bloom // jake kiszka

5.

I woke up the next morning, Jake's arm wrapped around me and my head on his chest.

After all the excitement last night, we ended up on the couch talking about anything and everything, which wasn't out of the ordinary, but this time was different.

Every touch, every glance, every word meant something we'd been holding back from before, it was like the barrier was gone and we could finally stop tip toe-ing around what was really going on inside our heads.

I had been lightly tracing circles on his chest as I layed there, wrapped up in my own thoughts, when suddenly his hand rose up to hold mine, and he moved his head slightly to nudge my forehead with his nose before resting his cheek there.

"Morning" he mumbled out softly in a low, groggy voice. "Hey" I smiled, lightly rubbing my thumb over his knuckles.

His breathing slowed again as he got quiet, so I peaked up to find him asleep once again.

I exahled a small laugh and whispered, "Jake". His eyes fluttered open once again, looking down at me with a sleepy smile. "Hmm" he hummed, before scrunching his eyes to blink the sleep out of them.

"I'm awake" he finishes, lightly brushing the hair off my face. Before i could say anything, a knock sounds from the front door.

I lift my head to look in that direction, before looking back at Jake, who had the same quizzical look on his face as I did.

"Are you expecting someone?" He questions, and as I open my mouth to respond, I hear "It's me, open up" in Josh's voice, followed by another knock.

"Ah." I say in realization, seeing as nobody ever comes to my door other than the 3 brothers. I should've figured it was a Kiszka.

"COMING" I yell back. As I start to get up, Jake gently tugs me back and grumbles.

"NO SHE'S NOT...this isn't fair...I just woke up" yelling the first part to Josh, and ending with a pout.

"Will one of you idiots open the fucking door" Josh replies. I press a kiss on Jake's forhead, before he places a guiding hand on my cheek and lifts his head up, pressing our lips together for a short moment.

We both pull away with a smile, and I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. I don't know if I'll ever get used to the way that makes me feel.

I stand up, still grinning like a middle school girl, hoping he can't see how red I assume my face has turned. I walk over and open the door to see Josh, arms crossed, leaning against the door frame.

"You take forever" he says, his eyes widening dramatically, as I move aside for him to come in. "Good morning to you too" I say teasingly.

"No way. I called you both like 5 times last night." He says with his brow furrowed, hands on his hips. Josh always has been one for theatrics.

"Hey, I put my phone on silent before I left your house" I respond, raising my hands up in defense before giving Jake a teasing glare, seeing as it was because of him.

"I ignored you on purpose" Jake chimes in with a smirk.

He's sat facing me and Josh now, leaning his chin against his forearm that's perched on the back of the couch.

"Ha ha. Is anyone gonna tell me what happened last night? Everything got weird and then you both just got up and left. What the hell was that about?" Josh finishes.

"Josh, it was nothing ok, I'm sorry. Just forget about it, really" I say, putting a hand on his shoulder. He exhaled a frustrated breath from his nose as he stared at me for a moment, before turning to Jake.

"What about you, anything to share?" He questioned, raising his brows. "Nope." Jake answered, shaking his head.

Josh looks back and forth between the two of us for a second, before squinting his eyes slightly. "You know, you guys really get on my nerves."

He crossed his arms, making his way over to sit on the couch, to which I followed and sat next to him.

"I just find it weird how you were both so upset, and now, magically, it's like nothing ever happened." He says, arms still crossed, staring off into space.

"That is weird" Jake nods, mocking him, earning a glare from Josh.

I don't wanna keep a secret from him, but I definitely don't wanna tell him about the fight now. I wanna put it behind me, especially now that it's resolved.

And regarding me and Jake...it's not like we've had time to think about when or what we're gonna say to people, I mean, it all literally just happened last night.

Not to mention...we didn't even technically define anything. I think it's sort of implied after everything, but still.

"Listen. Looking at old pictures brought up some unresolved stuff from high school. It was a fight, and now it's over. That's all there is to it, ok?" Jake said, nudging his brother's arm at the end.

Josh huffs and slowly nods his head. "Ok." He agrees.

I have to say, I'm a bit relieved at how he explained it, and that we get to keep it all between us for now. I just think it will make adjusting and figuring everything out that much easier.

I mean, Josh and Sam already tease us about being so close, I can't imagine the ridiculous jokes they'll come up with now that we've actually done something about it.

I know it's all well intentioned, and honestly, very funny most of the time. But I'd still like to savor it as our little secret for the time being.

The 3 of us decide to go pick up breakfast downtown, so we head downstairs and into Josh's car in our sweats and pajamas(Jake wearing some of his own that I had in my drawer, ones I'd borrowed from him and never given back), and head out.

With Josh driving, Jake sits in the passenger seat, leaving me in the back. They argue about what music will be put on, before Jake finally concedes and let's his brother put on one of his playlists.

After a few minutes, Josh speaks up. "You know, I'm glad you guys made up. It feels so weird when you fight."

Jake looks back at me with a smile. "Yeah, I'm glad we made up too."