Rekindled- Jake Kiszka

Chapter 12

A few days later we were outside of my moms house, somewhere I had been coming every day just to see if she was at home, and subconsciously still making sure things were clean and there was food in the fridge. But for the past 2 days there hasn't been a sign of her, which tells me she was probably on another bender in some other city with a man who she'd want to marry within a day of meeting. 

Josh insisted that me and Jake take his Jeep truck so we could get all of my stuff in one go, even though I didn't have all that much to bring. I had packed my boxes when I was coming to see if she was home, so everything was ready. I only had 3 boxes and two bags of clothes, so I knew it would be a quick job.

I grabbed the bags while Jake grabbed the boxes, hauling them out to the truck and setting them in the back carefully. 

"We should make sure you aren't forgetting anything." Jake says, coming and wrapping his arm around my waist. I respond with a nod and head back in, watching him sit down on my bed as I look around the room for anything that may have been left behind. "I think I've got it all, I mean I have my key still as long as she doesn't change the locks." I say, sitting beside him and laying my head on his shoulder. 

"Thank you for all of your help. For everything." I mumble, messing with my necklace and closing my eyes. 

"You don't have to keep thanking me MJ, it's no big deal. I like living with you." 

I knew there was no point in arguing, so I just nod, sitting up and kissing his cheek before standing and offering him a hand. "let's go home."

We get down the steps and I let Jake go out to the car while I walk to the kitchen, the place I last saw my mother. I take the folded paper from my back pocket and set it on the counter, placing an envelope on top with my moms name on it. The paper was a note to her, a goodbye letter if you will, and the envelope contained some money from my saved up tips. Whether she used it for rent or for booze was up to her, but I hoped she chose the right one. I sigh and go out to the truck, buckling up and heading home with Jake beside me. 

I spent the rest of the day setting the bedroom up just the way I wanted, though I had no where near enough decorations for the big walls. Jake offered his help multiple times but the guys were over and I wanted him to spend time with them. Plus alone time wasn't going to hurt for me. I stand on top of the bed, hanging up a board with pictures from the last few years on it, I had gotten into a real photography phase when Alex let me borrow her camera for a while. I hear a knock on my door and laugh a little,

"You can just come in," I say before seeing Sammy walk through the doorway

"Well I didn't want to scare you!" he says, closing the door and sitting down on my bed, "It looks nice in here, but you need more decorations."

I shoot him a slight glare before sitting on the bed since the board was hung up now. "Don't you think I realize that, Kiszka?" I sigh, laying down with my head on his lap as I look up at the ceiling. 

"I mean, I know you know but I also know you're just gonna leave it like this forever. Do you work tomorrow?"

"Mhm," I hum "both jobs, one to the other. It's my last day at the coffee shop so I agreed to stay until I have to go to the diner."

I knew Sam was planning something from the look on his face, but I didn't even want to think about whatever was running through his head. So I brush it off and sit up. 

"Come on, I told Jake I'd make dinner." I say, taking Sam's hand and leading him out of the room before saying hi to the rest of the guys in the living room. 

"I'm making drinks!" Sam exclaims as we all head into the kitchen, we all mumble an "oh god" before we get comfortable. Jake puts on a record before joining Josh at the island stools, Danny helping Sam make margaritas while I get everything ready to make tacos. We all stayed in the kitchen until the food was done, and each of the boys thanked me genuinely for making dinner as they grabbed plates and we all sat at the table. The food was good, the drinks were...strong, and it was a peaceful ending to a nice day. 

Eventually though, the record was over and we were all done eating, and the boys had to head back home. I give them each a hug and head over to the sink, starting the dishes while Jake walks them out and says goodbye. I feel his arms snake around my waist gently from behind, his hands resting on my stomach and his chin on my shoulder. 

"Thank you for dinner, it was perfect." He mumbles, making me smile as I placed the next few clean dishes on the rack besides the sink. "How many margaritas did Sammy give you again?"

He held up two fingers, telling me how many and making me laugh. I dry my hands off and spin around so I was facing him, my back against the counter until he lifts me onto it and stands between my legs. I'd be lying if I said I didn't love when he did this.

I drape my arms over his shoulders as he rests one of his on my cheek, bringing me closer until his lips are on mine again. I play with his soft brown hair between my fingers as our lips move in perfect sync, as if we were meant to be here doing this. The way his lips perfectly fit to mine, how his hand gripped my waist just perfectly, it all felt right. But I live with him now, I can't mess this up by getting into a situation I'll end up somehow ruining. So I reluctantly pull away, looking at him as he gives me curious eyes. God, he kills me.

"I don't think we should, not now at least, I just," I start to ramble, but he just smiles, helping me down. "It's okay MJ, it's not the right time for that. Plus you have work in the morning, you should get some sleep."

I nod slowly and lean up, kissing his cheek and giving him a small hug before saying goodnight and heading to my bedroom.