Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 74-Jai

Jai

We finish our drinks and take turns in the shower. After that we have lunch—some chicken and wild rice soup with toasted sandwiches that Hannah makes. Then we all go downstairs and play video games with Mikey until the roads are finished and the ban is lifted.
When we finally get the all clear, Megan insists we go out sledding. I have no complaints there. Mikey actually decides to join us. We take three different sleds but Megan insists on driving her dad's 4WD.
"You don't want me to drive?" I ask.
"Are you comfortable driving in the snow?" she questions me quietly.
I didn't think about that. I tell her my thoughts. "I just figured I've got the most experience driving in these conditions out of the three of us," she explains gently.
"You're probably right then," I agree.
She smiles at me and even hugs me. I can't help the silly grin on my face as we load up the boot. We drive to the same park by the river that we passed before but I do notice that the roads aren't completely clear and I'm glad I'm not the one driving. That was kind of freaky—I've never felt so out of control of the wheel before as I did last night. We stop at the car park and there are only a few people here so far. Each of us takes a sled but Mikey asks for mine and switches with me. I've got the two person one now.
"Do you want to go down together first?" Megan asks.
"Sure," I shrug.
"You're welcome," Mikey says nudging me.
I chuckle in response and I realize, perhaps he really is okay with me being with his sister. Their parents seem to like me, too. I just need to work on Megan a bit more, be a bit more patient until she's ready to move on. We climb the side of the massive hill. I watch as a few kids go down. It does look pretty fun. We get to the top and Mikey is already jumping on his sled.
"See you on the other side," he says giving me a thumbs up. He pushes off and he's gone howling and laughing.
I look to Megan and she tosses her single sled aside, away from the crowd. She takes my sled and sets it down climbing on the front. "Are you coming?" she asks.
"Yeah," I say. I sit down on the back of the sled and can't help but get my camera out. I pull her close to my chest and put my cheek to hers. I take the picture and put my phone away quickly before I hold onto her and she scoots us forward. The wind rushes past us and she's laughing. I hold on tighter to her as we bounce and fly down the hillside. We get to the bottom and keep sailing out. I see Mikey and it looks like he's filming us. We hurl past him and start to slow. When we stop, Megan climbs up and takes my hand helping me to my feet.
"That was fun," she says. She grabs the sled and carries it. She shoves it at her brother and snatches his single back.
He's chuckling.
"Do I get a copy of that?" I ask.
"Sure," he shrugs. "But you might not like my commentary."
"I don't mind," I say. I give him my number and we climb the hill together again. Megan grabs the discarded sled and we go down side by side. I see Mikey laying on his chest while we're seated. I figure I'll try that next time. We shove off together and Megan is flying faster than me. I push off the ground a couple times and she laughs as I approach her. We slow down and come to a stop.  She still goes the farthest but it was fun.  We race up to the top and I actually get up there first.  I climb on my sled and wait for Megan to join my side.  She lays on her sled as well and we go down together.  This is way scarier than the other but I feel like I'm flying past Megan.  I win the race.  We go down several more times.  When we tire, I take another picture of us together at the top of the hill looking down at the people sledding around us.  She smiles looking up at me and I take the shot.
"Hey, I wasn't looking.  Do another," she insists. 
I agree but I really like that one.  It's probably my favorite.  I take another and it's really good... but I love the other.  We sled down one more time and head back to the house.  We get cleaned up and eat a meal with her parents—all five of us together—which is really nice.  Mikey decides to join us going to church tonight and Megan tells me the roads should be clear by now, especially going into the city.  She gives me direction and there are very few turns.  We arrive at a sketchy part of town and I park here going into the old building.  It's actually pretty nice looking and in great condition, it's just the neighborhood is deteriorating.  I guess when I think about it, that's what Megan says they're doing is helping people in need.  I'm sure there's a lot of people around here that need help. 
We walk into the building and I'm instantly greeted by familiar faces.  I talk with a few people and move up the staircase with Megan to the main area of the church.  Pastor Ben is here and introduces me to his wife.  I shake her hand and chat with her a bit.  Megan leads me away and we sit in the church.  It's set up very differently from the other.  This one has very high ceilings and has so much more space.  There's a stage, too.  The other felt pretty packed for the building size.  It has a beautiful campus in a safer location, though. 
I see Izaak walk in with Valentina and I smile at him.  He has to do a double take at me.  He smiles back and waves walking closer to us. 
"Hey, man.  Long time no see," he says to me.  I rise and shake his hand giving him a hug. 
"Yeah, it hasn't even been a week but it feels like ages, right?" I reply. 
"I know, right?  This weather is nuts.  One day it's warm and sunny, and then bam, lockdown.  I miss the beach," he says. 
"Me, too.  I'm not used to this weather.  But I've got to do some fun stuff here," I tell him. 
"Like what?" he asks. 
"We went cross country skiing the other day and today went sledding," I explain. 
"I've got to do something like that.  My girl has been begging me to take her out but I never know what to do in town.  This city has nothing going on," he shrugs. 
"We could all go out to a film or something," I shrug.
"Double date?" he questions. I nod. He smiles looking to be thinking that over.
I glance to Megan to see she's talking with Valentina. They're smiling and laughing. She glances at me and gives me a meaningful look and grin before returning to her conversation. I exchange numbers with Izaak and figure we'll plan something soon.
Gale sees us and rushes over hugging Megan and then me. "I can't believe you're still in town. That's awesome," she says. "How long are you staying for?"
"Until Megan gets tired of me," I joke.
She laughs and slaps my chest playfully. We talk a bit about how things have been going this week.  She invites me to come help with the meals anytime I'm not busy. Megan says she'll definitely come when her schedule clears up a bit. I smile and think that'd be nice to come here.
The service starts and we all separate and take our seats. Ben begins with a prayer and I realize how much I've missed him—missed this... oddly. Their worship team starts and they're more like a gospel band. The music is good though, just... different than what I'm used to. It's not as long I was expecting but it is a weeknight. I'm assuming kids have school in the morning and most adults that work a consistent shift have to go in tomorrow. Ben prays and then some of the younger people—including Gale who I recall was teaching—leave this area for a different room, a different lesson.
Ben begins to preach and I realize this is his first real sermon I've attended. He's so easily relatable and I notice how involved everyone gets into the message, speaking out in agreement. I feel like I'm really welcome here, like I could belong in a place like this. His words are encouraging and I feel as if I'm getting renewed by being here. I see what Megan was saying about getting through the week and I realize sometimes it can be rough but it's nice to have these people to count on.
We stay after to talk with Gale and Floyd. He apologizes for being so late but his job ran long. Plumbing issues in the middle of winter and he didn't want to share details. Megan suggests getting together sometime and I mention that Izaak and Valentina wanted to as well. We decide to go out next Thursday night since I think we're all free. I text Izaak and he's in. We say our goodbyes and promise to see them next Wednesday and Thursday. I look around for Mikey wondering what happened to him. It looks like he's actually talking to a girl. He scratches his neck awkwardly and looks around finding me. He smiles and nods making a gesture that he'll be with us in a minute. I notice he's talking to Isabella, I think her name is.  I realize in this moment, how much Mikey kind of resembles a young Andrew Garfield and now how all the young ladies congregate around him.  He appears uncomfortable though and uneasy.  It looks like he gestures to us and I think I see him apologize before he starts heading our way. 
"You ready?" I ask. 
"Yeah," he nods. 
"All the sheilas chasing after you?" I tease.
"You have no idea," he tells me sighing. 
"Let's get you out of here, then," I say.  I take Megan by the hand as we descend the staircase.  The steps are fairly steep so I hold onto her tightly just in case.  We exit the building and climb into the 4WD.  We drive out and I see a few people walking the streets.  They're just leaving the lower level of the church.  I wonder if they were there for the meal.  What they're wearing looks tattered.  I hope they're not homeless by the appearance of them.  I continue on focusing my attention ahead and watching the road.  I get them home and walk Megan to the door while I shake her brother's hand. 
"You don't want to come in?" she asks. 
"Nah, I'm tired.  I'll pick you up in the morning?" I confirm. 
"Yeah, we could have breakfast before we go swimming at the gym," she says. 
"That sounds good," I tell her as I hug her goodnight.  She holds me tightly and I can't help but kiss her temple. I nudge her with my face and hold on just a little longer before letting go.
"Goodnight, love," I whisper.
She replies the same as I release her fingers.
I drive to the hotel and carry my bag inside the reception. I nod to the night attendant before I climb upstairs. I set everything down and pack my bag for the morning. I hope we don't run into those sheilas tomorrow. I especially hope she doesn't by herself in the ladies room. They were a little too obsessive. I finish my bag and set it aside. I am tired but I decide to call my mum since I haven't for a while—almost a week. She has no idea I'm here. I dial her up. She answers on the first ring.

"Where've you been?"

"Sorry mum, I've been distracted, I guess."

"So? Where are you? How'd things go with that sheila?"

"Megan? Good. I'm at a hotel in Ohio. It's an American state."

"Never heard of it. Did you follow her there?"

"I did. It's kind of near Chicago."

"Isn't it winter there?"

"It is. I stayed the night at her house last night because of the snow. Nobody could go anywhere."

"Are you crazy?" she chuckles. "Isn't it like the Arctic or something?"

"It's not that bad but it is freezing. I'm actually having fun."

"So you stayed the night with her? Are you that serious about her?"

"At her parents house, in another room," I clarify. "I don't know how serious I am about her. I just want to be with her."

"Ah, so you're finally being respectful. I'm glad and it's about time. Wait... did you say her parents' house? How old is she?"

"Twenty-two?" I admit questioningly.

"Jai! She's half your age. Isn't that a little young? I mean, she still lives at home."

"That doesn't matter to me. I want her."

"How does she feel about you?"

"I don't know. I'm hoping the same. I'm giving her time, though. It's just been problem after problem with her ex. They were going to get married this Saturday. Guess who has a date for Valentine's Day?"

"Where are you going?"

"Some historic place. It has a restaurant but it's closed in the winter. They're offering carriage rides through the park."

"That sounds kind of romantic. She'd agreed to that?"

"She did."

"Maybe she is moving on. Go slowly with this one. She really does sound like one I'd like to have as a daughter."

My heart clenches at the thought. "I will, mum."

"You sound tired."

"I am."

"Okay. Get some shut eye. Don't wait so long to call me next time. You know I miss you. Your next trip should be home."

"Alright. Goodbye, mum."

"Goodbye, love. I love you."

I repeat the same and hang up. I sigh and wonder about what I really think about Megan. Is this love? I don't know. I don't think I've ever experienced that before. But the moment I figure that out, I need to keep the promise I made to myself a long time ago. My longest relationship ended because of that. She asked me if I even loved her and to this day I still don't know. I think maybe no... because what I have with Megan feels different—nothing like that. When I'm sure, I think I'll know.