Double Trouble

The way you look at him

Darren turned around and walked into his bedroom. When he got out, he was wearing bathing shorts and carrying a towel.

"Where are you going?" Chase asked, frustrated.

He pointed towards the lake with an innocent look. "I'm going swimming."

Chase rolled his eyes, his hand going through his hair as Darren walked outside. When the door shut, he turned to me and Blake with both hands on his hips. "Don't tell me that you two are joining them." He rubbed his chin. "And what the hell is up with her?"

He still didn't get it?

He let out a breath, just staring down into the floors. Then, as if a bird just had whispered it into his ear, it seemed as if it went up for him. He looked up at me and Blake with raised eyebrows. "You think she's in love with me?"

Good job Chase. You figured it out.

Blake and I looked at each other.

"Damn," Chase said, still in shock. "But... what? Jade?"

It surprised me how hard it was for him to imagine Jade being in love with him. "But," I started. "I though you two had a thing a couple of years ago. Weren't you in love with her then?"

He frowned a bit. "Well, yes, or ... no? I don't know, but that didn't even work out. It got all weird and ... No, just no. I just, though we were on the same page there."

"Apparently not," Blake said and looked out the windows. Jade was in the water and Darren was taking off his slippers. He jumped out into the water and his skinny body managed to send water everywhere as he met the surface.

"Do you guys want to swim, or...?" Blake pointed towards the lake, making me and Chase turn our heads to him instantly.

"Are you serious?" Chase snared.

Blakes eyes went open. "What?"

"What do you mean what? She is naked, Blake. Jade is naked in the lake, angry and in love with me."

"Well," Blake started, hesitantly. "I'm kind of surprised that you aren't happier about that."

I looked at Blake in surprise at his comment.

Chase shook his head while making a disgusted face. "It's Jade, Blake. We've known her since we were kids. I do not want to see her naked."

Wow, I guess he really did see her as a sister.

"And what the hell am I supposed to say to her when she comes back inside?" He started walking in circles, pulling on his hair. "She just admitted to being in love with me!"

"Calm down," I tried, putting my hand on his shoulder, stopping him before the dizziness would kick in, making him trip over.

He stopped and looked into my eyes, his breath heavy. We just stood there, just looking at each other for a moment, butterflies filling my stomach. I pulled away, and turned to Blake, who was wearing a somewhat worried expression.

"I'll make sure she calms down," I said with my look directed to the floors. I peeked up at Chase again. He looked mentally exhausted, with his hair mid parted and his shirt open as usual. His eyes were big and still staring into mine. I swallowed and looked away again.

"Okay," Blake started, sounding a bit irritated. "Well, as Jades friend, I'm not going to let her swim alone. Or, with Darren, but that's basically the same for her I think so... I'm going swimming." He grabbed my hand. "Are you coming?"