Rekindled- Jake Kiszka

Chapter 5

Just as he was about to open his mouth to speak, there was a knock on the door, "looks like it's reunion time." he smiles.

I couldn't get a word in, not even a glance before I was engulfed in the biggest group hug I had ever experienced. I wasn't much of a hugger, not very physical at all for that matter, but this one was good. It felt right, it felt safe. That was a feeling I had left behind the second we left the city of Frankenmuth, safe, home, any and all of it.

After what felt like a year, the boys all pulled away, looking at me with big smiles. My god had they grown up.

Sammy, the youngest Kiszka, looked the most different to me. His hair was longer, much longer, and his face had thinned a bit, now showing his impressive bone structure. That was one of the strongest Kiszka genes, they all had amazing facial features. His tanned skin was adorned by necklaces trailing to a button down shirt, about half buttoned and reminiscent of Jake's the night before, then a pair of shorts and no shoes. Just the Sammy I remembered. 

Then there was Josh, who still resembled his twin just how she remembered him to. They had enough difference that people could easily tell them apart, but small details remained the same. He looked much older than before, but in a good way. He sported a small goatee, that's what made his face so different. His curly hair was longer now but still perfectly puffed to create a halo around his head. He wore a casual white long-sleeve and khaki colored pants. Even though he looked more mature, the man hadn't grown but maybe an inch. 

Lastly was the only non-Kiszka, Daniel Wagner. He, on the other hand, had grown a lot. He was definitely the tallest in their group, second tallest being Sam, and the twins tied for third place.  Danny had more prominent features, eyes that were slightly more hooded and a pronounced nose. I've always loved his nose, it gave him character, it was adorable. His arms had gotten bigger, presumably from his role as the drummer. He wore a band shirt, as he always had, along with casual jeans and Converse, his long curls half up in a bun while the other half cascaded over his shoulders. 

"Well haven't you just gotten more darling over the years!" Josh smiled, breaking the short silence caused by my studying the boys. Always such a flirt, even if he wasn't trying. 

"I could say the same to all of you, you all look like...well, rockstars." I shrug, earning a laugh from each of the guys.

Jake suggests we all move over to the living room, everyone taking a seat wherever. Sam and Danny took the loveseat, one sitting on the chair and the other on the ottoman, while Jake and Josh both sat on the couch and I sat on the floor in front of the coffee table with my water. 

"So, that means you have like a real record label you're signed to and everything, right? Albums that people outside of Michigan listen to?" I ask with raised eyebrows, since the boys were filling me in on the band.

"Oh yeah, all around the world even, they just can't get enough of the bass player." Sam smiles as he gestures to himself, making me roll my eyes along with a laugh. Josh shakes his head and argues that it's him that they can't get enough of, soon causing Jake to insist that it was himself, as the guitarist. Danny clears his throat and shoots the boys a look before turning back to me. I always found it funny how he could get them under control with such ease, they were insane. "That's enough about us, give us your update." He says with a soft smile while my stomach slightly sinks.

"Yeah, there must be some interesting news! Any guys? Fun college experiences that we missed? Crazy nights on the streets of Nashville?" Josh rambles, all of the guys looking to me for answers. 

My hands move quickly to my necklace, moving the pendent through my fingers as I think of my answers. "Well, you guys honestly haven't missed a whole lot, no guys or anything like that, just working a lot. I never ended up going back to school after high school ended, so I guess that answers that one. I still live with my mom, though I don't see her super often, I work 2 jobs and am working on getting a 3rd, I have one close friend here named Alex, Jake met her earlier. I really think you all would like her." I say with a nod. "As for crazy nights on the streets of Nashville, I've had my fair share, I'm sure there's plenty more to come." I smile, looking up from my glass as I shift to sit more comfortably.

"Two jobs and maybe another? You're gonna be overworked, what are your jobs?" Jake asks, rubbing his hand over his chin like he always did when thinking. 

"I'm a waitress at a diner most nights, then I work at a coffee shop a few days a week. Me and Alex waitress together." I say, giving him a soft smile to reassure him that I'm okay with working more than one job. 

"That sounds like a lot, do you have to work tonight or tomorrow?" Sam asks with raised eyebrows. "Actually, no, they made me take the whole weekend off for my birthday, so I have tomorrow off." I nod, seeing the gears in Sam's head turning. That was truly a terrifying prospect. 

"Well, since Jake was the only one who got to celebrate your big day, what do you say we all do something tonight? Maybe we can go out, or if you wanna stay in we can do a bonfire or like we used to?" he asks as all of the boys nod in agreement. 

I think for a moment, it would feel like I was intruding, but they were the ones asking me, right? I mean, I spent every single day with these guys a few years back, surely this wouldn't be the straw that broke the camel's back.

"That sounds like fun, just let me run home and get changed and all of that. I'll get an Uber now." I nod, reaching for my phone on the table before a larger hand covers it, causing me to look up at Jake. 

"I can take you home."