Beach House // colby brock

Chapter 54

"That was fun." I rest my head on Colbys shoulder. My eyes wander with slight dizziness because of the alcohol I consumed.

"Yeah it was." Colby puts his arm around me, my head still on his shoulder. He uses his hand that's around me to gently stroke my hair.

Sam and Kat had left a little earlier, leaving Colby and I to socialize. I enjoyed meeting everyone, new friends.

I close my eyes slowly and let my whole entire body focus on Colbys hand running against my head. For the first time in a long time, I felt, so safe. So loved.

•

"Kendall!" I am shaken suddenly from my slumber. My eyes open quickly and I see a figure standing over my bed. For a second, I had no idea where I was or what was going on.

I remembered Colby bringing me up to my apartment after the party, and making sure I got into bed before he went home.

"Who is that?" I try to identify the figure in the dark.

"It's Jake." I hear a mumble as I search for the table side light switch. I finally find it and turn it on.

"Jake?" I rub my eyes to get used to the sudden light. "What's wrong? Is everything okay? What time is it?"

The first thing that came to mind was, how did he get in? But then I remembered I gave him a key to my apartment.

"I'm okay. It's 1:00 am." He sits down on my bed, facing me.

"You're scaring me." I am fully awake now and my heart starts racing. "What are you doing here so late?"

"I just wanted to apologize." He says.

"What are you talking about?" I grab his hand and hold it firmly.

"I feel really bad." He says.

"Why do you feel bad? Tell me what's wrong." I start getting kind of frustrated.

"I told Sam and Colby I was going to be at the party." He says, looking down at our hands. "And I wasn't."

"Jake-" I begin to say when he cuts me off.

"No, Kendall. I promised I would be there with you and that I wasn't going to prioritize anyone and even though we went to go pick Sam and Colby up at the airport together I feel like I haven't seen you in ages and it makes me sad because I really miss you." Jake says so quickly I thought he was going to pass out.

"Jake." I put a hand on his shoulder. "Breath."

He takes a deep breath. "I'm just sorry."

"Don't be sorry." I say. "But I have to admit."

"Admit it." He says,

"I was sad you weren't there. But it's ok! I understand that you are with Tara and you guys are really into each other." I rub his shoulder. "You're my bestfriend, I know you'll always be there for me whenever I need you."

"I want to make sure you know that." He says.

"I do." I rub his cheek with my thumb and stare at his worried face. "No need to worry."

He smiles and I could see him let go air that he probably didn't even know he was holding.

"Good." He said. "It was eating me alive all night."

I chuckle.

"Okay." He says and begins to stand up.

"Wait." I grab his hand and he looks at me. "Do you want to stay?"

He smiles warmly and nods his head. I pat the spot next to me on the bed and he hops in. He snuggles his head into the pillow and takes another deep breath.

"Want me to turn the light off?" I ask. He nods his head slowly. I shake my head and smile, turning the light off.

I lay my head back down on my pillow.

"I love you Kendall." I hear Jake whisper in the dark.

I can feel my eyes water slightly, not out of sadness, but pure joy. Pure feelings in the moment.

"I love you Jake." I whisper back. I knew I wasn't just saying it, to say it. I realized, it was the first time I've said it and actually meant it. I nuzzle my face into my pillow with a smile on my face, and fall into a deep sleep.