Crushing on the Enemy (7 page)

Alyssa paused for a second to act as if she was considering his question. She didn't want to seem like she liked him too much too soon.

“Okay,” she finally nodded.

“Do you want to drive or we could take my truck?” Jake offered.

“Let's take your truck,” Alyssa nodded.

Jake entwined his finger through hers as they walked. Alyssa felt herself blush, but didn't pull away. There was something about holding Jake's hand that felt like home.

“You don't have to tell me if you don't want to,” Alyssa said as they ate, “but why was your dad so angry?”

“Because he thinks I'm going to throw away my life,” Jake sighed.

Alyssa took a bite of pizza and pondered what he had said. Did his father think she was a bad influence? How was that even possible? The man didn't even know her.

“Since my mom left,” Jake continued, “he's been weird. She left because she wasn't in love with him anymore, and I can understand that. No one should be forced to stay where they're not happy, but my dad can't seem to move one. He thinks I'm going to get involved with someone and not go to college.”

“I think a lot of parents worry about that for various reasons,” Alyssa said.

“Well, I'm going to college. It's the only chance I have of getting away from here. I want to go to the state university and nothing's going to change that,” Jake said.

Alyssa grinned at him. She was quickly coming to admire his determination and ambition. It was something she could easily relate to.

“Have you tried telling him that?” she asked.

“I have,” Jake sighed, “but he doesn't want to listen.”

“Well, my dad used to say, seeing is believing,” Alyssa giggled, “So, I guess you're just going to have to prove it to him.”

“And be miserable in the mean time?” he asked.

“No,” Alyssa shook her head, “it's just another obstacle, and any obstacle can be overcomed.”

“I hope so,” Jake grinned.

“I know so,” Alyssa smiled.

After they finished eating Jake drove Alyssa to pick up her car. They stood in the parking lot between their vehicles awkwardly saying goodnight.

“I hope to see you soon,” Alyssa smiled.

“You will,” Jake assured her, “I have to work this weekend, but maybe Monday afternoon?”

“I'm going to hold you to that, Jake,” she said and leaned in close to him.

Her lips met his for just a moment and then she pulled away.

As she drove to Mattie's house she thought about the kiss and kissing in general. Most girls her age had been kissed plenty of times, but Alyssa had always been too nervous to kiss anyone. It seemed to be complicated and hold promises that she wasn't sure that she was ready to make. She hadn't known Jake too long and she didn't know him well enough. Ryan had taught her how important is was to really know someone before you invested your heart into it.

Alyssa knew she should have waited until tomorrow and not interrupted Mattie's homework, but she felt like she bursting at the seams with secrets and she had to tell someone. Fortunately, Mattie had already finished her history report and was watching some reality television show when Alyssa arrived, bouncing on her heels.

“Tell me everything!” Mattie squealed.

“I will,” she said falling onto the sofa next to her friend.

“Did you guys kiss again?” Mattie asked.

“Yes, I think, but I don't think it was a real kiss,” Alyssa sighed.

“Did your lips meet?” she asked.

“Yes,” Alyssa nodded.

“Then it was a real kiss,”

It wasn't until Alyssa was driving home that she realized that she had left her favorite scarf in Jake's truck.

“Dang it!” she said and sighed, “I still didn't get his number. I guess I'll just have to live without it until after school on Monday.”

She arrived home to find her mom still up watching television.

“Cody came to get his stuff,” she said.

Alyssa nodded and joined her mom in front of the television. She wasn't sure what to say, so she just sat there in case her mother wanted to talk about it.

Jake's first weekend working at Dave's Sporting Goods went by in a blur. He loved the atmosphere and the people it drew in, but his mind was on Monday afternoon when he would see Alyssa again. He hadn't lied to his father about his date and the old man wasn't happy. It wasn't that he was ready to get serious with anyone, but he really enjoyed hanging out with Alyssa.

The guys still refused to speak to him on Monday, but Jake enjoyed the unusual quiet that surrounded him. He was more exhausted than ever from working all weekend, but it was worth it.

Jake hung out at his locker killing time before he left school that afternoon. They had agreed to meet at Alyssa's school and Jake wanted to make sure most of the others would be gone by the time he arrived. He didn't want to deal with drama ridden cheerleaders. He had enough of that at lunch today when the girls kept giggling. One girl had even had the gull to suggest perhaps Jake only liked Alyssa because she had money. Jake had rolled his eyes and refused to respond to their prodding.

He ran his hands through his blonde hair and made a mental note to get a haircut sometime soon. After glancing down at his watch and confirming that he had waited long enough, Jake headed out.

Upon discovering Alyssa's forgotten scarf he had put it in the glove box for safe keeping, he pulled it out and tossed it on the dash, so he wouldn't forget to return it.

Alyssa was waiting alone outside of the school when Jake arrived. She was wearing a knee length skirt and a green sweater that made her eyes look even bluer. Jake grinned and held out his hand to help her climb into the truck.

He noticed that her fingernails were painted to match the sweater and grinned. It was the first time a girl had ever dressed up to impress him. Jake decided it was something he could get used to.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi,” Alyssa said, retrieving her scarf and hanging it over her shoulders.

“So where to?” Jake asked.

“Anywhere but here,” Alyssa laughed.

“That bad, huh?” he asked.

Alyssa nodded, but didn't offer any information.

“I was thinking we'd go to Givi's Pizza tonight,” Jake said, pulling out of the parking lot.

“I've never been there, so that should be nice,” Alyssa said.

“Their pizza is the best anywhere,” Jake said.

“We'll just see about that,” she teased.

On the drive to the Givi's, Alyssa told him about her day. It seemed to Jake that girls were much meaner to their own than guys. Sure, the guys from the team were ignoring him, but at least they weren't tagging his locker or destroying his reputation or belongings.

“I never knew that girls could be so mean,” Jake said, shaking his head.

“I did, but I never thought they'd turn on me. If it wasn't for Mattie and you, I think I'd lose my mind,” Alyssa sighed.

“I'm sure they'll give it up soon,” Jake said trying to sound reassuring.

“Not likely,” she said, “Katie wants to be squad leader, and I'm about to tell her she can have it.”

“Don't do that,” Jake shook his head, “You've worked too hard just to give it up, because of some bimbo.”

Alyssa giggled and Jake grinned at her through the rear view mirror.

“And I thought I had some choice words for her,” she laughed.

“Well, it's true,” Jake chuckled, “she'll get hers. I bet in ten years Ryan will be fat. I've heard how much he likes to drink.”

“Eww!” Alyssa giggled.

“What do you like on your pizza?” Jake asked to change the subject.

“Just cheese,” Alyssa answered.

“Just cheese? That's sort of boring,” he teased.

“Is not,” Alyssa laughed.

“Is too, but I'll show you the good stuff tonight,” Jake chuckled.

Jake pulled his truck in and killed the engine. Alyssa took her seat and Jake ordered his favorite supreme pizza. He wasn't too sure that she would enjoy it, so he ordered a second cheese pizza. He had watched his father force his likes on his mother for too long, and just look where that had gotten them.

“I forgot to ask you,” Alyssa said when he joined her at the table, “How did your first weekend of work go?”

“I loved it!” Jake said, “The guys I work with mostly play sports at the community college, and the customers are great.”

“I'm glad you like it,” Alyssa smiled.

They took turns asking one another questions while they waited for their food. He discovered that her favorite color was silver, her favorite food was ice cream, and she, like him had no clue what classes she wanted to take in college.

“I'm totally lost about that,” she admitted.

“Well, what do you like to do, I mean besides cheer?” he asked.

“I don't know hang out, shop, go driving,” she laughed.

“Do you have any classes you enjoy?” Jake asked.

“History and art, but that's just because they hardly ever give homework,” Alyssa admitted.

“You could always take art history and work at a museum,” Jake teased.

“Eh, that would be boring,” she laughed.

“Well, you didn't give me much to work with,” he chuckled.

When their food arrived Jake convinced Alyssa to try a slice of his favorite. He could tell by the way she crinkled her nose she didn't like it.

“I've always been a picky eater,” she laughed.

“You could always be a chef,” Jake mused, “then you could influence the world to eat what you like.”

“I don't think I want to spend all day sweating in a kitchen,” she laughed, “It's too much like being a housewife.”

“Maybe, but most chefs are men anyway,” he teased.

“Most chefs are fat men,” Alyssa giggled.

“It comes from all the taste testing,” Jake said.

“They should be pickier eaters,” Alyssa nodded.

After they finished eating they drove to the park and walked the trail.

“It's so nice out here,” Alyssa said, taking Jake's hand.

“I come here a lot to get away from my dad,” Jake nodded.

“When I was little my dad would take me to the park every Sunday afternoon,” Alyssa said, “We went every Sunday until he died. Even when he was bad off, he refused to miss the trip.”

“He must be where you get your spirit from,” Jake grinned.

“It definitely didn't come from my mom,” she laughed.

She sighed and Jake watched as she looked thoughtful for a moment.

“It's not that I hate her or anything,” she finally said, “She just seems to make really bad choices.”

“A lot of people do that after they're hurt,” Jake nodded.

“That's why I don't want to be like her,” Alyssa said, “I mean she lost her husband, but he was my father. I managed to live, without totally throwing away my life.”

“Some people are stronger than others,” Jake shrugged, “and you'll never be like her. You're too strong.”

Alyssa stopped walking and at first Jake thought he had offended her, but then she smiled at him and rested her head against his shoulder for a few seconds.

“You're really sweet,” she said and continued walking.

Jake wasn't sure of how to respond so he didn't. He knew it was a complement, but what do you say to something like that? Every response that came to mind sounded too weird.

“So how's things going with your dad?” Alyssa asked breaking the silence.

“The same,” Jake shrugged.

“I'm sorry,” Alyssa frowned.

“Don't be,” Jake sighed, “I'm used to it by now and so is he. He'll get over it.”