The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 67- Put In That Extra Shot

A/N

Disclaimer: This is not edited. But I was so excited when I finished it that I had to post it right away! <3 <3 <3

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When I wake up, Luke's arm is draped across my waist. I smile at the familiar feeling, but my smile fades when I remember the reasons that led us to being holed up together in my room. My stomach growls, and I realize that Luke and I came in here without eating dinner last night. I wonder if Rachel and the douchebag are still in the apartment, but I refuse to tiptoe around as if I'm the one who did something wrong.

Adjusting my shorts, which had ridden up while I slept, I walk out my door and into the kitchen. To my annoyance Jake is already there. I hesitate for a moment, but I stick to my decision to refuse to be trapped in my own home. If anyone should leave, it's him.

"Oh, hey, Stephie! Have a nice night?" Jake asks.

Without a word, I brush past him, not really sure why he's trying to talk to me at all. About that time, Luke comes strolling out of my room shirtless and heads straight for the fridge. I must have woken him when I left.

While he's rummaging around, Jake continues, getting up to come stand at the bar in front of us. "You know, it's funny...I was thinking the other day--"

"That can't be good," I mumble under my breath, and I think I might hear Luke chuckle in appreciation. I pass him the cereal and reach over to grab the milk. I stop when Jake steps into my way. With an annoyed expression, I finally look at him.

He takes that as a cue to keep talking.

"I was just thinking that we dated for almost an entire year before you finally gave it up to me." My eyes turn icy. If he thinks he's going to shock Luke with this story, he's wrong. Luke already knows it all. To my further annoyance, Jake keeps talking. "Then with my buddy, you guys made it to the bedroom after just one date. And now," he chuckles, "now you're shacking up with a rock star." He turns to address Luke directly, who is now hovering just over my left shoulder. "You should probably be thanking me, man."

"How do you figure?" Luke asks, his voice low and dangerous. I can feel his body behind me, wound as tight as the strings on his guitar.

Jake ignores his question and turns his attention back to me.

"All these years I've almost felt guilty for slipping that extra shot of tequila into your drink. Little did I know that I was really just unleashing your inner whore. She was just begging to get out, just like I'm sure you beg for it every—"

That's all he gets to say because, in that moment, Luke's fist connects square against Jake's jaw. Jake stumbles back and onto the arm of the couch, cradling his face with a pained groan. Luke pulls his arm back, poising for another strike, but I clutch at his shoulder and elbow with both hands, stilling the motion.

"Don't. Let's just go," I say, lowering his arm and clinging onto his balled up fist.

His eyes are still wild, but he lets me push him a step back. Just then, Rachel comes around the corner, her eyes streaming with tears.

"How could you?" she shouts. At first I think she's yelling at Luke, but then she strides past us and stops straight in front of Jake. Her hand draws back and slaps him hard across the face.

Luke grunts approvingly.

"You crazy witch!" Jake shouts. "What's your problem?"

"How could you do that to my best friend?" She's hysterical, her body visibly shuddering with emotion. "How can you say those things now? You said you changed!"