»BIG BROTHER |
Once the fair began emptying out, Luke walked me home. I was a bit sad that our night had to end here, but all good things come to an end eventually. It was late, and I was way out past the time I told Niki that I was coming home to, but I didn't see any lights on in the house. Hopefully she was asleep. Luke walked me to the door as we walked up the steps to the porch. Teddy, waking up from the sound of our footsteps, stretched and looked up at us, his tail slowly swaying back and forth.
I scratched behind his ears to distract myself. It was the typical first date scene; the porch. Where in most cases, a kiss or two would be exchanged. I wasn't sure if I was ready to kiss him yet. But didn't we technically already kiss at the lake? I sighed and looked up at Luke. "I had a lot of fun tonight," I said smiling at him. Then my gaze quickly dropped to the ground.
"Yeah, I did too." He replied. We stood there in silence before he spoke again. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"
I met his gaze and nodded, still smiling. He returned my smile and turned to leave. Before he could take a step, I grabbed onto his arm and gently pulled him back around, reaching up to kiss him on the cheek. "Tomorrow." I said.
Luke stood there with his lips slightly parted, shock very evident in his brown eyes. Then a smile stretched across his face yet again. "Ok," he nodded. "Goodnight."
I watched as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked off of the porch. As he walked down the road, I kept watching until he was completely cloaked with darkness. Sighing, I turned and opened the door, immediately kicking off my boots. Of course I was thinking about Luke. On the way home, he had asked me out on another date for tomorrow night. I couldn't help but say yes.
I kicked the door closed and took off my jacket. I froze when I heard snoring in the living room. Niki doesn't snore. I let my jacket and purple tiger fall to the floor as I crept into the living room. I swear if some vagabond broke into my house-
"Jake?" I whispered in disbelief.
Jake lay sprawled out on the couch, his mouth hanging wide open. I crossed my arms wondering why he was here. Did he forget to go home or something? I shrugged and turned the TV off, which he probably left on prior to going to sleep.
I pick up my jacket and tiger from the floor and head upstairs. I yawn loudly as I entire my dark room. I blindly tossed my things to the right and dropped down on my bed, clicking on the lamp. I smiled sleepily at the purple stuffed animal lying on its side on the floor. I glanced down at my clothes. I was too tired to change. When Luke saw me wearing these shorts, he pointed out that they were the ones that I wore the day we first met. He had told me that I had great legs, I didn't see it though. Still don't.
I threw back my blankets and crawled under them, pulling the soft material up to my chin. I closed my eyes and images of Luke flashed before my eyes. Talk about sweet dreams.
***
The next morning, I woke up to the loud sound of Niki and Jake both yelling. I lifted my head wondering if I was hearing correctly. They never fight. I threw my blanket off of my body and hurried downstairs. "What are you two fighting about?"
They both paused and looked up at me. "Whoa," Jake said quietly.
I glared at him. "Yes, I know I look a hot mess," I snapped, ruffling my hair. "But seriously, what's all the yelling for?"
"Niki thinks that Brad Paisley is better than Jason Aldean!" Jake pointed an accusing finger at my sister.
Ok, what the hell. Here I am getting all worried about them fighting, come to find out this is what they're fighting about. "Seriously, you guys?" I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Guys, lets be fair here, they're both amazing and you are both idiots for thinking otherwise. This is a really stupid and pointless fight, quit acting like obsessed fan girls, and yes Jake that was directed to you."
They both looked at each other with their arms crossed, pouting. If it weren't for their age you would think they were fighting over a crayon, only to have it taken away from them. "Since I was so rudely woken up by your irrelevant yelling, I'm going to go take a shower, but I do not want to hear another peep from either of you!" I stomped up the stairs. "And that doesn't mean fight while whispering either!" I added. I headed into my room and searched around for some clean clothes or ones that at least didn't stink.
Today my head didn't seem to be in it's right state of mind. I would close my eyes and I would see Luke, it was like he had taken over my mind. He was all that I saw, and I'm suer all that I ever see. I needed to get my head out of the clouds, but I seemed to be too high up to do that.
Once I got out of the shower and got dressed, I walked downstairs to see what the two fangirls were doing. Thank God they weren't fighting anymore. I walked into the kitchen where Jake and Niki were eating egg sandwiches. "So, I have been meaning to ask," I began, sitting down at the island next to Jake. "Why were you sleeping over last night?" Niki handed me a bowl of cereal along with a spoon. I wasn't a big fan of eggs unless they were in an omelet.
"Niki didn't want to be in the house alone," Jake replied while Niki left to go feed Teddy. "I didn't want to leave her alone either. Oh, and we're not mad that you and Luke stayed out longer than you said you would." Jake smirked and raised an eyebrow.
"Well, thank you, Jake for staying with her," I said ignoring his last remark. I smiled as I took a bite of my cereal.
"So," he began grinning. "How did the date go? What did you two do?" He asked. I raised an eye brow at him. I thought that he would've asked Luke. "Did you two kiss?"
I swallowed. "I kissed him on the cheek." I replied.
"I hate you," he said getting out of his seat. "You and Luke should just kiss already," he continued, walking away. Then he turned around. "You know you want to!"
I grabbed the nearest thing, my spoon, and threw it at him.
He ducked and my spoon sailed over his head. "I don't hear you denying it!" He giggled.
I rolled my eyes at him as he walked away. "Wait, Jake, give me back my spoon!" I said reaching for it.
Jake returned and looked down at the spoon on the ground. Then he looked at me with a smug grin on his face. "You threw it at me, how do I know you're not going to stab me with it?" He asked.
"Jake, I can't stab you with a spoon, okay? And I'm really hungry!" I whined.
"I'll let you get it." He said making a duck face at me before walking away again.
I sucked my teeth and got out of my chair. "You are so cruel Jake!" I shout as I pick up my spoon. Jake walked back in with a smile on his face, probably ready to do more teasing. "What do you want now?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest.
"Well, your brother dropped by," Jake said.
I broke out into a huge grin when I saw my older brother C.J along with his wife, Amber, standing behind him. "C.J!" I exclaimed as I threw my arms around him. "How've you been?" I asked looking up at him.
He smiled down at me and shrugged. "I've had my share of good and bad days," he chuckled. "This is one of the good ones though. I've missed you and Niki so much!"
Niki walked in from the backyard, smiling like crazy. "Hey big bro!" She greeted.
"It's been a while since I've seen you, Amber!" I said pulling her into a hug.
"Same goes to you!" She replied.
"So, is there anything big I missed?" C.J asked, putting his hands on his hips.
I looked over at Jake, who was just itching to tell him about Luke. Jake and C.J weren't exactly best friends but they were pretty close, they keep in touch. Jake was supposed to be C.J's eyes and ears but he became mine and Niki's best friend.
I sighed and gave Jake a quick nod to let him know that he could tell C.J.
Jake grinned and clasped his hands together. "Well, Brook's got a job and a boyfriend!" He exclaimed.
I wanted to punch him for saying that Luke was my boyfriend, but I didn't bother with it. I looked over at Amber who was smiling and then at C.J. . . who was also smiling?
"I'm happy for you Brook!" he said, completely taking me by surprise.
"You aren't mad?" Jake asked, shocked.
"Why should I be?" C.J asked. He frowned. "Is he a bad guy or something?" he asked.
I shook my head and laughed.
"Well, then there is no reason for me to be mad, it's her life and whoever she decides to go out with is really her choice. I'm only going to be there by her side to protect her when she gets her heart broken." C.J smiled at me.
"Jake is dating Niki." I blurted.
Jake sucked in a sharp breath and stared at me with his eyes wide. Niki also giving me the same look.
"You're dating my baby sister?" C.J asked, raising an eyebrow at Jake.
Jake remained quiet, which only made Niki, Amber and I all laugh.
"If you break her heart, I will break your face. Got it?" C.J wrapped an arm around Jake's shoulder and smiled at him.
Jake gulped and nodded, looking absolutely terrified. "Yeah, I got it."
"So, Brook, when can I meet him?" C.J asked looking over at me.
"You can meet him right now if you want!" I said. "He lives next door!"
