Looking Beyond

Chapter 13: Goodnight

     It was dark by the time Jacob and Brea were leaving the cookout. Jacob started the car. "I am so sorry about all of that."

     "It's okay. They're just looking out for you. I get it. I'd do the same for Sav. She's the closest thing to a sibling I've got." She took his hand. "Your mom was really sweet inviting me to go to church with your family. It looks like we have a date tomorrow."

     He gave a small smile. "She really liked you. So did my dad." He sighed. "I just can't believe that damn near everyone else had to tell you about Janie."

     "It's okay Jacob." She let her fingers trace the beard on his chin. "I know that she was a part of your past. A pretty big part of your past. You can't hide from it. It'd be like me trying to hide from Shane. Just because they were in our pasts, doesn't mean we can't have a different future." She bit her lip. "You know, wherever God has decided that may be."

     "True." He pulled out onto the main roadway. "Are we still cool with not telling everyone else about it?"

     "Certainly. Can you imagine Sav if she knew? Or Dan?" She shook her head. "It's better if we don't say anything."

     "Agreed."

* * *

     Savannah paced back and forth in the living room. "Why aren't they home yet?"

     "Vannah-Girl, just sit back down and finish watching the movie with me."

     "Erik. I'm serious. I need to know if he's taking advantage of her."

     "I could argue that she's taking advantage of him, but I don't – because it's THEIR BUISNESS."

     Savannah reluctantly took her seat next to Erik and pouted. "Sue me for wanting to make sure the only family I have left doesn't get hurt."

     "I've know Jacob for years. Brea would be good for him. I think he'd be good for Brea too."

     Savannah took a handful of popcorn from the bowl Erik held. "I still want to know what they're thinking."

     "You can want to know all you desire, but you're not going to say a word."

     "I hate you Erik."

     Erik threw his arm around her shoulders. "No you don't. You love me."

     Savannah jumped up from the couch. "Did you hear that?"

     "Hear what? You being crazy, because yes, I hear that just fine."

     Savannah ignored his attitude – he was still upset about being handcuffed earlier. "Jacob just pulled up out front." She quickly went over to the window. "Why aren't they getting out of the car?"

        Erik strode up behind her. "Because he just stopped."

     Savannah continued to watch and wait. "I might need to go and get them."

     "No you don't Vannah-Girl. They'll be heading in soon. Stop being all creepy." He smacked her butt lightly. "That is, unless you want to be all creepy on me."

     Savannah turned around, placing her hands on her hips. "If you keep me from finding shit out, you can forget about me being creepy with you at all."

     "Hey guys!" Jacob called out into the house.

     "Hi Sav!" Brea turned to Jacob. "So what time do we need to leave by tomorrow?"

     "The service is at ten, so we should leave hear around nine thirty." Jacob could feel Savannah's intense glare on him.

     "I should get to bed then. Night Sav. Night E." She tried to cool down her excitement, so as to not let on what she and Jacob were getting into. "Thanks again for taking me. It was just what I needed to get my mind off of things."

     Jacob bit his lip, trying to play things cool. "It was nothing. I'm glad I could help."

     "You 'helped' her alright..." Savannah muttered.

     Erik gave her a tight side hug. "Vannah and I are gonna finish this movie. Goodnight you two!" He steered her back to the couch while Jacob and Brea headed upstairs.

     "What are you doing?" She hit his arm.

     "Let them be grown ups." He shoved the bowl of popcorn to her. "Now sit."

     Savannah glared at him, but sat and watched the rest of the movie.

* * *

     "Was it me or is Savannah extra moody tonight?" Jacob whispered to Brea, once they got to the door of his room.

     "She could be PMS-ing, but with her, you never can tell."

     A door down the hall opened. "Hey Jacob! I thought I heard voices." The voice halted briefly. "Um. Hi Brea."

     Jacob gave a slight head nod to acknowledge Trevor's presence. "Trev."

     "I should get to bed. Good night Jacob." Brea entered the door beside Jacob's and closed it behind her.

     "I really messed up." He walked over to Jacob.

     Jacob shrugged. "It's not like you would have been as serious about her as she was about you."

     "That's not fair. I didn't know she was even interested in me!" Trevor's face began to look confident. "That doesn't matter. I'm going to make it up to her."

     Jacob hoped his eyes hadn't bugged out as much they felt like they had. "Really? She couldn't even talk to you a minute ago."

     "My plan takes time. But it will be worth it."

     "I wouldn't be too sure about it." Jacob tried to keep himself from becoming too smug. "I mean, she's still pretty pissed. Anyway, good luck with that. I got to get to bed. I got to meet my family for church in the morning."

     "Yeah. Good night bro." Trevor returned to his and Erik's room.