Shattered Rose

3. JAKE

Dear Lord , I know You will place people in her path, people who may love her or hurt her. I pray those people bring her to know You either for the first time or as a rekindling of the relationship You already share..."

The next morning I jumped out of bed, far too eager to see Jake again. I ran to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and hair, and put on a light sheen of makeup. I was going for the I-look-this-gorgeous-every-time-I-get-out-bed look. I opened my door and let out all my breath when I saw the empty sofa. My disappointment concerned me. I hardly knew this guy. Issy sat hunched over the bar, slowly sipping what looked like a disgusting green drink. She looked awful. She still wore her clothes from the night before, and her makeup was smeared down her cheeks. "Don't say a word. I'm fully aware of how scary I look this morning, and I really don't care."She took a sip of her green concoction. "When did Jake leave?""I'm not sure. He fell asleep on the couch, and then I went to bed."I tried to sound nonchalant, but Issy's brow shot up. "I was kind of brutal to him last night."She seemed genuinely remorseful until a moment later when her eyes became cold. "I'm so frustrated. I mean, I love him, don't get me wrong, but I'm in college, and I feel like I have my dad following me everywhere I go. It's not like he doesn't have his own demons. He spent the last two years in a frat house hooking up with anything in a skirt."She let out a dramatic sigh, reached her arm across the bar and laid her head on it. "Owww...my head hurts!"I held in a laugh. I was starting to wonder if this girl ever had a thought that she didn't verbalize. I looked at her drink again and couldn't help but ask, "What on earth are you drinking?""It's my hangover juice. Does the trick every time."She sat back up and looked at me intensely, making me a little nervous. I swear her eyes could penetrate the soul. "So, what did you and my cousin talk about last night?"I shifted uncomfortably and started pulling cereal out of the pantry. "What do you mean?""Oh, come on, that's Jake's MO-the tortured, brooding type. Girls love it."I didn't know what to say. I wanted to believe her words had no effect on me. After all, I'd just met the guy, so who cared what his "MO"was. Yet, my neck tensed and my defenses shot up. "He told me about his mom and how he came to live with you. That's all. We really didn't talk much. He did say you were his best friend, though."I was hoping she would take the bait and change the subject. "I am his best friend, and that's why I know he's intrigued with you."My immediate smile gave me away. "Ah ha, I knew you liked him,"she accused. "Yes, he's intrigued with you. I know this because he mentioned you more than twice last night. But don't be deceived. Jake is not the fall in love type. He's just not.""Maybe I'm not the fall in love type either,"I retorted, feeling annoyed by the conversation. "Oh, please, you have hopeless romantic written all over you."I rolled my eyes and continued to make my breakfast. Not deterred, she continued, "Every once in a while a girl gets a glimpse of who he is, and they immediately fall head over heels. But a glimpse is all you get. He doesn't do more than that. Jake is complicated."She seemed careful in how she said those last words. The hair on the back of my neck stood at attention while my ears tried to filter what her words implied. "What do you mean?""It doesn't matter. Just trust me. If I thought he would ever treat a girl the way he treats me, I would move out of the way, but he won't. You need to hear this before it goes too far."I nodded and looked at her. "I hear you. I do. You don't have to worry; I'm not going to fall head over heels for Jake. I'm much too practical."She looked at me skeptically but let the subject drop. Searching for something else to talk about, I remembered Danny. "By the way, I met some guys from apartment 315. I think one of them likes you.""Ugh, no thanks. I've already met Aaron and feel like I have to shower every time I see him."She shivered to make a point. I laughed in agreement. "Not him. It was his roommate, Danny, that was asking about you.""Huh? I haven't met him yet. Doesn't matter, I don't date guys from our apartment complex.""Really, why not?""Because I only go out with guys once, maybe twice, and it's hard enough to make them go away. It would be impossible if they were living just up the stairs from me."She gave me another penetrating stare, almost a warning. "I have a short attention span...much like Jake."Her words shot directly to my heart and squeezed, which is exactly what I think she wanted. Issy slid off the stool. "I'm heading back to bed. Don't you dare wake me before two o'clock. It's Saturday, for crying out loud."She slowly threw herself on her bed, arms and legs sprawled out across the entire thing. Her words continued to gnaw at me. Jake was intrigued with me? I wasn't sure why. Jake could have any girl he wanted. He didn't have to settle for me. Then again, Issy was probably reading into things. Jake treated me like a friend, or at least someone he wanted to get to know. That was enough. I admired him. He was fourteen when he had to become an adult and take care of his mom. Of course he would be emotionally guarded...who wouldn't be in the same situation? To his credit, he didn't seem bitter at all; just factual, almost nonchalant about what he went through. I pulled out my statics book and settled in to read the first chapter. No luck. My mind kept going back to Jake on the couch, fully confident and relaxed, yet somehow exposed. I shook my head, scolding myself, "This is ridiculous."I obviously needed to clear my brain before I could hope to get anything accomplished. Reading could wait; it was time for a run. The breeze outside immediately cooled my flushed skin. The rain came earlier, and I could smell the scent of raindrops in the air. A haze fell just above the surface of the lake; it was eerie and breathtaking, full of mystery. The ambience reminded me of Jake, and once again sent my stomach into a whirl. I stood outside, stretching, when I saw Danny and Aaron descending the stairs. They looked ready to workout too, and I wondered if it was a coincidence. "Hey, Avery,"Danny called from the top of the stairs. "You going for a run?""Yep, too beautiful outside to waste the day."I hoped my curt tone would imply I wanted to be left alone. Danny seemed oblivious. "Want some company?"Aaron was right behind him, checking me out again. No, I didn't, but unfortunately, I was one of those people who never said no. "Um, sure."Danny scanned the parking lot. He was trying to be subtle, but I knew who he was looking for. "Issy's not coming,"I offered, hoping that meant they would change their mind about running with me. Aaron started laughing and stepped around Danny. "Dude, give it up. All right, Avery, let's see what you've got."We ran down fraternity row. The area was quiet and serene, a vast difference from the life it took on each night. Thankfully, I wasn't having any problems keeping up with the guys. We passed one house that had plastic cups strung over the front yard and two empty beer kegs in the driveway. Five guys, who I assumed were pledges, were carrying around large trash bags to pick up the mess. I wondered what house Jake was a part of and what he was doing at one o'clock on a Saturday afternoon. "You didn't come by last night,"Aaron said, pulling me from my thoughts. "I had to unpack."Danny's chuckle was lost under his hitched breathing. "That's pretty sad when unpacking is more appealing than hanging out with us. We really are fun, if you get to know us better."He didn't act like he expected a response, so I just kept quiet and focused on my running stride. We turned right to take the trail around the lake. The route would put us at six miles for the day, but I didn't care. Every time Jake popped in my head, my stomach started to flutter, and then came an onset of nervous energy. I picked up the pace, and the boys matched my stride. "I have to admit I'm impressed,"Aaron said, starting to breathe a little heavier now. "Most girls just act like runners; they don't actually do it.""Cross country in high school. Three years."He nodded, his mouth puckering as if to show he was impressed. "That explains those rockin'legs of yours. Muscular and tan."He licked his lips. "I bet their smooth as silk, too."My body almost came to a screeching halt. Who says stuff like that? I shook it off, glad that it was a compliment. In junior high, when someone commented on my legs, they were brutal. "Shut up, Aaron,"Danny scolded. "I'm trying to convince her that we're nice guys.""You just want to meet her roommate. Geez, dude, just go to Caesars. She's there every Thursday night.""I'd be happy to introduce you."I cut in when Danny's ears turned red. "But I have to tell you that she doesn't date guys from our apartment complex. From what she said, I really don't think she dates at all."Aaron snickered and gave me a yeah-right stare. "That's what all girls say. They act like they don't care, but deep down they are all dying to fall in love."Issy was suddenly in my head. "Women get a glimpse of who he is and fall head over heels, but that's all they get, a glimpse."The words were haunting. Was I going to be one of those girls? I was obviously headed in that direction. Jake had consumed my every thought since I went to bed last night. Determined, I pushed the green-eyed boy out of my head and turned back to Aaron. "Well, I don't know her all that well, so I couldn't tell you."We made our way back to the apartment and I checked my time. 52: 25...by far my fastest in a while. Aaron gripped his knees to catch a breath. "Girl, I don't think I'm running with you again."I brushed off his compliment and started towards the stairs, ready to say goodbye. The guys followed, but I noticed they hung by the landing, not taking the stairs up to their apartment. "Are you guys going out tonight?"Danny asked, looking shy again. I felt bad for him. He obviously had a pretty severe crush on Issy and hadn't even met her yet. "I'm pretty sure she's still asleep, but you're welcome to come grab a water from my fridge."I had no idea how Issy would feel about me bringing two guys back to the apartment, but I had a soft spot for people. Years of being teased and ridiculed had made me more sensitive to other's feelings. Danny's face lit up, but Aaron just shook his head, declining my offer. I still couldn't figure out how they got along. Danny was kind and shy, while Aaron, well he was everything a girl should run from...and fast. I ushered Danny into the apartment and went rigid when I heard Issy's agitated voice. "Avery! Where have you been?"