I tore myself away from Jacob, slamming back against my headboard.

Cam was staring at us with so many emotions dancing through his eyes that it was hard to try and pinpoint one of them. My mom was hugging a blue robe tightly around her, her face seeming to grow redder and redder by the second.

"When I said to kiss, I was being sarcastic." Cam snapped, "I didn't mean for you two to shove your tongues down each others throats." He was shaking his head, as if it would get the image of what he had just seen out of his head.

"Blake Louise Hart! I told you to never have boys in here without-"

"You shut up." Cam cut my mom off, pointing his finger like a child at her, "You are nearly naked and have a guy over, and you have the audacity to tell Blake what she should be doing with her love life?" My mom looked as if she didn't know whether to turn and run out of the room or walk over and smack Cam.

"Cam-" I started, standing up. He shook his head, clearly disgusted.

"God, Blake. I love you and I understand your crush on him, but make sure I'm not around to see this, any of it." He walked out of the room like a normal person this time, brushing passed my mom with a shake of his head. I wrapped my arms around myself, bowing my head under my mom's dark eyes.

"Why is he here?" I asked before I could stop myself. Mom's entire face fell, her eyes starting to glisten in the dim light of my bedroom.

"Blake, I-"

"Mom, why is he here?" Jacob's eyebrows were starting to draw in confusion at my words.

"We're just talking." She whispered.

"Just talking? Mom, you were ready to have sex in my seat on the couch. How is that just talking?" I could hear my voice starting to waver and did everything in my power to stop it from cracking.

My dad had a lot of nerve showing up now, seventeen years later. Seventeen years too late.

I never had a dad to teach me how to ride a bike, or push me on the swing or down a slide. All I had ever had was my mom, and now that he was back, I wasn't sure if I'd even have that.

"He's been back in town for a couple months, we've been talking, Blake. He wants to try and be in your life, sweetie." She was so quiet that I had to strain to hear her in my silent room.

"Seventeen years later? Really, Mom?" I tossed my hands up in exasperation. "It's a little late, don't you think?"

She spun on her heels and stalked out of the room, shutting my door gently behind her. I waited until her footsteps faded to sit in my computer chair and run my hands through my dark hair, pushing it out of my face.

"Blake." Jacob reached over and laid a hand on my knee, "I'm sorry. That was kind of impulsive and I didn't expect it to blow up like that." I shrugged, leaning back in my chair with a sigh.

"It's not your fault, Jake. I kissed you back anyway." I dropped my hands on to my lap, "I'm just a little stressed as it is, and to have him back here just makes things worse." He rubbed my knee slowly with a sad look.

"I'm sure that Cam freaking out doesn't help. I mean, he was the one that set this whole thing up, I don't understand why he's so weirded out by it."

"What do you mean?" I replied, narrowing my eyes at Jacob.

"I mean that my brother has been talking you up for years. How smart you are, how beautiful, and courageous. How outgoing and cute. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was in love with you." I shook my head, making a strange sound.

"Jake, it's Cam." I moved so I was sitting beside him again, "I don't think he'd like me in that way if I were the last girl on the planet." He chuckled, wrapping his arm around me and kissed the side of my head.

"How about you go change into something a little more Blake and a little less punker chick and we can watch a couple movies while Cam sits and pouts?" Jake quirked an eyebrow, "He'll get over it and be back over here by the second movie. How about it?" I smiled, standing up and heading for my dresser.

"Sounds great."

**

Jacob was right. Cam was back over by the beginning of our second movie, holding his usual popcorn-chocolate chip mix, his eyes shining with amusement.

"I've got the image out of my mind, please don't force another one in there." He said, looking back and forth between Jake and I on the couch.

"Not making any promises, little bro." Jake winked at his younger brother, wrapping his arm around me again. I sent Cam a shocked look, to which he only shrugged and smiled in response too.

Once Cam had turned to the TV, I stole the tub of popcorn from him and leaned into Jake, shoving a handful of it in my mouth.

By the end of our marathon, I was on the floor beside Cam, my feet stretched out over his back as his snore rang through the now quiet room.

I had always found it funny that Cam had wanted to have contests on who could stay up the longest, especially when we were kids. Jake and I had always won by a long shot, yet he'd continue to want to do them.

"He needs his beauty sleep." Jake mumbled, picking his brother up from the ground like he weighed no more than a dog. He set him on the couch and threw the blanket we had been sharing over a very peaceful looking Cam.

"I think I like him better this way." I said, leaning toward Jake so our arms touched. He nodded in agreement.

"He's a lot less annoying and persistent." He joked. We stood there, awkwardly for a second before he cleared his throat.

"So, what do we do now?" I asked, "Are you going to head home?" I made a gesture with my thumb toward the door.

"It's only a little after eleven," He paused, scratching the back of his neck, "I could stay if you want." I nodded before I knew what I was doing.

"Sure. We should probably go back upstairs though so we don't wake Sleeping Beauty." He laughed quietly all the way to my room, shaking his head.

"You're so mean to him." He accused.

"So are you."

"I'm his brother, it's my job." Was his excuse.

"Yeah? Well, I'm his best friend, so it's my job too." I tried my best to wink, but it probably looked more like my eye was having some sort of muscle spasm.

"There's only enough room for one of us, my love." He tackled be back on to my bed and started to tickle me, something he knew very well was my weakness.

"I'll kick you in the face." I threatened through my laughter, "I promise."

"You wouldn't do that." Jake pulled away for a moment, touching his cheek, "You're too in love with my face to damage it." I fell into another fit of laughter as he fell back on to my bed beside me.

"You're laugh is cute." He breathed out, tracing his finger along my cheek and jawline. I stared at him, my laughs started to die down.

"No, it's not. I sound like a dying donkey." I grumbled.

"Did Cam tell you that?"

"I told myself that. Cam says I sound more like an elephant." Jake smiled, but it didn't meet his eyes.

"I hate how girls put down their flaws. Your flaws make you even more beautiful, Blake." I smiled, my eyes on his hand as it brushed against my cheek.

"Jacob?"

"Yeah?" He whispered.

"How long have you liked me, like. . . like more than just your brothers friend or your sister or whatever?" I wasn't sure I really wanted to hear the answer.

"Eighth grade." He said without hesitation, "Well, you were in sixth, but you were so mature for your age. Book smart and body wise. I thought you were absolutely gorgeous." I felt a strange feeling starting to unfurl in the pit of my stomach.

"You were always wearing Cam's sweatshirts and trying to hide it too, but I still saw it every time you came over to our house. You're real, Blake. That's what I love the most about you. How straightforward you are. The way you speak your mind without hesitation, the way you smile during bad situations. It's cute, unique." I swallowed the lump in my throat, not knowing how to respond.

Cam had known that Jake liked me too, and he hadn't said anything until now? Why?

"Blake?" He croaked after what seemed like hours of silence.

"Hmm?"

"Can I take you out this weekend, you know, on a date?" I felt blush rise to my cheeks, and I swear I saw Jake starting to smile at the reaction.

"Yes! I, uh, I mean sure. I'd love that." He rolled away, offering me the chance to lay my head against his chest. After a moment of hesitation, I did. He ran his fingers through my hair, letting out a long sigh.

"I'd love that too, Blake. I really would." 

***AN***

Hope you guys enjoyed! 

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~ChasingMadness24