Rekindled- Jake Kiszka

Chapter 26

I stand in front of the sink, watching out the window as I drink my coffee in silence. Danny stayed at some girl's house last night, and Sam was still in bed, giving me plenty of time to think about everything from last night. On top of it all, my mom gets released tomorrow and I want to go clean up so she has a decent place to come home to, I still feel like shit for not being the one to pick her up from rehab. 

"Mary Jane," I hear, feeling Sam's hand on my shoulder and turning around. "Hmm?" I hum, looking at the sleepy-eyed boy standing in front of me. 

"You okay? I had to have said your name 3 times," he says, dropping his hand from my shoulder.

"Oh, yeah, I'm sorry. Just lost in thought I guess, I should probably get going soon."

"You can stay as long as you want, you know that," he says, giving me a serious look. 

"I can't avoid him forever, Sammy, he's my boyfriend. But thank you, I love you," I nod, hugging him tightly. I don't know where I'd be without Sam, or without any of the boys for that matter. He's just always there.

After cleaning my mug and grabbing my phone, I say one last goodbye before heading back home. When I open the front door, Jake is sitting at the counter with a mug in his hands, reminiscent of how I was standing at the window just a few minutes ago. I look at him but don't say a word, watching his eyes graze down my outfit before he rolls them and goes back to drinking his coffee, prompting me to walk away to go change in my room. 

I slip into a pair of shorts and a tank top since I was going to be cleaning all day and didn't want to be uncomfortable. I sling my purse over my shoulder and grab another bag, going into the hall closet and stuffing some cleaning supplies into it. Once I have everything I need, I take it with me to the kitchen and set my bags down on the counter while I get a water bottle and start filling it. 

"You fuck him?" Jake asks, now sitting at the table and looking out the window.

"Pardon?"

"Did you fuck him? Did you fuck my brother when you stayed at his house last night? Not a hard question Mary Jane," he snaps, turning his head to look at me.

I muster a dry laugh and set my water bottle down, crossing my arms over my chest and turning my body towards him, "are you fucking kidding me, Jacob? Like actually?"

"I don't know Mary Jane, seems weird of you to storm out and then come back the next morning in my brother's clothes, especially since you were ignoring my calls and texts all last night," he's standing now, leaning against the table with his eyes drilling into mine. It was like he was searching for a truth that was nowhere to be found.

"You're one to be mad about someone not answering the phone. Did you fuck someone? I mean, you were out all night, right? You find some girl who was in love with your music, fuck her in the backroom of a studio? I mean, you ignored me for hours, I don't see why I shouldn't be the one jumping the unrealistic, bullshit conclusions right now," I say, inching closer to him as I speak. Now I'm mad. Did he really think I would ever cheat on him? Especially with his brother, my best friend? He's lost it.

"I was doing work, I was invited to get a beer with the people who were at the interview last night. Excuse me if I was home a little late, Mary Jane, you're acting fucking insane!"

"Oh I'm the insane one Jacob?! Sam is my best friend, you're my boyfriend! Do you think I'm a cheater? Do you actually think I would EVER do that?! I'm In love with you, you asshole! I had a whole plan for last night, I was going to surprise you with a date, I wanted to spend time with you! So, please, don't let me be the slightest bit upset that you didn't so much as TRY to reach out when you knew you'd be home late! I understand that your phone died, I get it, but you could have called on someone else's. And then for you to accuse me of sleeping with your brother? Jesus fucking christ Jake you've lost your mind!" If he was going to raise his voice, I was determined to raise mine higher. By the time I finish speaking, I realize I had my finger pressed into his chest almost the entire time. The weight of my emotions was lifted off of my shoulders, only to be replaced with the guilt of yelling at him mixed with the anger that he instilled in me in assuming I slept with Sam.  The silence in the room felt thick, like if I moved it would make some earth-shattering noise. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go prepare my mom's house for when she gets home. I'll have my phone, I'll make sure I keep it charged in case you need me." I mutter, my last words dripping with venom as I grab my bags and walk out again. The actions felt all too familiar, fighting and leaving, but he needed to think about it just as much as I did, and had I not walked out, the fighting would have only continued.