Always There - Part 2 || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 220: Go Easy

As badly as I wished that him and I could just stay up here together for the rest of the night, I knew how much effort everyone had put into this party. The least I could do was be there for it. And besides, there were going to be plenty of opportunities for us to be alone later.

"I really do love it." I said, peeking up at him as I held the diamonds between my fingertips. "Thank you." He nodded, his smile growing as he reached over for my other hand, intertwining our fingers.
"Good." He muttered. "I'm glad." I squeezed his hand tighter as he guided us down the stairs and through the kitchen, but stopped at the backdoor, turning to face me.

"Before we go back out there.." He said, peeking out, looking around before bringing his attention back to me. "Can I ask.. um.."
"Ask what?" I giggled, grabbing onto his shirt and pulling him closer. His eyes instantly lit up, now biting down on his lip.
"I just.. I wanna know where.. you stand with everything. Because.. well, you know how I feel about you, but.. with everything that's happened, I don't want to..well, I mean.. I don't want to make you uncomfortable or.. push things too far if you don't-" I stopped him, leaning in, gently kissing his cheek.
"Let's just.. enjoy this right now." I said softly, reaching over and grabbing onto his arm. He nodded.
"I can do that."

As we made our way outside, the party was now in full swing, everyone clearly having had at least one drink already, empty bottles beginning to pile up and the end of the drink table.
"You want another?" Jake asked, leaning in close. I nodded, clinging to his arm as he lead us over, grabbing another bottle of red. Looking around, I moved away as I saw Sam making his way over, flashing me a toothy grin.

"There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you!" He said cheerfully. I could tell he had probably started drinking before the party even began, but I couldn't help but smile at his adorable enthusiasm.
"Told you." Jake muttered, playfully nudging me. My cheeks burned as I shot him a look, subtly shoving him back.
"Stop it." I laughed, turning around to face him. He quickly looked over at Jake, noticing how close we were, his face dropping a bit, but still forced his earnest grin.

"Where'd you two run off to?" He asked, taking a sip, bringing his attention back to me. I felt my cheeks burn.
"Oh, um.. Jake just.. wanted to give me my gift." I said, my smile growing as I held up my necklace to him. Sam leaned in closer to get a better look.
"Wow, that's.. that's really nice." He said softly, almost discouraged.
"Y-yeah." I said, holding the diamonds between my fingers again before eventually slipping them back under the collar of my dress.

"Well, um.. speaking of gifts-" Sam started, before Jake turned around, handing me my drink.
"Hey, you guys wanna play a round?" He asked, motioning towards the beer pong table. Sam's face dropped, his cheeks burning bright red.
"Oh, um.. y-yeah. Sure."
"Great." Jake said, wrapping his arm around me. "Jamie and I will play you and.. whoever else you can find to be on your team." He giggled, pulling me in closer. I tried my best to contain my smile, sensing that for some reason Sam's entire mood had just changed, but Jake didn't seem to notice at all.

Maybe I was just overthinking things.

"Yeah, sure. I'll.. I'll find somebody and meet you guys over there." He said softly, now making his way across the yard. I watched him for a moment before I felt Jake slip his hand into mine, leading us over towards the table.

I couldn't help but think about last Summer, the night Josh and I were on the same team, getting drunker by the minute all the while finally letting our guard down completely. It was one of the best nights of my life, finally feeling what everyone else had felt, getting to kiss him after dreaming about it for what felt like forever.

And now here I was a year later, leaning back against this same table, watching as Jake set up the cups, gathering the ping pong balls from underneath. Once he was finished, he peeked over at me, flashing me a flustered grin when he caught me staring back.

"What are you looking at?" He joked. I shrugged, holding my stare on him as my smile grew. He hesitated for a moment before making his way over to me. My heart started beating faster, jumping at the feeling of his touch as he reached up, gently caressing my face. I got lost in his eyes once again, noticing they were already bloodshot, even in the now cool blue skies after the setting sun.

He looked so beautiful in blue.

Finally, Sam made his way back over to the table with Danny. I was partly relieved for him to interrupt, not knowing how much further I was going to let that go.

"Alright, what are the rules?" Sam yelled out, shaking the table to get our attention. I playfully rolled my eyes, giggling to myself as I moved out of Jake's grip, going over to our side.
"House rules." Jake said simply, trying not to make it too obvious how much Sam's interruption annoyed him, having once been the one to break up such affection with a shake of the table, but after all, as far as anyone else was concerned, we were just.. friends.

"You good to drink? Or do you want me to take care of it?" Jake smirked, leaning down close to me.
"I think I can handle it." I said, winking back up at him. He nodded, winking back.
"Okay, but if at any point it's too much, let me know. I'll take care of you." My heart jumped.
"Okay." He bit down on his lip, holding his stare on me for a moment, his eyes quickly moving down to my lips before finally forcing himself to turn away, throwing the first ball.

Right in.

"Alright, alright, lucky shot." Sam groaned, taking a sip of his drink before tossing the next ball.

In.

"Oh, well look at you!" I called out. "Who knew you were so good?" He flashed me a flustered grin, playfully shrugging.
"I might've practiced for a few hours before you got here." He laughed. Jake grabbed another ball, handing it over to me. I tried my best to aim, tossing it over.

In.

He let out a loud cheer that made my heart jump.
"That's my girl!" He said, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me in, kissing my cheek. My girl. All I wanted was to be was his girl again.
"Alright, alright!" Sam yelled out, forcing a smile. "Focus!" Jake rolled his eyes, going back over as Danny grabbed one of the balls, tossing it across.

It hit the rim of one of the cups, bouncing onto the floor.

I could see Sam's jaw clench, despite the fact he was trying his best to maintain a neutral smile for everyone. What was going on with him today?

"Go a little easy on them." I whispered, gently nudging Jake. He peeked back down at me, a smile eventually escaping his lips.
"Why?" He mouthed. I shrugged, reaching over, gently holding onto his arm.
"Fine." He sighed, rolling his eyes.

He grabbed another ball, carelessly tossing it over, but again, it went right in. I shot him a look.
"I'm sorry, I guess I'm just that good." He laughed. I couldn't help but smile, shaking my head as I grabbed another one, tossing it over. It hit the edge of one of the cups, bouncing off the table, and landing near Sam's feet. He didn't hesitate to quickly lean down to grab it, bringing it over and placing it back into my hands.

"You can have a do-over." He said sweetly, smirking back at me before going over to his side of the table again. I could see Danny shoot him a look, giving him questioning eyes to which Sam responded with a slight shove.
"No, no, no. You don't get a do-over." Jake laughed, reaching over for the ball.
"It's her party, she can do whatever she wants!" Sam yelled out. I couldn't help but smile, tossing the ball again.

In.

"There you go!" He called out.
"Did you forget she's playing against us?" Danny laughed. He shrugged him off, keeping his eyes on me.
"Ugh, who cares." He groaned, taking one of the cups and downing it with a single swig. And then he motioned for me to come over. I felt my face get hot, peeking up at Jake to see his face had dropped into a confused glare, but he eventually nodded, motioning me away.

As I made my way over, he stared at me with those same dazed eyes I remembered from New Year's Eve, making my heart start to beat faster. What was happening?
"Yeah?"
"So, I was wondering if.. I could have a few minutes.. to give you my gift."