YOU

Chapter 7 - Act 2 (Hayley)

It was seven in the evening. I had been declared absolutely safe by the head of the LA division of the US Marshals, who was advising Jake's team. It felt good to be back home. Cassie was helping me to pick an outfit for Jake's birthday party tonight. Jake was holding a small get together at a Santa Monica villa. It belonged to his parents, but they gave it to his little sister to live in while she was studying. It was attached to the beach and the road to Malibu. 'How about a dress ?' She asked while showing me a black dress with spaghetti straps. 'Looks nice.' I said. I wanted to look beautiful tonight. Beautiful enough to make Jake's jaw drop. 'Any advice ?' I asked. 'A truth that Jake told me to tell you.' She said. 'What truth ?' I asked. 'He's kissed one girl before you.' She said. I felt a bit cheated. 'What do you mean ?' I asked. 'The girl he kissed was a criminal during an undercover operation. It was to not get his old partner, Manila killed.' She said. It was a bit sad yet relieving. He didn't kiss the girl out of love. It was an instinct in him to protect everyone around him. 'I hope you don't feel bad.' She said. 'I get it. It's something that comes with the job sometimes.' I replied. I understood his feelings. From what I had seen within the past week showed me his brotherhood with his team. He was stuck in a choice that was daunting. A first kiss with anyone is never easy. He was stuck between a life and his innocence. He happily gave it away to save a close one. She stepped out as I wore the dress. I knew that his true first kiss with someone he liked genuinely will be me. It was like that dialogue. The "we'll always have Paris" kind of thing. After I had my dress and makeup on, we left to go to the party

***An hour later***

We finally reached the party. The air was cold and refreshing. The beats of music filled the atmosphere. The villa was beautifully made. The front door was closed with a note on it that read "Enter the side gate and you'll be in the backyard or beachside" and a sign with the words "SYD ♡" only hanging by tape. The lights illuminated a wooden gate which was the length of  a toddler. We entered it to see neon lights and to hear the music getting louder. This was a woman's touch. Probably the gang and Jake's sisters who decided on the decoration. It was obvious that Jake wouldn't get a neon sign that said "Let's get wasted" in any circumstances. I had a small box. In it was a fancy leather watch. Something thoughtful as a girlfriend. As we entered the beach side of the house, a poster was clearly visible with an undercover police car and the words "I like big busts and I cannot lie" hanging from the pillars of a glass room kind of thing. The side of the house and beach didn't have glass on it but a pillar near the walls. The interior was beautiful. The villa on the other hand was modern and white with a few specks of gray in it. That's when I saw Jake in a shirt and jeans. The shirt was absolutely unbuttoned. Bryce was wearing the same outfit but had a different color shirt. 'Hey detective.' I said. 'Hey there beautiful.' He replied. He didn't kiss me. He was gonna reveal us tonight. He was probably gonna take me by surprise on the stage. Leah greeted me with a hug as Jake talked to Cassie. That's when he headed to the small glass out house. 'Can I have your attention ace squad ?' He asked. Everybody turned silent. 'What's up ?' Alex asked. 'I need to tell you guys something.' He said. 'Hayley, would you step onto the stage ?' He asked. I was nervous. I walked towards the stage. Ella and Bella gave a knowing look to us. 'What's up Miller ? Don't make us so nervous.' A man said. 'Getting to the point Dipaolo, I'm not single anymore.' He said. There were murmurs around the room. 'Who's the girl ?' Alex asked ? Jake replied by a simple act of putting his hand around my waist. The crowd erupted to cheers. Jake's little sister looked surprised. I had heard things about her and Leah from Jake. That's when the beats of  "Favorite" by Isabel LaRosa started to fill the air. 'Oh we're dancing to this.' Ella said. Everybody got up, vibing to the song. Jake started to dance with me. 'Can I have this dance ?' He asked. 'Si puedes mi amor' I replied in Spanish while extending my hand. 'You know Spanish ?' 'Enough to sing a song in it.' 'I knew that song was you babe.' He said. It was a reference to my song under a different name. It was something that I wrote as a teen. The party started to rage on with a lot of alcohol and some games. Some time later, the clock struck twelve AM. Ella came out with a small cake. 'Happy birthday !' Everybody shouted together. Jake's face lit up. The cake was having a topper on it. An actually accurate LAPD badge. Besides it was an actual K bar. Jake grabbed the K bar and started to cut the cake once everyone was ready. Ella stepped in front and then rubbed some cream on Jake's face. 'This was to be expected detective.' She said. A few chuckles erupted.

***Some time later***

Jake groaned as his head collided with the pillow. The party had left him tired. I crept up to him and then cuddled him. It was the least I could do tonight. The room was cool and the blanket kept us a bit more warm. 'Good night darling.' I said. 'Good night babe.' He said. His voice was half asleep. A few minutes later, the silence turned to light snores.