The Void Between Stars: Book 4 Of The Orion Series

Actually Getting Better

As I lock up, I'm silent. When Scott follows me across the lawn to Jake's house, I'm silent. Even when I ring his doorbell I'm not saying anything, lost deep within my thoughts. I hate going to that place, but it's swallowed me whole, and I honestly don't really feel like fighting it.

The door opens. Jake looks at me, and then at Scott. Without even trying to hide it, Jake gives Scott elevator eyes, his lips slightly parted. He then smirks, and I'm surprised how unabashedly Jake flirts.

"Oh. Well, hello, handsome. I wasn't expecting you to be here with Orion."

I glance at Scott, who raises his eyebrows, and I can see in the dim light he's turning the color of the sunset sky behind us. I look back at Jake, who is looking cheeky. Rolling my eyes, I push Jake backward.

"Down, boy," I tell Jake, continuing to propel him backwards into his house. Scott comes in, shutting the door behind himself. "Jake, this is Scott Davis. Scott, if you remember, this is Jake Larson."

The two shake hands, and Jake grins. "Oh, I know who he is."

Once again, I roll my eyes. "Dude, don't make it weird. Stop flirting."

Scott, even though he speaks evenly, blushes furiously. "It's good to see you again. We didn't really talk much at the party...Fan of mine?"

Jake sweeps his eyes up and down Scott's body again. "You could say that..."

"Jacob!"

Jake turns to me. "What?!"

I can't help it, I laugh. "I'm gonna leave with Scott if you don't knock it off."

Jake pouts. "Aw, fine."

"I actually find it flattering when guys hit on me," Scott says, still red in the face.

Jake smiles genuinely and he looks curious, leading us further into his house. "You do?"

Scott laughs, slowly turning back to his normal skin tone. "Yeah. It's just nice knowing I'm attractive to both teams."

Jake smirks. "And do you play for both teams?"

I moan and cover my face. "Jacob..."

Even though Scott laughs, I'm pretty sure Jake is trying his hardest to embarrass me, and I low key hate him for it. "Nope, sorry. I'm just team straight."

"Aw. And I couldn't persuade you?"

I scream. "JACOB LARSON!"

Jake cackles. Scott laughs, running a hand through his hair. "You know, you're actually not the first person to try to sway me. But no, sorry. I'm straight."

"Aw. Oh well."

"Can you be normal, just for once in your life?!" I snap at Jake.

"I d'no, can you?"

That makes Scott laugh. We get situated, Jake falling into perfect host mode. Once we're all settled in his living room with drinks (everything was back in order, no sign of the brawl he and I had), the three of us make small talk. Or at least Scott and Jake do. I, however, am largely quiet, staring blankly at my flavored water, lost in the maze of my mind.

"Ori."

I snap out of it, lifting my head. Jake, perched in his hanging cage chair, one leg drawn up, is looking at me seriously. "You okay?"

"Y-yeah."

Jake puckers his lips and looks completely unconvinced. "Orion."

I close my eyes. "I don't want to--"