Closer

Chapter 22

I'm so sorry of taking so long to update. I was out of town for a while and writing was the furthest thing from my mind. But thank you for all the suggestions, they've been super helpful so keep'em coming!

"Hey," I looked up from my food as Jake sat in front of me. I smiled at him, glad to see a friendly face so early. Eric wasn't down in the dinning hall, but I would see him shortly for a training session.

"Hey, Jake," I looked over his shoulder, expecting the others to join, but was met with their absence. "Where's the gang?"

"Aidan had an early shift in the control room, Liv is dealing with a baby in the infirmary, and Kristen is still at the fence," he informed me. I frowned at this information I felt as if I hadn't spent any time with my friends. It was training all day with either Jenn, Eric, Leo or the others and by the time I was done I was exhausted. "What's that frown for?"

"I don't know, I just miss you guys, ya know?" I picked at my food as I shrugged my shoulders.

"Well, I'm having everyone over at my place tonight and you know you're welcome to come," Jake offered.

I considered his offer. I was supposed to go over Eric's tonight after training with Jenn today, but I'm sure he would understand. "Yeah, I would love to come," I beamed. "Will there be liquor involve?"

"Duhh," he gave me a stupid face and rolled his eyes.

I couldn't help but laugh. I flicked a piece of egg at him, but he gracefully swatted it away, laughing with me.

"I feel like I never see you anymore," Jake moped. "You're always with that big scary boyfriend of yours," he complained.

"Not always. That's just during that day when I'm training. Honestly, I spend most of my free time with Four." Ever since my run in with Marcus two weeks ago, I found myself seeking my brother's company more and more.

"I don't understand how you could stand him to be honest," Jake continued, ignoring my comment about Tobias. "Especially after all the shit he put you through during initiation. He's just so-,"

"Jake," I interrupted. I locked my blue eyes with his.

"I'm just saying," he shrugged. "I'm worried about you. I care too much about you to not be."

I broke his eye contact and looked back down at my breakfast. "Well, you don't need to be worried, I'm okay. I can take care of myself."

"Oh, trust me, I know," he smirked.

There was a few seconds of silence before I spoke. "How's the tattooing going?"

"Great, actually," I saw his whole face light up at the mention of it. "You should really stop by and let me tat you up," he chuckled. "I could suggest a few that would look great on an ass cheek."

I almost choked on the orange juice I was drinking as I begin to laugh. "I'll get a tattoo on my ass when I run out of space everywhere else."

"Your loss," the corners of his smile faltered as he looked over by shoulder. I followed his gaze to find Eric as he entered the dinning hall. "I wouldn't suggest inviting him, by the way."

I looked at him, slightly ofeneded. "No, no, no," he said when he saw the look on my face. "Four is most likely going to be there and we all know how that'll end up."

"Oh," my shoulder relaxed from their tense position. "Thanks for the heads up."

"Always," he smiled before getting up and making his way out of the dinning area.

Eric was standing behind me a few minutes later just as I finished my breakfast. "You ready?"

"Yup," with that I got up, threw my trash away, and followed him to the training room.