Looking Beyond

Chapter 26: Prepping for Valentine's Day

     "Did you really have to plan a short getaway trip for Valentines day, Erik? You're making the rest of us look bad." Dan chastised while staring at the cards in his hand.

     "Yes I did." Erik tossed a couple of poker chips into the center of the table. "Why wouldn't I?"

     "You've been together for a month." Jacob noted, placing his beer down and folding his hand.

     "You've been with Brea for almost five. What are you doing for her?"

     Jacob picked at the label on his beer bottle. "We're not like that."

     Trevor snorted. "Dude, she's staying in your room every night. But y'all aren't 'like that.' Then what are you guys?" The men around the table all nodded, determined to get an answer from Jacob.

     "Would you like to stay in your room if you had Sav and E in the bed next to yours?" Jacob answered, not looking from his bottle.

     "Hey!" Erik pretended to look offended.

     Dan rolled his eyes. "Jake, we all know there's more to you and Brea than what you're telling us." He looked at Trevor and Erik. "I know you'll tell us when you want us to know."

     "Thanks Dan, I appreciate it." He paused to finish off his beer. "But we just really like hanging out together. No biggie."

     Trevor leaned back in his seat. "Now I'm even more curious."

     "Are you in or out this hand Trev? We're waiting on you." Dan interjected.

     Trevor folded his hand and eyed Jacob. "So, anyway E, you're setting a pretty high bar for us single guys."

     "I'm not getting out of this easy either." Complained Dan. "Savannah told Scarlett and Brea where Erik wanted to take her on Valentine's Day." He turned over his cards, revealing a pair of sixes and jacks. "I need to come up with something good to compete."

     Erik laid down his own hand, showing a full house. He reached into the center of the table and pulled the chips towards him. "Not my fault if you're not as good as me."

     Jacob laughed and shook his head. "I'm glad Brea's not all into that kind of crap." He mumbled.

     "Excuse me?" Trevor had overheard him. "You and Brea aren't like that, but you know what she'd want for Valentine's Day? Denial isn't a river in Egypt."

     "Brea's pretty laid back. She's into a lot of stuff I wouldn't have picked her to enjoy." Jacob stated calmly. "We'll probably hang out like we usually do. No point in going all out."

     "Can we take a moment to mourn the loss of our fourth player at the table?" Trevor faced Erik and Dan. "Because with that attitude, she'll kill him, and we'll need someone else to play."

     Erik patted Jacob's shoulder. "Jake, all girls love romance on Valentine's Day. I'm just sayin'."

    "Maybe he's right." Trevor leaned on the table. "Maybe there's no need for romance. Sometimes friends with benefits don't need any of that romance stuff." Jacob's hand clenched itself into a tight fist.

     Dan shuffled the deck of cards and started dealing the cards back out. "Back off guys. If Jacob says that he and Brea aren't like that, don't push him."

     "I'm gonna call it a night." Jacob stood up and abruptly left the table, storming up the two flights of stairs to his room.

     Erik and Dan glared at Trevor, who shrugged his shoulders in return.