Cake: A Love Story (19 page)

“Way to be supportive, Taylor,” I said but her words scared me. Maybe she was right. Maybe I’d been an idiot.

“Sorry. Maybe I’m way off base. I really hope I am. Maybe your hot rockstar has more integrity than I’m giving him credit for,” Taylor shrugged.

“I’m never going to see him again, am I? I was so stupid!” I exclaimed as I sunk lower into the sofa.

“Don’t listen to her, Casey, it sounds like Jake was really into you,” Anna said. All the sudden Anna was my best friend.

“Or…he was into you because he was trying to…get into you,” Taylor lamented.

I left then to take a shower…a sinking feeling spread through me. I wanted to cry. Was that really all he’d wanted from me…a booty call? Was that all it was? If so, why hadn’t he pushed harder for sex? I laid it out for Jake in the beginning. He could have left at anytime but he didn’t. He spent the whole night with me and respected my decision…even talked me out of it when I started pushing too hard. Taylor was wrong. Jake wasn’t that guy. He liked me. I hadn’t just imagined his interest…it was real. Maybe I should text him. No, I couldn’t appear like a needy one-night stand. The decision over whether we continued this…what?...this relationship…would have to be left up to him.

Chapter Twelve

Jake

It had been a great night…probably the best of my life. When Casey and I finally fell asleep entangled in each other’s arms it was as if lying together was the most normal thing in the world to do. By the look of contentment on Casey’s face when she was asleep I could tell it was normal for her to feel safe and protected. I was the complete opposite. Nothing about my past provided me with safety and security so it came as quite a shock to me when I woke up in the morning rested and relaxed. I hadn’t stressed at all with Casey. I was like a goddamn normal human being for a change and the thought made me so happy. Maybe I could have a normal life with a nice girl. Why not? Crazier things had happen.

I’d totally overslept and from the pissed off texts I’d received, I knew I was going to pay for it. After a rather uneventful return to my room winding though a few eager fans, I opened the door to find my mom sitting on the couch. Shit!

“Nice of you to finally join us Jake,” she said through pursed lips. She definitely didn’t seem like she thought it was nice.

“Sorry. I overslept. My phone was off from the wedding and I totally forgot to turn it back on last night.”

My mom just stared at me with a pissed look on her face. There was a tray of food from the breakfast I’d obviously missed. I glanced over at Keith who was packing my duffle bag and trying to disappear from the conversation.

“That wouldn’t have been a problem if you’d stayed in your own bed last night,” she spat out.

Of course I had no retort. What could I say?

“I thought we talked about this last night. You promised you were going to prioritize the family over just another female admirer.”

I saw Keith glance over at me then back to mom. Obviously my brother wanted me to tell her that Casey was more than that but I had no intention of admitting to something that I really didn’t understand myself. I scowled at Keith, non-verbally warning him that this was none of his business. He shook his head and looked away.

“Sorry,” I apologized, knowing that nothing I could say would appease my mom.

And, as predicted, she wasn’t ready to accept my rather insincere remorse. “We had plans this morning, remember? Plans we had to change because you weren’t here.”

“I’m sorry mom. I messed up,” I acknowledged. If I’d learned one thing about women in my few short years it was to acknowledge their superiority and just apologize for my very existence.

Mom shook her head, looking immensely disappointed in me. “Would just one night without sex have killed you, Jake?”

Kyle coughed out a laugh and Keith started choking from the force it took to hold one back. I was close to losing it myself but I knew this was not the moment to laugh in my mom’s face. It was no secret that she was not a fan of the one-night-stand lifestyle that I typically favored but usually she just kept her opinions to herself.

“Well, actually, if you must know…I didn’t have sex and, surprisingly, no, it didn’t kill me,” I smirked. Keith and Kyle lost it. I started laughing too. Mom stood up, not finding it nearly as funny as my brothers and me.

“Pack your stuff. We are leaving for the BBQ in 30 minutes,” she said then walked out of the room. I swear I saw the tiniest of smiles on her face.

The BBQ was at the home of Kate’s parents. It was a get-together only for the families of the bride and groom. Still with my family and Mitch’s mom’s side of the family and Kate’s relatives, there were around 25 people. I really was not looking forward to spending my last day state-side making conversation with a bunch of people I didn’t know when there was a girl who made my blood boil only 30 minutes away. I couldn’t get her out of my head. I could still feel her fingers trailing up my body, her lips on mine. I’d already decided that, if time allowed, I was going to stop by Casey’s work…surprise her. I just wanted a few more minutes with her before flying back to Germany.

I played the part of interested partygoer, enduring the enthusiastic admiring’s of a bunch of strangers with a smile and a polite thanks. I ate, no I savored, the BBQ chicken and steak that I’d been deprived of in Asia and Europe and, most importantly, I spent the required amount of time pretending to be a good son to my irritated parents. But I was restless. I kept checking the outside clock on the wall of their house. 1:00. 2:00, 3:00. Oh God, shoot me now! My flight was scheduled to depart at 6:45pm. With each tick of the clock I was losing time with her. Finally at 3:45 I couldn’t take anymore.

“Kyle, I need to leave by 4:00,” I said. We had already decided he would drive me to the airport since my parents weren’t sure how long the BBQ would be going on.

“Why so early? The airport is only like 25 minutes from here and it’s a Sunday.”

“I just. I need to get there. I have some business I need to take care of. I can’t do it here. I’m just going to say my goodbyes and then can you drive me?”

“Yeah, sure.”

So I went around and apologized and thanked the hosts for having me. I said my goodbyes to Mitch and Kate and then my parents and siblings. By the time I was sitting in the car it was already 4:05. My leg was fidgeting and I was wringing my hands together.

“Let’s go,” I demanded rather abruptly.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Kyle asked.

“Change of plans. First I need you to drive me to Outback Steakhouse. It’s just off the 17.”

Kyle turned and looked at me in shock. “Dude, seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously.”

Kyle stared at me for a second then shook his head and laughed. “Way to play hard to get,” he commented as he put the car in gear and started driving.

“There is no point. She already knows I like her.”

Kyle shook his head like he was disappointed in me but there was a smile on his face when he said, “Amateur.”

We sat in silence for a while before Kyle asked, “So just exactly how much do you like this girl?”

“Enough to risk missing my flight just to see her again.”

Kyle laughed. “Well Goddamn…Jakey-boy has got himself a crush. I never thought I would see the day.”

“Just shut up and drive,” I said trying to keep the stupid smile off my face that always seemed to come when I was thinking about her.

“I’m driving, dumbass. And just so you know, if you’re late it’s on you.”

Chapter Thirteen

Casey

I was about three hours into my shift when one of the other waitresses grabbed my arm. Her face was flush with excitement.

“What’s going on?” I asked in surprise.

Kaitlin stared at me with this really weird look.

“Are you okay?”

“Tony needs you up front,” Kaitlin replied breathlessly then let out a weird little squeal.

“Okay,” I said looking at the strange expression on my co-worker’s face. “What? Am I missing something here? What’s going on?” I asked.

“That’s what I want to know,” Kaitlin replied then grabbed my arm and steered me toward the entrance of the restaurant. “You’ve been holding out on me, girl.”

“Kaitlin, geez…what is…” As I turned the corner, there he was, standing in the waiting area. I could not believe my eyes.

“Jake?” I asked in total shock.

He smiled.

“What are you doing here?”

“Thought I would stop by before catching my flight.”

I stared at his handsome face for a second before walking over to him in disbelief and hugging him. “I can’t believe you’re here. This is such an amazing surprise. Thank you,” I said and, without thinking, kissed him on the lips. There was a collective gasp from my co-workers and a few customers as well. Not caring about our audience, I lingered there a second, feeling the familiar heat between us. It wasn’t until I pulled back that I noticed Kyle.

“Oh Kyle, sorry, I didn’t see you there,” I said as I went over to hug him.

“Story of my life,” Kyle smirked.

I laughed then turned to Jake and asked, “How much time do you have?”

“About enough time for some Aussie cheese fries,” Jake replied then turned to Tony, my manager, and asked, “Can I get a table in Casey’s section?”

“Of course,” Tony replied then turned to another server named Sami and said, “An order of cheese fries-make it a double.” Sami ran off to the kitchen. Tony then guided Jake and Kyle through the restaurant and sat them in a booth. The entire dining room was whispering and staring. The other servers had stopped serving and just stood there looking dumbfounded. As usual, Jake ignored the hoopla surrounding him. His eyes were on me. I could not believe he’d come to my work. It spoke volumes to his interest in me. My head was spinning. How could this possibly be happening? I smiled at him and our eyes met. Just a simple look from Jake made me tingle from head to toe. Good God. For a moment I forgot where I was and what I was doing. I could not concentrate on anything but Jake. I wanted nothing more than to slide into the booth next to him but I had four active tables. I shook my head, extracting myself from my trance. I excused myself to take care of my customers. As I walked away I turned back to find Jake still staring at me in that smoldering way.

I smiled and mouthed to him, “stop.”

Jake shrugged like he didn’t know what I was talking about but then he smirked.

I got back to my tables and, after several minutes of serving the needs of my customers, I brought two waters to the only people in the restaurant that mattered to me. As always, Jake and I chatted effortlessly. Kyle had fun acting like the put-upon third wheel. I saw Tony heading my way and quickly retreated back toward my other tables.

“Casey?” Tony called to me. I stopped and turned back.

“I know. I’m sorry,” I said, not even trying to defend myself.

“Why don’t you take your break now.”

“I have four tables.”

“I’ll cover them.”

“Really?” I asked. Tony nodded.

“Thanks,” I smiled. It was totally unlike Tony to ever give us a personal break if we had friends or family visiting the restaurant but Jake obviously was different. He was famous and Tony wanted to make him happy.

“Thanks a lot,” Jake smiled at Tony. “I really appreciate that.”

“Yeah. Yeah. No problem,” Tony beamed.

I sat down and scooted into the booth. Jake wrapped his arms around me and I stared up at him all googly-eyed.

“Okay, if this is going to work, we are going to need some ground rules,” Kyle said. “Keep it above the waist. No tongue action and absolutely no baby talk.”

Both Jake and I bust up laughing. We chatted for about five minutes until two orders of cheese fries arrived. We wolfed them down. Cameras flashed around us as people snuck pictures of Jake. Several teenage girls were bold enough to walk up to our table and ask for his autograph, which Jake promised to sign on his way out. When one of my coworkers asked for an autograph, Tony stepped in and reprimanded him.

The co-worker sauntered off with his tail between his legs.

Jake looked at me in surprise then whispered, “Geez, now I feel bad. Your boss is kind-of scary,” he whispered.

“You know what’s even more scary?” I replied. “He’s on his best behavior because you’re here.”

Jake laughed. “It’s kind of like a Cinderella story here, Casey. The damsel in distress in need of saving.”

I bust out laughing. “Oh and in this little fantasy world of yours, are you the knight in shining armor?”

“I believe it’s Prince Charming, but yeah.”

Kyle rolled his eyes. “Oh God, please. I can’t take anymore of this witty banter. Shoot me now.”

Jake and I both laughed.

“No one is forcing you to stay,” Jake shot back.

“Yeah, yeah but I’m the one watching the clock and I hate to break up this little love fest,” Kyle explained. “But we got to get you to the airport.”

“Yeah, I know,” Jake replied then turned to me. “Can you walk me to the car?”

“Yes,” I said smiling up at him.

Jake scooted out of the booth and was instantly surrounded by those he’d deflected earlier. He signed autographs and took pictures for about five minutes before he announced to the crowd that he had a plane to catch. He posed for a picture with Tony and then with the wait staff before he took my hand and led me out the front door. I could only imagine the conversations going on in the restaurant about Jake and I.

We walked up to the car and Kyle said, “Okay well, it was good seeing you again Casey.”

“You too,” I replied and gave him a hug. I really liked Kyle. He was a cool guy. Kyle got into the driver’s seat to give us some privacy.

It was just Jake and I…and the people from the restaurant who had spilled out to gawk. Jake leaned against the car like he didn’t notice the audience and I forgot about them too as I folded myself up into his arms. Nothing felt so warm and wonderful.

“My roommate told me that I should have slept with you last night,” I admitted.

“Your roommate is very wise,” Jake said in a Chinese voice.

I laughed. “She said that because I didn’t have sex with you I would never see you again.”

“Your roommate a bitch,” Jake continued in his Chinese impression. I grabbed his shirt and laughed.

“I really like you Jake…and it’s not because you’re a rockstar.”

“Well I really like you Casey,” he replied. “And it’s not because you’re an accountant.”

I bust up laughing. “You’re awesome. Thanks for coming here for me today, Jake…it was such a great surprise and it means a lot to me.”

Jake’s face changed. He looked serious. “I think I have a crush on you Casey Caldwell.” He stared down at me in his sexy way, hair falling into his eyes and his head tilted.

“Really?” I whispered shyly.

“Really,” Jake smiled. He bent down and kissed my neck. “I spent the entire BBQ watching the clock so I could leave and come see you.”

“I’m so happy you did,” I smiled up at him.

“Dude?” We heard Kyle from inside the car.

“I know,” he said in a raised voice then sighed, “I really have to go now.”

“When does your flight leave?” I asked.

“An hour and fifteen minutes.”

“Oh God,” I laughed. “Go.”

I wrapped him in a hug and whispered in his ear, “I’m going to miss you, Jake McKallister.” Then I kissed his full lips.

Jake stared at me like I was some prize to be won then said, “I’m going to miss you more, Casey Caldwell.”

He made me feel special in a way I’d never felt before.

“Call me once you get to Germany, okay?”

“I will.”

We kissed again and then he opened the car door and got in. As they drove away, Jake waved at me. My heart skipped a beat. I turned back to the crowd gathered outside the restaurant. I was ready for them.