Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 16

Tamara was wearing a button-down shirt tucked into a pair of black jeans. The tailor of the shirt didn't hide her curves. Her long raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders in voluminous curls. Her dark brown eyes locked right onto Jake's then jumped to Anna's before walking towards the hostess.

Jake didn't know the people flanking her; two young men and a pretty young woman. He might've seen them in passing at school but never knew their names.

Looking back at Anna, he noticed that her focus had shifted from Tam to him, eyes wide.

Tam walked right past them. Not giving them a second look and Anna dropped her gaze to her plate.

It took everything in him not to reach out and touch her or to go yell at Tam. How could she treat Anna like this? Anna hasn't done anything in this little fight between him and Tam, yet Tam is punishing her anyway. It's not fair. Jake's anger was rising to the surface.

The next time the waiter came by he asked for the check. One check. He said it loud enough for Tam to hear. The only sign of pushback he would show. He was not willing to compromise his time with Anna for Tam's sake. So what if she knew he loved Anna? He would stand by Anna no matter what and paying for her tonight was his small way of unifying them in Tam's sight.

He let Anna lead the way to the car, careful not to put a hand on her back--no physical contact in eyesight was their plan.

"Are you okay?" He turned to her the second he sat down in the driver's seat.

"No. I'm pissed off!" He could tell Anna was holding back her anger. She wanted to scream and hit something and the force of it was causing her body to shake.

"Let it out." He coaxed. She took a calming breath but it did little to nothing for her. "Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere but here," she grunted.

"You got it." She didn't ask any questions as he drove. The park wasn't too far from the diner and he followed the streets that direction. Maybe a brisk walk in the cool February night would help.

They arrived and were surrounded by bare trees rising high into the air. Small bench swings littered the grounds--a staple for the iconic Centennial Park. But, the walking path is where he was headed, Anna following close behind, bundled in her winter coat.

"I'm hoping this will cool you down." He winked and gave her a sly smile. She tried to resist it but returned his grin.

"Thanks, Jake." She sidled up next to him and her eyes glinted in the light of the lamps on the path.

"Alright. Now let it out. Yell if you want. Punch me if you need to. Anything. Let it all out."

"Why is she doing this?" Anna whispered.

"That's not yelling." She looked into his face and took another deep breath before turning to look at the path ahead of them.
"WHY IS SHE DOING THIS?!" Anna shouted into the night.

"There we go."

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! SHE'S BEING A... A... bitch." The last word was spat at normal volume.

"You are absolutely right. This is uncalled for and totally unfair."

"I feel bad for calling her a bitch now," Anna admitted.

Jake laughed, "Let's start walking." And they did. Their breath fogging in the cold air.

"She could just say what's on her mind and be an actual adult about this." Anna turned her face and looked up into his eyes. "I miss her, Jake."