Im glad you are all enjoying this. I have written a bit for it already, hence the posting each night so far...that probably wont happen next week. But im loving writing this at the moment and coming up with ideas on where to take this story and its playing out. Enjoy and please leave comments!
"So this is Jake Riley's apartment?" Katie questioned as they walked round his tiny home. He turned to her. A small smile grew on her face as her hand swept along the surface of his kitchen counter, "the bachelor pad" she joking stated.
Jake chuckled at her as he stuffed clothes from his dresser into his overnight bag, "Not anymore" he certainly wasn't party to that life anymore. His life in this apartment seemed like a distant memory now. Not over a month ago. Its amazing how quickly your life can change.
"Jake seriously its ok. I don't mind if you wanna stay here and come and visit" Katie spoke walking towards his framed football jersey on the wall and inspecting it.
Jake snorted, "Right a month together. Not touching and you expect me not to stay with you?" he couldn't imagine not living with her now. Technically they lived together from the start.
Katie spun round, "No! Of course not! Its just a big change for you. You said you've lived here for 4 years...i mean...you pay a lease Jake"
Jake dropped his bag and walked over to her, taking her face in his hands, "Monthly lease Katie, and i haven't been here for over a month. Plus my landlord is pretty relaxed...and he knows my circumstances for the last month"
"You sure about that?"
Both of them turned to the door they had left open and Lex was standing there in casual clothing with a broad smile upon his face. Jake turned his head back to Katie as she watched her brain tick over and putting the pieces together.
"Wait. Lex is your landlord?" she let out a laugh.
"Yeah well my Mothers family is in real estate. She was left a great fortune by her grandmother and that resulted in a side job for me...extra cash...and a chance to help out a buddy" he walked over to Jake and enveloped him in a hug. Strong. They stood there for a moment. Jake wouldn't know what he would do without Lex. From a young age he relied on him for so much, and each time Lex was there without fail.
"Hows Jana?" Jake asked. After they got out, Lex and her couldn't let go of each other and Jake just wanted to go and do the same. He placed his arm around Katie's shoulder casually as they stood together. An act so simple, yet exciting to him now.
"Good man. Moved in pretty much straight away...keychain and all" he laughed. Referring to the chain he had asked Jake to give to her in the cordon weeks ago.
Jake nodded with a smile, "Happy for you man"
Lex raised his eyebrows while looking past Jake,"You flaking on the rent again Riley?" Lex asked moving over to the bag Jake had already half full.
Jake took a quick glance at Katie, "Yeah well. Your not the only one moving in with their girl"
Lex let out a chuckle, "Not too soon?"
Katie let out a giggle which Jake felt vibrate beneath him, a soft giggle. Warming and sweet, "Some would say yes Lex. But i think our circumstances have been a tad different"
"That is definitely right. You two are something else that's for sure. In the best way possible. You are the definition of hope and love " Jake felt warmed to hear Lex speak like that, "watch out, you guys might become the next newspaper headline"
Katie looked up at Jake, "Ohhh front page?" she joked.
He could see it now. Angry cop and sweet school teacher fall in love in the mist of an outbreak. He must it admit their story probably would surprise many. But Jake chuckled and kissed her nose lightly and then turned back to Lex, "Think we'll keep this one to ourselves"
Lex raised his hands, "They wont hear it from me" he came back over to them and smiled, "you want to properly move out then?"
Jake took a moment before responding, "Yeah i do" he couldn't see himself here anymore.
Katie looked up quickly, "Jake are you sure you don't want to keep this place?"
"What and pay rent for somewhere i don't live?"
"You don't even do that now" Lex commented under his breath.
Jake rolled his eyes and playfully punched Lex in the arm with his free hand, all the time still looking at Katie.
"If you'll have me,... i wanna live with you...that is ok right?" he asked. Unsure if he had stepped a mark without even asking her. He had made an assumption.
"Of course not! I want to live with you too" a wave of relief went over him. However he saw the look on her face.
"But?"
She opened her mouth and nothing came out. Before another moment passed, "Its just my place isn't huge...maybe we should look for something else?"
Jake was surprised. That was her home. She also paid rent but she had told Jake that was the first home she lived in when she started teaching. That she could afford.
"Katie are you sure? I know that place is special to you" he stated grazing her cheek with his thumb.
She nodded, "It is. But your special to me. We deserve to live together where we both feel at home. As a family"
Jake heard Lex cough, "I feel this is something i shouldn't really be party to. Hey you two, dinner with me and Jana on Friday night? What do you say? Try and actually live our lives normally now?"
Katie quickly spoke, "Absolutely. I would love to see Jana"
"I'll text you the details Jake" Lex nodded and clapped his back as he passed, "so good to finally see you happy brother" before Jake had a chance to thank him he was out the door.
Jake fully focused his attention back to Katie, "I only want to do this if your sure Katie. I hope you don't think this is me rail roading you"
"Jake i want nothing more then to live with you. And think, with our combined incomes. We could probably afford a bigger place anyway. It will be great. Quentin will love it" she seemed genuinely excited about the idea. Jake had learnt in the past month to gage her emotions well. He knew when something was wrong and he knew when she was feeling genuine happiness.
"We do it then" He smiled and kissed her softly, "we tell Quentin tonight and start looking for places tomorrow?"
Katie nodded quickly, her smile beaming, "This is so exiting Jake"
"I think i should take you out to celebrate" Jake spoke softly, leaning in closely to her, "somewhere romantic" he gently nipped at her neck as she let out a moan.
"Sounds perfect" she responded in a whisper.
Jake had just the place.
