Why Bother?

“Can I ask you something?”

“Mmm,” Jake murmured into Joanne’s neck. “Anything.” They were curled up together in Joanne’s bed. Joanne was lying on her side with her back against Jake’s chest as he nuzzled her tenderly, dropping soft kisses along the side of her throat.

“Why did you ask me out at first?” Joanne rolled onto her back so that she was now looking up into Jake’s warm dark eyes. “Back in October? Why did you want to go out with me?”

Shaking his head slightly in amusement, Jake traced a line over Joanne’s face lightly with his index finger: along her hairline, down her cheek, over her jaw. “Why wouldn’t I have wanted to go out with you?” he asked, still running his finger over her soft skin. “And I could ask you the same question. Why did you say yes when I asked you out?”

A light blush immediately spread across Joanne’s peach complexion. “Honestly,” she reached up and ran her fingers through Jake’s thick hair. “I said yes to that date for all the wrong reasons.”

“And what are the wrong reasons?”

“You know,” Joanne couldn’t keep eye contact with Jake while discussing this. “Because you were so good-looking. Because you have such a nice body. Because you seemed so confident and beautiful and perfect. A part of me just wanted to know, for once, what someone like you was really like; I couldn’t believe I was getting the opportunity to spend one night seeing you as more than this vision walking down the hall.”

Leaning up on one elbow and resting his head against his palm, Jake grinned at Joanne. “I don’t think those are wrong reasons,” he told her softly, moving his hand down to her stomach and resting it lightly on the skin that was exposed below the hem of her tank top. “I might not agree with how you looked at me, really, but that wasn’t wrong for you to think. Don’t you think the same sorts of things occurred to me, which is why I asked you out? I thought you were beautiful. I watched you when you came over to hang out with Eve, and you just had this light and energy. You glow, Joanne. Every other girl I’ve dated seems drab compared to you. That’s why I asked you out.”

Chewing on her bottom lip, Joanne studied Jake’s sincere expression carefully. “I’m sorry that it’s hard for me to wrap my head around that – that you thought that of me.”

“Thought?” Jake gave Joanne a smirk. “I still think it. You turned out to be everything I hoped – intelligent, funny, incredibly sexy. However, I’m starting to wonder, if you thought that much of me before you knew me, you must be awfully disappointed now to find out I’m not so confident and perfect.”

Running her hand from his hair down to behind his neck, Joanne looked at Jake. “You are more perfect now,” she said simply. “Because you’re real. And you’re here. And you’re mine.” Pulling his head down gently, Joanne let out a contented sigh against Jake’s lips. “I love you so much,” she whispered against his mouth.

“I love you, too,” Jake slid his hand further under the hem of Joanne’s top, his fingers gliding over her ribs, as he repositioned himself above her. Joanne’s mouth felt so warm against his as he kissed her softly for several minutes. When he finally felt her lips part invitingly, he took the opportunity to draw her lower lip between his teeth, nibbling gently. The contented sound that emanated from the back of Joanne’s throat encouraged Jake to kiss her harder, more passionately, sliding his tongue into her mouth to meet with hers.

There was no feeling in the world that Joanne enjoyed more than being kissed breathless by Jake. He always managed to be tender yet in control, his mouth exploring hers, his hand running eagerly over the satiny fabric of her bra, his body beginning a slow rhythm of movement above her own. At that moment, all Joanne wanted was to feel Jake as close to her as humanly possible.

It was almost disappointing for Jake to release Joanne’s lips from his own, but he wanted to taste her skin. Trailing soft kisses down her chin, over her jawline, across the curve of her ear, and onto her neck, he finally allowed his tongue to dart out and taste he fragrant skin. His hand was gently working on her breast through the fabric of her bra, and he could feel her small nipple growing hard beneath his touches. As Jake scraped his teeth lightly over that sensitive spot just below Joanne’s earlobe, he heard her let out a soft moan.

As Jake began trailing his mouth lower, Joanne looked down to watch him. His face looked so perfect as he whispered kisses over her collarbone and chest, over the fabric of her shirt and to her stomach. Pushing the top up a bit to reveal her whole stomach, Jake looked up with a small smile, his eyes glassy with desire, and began kissing the skin like he didn’t want to miss a spot.

Joanne’s parents weren’t due back from the party they had gone to for hours, so Jake wanted to take this opportunity to really spoil Joanne with attention. Inching her tank top up a tiny bit at a time, he finally felt his lips reach the bottom of her bra. Sitting up a little, Jake slowly helped Joanne remove her shirt and bra, kissing her softly before letting her lie down again. He then took each breast in one hand and dropped his mouth to the space between them, reveling in the small cries coming from Joanne as his thumbs teased her hard nipples.

There was no one else in the world that could make Joanne feel this way; she was sure of it. When she felt Jake’s hot, moist lips close around one of her nipples and pull gently, she could feel an ache building in her. As his focus turned to her other nipple, his tongue running circles around it, moistening it and allowing it to be exposed to the cool air of her air-conditioned room, she shuddered slightly. By the time Joanne felt Jake begin moving down her body again and reach for the button on her jean shorts, she thought she might cry in relief. She needed to feel him. She wanted him to touch her, to taste her, to fill her.

It only took a minute for Jake to slide off Joanne’s shorts and underwear. He took the opportunity of sitting up to remove his own shirt before settling down between her thighs, feeling himself growing harder by the minute in his pants, but wanting to first pay attention to Joanne. As his mouth worked a moist trail up her inner thigh, Jake was overcome by the sweet smell of her arousal. As his lips finally found their way to her center, teasingly brushing over her, Jake couldn’t think about anything but pleasing this wonderful girl.

Joanne felt Jake kissing her lightly, and sighed at the contact. One of his hands was gently massaging her thigh, and she felt the other move to touch her, feeling the wetness that had formed between her legs. Jake’s fingers trailed up and down over Joanne, sending shivers down her spine and almost causing her to beg for more. A moment later, she didn’t need to, though. Letting out a whimper, she arched her back slightly as she felt Jake slide his finger inside her.

The innocent sounds of Joanne’s pleasure were turning on Jake even more as he slid in a second finger and began a slow, steady rhythm. His mouth dropped down again, his tongue darting out to trace over her clit and derive a soft cry from Joanne. Taking the small nub between his lips, he pulled very gently on it while letting the tip of his tongue continue moving up and down over it, never forgetting to keep his fingers sliding in and out of Joanne continuously.

Taking the comforter in her hands, Joanne bit her lip to try to stop herself from crying out again, but it was no use. Instead, a muffled moan escaped her mouth as Jake’s hand began increasing its pace and his mouth pulled just a little harder on her. “Jake,” she called out softly, pleadingly, as she pressed her body down involuntarily against him. “Oh, God, Jake. Oh, God.”

Jake felt Joanne suddenly jerk, and felt her body tighten around his fingers. Her final cry had been soft but high-pitched, and as he looked up at her, he couldn’t help but smile at her erratic breathing and the look of total contentment that rested across her closed-eye expression.

Climbing up over Joanne’s body carefully, knowing how sensitive her skin was the few moments just after she came, Jake’s face was right above hers as Joanne opened her eyes. “Wow,” she whispered with a smile. “That was amazing.”

“Yeah?” Jake smiled, unable to help being a little satisfied with himself. His mouth dropped to hers as he kissed her softly. “I’m glad. Are you ready for- oh.” Before Jake even had a chance to ask Joanne anything, he let out a strangled groan. Joanne had reached over and began rubbing his fully hard erection through the fabric of his pants.

“I’m ready,” Joanne grinned. “As are you, apparently.”

“Always,” Jake smiled back, rising from the bed to remove his pants and boxers. Reaching for the bedside table, he pulled out a condom and looked at Joanne. She looked so beautiful laying there, her body still flushed from her climax. “Whenever you’re around, I’m always ready.”

As Jake knelt on the bed between her thighs, Joanne just watched him. He opened the packet and slid on the condom, then quickly leaned down and covered Joanne’s body with his own. He didn’t move for a moment, though; instead, he just studied Joanne’s face closely, pausing here and there to kiss her forehead, her nose, her cheek. Her eyes were shining with desire, and Jake realized that he couldn’t wait any longer. Reaching down, he led himself to her and pressed in with one thrust.

Joanne knew she had let out a small squeaking sound as Jake filled her, but she didn’t care. This was such an amazing feeling, her thighs wrapped around Jake’s hips, her hands running over his back, her chest sliding against his, her body being connected so fully with his. They quickly found their rhythm, moving against one another as their breathing became labored and they each let out soft moans and sighs.

Resting his weight on one arm, Jake ran his other hand over Joanne’s chest again, loving the way her breast pushed up into his palm each time her body rose to meet his thrusts. Joanne was so hot and moist and inviting, Jake had to close his eyes for a minute to concentrate on the unbelievable pleasure of being surrounded by her. At the same time, his mouth tasted the moistening skin of her shoulder, reveling in the salty flavor.

Her body was still so sensitive from Jake’s attention earlier that Joanne knew she was coming close to climaxing again. As she began raising her hips a little faster, Jake immediately took her cue and slid his hand down from her breasts, over her stomach, and to her clit. He touched the spot softly, knowing that Joanne was so sensitive after coming that too much stimulation would almost be painful. With just the right touch, though, he felt her body begin writhing below him, her movements becoming jerkier and her cries becoming louder. A moment later, her body froze and Jake felt her tense around him, her muscles pressing hard enough to cause him to let out a groan as a wave of pleasure moved from his head to his toes and he came.

Both trying to catch their breath, Jake and Joanne just held each other close for a moment. As Jake’s wilting erection finally made it necessary to pull out, he heard Joanne let out a irritated groan that made him chuckle. Sliding off the condom and tossing it into the wastebasket, Jake motioned for Joanne to move under the covers and he did the same. He sighed contentedly as Joanne snuggled close to him, allowing him to take her in his arms. “I asked you out,” he said softly into her hair. “Because from the minute I saw you, I knew you were the most special person I would ever know.”

Joanne didn’t say anything in response, but she did cling more tightly to Jake. Sure, things in their lives – and even in their relationship – weren’t perfect. But whose life was? Surely, this feeling was as close to perfect as anyone had ever been lucky enough to feel.

-----

Summer flew by at a breakneck speed. With Mr. Reynolds away for most of the time working on a big case, everyone was able to relax and enjoy themselves. Joanne spent most of her free time with Jake, although the great relationship that he had built with her parents meant she also got to spend plenty of time with her family. Additionally, Joanne and Jake usually spent at least a night or two a week hanging out with Eve and Mark, and Eve had insisted that ‘the girls’ put aside one day a week to hang out alone. All in all, Joanne couldn’t remember having such a wonderful summer.

“I can’t believe we have to go back to school in a week,” Eve grumbled. She and Joanne were lying out in the sun in Joanne’s backyard. Joanne was leaned back in a chair, reading a magazine, while Eve lay on her stomach on a chaise. “I feel like finals were, like, yesterday.”

“The summer went quick,” Joanne agreed. “But it was great. You have to admit that.”

“I suppose,” Eve grumbled. “But remember, Mark had summer school most of the summer. So while you and my brother were off doing things I don’t want to think about to each other, I was at home watching soap operas and getting fat off of macaroni and cheese and Spaghettios.”

Looking over at Eve beside her, her tone arms folded under her head and her perfect body stretched out lazily, Joanne just laughed. “Yeah,” she said sarcastically. “You’re huge.”

Rolling over onto her back, Eve pushed her sunglasses down on her nose a little to look at Joanne. “Please,” she pointed at her perfectly flat stomach. “I have, like, a gut now. Look at this thing.” She poked her smooth, muscular abdomen.

“Don’t say stuff like that,” Joanne warned her. “I’d be afraid you might develop an eating disorder. Except that I watched you eat a hot fudge sundae for breakfast today, and an entire family size bag of salt and vinegar potato chips as a snack.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about any eating disorders on my part,” Eve tilted her head back and readjusted her sunglasses. “I don’t care if I get fat. Mark will love me however I am. Otherwise, I’ll hurt him while he sleeps.”

Letting out a laugh, Joanne felt a warmth spread over her. She liked hearing Eve say things like ‘Mark will love me’ nowadays. Even though Joanne knew Eve hadn’t gotten up the nerve to return the sentiment, she no longer complained when Mark shared how much he cared for her. It was one of the only good things that had come from prom night.

Biting her lip, Joanne fell silent as she thought back to that night. Was it really only three months ago? It seemed like a lifetime. Since that night, Jake hadn’t gotten in any fights. In fact, he hadn’t really lost his temper, even one night at the movies when a drunken guy in the parking lot tried hitting on Joanne. He had stood aside and let Joanne handle it herself. He had been rewarded generously for that once they had returned to his house, too, Joanne remembered with a blush and a giggle.

“God, do you ever do anything but think about having sex with my brother?” Eve responded to Joanne’s giggle, and she knew she was right about what Joanne was thinking as her blush deepened. “Seriously, you have issues. This cannot be healthy.”

Not sure how to defend herself, Joanne decided instead to distract Eve. Standing up, she put out her hand. “Come on, I’m bored of lying out here,” she said, helping Eve to her feet. “Let’s do something fun – something wild.”

“Something fun?” Eve asked with a smirk. “The last time we did something wild, you lost your virginity. And as far as I know, that’s a one-time deal.”

“Shut up,” Joanne laughed as she and Eve walked into the house. “Let’s go somewhere. Even the beach would be better than sitting around my house all afternoon.”

“We go to the beach constantly,” Eve complained. “I know! Let’s go downtown and see if we can get served in any of the bars.”

Giving Eve a doubtful look, Joanne wasn’t sure about that idea. “First of all, downtown consists of three blocks in this town,” she reminded Eve. “With a total of five or six bars. Secondly, I don’t really have the urge to be arrested during my last week of summer vacation. Finally, I don’t really think we would get served. This isn’t LA, Eve. People in this town aren’t going to immediately give in to your face and my rack.”

Laughing, Eve shook her head like she was talking to a child. “I don’t care where you are,” she told Joanne. “If a guy has a penis, he will eventually give in to my face and your rack.”

“Fine,” Joanne shrugged. “We’ll try. Let’s go get dressed.” There really was no reason to argue with Eve. They could just go downtown, get turned down at a couple bars, and end up at a diner eating french fries and talking. It would be fine.

-----

As Joanne had suspected, the first three bars they entered had turned them away immediately when they couldn’t produce IDs. Joanne begged Eve to just give up so they could go somewhere and relax, but Eve wouldn’t be persuaded. “Just one more, Jo,” she begged, her eyes dancing. “Please?”

Shaking her head, Joanne just smiled and followed Eve into a small, dark bar. As her eyes adjusted to the change in lighting, Joanne noticed that there were pool tables spread out throughout the room, almost all in use. As Eve pulled up a seat at the bar, Joanne sat beside her. “What can I get you two pretty ladies?” a greasy looking bartended approached them.

Looking over at Joanne with smirk, Eve gave the dirty bartender a sexy smile. “Well, we’ll have two shots of Jack and two Corona’s,” she said. Just as the bartender was about to open his mouth – most likely to ask for their IDs – Eve sped on. “Actually, sweety, why don’t you make that three shots of Jack, and you can join in with us.”

Giving Eve a grin, the bartender nodded. “Sounds good,” he told her and wandered off to get their drinks.

“I can’t believe that worked,” Joanne whispered to Eve.

Tossing her hair over her shoulder, Eve smiled wickedly. “I told you it would, didn’t I?”

-----

A couple hours passed, and Joanne was more than ready to leave. She had drunk two beers and that first shot, but that was nothing compared to the three shots and four beers that Eve had consumed. All Joanne wanted to do now was get home before her parents so she could brush her teeth and have a shower. “Let’s go, Eve,” she said for what must have been the fifth time.

“Hold on,” Eve said, her eyes glued to the pool tables. She had managed to not pay for one of her drinks all afternoon. Instead, she had made eye contact with some of the guys playing pool, and they had sauntered up and offered to buy her a drink.

“Eve, we don’t need to drink anymore,” Joanne was careful to include herself in the recommendation. She knew that Eve generally responded very poorly when told what to do by others. “Aren’t you planning on seeing Mark tonight?” Joanne added hopefully.

“Mark’s in LA for the night,” Joanne took a swig of her beer bottle, her eyes never leaving one particular guy playing pool. “He drove his older brother back to college.”

“So you’re going to replace him with some drunken loser playing pool?” Joanne joked.

“Don’t be silly,” Eve replied. “I know that guy. You should, too. He went to our school. He graduated at the end of our freshman year. Larry or… Lenny or…”

“Louie,” Joanne supplied. “Louie Sawyer. And he didn’t graduate; he failed out and never came back to finish. He also used to sell drugs under the bleachers. A real winner.”

“Still,” Eve glanced over at Joanne with an inebriated grin. “He’s kind of cute. Worthy of a little innocent flirting, at least. And come on. The guy he’s with is cute, too.”

“I don’t think so,” Joanne said, but it was too late. Eve had hopped off the barstool and was heading over towards the pool table where Louie and his friend were playing. With frustration, Joanne stood and followed Eve. She had been very disappointed to hear that Mark was out of town for the evening. She was hoping she might call him from her cell in the bathroom and have him pick them up. Now, Joanne and Eve were definitely going to have to take the bus back to her house – that was, they would have to take the bus when Joanne could finally convince Eve to leave.

“Well, hello there,” Eve approached the guys. “Don’t I know you?”

Looking up from his shot with annoyance, Louie’s face immediately changed when he saw the beautiful blond standing beside him. “Well, you do look familiar,” he raised his eyebrows. “Wait… I know. You’re Eve Reynolds. I went to school with you.”

“Sshhh…” Eve put her fingers to her lips. “Don’t say that too loud,” she whispered, leaning towards Louie. “You’ll get us thrown out of here. If I’m counting properly, you aren’t twenty-one yet yourself, Louie.”

Looking smugly at his friend, Louie was obviously excited that Eve remembered his name. “Well, Miss Eve,” he gave her a cocky grin. “I have an ID in my pocket that says that I am. How did you get in without one?”

“You can’t guess?” Eve put her hand on her hip and smiled at Louie. In response, Joanne rolled her eyes. She knew that Eve wasn’t seriously hitting on Louie; she was just being drunk and flirtatious. Eve would never cheat on Mark. Still, her little display with this loser wasn’t exactly what Joanne wanted to be watching at the moment. This became twice as true when Louie’s friend spotted Joanne and rambled up to her.

“Well, hello there,” the guy smiled at her. “I’m Chuck. And what’s your name?”

“Jo,” Joanne admitted with annoyance. She was trying to catch Eve’s eye, to let her know she really wanted to go then, but Eve was too caught up in her conversation with Louie to notice.

“So, Jo,” Chuck chuckled at the simple rhyme. “Are you a friend of Louie’s, too?”

“No,” Joanne replied, crossing her arms over her chest, which Chuck was staring openly and unapologetically at.

“Damn,” Chuck looked annoyed. “Louie gets the easy one, and I get the ice princess.” With that, he turned and walked away, heading towards the bar, to Joanne’s relief.

“Eve, I really want to leave now,” Joanne said in a hard voice. This was getting ridiculous. They had had there fun, but now it was time to go. Joanne was deriving no pleasure from spending time with two drunken drug dealers.

“If your friend wants to go,” Louie smiled crudely at Eve, checking her out from head to toe. “I would be more than happy to take you home.”

Joanne’s throat tightened as she watched Louie put his hand on Eve’s waist. Knowing that normally Eve would knee someone in the balls for touching her without permission, Joanne guessed that the combination of alcohol and not wanting to be told what to do by Joanne were the only reasons she didn’t react. “See?” Eve said, her eyes flashing a little. “If you want to go, you can go. I have a ride.”

Feeling a slight wave of nausea move over her – from the situation, not the alcohol – Joanne forced a smile on her lips. “Don’t be silly,” Joanne said, her voice tinkly and fake. “I just felt a little drunk there. Of course I’ll wait until you’re ready, Eve.”

Looking at Joanne with mistrust, Eve was too drunk to comprehend that Joanne was acting at the moment. “Okay,” she said. “Because Louie here was just about to buy me another beer.”

“Was I now?” Louie slid her arm further around Eve’s waist and dragged him to her side. “Well, I guess we should go to the bar, then.”

“I’m just going to use the bathroom for one little second,” Joanne gave the sweetest smile she could muster. “All this beer makes me have to tinkle.”

At that comment, even Eve in her drunkenness gave Joanne a strange look, but Joanne just turned and headed to the bathroom. Once inside, she locked the door, pulled out her cell phone, and dialed the first number that came to mind.

“Hey baby,” Jake’s warm voice came over the line. “You and Eve done hanging out? Because if you are, I’d love to see you tonight.”

Biting her lip, Joanne debated with herself. She really didn’t like the looks of Louie and his friend, and Eve was in no condition to make any sort of rational decision. Still, Joanne was terrified of what would happen if Jake saw a slimeball like Louie with his hands all over Eve.

“Baby? Are you okay?”

“Jake, I need a favor,” Joanne finally whispered. “Eve and I went out, and I need you to pick us up. Eve doesn’t want to leave, but I really have this feeling like we should.”

“Where are you?” Jake sounded confused now.

“The Lucky Room,” Joanne admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“The Lucky Room?” Jake’s voice grew quickly annoyed. “What the hell were you thinking? That place is always crawling with sleaze. Were you drinking? Is Eve drunk?”

“I had a few drinks,” Joanne admitted. “But Eve had a lot more than me, and now there’s this guy… He used to go to our school. Louie Sawyer. He’s hitting on her pretty hard, and I’m not sure she realizes how much yet.”

“Louie Sawyer,” Jake repeated in a low voice that made Joanne’s skin crawl. “The drug dealer. He’s hitting on Eve.”

“Yes,” Joanne said softly.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Turning off the phone, Joanne wasn’t sure if she had done the right thing. Jake had sounded so angry just then. What if he went into another one of his rages? What if he hurt someone, or if he got arrested? Still, Joanne didn’t see any other choice. Eve wasn’t in the right mind to realize that Louie was potentially a very bad guy.

When Joanne left the bathroom, she found Louie and Eve back at the pool table. Eve was trying to line up a shot, and Louie was behind her, claiming to be teaching her how to play; Joanne was sure he was just taking advantage of the opportunity to stand flush against Eve and rub his crotch against her ass.

Chewing on her fingernail, Joanne kept staring nervously at the door. It was still fairly early, but the happy-hour crowd was slowly working its way in. Joanne just wanted Jake to arrive before too many more people filled the bar.

A few minutes later, Joanne’s wish was answered. “I’m going to need to see your ID,” the greasy bartender told Jake as he walked in. As Jake looked at Joanne, she could see the annoyance written on his face. Then, when his eyes moved to Eve and Louie behind Joanne, that annoyance turned to flat-out anger. “I said,” the bartender called to Jake. “I need to see your ID, or you have to go.”

“I’m just picking up some people,” Jake said, his voice cold.

“Too bad,” the bartender replied. “No one under twenty-one allowed in here. No exceptions.”

“Yeah?” Jake looked at the bartender with a hard stare. “Is that why you’ve been serving alcohol to two high school girls for the last few hours?” As he said it, he pointed towards Eve and Joanne.

“I… I didn’t know they were underage,” the bartender stammered, acting as if Jake was a parent or a cop instead of just another teenager. “Well, get them out of here, then.”

“You called Jake?” Eve yelled at Joanne with indignation, taking Joanne so by surprise she jumped. “What the hell is up with that?”

“We’re leaving, Eve,” Jake walked up to the pool table, but didn’t even look at Joanne. “Now.”

“Fuck you,” Eve stepped back, but stumbled slightly from her intoxication, falling back against Louie. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Oh, yes you are,” the bartender had come from behind the bar and was standing beside Eve. “Louie, you know these girls were underage?”

“These girls?” Jake snorted. “Your customer here is underage too.”

Within moments, the bartender was pushing Jake, Eve, Joanne and Louie out the door. Once outside, Louie spun around to face Jake. “What the fuck, man? Jesus, I remember you. You’re that jock kid.”

Without even acknowledging him, Jake looked at Eve. “We’re going.”

It seemed like the sunshine and cooler air hit Eve hard, and she suddenly didn’t look so well. In fact, she put a hand on Joanne’s shoulder for support and didn’t object when Joanne slid her arm around her waist.

“No, Eve’s staying with me,” Louie stood in front of the group, effectively blocking their path to the parking lot. “Come on, baby. We can go back to my place.”

“Eve is leaving with me,” Jake said coldly, moving up closer to Louie.

It was clear that Jake was several inches taller and much more muscular than Louie. “Fuck it,” Louie gave in. “Take her. I don’t care. She’s just a little slut, anyway.”

“Excuse me?” Jake replied, fury blazing in his eyes.

“Jake, please don’t,” Joanne begged from behind him. “Please, please, let’s just go.” She was so afraid at that moment of what could happen that tears were leaking from her eyes. When Jake turned to look at her, though, his expression wasn’t one of pity. It was one of anger. Anger, and hurt.

“Fine,” Jake said through clenched teeth. In the meantime, Louie had taken the opportunity to walk away without having to fight Jake, and they could see him entering another bar about a block down when they looked in his direction. “Give me Eve.”

“I’ve got her-” Joanne began to say, but Jake ignored her and slid his arm around Eve’s waist, basically squeezing Joanne out of the way. He helped his sister to the truck and set her in the backseat, where she slumped over immediately and began snoring.

“Jake, I’m sorry-”

“Don’t,” Jake effectively cut Joanne off immediately. “I’m not mad that you and Eve were stupid enough to come to a rat hole like this place by yourselves. I’m not even mad that you got drunk and put yourself in a dangerous situation, or that I had to come and bail you out of this.”

“Then why are you mad?” Joanne asked, her voice shaking slightly.

“Why did you start crying?” Jake asked coldly. “Just now. Why did you get upset and beg me to leave?”

“I was just… I was scared of what might happen… how you might react…”

Nodding, Jake was angrily chewing on his bottom lip while he digested Joanne’s admission. “That’s what I thought,” he said in a quiet voice that still betrayed just how unhappy he was with Joanne. “You still don’t trust me.” As Joanne went to disagree, he put up his hand. “Joanne, that guy was an asshole. I had ever right to get pissed off at him. I had every right to fight with him, if I chose to.”

“It’s just…” Joanne didn’t know how to put this. “It just scares me when you get that upset…”

Suddenly, sadness seemed to take over Jake’s face. “So, the fact that I haven’t lost my temper in months… the fact that I haven’t so much as looked at someone sideways since prom… None of that matters. You’re never going to trust me the way you have to in order for this relationship to work. I can’t spend our whole relationship making things up to you for one mistake I made, Joanne. And I can’t live my life unable to ever stick up for myself or the people I care about because it scares you.”

Joanne just stared at Jake for a moment, startled. “Are you…” Tears filled her eyes again. “Are you breaking up with me?”

“Really, Jo,” Jake sounded sad but resigned. “That’s up to you. You have to figure out if you will ever trust me again.”

“I… I…” But Joanne didn’t know what to say.

After standing there for what seemed like forever, Jake let out a soft sigh. “Okay,” he said. “I understand. Come on, just get in and I’ll drive you home.”

The ride home was silent except for the sound of Eve’s snoring coming from the back seat. It took all of Joanne’s strength to hold back her tears, but she forced herself to. She still couldn’t believe what was happening.

Jake pulled up in front of Joanne’s house and put the car in park, but didn’t look at her. Joanne just stared at his profile for a moment, his jaw set, his eyes slightly narrowed, before picking her purse off the floor and climbing out of the truck. She closed the door behind her and began walking up the driveway towards her house. She hadn’t even made it halfway when she heard Jake reverse and drive off. By the time she reached her porch, Joanne couldn’t hold it in anymore. She sat down on a chair and covered her face with her hands, sobbing hard. How did this happen? She and Jake had broken up.

How could that be?

-----

OKAY, SO IT’S BEEN FOREVER SINCE I UPDATED THIS STORY. MY APOLOGIES TO THOSE WHO WERE WAITING. AND I KNOW THIS CHAPTER ENDED ON A DARK NOTE, BUT I FINALLY THINK I FIGURED OUT HOW I WANT THIS TO GO. SO I’LL TRY TO UPDATE MORE OFTEN NOW, AND THANKS TO THOSE WHO OFFERED THEIR SUPPORT WHILE I WAS GOING THROUGH MY WRITERS BLOCK.