Peyton dropped us off in front of Beaudry's. After we'd waved him off, I turned on my heel and walked away from Jake.

Fuck you Jake, fuck your Lottie, fuck your problems. I'm out.

I was gonna go to bed, have an epic meltdown, then hibernate until it all blew over. Evasion was just about all I had the energy for.

"Come home with me, Layla."

I whipped around, ready to give him a piece of my mind, dead daddy or no. But when I saw his face, I choked on my words. Had he looked sad or pitiful, I could've walked away.

It was him trying to look strong, that broke me.

Ugh, Layla you bleeding heart. You deserve everything that's coming to you.

Hating myself, I followed him.

****

I didn't plan on going into his bedroom. I thought I'd sit with him and watch TV or something just so that he wouldn't have to be alone.

But when we walked into the house, I couldn't bear to sit on the couch where I'd last seen Earl alive.

The rest of the house wasn't any better, the ghost of Earl Waites still roamed those halls, rummaging through the kitchen cabinets, taking long pisses in the bathroom, his whiskey soaked breath still lingering in the stagnant air.

I couldn't understand how Jake could stand to live here any longer. The Harris' had offered to let him stay on our couch for the time being, but he'd declined. (Thank God, considering) He also could've moved into the barracks where Beaudry housed single and seasonal workers. But he didn't.

Why? Who knew? Remember, as far as I was concerned, that kind of stuff was classified information.

So we went into his room. And once we got there, I ended up having sex with him.

That time, it was a pityfuck.

And I faked it.

So there.

Without love, even if it was just the illusion of it, sex was no good. In fact, it was terrible. For me, anyway. I felt gross and dirty, like I needed to bathe in a tub full of bleach.

There and then, I promised myself that I would never, ever have sex without love again for as long as I lived.

Why was he pounding away at me like it was going out of style anyway? He seemed uncharacteristically frustrated, maybe Charlotte had turned him down?

Whatever. Knock yourself out Jake, because this is the last time we're ever doing this.

As per usual, as soon as we were done, he rolled off of me and started getting dressed.

I couldn't believe I didn't see this for what it was before. We were Friends that Fucked! Not even that, I was his Booty Call.

You idiot. How much more naive can you get?

Jake pushed his legs into his pants and spoke without looking at me. "So what do you want to do?"

"About what?" I snapped, struggling to keep my anger in check. In all honesty, I didn't know if this was his fault or mine. Did he mislead me or did I simply fail to understand the situation?

He stood up and pulled his pants over his hips. "What are we doing here?" He turned his head to the side, but his lashes were downcast, hiding his eyes from me.

Well, hide all you like, Jake Waites because I'm done chasing after you.

I scanned the floor for my clothes but they were clear across the room. The last thing I wanted to do was walk around naked in front of him so damn, logistics were going to be a bitch.

We'll just wait until he bends down to pick up his shirt, then make a mad dash for it. Where the heck is his blanket anyway? Not even a sheet to cover up with! Why is this place such a mess today?

"I mean, is this a thing or are we just screwing around until you figure out what you want to do with Bishop?"

Distracted, I barely heard him. I flipped over onto my stomach. That was a little bit better. "What?"

"I don't understand, you're so fucking pissed at me right now for Lottie - don't even deny it, because I know you are - but you think it's okay to spend the afternoon feeling Bishop up."

I scowled at him. "I wasn't feeling him up."

Not that it's any of your business.

"I mean, it's fine, I'm not mad about it, it's not like I haven't-"

I sat up and smacked him upside the head. This was worse than I thought!

"Have you been screwing other girls since we've been messing around?"

What the fuck Jake? Aren't there rules about exclusivity even between Booty Calls?

Wait, are there? I have no idea how any of this works.

Agitated, he vigorously rubbed his head and mumbled something inaudible. Still, he didn't turn to face me.

"Jacob Waites, you look at my face and answer me right this minute." My voice was shrill and hysterical but I couldn't care less. I just wanted the truth, all of it.

Sighing, he turned around and looked at me. "I said no."

"No, what?"

He rolled his eyes and threw himself back down on the bed. His arm brushed mine and I jerked away from the contact. Who knew what was getting ready to come out of that mouth?

"No, I haven't fucked anyone since you."

But that wasn't good enough. "Have you done other things? What about before we had sex? Were you doing things with people before? With who? What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Quit yelling at me, I don't even understand what you're asking, you're just screaming."

"Never mind all that, tell me who the last girl you did anything with was, and when. And don't you lie to me, because I'll know." I wouldn't, but still.

"Are you serious?"

"Right now!" It would've been nice to add an "or else" after that, but sadly, I had nothing to hold over him.

"I never should've brought this up." Jake put the heels of his hands against his eyes and pressed down hard. "There's no right answer to this. You're gonna lose your shit at whatever I say. Layla, what the fuck does that have to do with -"

I jumped off the bed. Naked or not, I stalked across the room, pulled my underwear on and kicked around the piles of clothes on the floor, looking for my dress.

"I think the day you and Beth came out and saw the stampede. Or the day before. I can't remember." Then he mumbled a name.

"Say that last part again."

His body slumped. "Lottie."

Of course.

I mean, on one hand, we weren't really involved at that point. On the other hand... I threw my dress at his face.

He swatted it off and bolted up to a sitting position. "What do you want me to do about it? It's already done!"

"You didn't think to add that little detail when she came up earlier? So is it like a thing with her?"

Oh my God. Is he cheating on Charlotte with me? I'm gonna die for this, aren't I?

"I don't know Layla. Yes, no. I've known her since we were kids. Do we do anything other than fuck? No. So I don't know what you'd call it."

"Well you sure could've fooled me today."

"That's different," he said. "You know it is."

It kind of was.

He sighed and softened his tone. "She just happened to be the one who called me that night, that's all."

"What the fuck is that? What are you running here, a one man studding service? Girls just call you up and you're like 'Okay, let me bring my dick right over!'?"

"There's nothing wrong with that. We get each other off and move on, no mess, no fuss."

"And you like that?"

"Yes!"

And here I was, dreaming about forever.

"Get out," I bit out.

He didn't move.

"Get out of here Jake, I mean it."

He moved to stand. "I mean, I'll leave, but I don't know why you're acting like this..."

I caught my reflection on his mirror. I was breathing hard, red faced and sweaty, matted hair sticking all over my face. I deflated. What the hell was I doing?

"Just go," I said.

No wait, let me drive the final nail into this coffin so I can bury it.

"When you planned to go off with her after the funeral, were you gonna fuck her? Please be honest."

"No." He hesitated. "I don't know. I wasn't really thinking about that."

"But you would've, if she'd offered."

"She did offer."

I raised my eyebrow. "And?"

"Even if it weren't for you, it's not like I was gonna fuck her with her brother right there."

"But if we weren't there? Because we weren't supposed to be, were we?"

He didn't answer so I took a deep breath and pulled my dress over my head. Why beat this dead horse? "Your mom left her contact information, said for you to call her if you wanted to talk to her."

I placed the card on his dresser. Her name, address and number, written on the back of a dental appointment reminder card.

"I don't want to talk to her," he said.

I bit my tongue. It wasn't my place to convince him otherwise.

Well, that was the last order of unfinished business between us. Once I was outta here, there'd be no more reasons to ever talk to him again.

Oh, bra. Need to find my bra. Can't leave that behind.

While I looked, he just stood there, the silence thick.

"Can you please help me find my bra?"

He shuffled around until he produced it. I snatched it from his hand and turned my back on him while I put it on.

"I won't do anything with anybody else if you don't want me to," he said.

"You can do whatever you want with whoever you want, that's none of my business."

You just won't be doing anything with me. Should I tell him that? Do you have to break up with a Booty Call?

"Fine," he snapped. Then, he walked out of the room.

All the energy drained from my body and I felt like throwing up, so I sat back down on the bed and buried my face into my knees. I felt so lonely and delusional, never a good combination.

I couldn't believe it. I was that tragic girl who confused sex with love, and let herself get all wrapped up in this mess. Was I really so dumb that I read into things that weren't there?

In the hallway, Jake cursed softly before coming back into the room. His body language screamed his reluctance, but he forced himself to sit back down on the edge of the bed.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Nothing. Leave me alone." I turned my face away from him and picked at a scab.

He pushed my hand away. "That's so disgusting, why do you always do that?"

Great. Now I was disgusting. Although, it was a gross habit.

"Layla, come on. What am I supposed to do? Can I really go right now or is that gonna piss you off even more?"

Fuck it. I had nothing to lose. I wasn't gonna be his Booty Call no matter what so I might as well nip that idea at the bud. Also, maybe do the next girl a favor by letting him know that this wasn't okay.

"I thought it was more, that's all. I thought you liked me. But I'm confused because I don't know if I can blame you for it, it's not like you said so or promised me anything. It was just all me, making things up in my head. And I hate myself right now."

"I do like you."

His placating tone made it worse. This was so embarrassing that I started to sweat.

"No, I mean like, like, me." My face burned at the look of utter confusion on his face. "I assumed we were going out okay? That it was exclusive, that I was your girlfriend. I thought it was an unspoken understanding. Oh my God, I can't believe I told you that, I'm so humiliated. Are you happy now?"

"What the fuck! I do like you. I just told you that! Why the fuck else would we be having this conversation? To be honest though, you lost me a while back. I'm not sure I understand what we're talking about anymore. I'm just confused."

Hold on, hold on. What's going on here?

"If you like me, why don't we ever do anything besides have sex? And, you don't even cuddle after, or talk to me about anything."

He moaned long and low and turned over to his side, away from me. "I hate talking about feelings... I hate it. Please don't make me do it."

Quietly, I waited, my heartbeat picking up it's pace until it was pounding in my ears. Against my better judgment, I started getting real hopeful.

This is a good sign, right? It is, right?

Say you like me, say you really like me. Please.

I grabbed his shoulders and flipped him over so that he was on his back again.

He looked at me and blinked. "Because I didn't know what you wanted and didn't want to get all attached to you if you're only looking to... upgrade."

Peyton.

This silence was even longer. Do I deny it? Can I deny it?

Moment of truth, Layla. Pick.

I stared at his face. I still had a million questions and even more doubts. And the cold hard truth was, I wanted them both, but I wanted Jake more.

"I won't do that," I promised him.

I really wouldn't have.

He just shrugged.

I scooted closer to him so that my knees were pressed up against his shoulder. Unable to help myself any longer, I grinned. "How much do you like me?"

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean? How am I supposed to quantify it?"

"Try."

"Like the sun and the moon, and all the stars in the sky."

His tone was a little dry and the delivery could've used a little work, but I grinned from ear to ear and kissed him all over his face.

He frowned. "Really? You do realize that doesn't make any sense, right?"

"I don't care. And I'm sorry I yelled at you. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

"You're just crazy jealous and insanely possessive?"

Whatever. Jake liked me. He really really liked me. "You know Jake," I teased. "If you wanted to be my boyfriend, all you had to do was ask."

He made a face. "That's so cheesy."

"Ask me anyway."

"Are you fucking serious? Why?"

Lovingly, I ran my fingers through his hair. "Because I want it."

"What about Bishop?"

"Which one?" I asked sarcastically.

"Quit pissing me off about that, I mean it."

I sighed. "What about him?"

"Are you gonna keep seeing him?"

"He's my friend. I can't stop seeing him just like that. That's like me telling you to stop hanging out with Chase because of us."

Yay! Us!

"It's nothing like that, but whatever. I don't have a problem with you hanging out with him, he's always gonna be there between us anyway. Just don't fuck him."

I scowled. "I'm not gonna fuck him. Besides, he doesn't want me like that."

He stared at me for a long ass time, scrutinizing me.

"What?"

He shrugged. "He does. It's just that he... can't."

I wrinkled my nose. "What do you mean?"

Abruptly, he stood. "Nothing. If you change your mind about fucking him, you tell me first before you do. That fair?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but what was the point? If that's what he needed to hear, that's what I would tell him. "Yes," I spat.

"Okay then, it's a thing." He stood and pulled his shirt on.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to pen Satan up. I'll be back," he said, walking out the door.

"This was very unromantic of you!" I yelled after him.

But then I smiled anyway.

Because it was a thing.

We were a thing.

A/N: Happy November! I've decided to NanoRebel (Nanowrimo) this year, which means I'm going to try to write 50K words in 30 days.

It won't be 50K on this book, I've got a side bitch.

Thanks to those who shared their opinions on a sequel the other day! I decided to leave the possibility very open. (This chapter would've been vastly different if I wasn't going to.) But I will close up this story with a nice resolution. Hopefully soon.

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