First Kiss (Heavy Influence) (42 page)

“Yeah, man, just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I got no sense of humor.” His voice was gruff. Just another reason this was a shocker. Bobby was a good-looking dude. He sounded and looked like a
ny typical guy and girls loved him. I thought he was just shy with the ladies.

My best friend was gay.
My mind reeled processing this.

“Well, then, it’s final. Mike really has to go now. When he finds out he’s gonna have a field day.” I laughed. “Shit man, no wonder you freaked out at the store.”

“Dude, I’m so sick of that guy. Gay or not, he’s a dick.” Bobby took out his cigs, lit one and rolled down the window.

The night desert air was warm and it felt good as it wrapped around my exposed skin. I wondered more. “Do you plan on telling anyone else? Or is this just between you and I?”

He kept rubbing his eyes in deep thought. “I’d been seeing someone in Hollywood, but that ain’t happening anymore,” he explained and took a long drag on his cig. He exhaled the smoke and I held my breath as it whipped around my face. Normally I would give him shit and make him put it out, but considering what just happened, I kept my mouth shut. “I met someone else though and this time it’s more, more emotional, more feelings or whatever,” he continued, “he’s my age, a little younger.” He paused. “The other person was older, way older.”

My insides rolled around picturing my friend hooking up with another dude. I just couldn’t go there. “This is almost too much, man.” I sighed. “You gotta know I’m a little weirded out. I love you like a brother, so I’m not gonna judge.”

“Yeah. So anyway, he’s Aly’s friend, Marshall.”

“What
!” I blurted out surprised. More shocked that Aly didn’t say anything to me. I knew she just had to know. I stepped harder on the gas-peddle looking at the clock. We’d been driving for five hours and were on the outskirts of San Bernardino, almost home.

“I knew you’d react this way,” h
e said flicking his cig out the window. “But I had to tell you, because I don’t wanna hide anymore and I’m with you more than anyone else.”

I took in a deep breath.
“You wanna be the one to tell Dump?” I thought about what Dump’s reaction would be. He’d just laugh his ass off and not say anything else. Dump was the last person to judge someone with what he’d been through in his life.

“You think he’ll freak?”

“No, he may laugh in your face,” I said flatly.

“Yeah,” he sniffed. We both shook our heads slowly in agreement.

Passing Downtown Los Angeles, the tall buildings stared down at us menacingly, lit up like they were filled with people. It was just past eleven-thirty. I dialed Aly’s number, confirming the pickup.

“Hello,” she said whispering.

“Hey, we’ll be there in about half hour.”

“Ok, we’re at Nadine’s,” s
he confirmed. “Why didn’t you call earlier?”

Glancing at Bobby, I was bummed. I felt like Aly had been lying to me or setting me up. No games I told myself. “Al
y, I know Marshall’s with you. So I know you know why I didn’t call you.”

She was quiet. “Jake, this wasn’t my secret to tell.
This is between Marshall and Bobby. Bobby’s the one that needed to tell you. So get over yourself,” she said cynically.

“Look, I’m sorry. It’s been a fucked up day, and I’m sure by now you know why.”

“Yes, I do.” She admitted. “You think you’re the only one having an effed up day? Jake, just because you said nothing went on with that chick doesn’t mean my hurt feelings are just gonna go away
or
that I’m just gonna let it go. That whole thing was just screwed.”

Boom, there it was, she wasn’t
gonna let that go easily. “I know, I don’t expect you to get over it, we’ll talk about it when I get there.”

“How’s your hand.” Her tone softened.

“It hurts.”

“I can’t wait to see you.” Her voice cracked and my mood instantly lightened, her voice sweet like sugar. I could practically taste her.

“I’ll be there before you know it.”              

I drove like a mad man and made it to Nadine’s house in fifteen minutes.

40

Jake

             
She was like white light when I pulled around the corner. Aly waited in the darkness, shielded from the streetlights by massive hovering tree limbs. She stood in a white sweater, with three others, glowing like an angel. I couldn’t get out fast enough and left the van running. Rounding the backside I ran into her as she threw herself at me. She wrapped her arms around me tightly. I held her face with my good hand and kissed her hard. Her soft lips and sweet smell made me weak. I’d never been so excited to be with another person in my entire life. I pulled away taking in her beautiful, flawless features.

             
“Man, you’re a sight,” I said, breathless. Looking around to see if anyone could see us and grabbed her hand walking toward the others.

             
“Sup man,” Chris said smiling broadly, extending his hand.

             
“Ha, not sure how smart I am trying to pull this off,” I said taking his hand and squeezing it firmly.

             
“Shit dude, what happened?” Chris said surprised, pointing at my other hand.

             
Aly gasped. “Oh, no,” she whispered loudly. “I forgot, I didn’t notice. Does it hurt?”

             
“Yep, it’s throbbing,” I said holding it up for everyone else to see. “And the story is too long to go into, let’s just say there’re changes on the horizon.

             
Everyone uncomfortably looked around at each other, waiting for someone to say something.

             
“Thanks so much guys, for covering for us.” Aly moved toward Nadine hugging her. “I’ll text when we’re on our way back.” She bounced with excitement.

***

              I held Aly’s hand while I planned out our next move. I most definitely couldn’t take the pain meds. It would have to be a handful of Advil’s. I instructed Bobby to leave when he saw my truck pass by. Was I crazy? Yeah, I was, but it was worth it.

             
“Alright, let’s do this,” I said eagerly.

             
Swiftly walking our way down the block to my house Aly brought up the pictures she’d seen. “What were you thinking, Jake? When you were with that girl?”

“Aly, I wasn’t thinking. I never meant for that to happen. It was a quick moment and I never saw or spoke to her again.” I said, remorsefully. “I promise nothing like that will happen again. I’m done drinking like that. I promise.” We stood at the foot of my truck as Aly accepted my apology. Holding her tight against me, she was the only one I wanted.

“Jake,” Aly whispered. “Your mom will think someone stole your truck when she see’s that’s it’s gone.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll text her that someone needed to borrow it and I forgot to tell her. I’ve loaned my truck out before. She won’t think twice about it.”

My mother’s car was parked right next to my truck and my heart started to race faster knowing she was just yards away. Her bedroom window was at the front of the house and I prayed she wouldn’t hear us.

             
“Oh my God,” Aly whispered loudly, “I would die if Kyle or Allison pulled up.”

“Don’t worry, get in,” I said, clicking the remote as the head and taillights lit up the night with a flash.

              Aly quickly got in shutting the door gently. Every sound we made echoed through the still night. I held my breath as I got in shutting my door too.

             
“Ok, we have a 6 hour drive back. I have to stop to get Advil and fill up the tanks…”

             
“Oh my God,” Aly gasped interrupting me. An alarming look spread over her face and my heart jumped to my throat. “Your mom,” she croaked out.

             
Time stopped. My mom was standing on the darkened front porch, staring at us, unmoving.

             
“Fuck,” I said closing my eyes, grasping at my thoughts, anything that would make this slide by, but there was nothing, “We’re screwed.”

             
I grudgingly got out of the truck without looking at Aly. My heart was beating so fast I couldn’t think clearly. I knew as soon as Kate saw my wrapped up hand she’d really freak out.

             
“Get Aly out of the truck,” she ordered quietly and turned walking inside.

             
“I’ll tell her to go home.” I gulped, trying to sound level.

             
“No,” she said turning back. “We’re all gonna have a little talk.”

             
Aly had her head buried in her hands. I tapped on the window and signaled for her to get out. She looked like she wanted to cry and I didn’t blame her. I felt a knot growing in my throat too, but I swallowed it back down.

             
“She wants us both to go in,” I said miserably.

             
“Shit, you think she’s gonna tell my parents?”

             
“I hope not.” I pulled Aly close as she stepped out of the truck, kissing her forehead. As we turned my mom was standing there watching us. She shook her head in dismay.

             
Standing in the kitchen paralyzed with anxiety and dread, Aly and I stood close to each other. We waiting, staring at Kate, ready for the explosion. Instead she paced back and forth looking down at the floor. I looked at Aly, and we both shrugged at the same time. I almost burst out laughing. I really was losing it.

             
“You think this is funny.” Her words buzzed in my ear, electrocuting me to attention. “What’s going on?” she asked, making eye contact with both of us, back and forth.

             
“Mom, look…”

             
“You broke your hand fighting with your band mate. You irresponsibly drive back home to see…” She paused, motioning toward Aly, “leaving your other mates, and Notting.” Aghast, she shook her head in disbelief. “Please explain to me what could possibly be worth all the damage you’ve done.”

             
“Mrs. Masters…” Aly tried to cut in.

             
“Alyssa, please tell me…” she said turning her attention full force onto Aly.

             
“No,” I shouted out, interrupting them both. “No, you’re not gonna do this.” I moved toward my mother pointing at her, separating them. “Aly,” I said firmly, never taking my eyes off my mom. “Go home, I’ll see you later.”

             
“Jake, please,” Kate domineering stance diminished.

             
I turned looking at Aly and her eyes began to pool with tears. “Please, just go,” I ordered firmly. She shook her head in agreement and the tears spilled down her cheeks.

             
“Alyssa, please…” Kate interjected again.

             
It was more than I could handle and I lost it. “Stop it, just shut up!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. Finally, there was silence as my mother stood there looking at me horrified. Hearing the front door slam shut, I continued. “Leave her out of this, period, this is all
me
.”

             
“What am I doing wrong?” My mother’s lips trembled and she began to cry too. She collapsed back into a kitchen chair, staring at me bewildered, the tears dotting her cheeks.

             
“Don’t make this about you, mom.” I barked. “There’s so much more going on here. Didn’t you believe me when I said I’m kicking Mike out of the band?”

             
“I was hoping it would work out.” She replied coldly.

             
“He’s just not a good fit, there’re too many other things I have to think about now. No one likes him.” I explained sitting down next to her. “Mom, come on, I love you. Don’t make a huge deal out of this.”

             
“You have so much potential,” she said wiping her face with her hands. “I need to know what’s going on with Aly, Jake. Seeing her in your car this late at night is something that I don’t approve of. We’re friends with this family and I highly doubt she’s been allowed out like this.”

             
I didn’t want to lie to her anymore. “She’s means a lot to me, mom.”

             
A big sigh rushed out, as her chest heaved. “I don’t want to repeat myself.”

             
“Then don’t,” I said firmly, jumping up staring down at her. “Nothing you say is gonna change my mind. I like being with her. She makes me happy. I don’t care how old she is and no I’m not screwing around with her. So drop it.” I laid it all out there in one fail swoop and waiting for her retort.

             
She looked back at me with sad, disappointed eyes. “Ok then, I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into. The decisions you make now will be with you for the rest of your life.”