Crossing the line

6: Unwelcome Attention

AVA

Ava had hoped the bonfire would be the last of her run-ins with Jake for the week, but it seemed like fate had other plans. The next day, Liam announced a last-minute barbecue at the house, inviting some old friends over for an afternoon of grilling and beers. Ava was reluctant to join, especially after the tension-filled night at the lake, but with her brother's pleading and the idea of hiding out in her room feeling pathetic, she gave in.

The yard was already bustling with people by the time she made her way outside. Old high school friends lounged around in lawn chairs, laughing and catching up like no time had passed. A large grill stood smoking in the corner, with Liam stationed as the self-declared "grill master," flipping burgers with way too much enthusiasm.

Ava grabbed a soda from the cooler and scanned the crowd, her heart skipping a beat when she didn't immediately spot Jake. A mixture of relief and disappointment flooded her chest. Maybe he wasn't coming after all. Maybe things wouldn't be so tense today.

But just as that thought crossed her mind, she caught sight of him-leaning against the side of the house, talking with Liam. He was wearing a gray t-shirt that clung to his broad shoulders and a backward cap, looking every bit the picture of effortless cool. Of course, Jake would show up.

Ava quickly averted her gaze, determined to keep her distance. But as she turned, she nearly walked straight into one of Liam's friends-Drew, a guy she remembered from high school. He had always been nice enough, the kind of guy who blended into the background, never causing any drama. He flashed her a grin, holding up a beer in greeting.

"Hey, Ava! Long time no see."

"Hey, Drew." She smiled politely, stepping aside to give him space. "It's been a while. How have you been?"

"Good, good," he said, taking a swig of his beer before glancing her up and down in a way that made her slightly uncomfortable. "You're looking great, by the way. City life must be treating you well."

Ava laughed awkwardly, shifting on her feet. "Yeah, it's been good. Busy, but good."

Drew moved a little closer, lowering his voice as if they were sharing some private joke. "You know, I was just telling Liam earlier that I had no idea how much you'd... grown up."

Ava's cheeks flushed at the compliment, though it didn't feel entirely welcome. "Uh, thanks, I guess."

Before she could make an excuse to walk away, Drew took another step closer, his gaze lingering in a way that made her skin crawl. "You know, I always thought you were cute back in the day, but now? You're kind of a knockout."

Ava blinked, caught off guard by the sudden boldness of his words. "Drew, I-"

"Come on," he said, flashing what he probably thought was a charming smile. "We should catch up. I could show you around town, maybe grab a drink later this week? You're not tied down, right?"

Ava opened her mouth to politely decline, but before she could respond, a shadow loomed over them. She turned to see Jake standing there, his jaw clenched and his eyes dark with something that looked a lot like fury.

"Drew," Jake said, his voice low and controlled, though there was an unmistakable edge to it. "I think you're standing a little too close."

Drew blinked, clearly not expecting the interruption. "Oh, hey, Jake. Just chatting with Ava here. No harm in that, right?"

Jake didn't budge, his gaze locked onto Drew with an intensity that made Ava's stomach twist. "Why don't you chat with someone else? Pretty sure Ava's not interested in whatever you're offering."

Drew frowned, glancing between Jake and Ava, clearly picking up on the tension. "Didn't realize she needed a bodyguard."

"She doesn't," Jake said, his voice tight. "But I don't think she's looking for your company."

Ava could feel the heat rise to her cheeks as both guys stared each other down. She hadn't asked for Jake's help, but she couldn't deny the strange thrill that shot through her at the sight of him so... possessive. Protective.

Drew scoffed, clearly deciding it wasn't worth the trouble. "Whatever, man. I'll catch up with you later, Ava."

As he walked away, Jake finally turned to her, his expression softening just a fraction. "You okay?"

Ava crossed her arms, unsure how to feel. "I could've handled that, you know."

Jake raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, I'm sure you could have. But you didn't look too happy about the situation."

She sighed, glancing down at her feet. "Yeah, well... Drew's harmless. Just a little too friendly, I guess."

Jake's eyes darkened again, and his jaw tightened. "He was more than 'a little too friendly,' Ava. Guys like that don't know when to back off. I wasn't going to let him corner you like that."

Ava didn't know how to respond. Part of her wanted to be annoyed at Jake for swooping in like some jealous protector, but another part of her-one she didn't want to admit-was relieved. Maybe even a little... pleased.

"Why do you care, Jake?" she asked, her voice quieter than she intended. "Why are you so worked up about this?"

Jake took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair as if trying to keep himself in check. "Because seeing him hit on you like that-seeing anyone hit on you like that-drives me insane. I can't help it."

Her heart fluttered, her breath catching in her throat as she met his gaze. His eyes were burning with something fierce, something raw, and she could feel the tension between them growing with every passing second.

"I don't like the idea of someone else getting close to you," Jake admitted, his voice rough. "And I know that's not fair, but it's the truth."

Ava's pulse quickened, her body buzzing with the weight of his words. This was dangerous territory. She knew it. He knew it. But there was no denying the fire between them.

"Jake..." she started, but the words died on her lips as he stepped closer, his proximity making her head spin.

"I'm not asking you to make any decisions right now," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I need you to know how I feel. I can't just sit back and watch someone else try to take what I want."

Ava swallowed hard, her heart racing. She didn't know what to say, what to think. But the way Jake was looking at her, the way his presence made her feel like the world had shrunk to just the two of them-it was overwhelming.

Before she could respond, Liam's voice broke through the moment. "Jake! Come help me with the grill, man!"

Jake's eyes flickered with frustration, but he forced a tight smile, stepping back and giving her one last intense look before turning to join Liam at the grill.

Ava stood there, trying to catch her breath, her mind spinning. Jake's words echoed in her head, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't ignore the way they made her feel.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love you all. See you in 7!
<3