Trapped Together (Complete)

~ Chapter 29 - 8:32am (two weeks later) ~

"It's just a party." Jake rolled over to his side on his bed and stared at the wall. He was well aware that Jay and Tiffany were having a party, and he knew who else would be there. It had been two weeks since he had seen her at the hotel, and in all fairness, he wasn't avoiding her. He had been busy, and the time things had happened at their house that he had been invited to, shit with work had come up, which did upset him but at the same time, it was nice. But now there was no excuse and Jay would push this, just like he had the date the other night; a shit show if Jake ever had one, to be honest. And Jay's reasoning for setting it up, he was tired of seeing Jake all moppy and sad, which he wasn't! "Besides you can tell me about the date because I haven't heard about it."

"Not much to tell, Jay, it sucked ass."

"How the hell is that possible? Amber was a beautiful and smart woman, just your type." Jake pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes. Truthfully, she was his type, but she wasn't Rachel, and for the time being, no one was so therefore no one would suit him. Of course, that wasn't explainable to Jay who sounded like he wouldn't be happy with that prospect anyway.

"It just...wasn't comfortable. We didn't get along really well and the conversation seemed....forced." Or was that him? Maybe it was just him and how he felt. But he saw her pull out her phone a couple of times that night and it wasn't something that normally happened to him. Then again, being hung up on a girl like he was, wasn't like him either.

"That right there is why I think you're hiding something," Jay said.

"Huh, right where?"

"Jake, you sighed, as if something is on your mind and you fucking won't open up about it. And I'm going to say it's some chick that has you twisted sideways, which is really fucking lame that you won't tell me." Damn it, Jake hadn't realized he made any noise and he sure as fuck couldn't blame Jay for calling him out on it. But how does one explain this crap? It's impossible.

"Let it go, Jay, it isn't anything." Shit, that sounded stupid even to him!

"Right, you do know whom you're talking to, right? I'm not some dumb dude here, I've known your sorry ass for way too long."

"I know, Jay."

"So why won't you fess up?" Jake sighed and rolled onto his back.

"There is a woman, she's great. Beautiful, smart, witty, and sexy! But the chance of a future happening with her isn't in the cards, and it bums me out. I really like her, I could even see a future happening, but it's not meant to be."

"Oh, work problems, I get it." Jake sat up, blinking hard at that.

"Work problems?"

"It's obvious it's a co-worker, otherwise there wouldn't be any problems. Jake, you've always gone after the females you wanted and unless she's a co-worker, I really can't understand why you wouldn't go after this one, especially if you like her the way that you do." Jake shook his head at his best friend, wondering if he really was that dense sometimes. Did he really not think nor understand anything, or did he just refuse to try and understand? And even though it sucked, it gave him something to run with, and hopefully, it was enough to shut him up.

"Exactly. Yes, it's a co-worker and there's nothing I can do about it. So, I'll be fine, just need time to get over it."

"I get that dude, and I'm sorry. I still think, though, that seeing other women will help you. Like I know a whole bunch of Tiffany's friends is going and they have all asked about you." Jake raised his eyes upward before shaking his head again. The only female he wanted to talk to at that party was Rachel, and he just didn't think that would happen. "It's like Rachel, I'm seriously trying to find someone to hook her up with too and that's saying something. I can't believe she's still crying over that douche but I walked into the house the other night and she was curled up on the couch, clutching a pillow tight. I have never wanted to beat someone up so badly." Jake sat straight up, his heart pounding.