell slightly. According to all the other Glee members, Jake was a brilliant dancer and I could tell I was going to make an absolutely idiot of myself.

Me: Yeah… but I am really shit at dancing, so I'm just giving you another warning : /

Jake: Trust me, buddy… I bet you got some slick moves lol

Me: You might be disappointed, see you later :P

I sighed with frustration, fighting the reluctant grin on my lips as I stopped in front of my locker and pulled out my books for the first lesson of the day Maths… or Math as it's called in America. So. I was definitely going to be having dance lessons with Jake later today and it was too late to back out now, but a part of me was looking forward to it.

"Adam!" Amanda screamed excitedly, rushing to me and practically bouncing up and down with excitement.

"That's my name," I said casually as we walked to our first class "why are you so happy?"

"Ryder asked me out!"

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

I stopped dead in my tracks and pulled Amanda to a halt, looking at her in shock. Ryder Lynn? As if Ryder who is going out with Marley, the ex-girlfriend of my friend Jake? God, even saying it in my head is making me confused.

"Come again?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest and frowning at the excitable Amanda.

"Ryder wants to take me on a date!" Amanda squealed happily. Was she seriously hearing herself right now?

"This is the same Ryder who was in a serious relationship with Marley a week ago?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, but still she didn't seem fazed.

"They broke up last night!" Amanda explained happily, doing a little victory dance and I wanted to shake her for being so shallow "Marley apparently wants to get back with Jake, so Ryder dumped her and now he wants to take me out. I knew joining Glee would bring me some hunks falling at my feet!"

Who see you as second best and are only seeing you as a rebound, I had never met someone who was as self-centred as Amanda and I was starting to like her less and less. I tuned out to the rest of her Ryder blabbering and walked to my classroom and focused on my work. How could Marley just drop Ryder like that and expect Jake to come running into her arms? I hoped Jake wasn't planning on getting back with her, I didn't want him to get hurt

The day flew by and before I knew it I had changed into jogging bottoms instead of wearing my jeans and was walking into the dance studio for my free period. Jake was already in there, dancing to an upbeat RnB track.

Jake's dancing was truly incredible, he felt the music and moved gracefully with it while keeping up with the beat in perfect timing. His body was sleek with sweat and he was also wearing jogging bottoms, but the white tank top he was wearing made his muscles stand out a lot and it was difficult not to be impressed by his physique.

Okay… I may need a cold shower after this lesson.

Jake noticed me standing in the doorway in the mirror's reflection and his face broke into a grin, then he turned to face me.

"Hey man, you ready?" Jake asked with a huge smile.

As ready as I'll ever be…

After doing several different stretches and warm ups I felt more relaxed, Jake started the track and this was where the humiliation started. Jake made the dance moves seem effortless and easy, but as soon as I tried it was a completely different story and I either ended up tripping over my own feet or falling over.

"I can't do this." I muttered with embarrassment as I allowed Jake to pull me to my feet after falling on my butt for the fifth time "if I can't get this right now, I'm gonna be screwed if we go to Nationals."

"Nah, you're actually not that bad," Jake assured me and I scoffed at that "no, I'm serious. You're only problem is that your hips are not lose enough, you need to relax. Come here."

He turned me to face the mirror and stood behind me, placing his hands gently on my waist and I felt myself getting red in the face. This was getting a little too intimate, but Jake's strong hands on my waist was a reassuring presence..

Jake looked at me through the mirror in front of us, his brown eyes looking at me with uncertainty.

"Is this okay?" he asked softly and I nodded, it was more than okay.

Jake began the steps for the beginning of the routine, guiding me this time and I tried to focus on the music and not what Jake's presence was doing to me physically or emotionally. Slowly, I began to remember the steps and I started to feel more confident with the dance moves. Jake's hands stayed on my waist with a gently grip that made my skin tingle at his touch, his face set in deep concentration as he moved us in time with the music.

After half an hour, I had the first half of the dance routine nailed and I could even do it without Jake's assistance. That was something I was seriously proud of!

"Excellent!" Jake beamed as I finished dancing to the first half of the song and I turned to grin at him.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug, his breath warm on my neck and I tried to control my breathing. His arms were so strong and I felt like I could stay in his embrace forever, giving me that easy smile that I was starting to love.

I pulled out of his hug, but he kept his arm around my shoulders and grinned at me.

"I only learned the first half of the song," I tried to protest, but Jake shook his head.

"A first half that you kicked ass at!" Jake chuckled and we began heading towards the boys locker room. I was glad I bought a spare change of clothes, I was sweating like a pig and I stunk.

The water was a cool relief on my skin as I washed myself, but made sure I kept my eyes away from Jake as he was beside me and just wanted to finish washing as soon as possible.

Once I finished showering, I stepped out of the shower (with a towel wrapped securely around my waist) and headed towards my locker, but Jake's was right beside mine and I saw him pulling up his red boxer briefs.

Oh my days.

"Shit, sorry!" I mumbled awkwardly and quickly turned around, but Jake chuckled and sounded more amused than embarrassed.

"Dude, I'm decent" Jake assured me and I turned to see him still standing in his boxer briefs with a small grin on his face.

I breathed a shaky laugh as I began pulling on my boxers and jeans, casting small glances at Jake's beautifully dark skinned muscles and handsome face with those gorgeous brown eyes.

Ugh! This wasn't good.

If it was just physical my attraction towards Jake maybe I could get over it, but I was liking him more and more as a person with his easy going and kind-hearted personality… that's much more difficult to ignore.

I turned to Jake as I was pulling on my T-shirt just as he was doing up his jeans and I tried not to stare at his bare chest.

"Thanks for today," I said with a small smile as I sat on the bench and pulled on my socks and shoes.

"No problem," Jake grinned as he finally pulled on his T-shirt and sat next to me, pulling on his socks "I knew you had some sleek moves, white boy"

I rolled my eyes at him and playfully punched him in the shoulder, but then something from earlier came back to me and I decided it should be best to ask.

"Jake?" I said cautiously and Jake looked up at me with that kind smile. God, I hope I'm not stirring if I ask this.

"Yeah?"

"You know Marley broke up with Ryder?" I said slowly and Jake looked at me in confusion, nodding his answer.

"Yeah, I know." Jake said and still looked confused.

Just ask him!

"Apparently she wants to get back with you." I said and Jake's face broke into a grin as he shook his head, giving a small laugh.

"Her loss, I told you I'm not into her and I can't be going down that road again." Jake said and relief washed over me, but I convinced myself it was just a friend showing concern.

"Good," I said with a grin and Jake raised an eyebrow in confusion "I mean I was just looking out for my mate, I don't want you getting hurt.

Jake beamed at me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a one armed hug that lasted a little too long.

"Thanks for caring, man" Jake said softly as he pulled away from me and we both stood up, grabbed our rucksacks and headed to the door "I'm glad I've got you to have my back."

"What are mates for?" I asked him with a grin as we walked into the corridor and headed to the cafeteria.

After all, that's all we'll ever be and it's better than nothing.

I just need to get over this stupid crush and we'll be cool, easier said than done.

Author's Note: Hey guys, thanks for reading and make sure you leave a review :)