Trapped Together (Complete)

~ Chapter 26 - 1:37pm ~

Rachel sat down in the library area and kicked her feet up. She has just gotten off the phone with her dad and before that, she had taken a long shower. Not that she wanted to wipe the smell of Jake away, because she didn't, she hated that part, but she had no choice, she needed a shower; if nothing else to help ease the aching muscles she had.

And damn, did she want to sit behind him on their way to the hotel, but she knew Jay would question that. In fact, he even made a comment when they got back that he wasn't sure he'd find them both alive because he feared that someone would have pissed someone off bad enough. And that cut her deep.

She didn't think their anger towards one another was that bad, but maybe it was. Maybe she just hadn't seen it. And even her dad was asking if she was okay with Jake there like they really would have been at each other's throats. However, he was glad that she had company and didn't have to sit out the storm alone. It took her a moment or two to realize that her parents really didn't know about all the times she had been up there by herself and how many of those times were during storms. Hell, even Jay didn't know, otherwise, he probably wouldn't have sent his best friend to come to check on her and bring her back.

"Earth to Rachel." Rachel shook her head and smiled as Jay sat down in front of her. "You okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You've never been through a blizzard without one of us there, so I'm glad Jake was there." Rachel rubbed her hands over her jeans and licked her lips. Well, guess it was time to test the waters with one truth and go from there, maybe she would be lucky, and he would be open to more.

"Yeah, that's not quite true," she started.

"What part isn't, Rachel? I know Jake was there."

"No," she said, clenching her hands together and laying them in her lap. "Um, the part about dealing with storms alone." His brows crinkled and he gave her a funny look.

"I don't understand. You've only ever come up with the family or with your ex, so how could you have possibly...been....," he trailed off as he looked at her and then slowly shook his head. "Tell me that fucker didn't leave you alone? That you spent time up here by yourself? That he would ditch you for some lame-ass bull shit?!" Wow, it was nice to see Jay stand up for her like that; it was refreshing. But God, it was not needed, not after the fact and it sure didn't help her goals at the moment.

"Okay, I won't say that he did." Jay groaned and ran a hand down his face.

"Why didn't you say something? Don't you know how scary that is? What if something had happened to you, Rachel? Mom and dad would be ballistic!"

"I know, Jay, why the hell do you think I didn't tell them?" She sighed and shook her head. "It doesn't matter. A lot of the time he bailed at the last minute. And you know how much I love coming to the cabin. Besides, it's not like I'm some stupid young female who doesn't know what the hell to do. I wasn't scared actually. It was refreshing to me to take care of everything. And it sure taught me a lot." Jay eyed her for a moment before dropping his hands to rest beside him.

"You know I have to tell our parents."

"No, you don't, Jay! Sure, you can tell them about this time, and you can tell them I had company and that he kept the monsters at bay! But you do not have to mention anything about the past. What good will it do, huh? It's done, over, he's never coming up with me so it's not like they can call him a liar!" She had a point, and Jay knew it, but her brother was a stubborn one too, a trait inherited from their dad, unfortunately.

"Yeah, well, I don't like it." She smiled at that.

"You don't have to, Jay. And I'm actually glad you don't because that means as my big brother you care about me." He rolled his eyes and then sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"You sure you're okay? There was nothing going on with you and Jake?" She sucked in a breath. She knew what her brother was asking, that they didn't fight or lock the other outside to possibly freeze to death. He wasn't asking if they had mind-blowing sex that lasted forever and then prayed for it not to end.

"I'm okay, and it was fine. Jake and I...we found some common ground, once we got over the annoyance of being forced to be alone together. Really, Jay, you don't have to worry."

"So, when he comes over, I don't have to worry about you giving him a death glare or some shit like you have been doing?" She rolled her eyes; she wasn't always that bad. At least, she was thinking she wasn't but between her brother and Jake, maybe she was more of a bitch than she realized.

"No, you don't. We're okay. I can't say we're friends, but I don't think we'll be fighting quite as much as we were. Does that make you happy?"

"Rachel, as long as you're happy, I'm happy." She wanted to believe that, and she wanted to blurt out that Jake would make her happy, to let them have a chance, but she couldn't gather the courage up to say anything. And the next instant, Tiffany came running into the room and took the seat next to Jay, stopping any further talk they had anyway.

"Oh my God, Rachel, I'm so glad you're okay! I'm sorry Jake went up and not Jay, but I was freaking out. And Jake isn't bad eye candy to have around, you know."

"Eww, babe, that's my best friend and my sister. They have never looked at each other that way and I'm rather glad because them hooking up or wanting each other is just gross. I've always been proud of the fact that I was blessed to not have that problem." Rachel turned her head away but not before locking gazes with Tiffany, who caught the truth in her depths.

"I don't know Jay, don't you think Jake and Rachel would make a good couple?" Jay turned and looked at his girlfriend who seemed rather shocked that Jay would be so against it.

"No. I love Jake, but Rachel and he just wouldn't jive. They are far too different. And I love my sister, but there is no way she could keep up with Jake. Trust me; I know both of them far too well." Rachel licked her lips, ducking her head. Well, there went that idea of confessing that truth. She knew that there were things her brother didn't know about her, but still, to hear those types of comments, it stung. But it was surprising that Tiffany had caught on and by the smile the other woman tossed Rachel's way, Rachel was going to believe that Tiffany was strongly behind the odd couple.

"Well, I think your wrong babe, I think Jake and Rachel would be awesome together. But since you said they are so different, I guess it won't happen." She stood up and tugged on his arm. "Come on though, you promised me that we would sit outside and have hot chocolate." Rachel watched the two, finding them to be more different than she and Jake were, and by the smirk Tiffany threw her way before they left, it seemed Tiffany knew that. "I know you don't like it babe, but it's just one of the differences we have that we both find attractive." And with that parting remark, they walked out the door.

'Score one for Tiffany,' Rachel thought. She just showed her brother how they were and yet they worked. Maybe Tiffany wasn't the bimbo that Rachel thought she was. At least she seemed to be in their corner, which was refreshing. With that, Rachel sighed and stood up, heading over to the window to look outside. She was expecting a call from her mom as well because hearing the news from her dad or her brother wouldn't be enough for her mom, she would want to talk to her baby as well. And that wasn't a phone call she was looking forward to.

She leaned her head against the cool glass, wishing that she was a stronger female to stand up to her brother, to voice her thoughts and concerns. Maybe she could walk out of here with Jake rather than with him, but she wasn't. She was a weak one; she couldn't even speak up about his thoughts over them! How did she ever think she could speak to convince him that they would be good? That they would be happy? She had no clue, and after hearing all that, she wasn't sure she could even change his mind.

She turned as she heard a noise outside the door and sucked in a breath. Jake had his bags flung over his shoulders and it was clear he was heading out. Not that she blamed him, if she had her own car, she'd be leaving too. She took a step towards him, but his eyes flashed and even from a distance, she could see the look to stay away in his eyes. They had their goodbyes, no matter how rough it was. She nodded, letting him know she understood, and he threw her a smile. She wanted to wave, wanted to hug him but he gave her no chance. He left her standing there in the room and as she turned to watch him walk out to his car and get in, she felt something crack in her heart. Even leaving her ex didn't bring the hurt that watching Jake walk away had caused. She knew, without a doubt, she was in love with him, and she had no way to stake a claim to him!