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It’s a good thing too because I don’t know what I’d do if someone did. Probably go to jail for homicide.
I'm not even sure when my protectiveness turns to something darker, more possessive. All I know is that when I see another guy touching her, my fists clench involuntarily, and I have to watch my words lest I scare her away.
But I can't help it. Lily'smine—even if she doesn't know it yet.
One day, I’m going to reach my breaking point. I've had enough of watching her date loser after loser, each one treating her like a trophy rather than the precious gift she is.
Lily's crying again, and I can't take it anymore. I pull her close, wrapping her in a hug, my body aching for hers.
If only I could tell her how I really feel…
two
?. . .?
Jake
I watchas Lily laughs with her date across the bar, his hand resting casually on her thigh. The sight makes my blood boil. I clutch my beer bottle so hard my knuckles turn white.
My heart clenches painfully in my chest, suffocating me from the inside out. I love her so damn much. Have since we were just kids playing in her backyard. But I'm a coward—too afraid to tell her how I really feel. To risk losing even the simple pleasure of her friendship if she rejects me.
Lily throws her head back, blonde curls cascading down her back as she laughs at something he said. Her blue eyes sparkle with joy. God, she's so beautiful it hurts to look at her sometimes. I want to pull her into my arms and never let go. To finally confess the depths of my feelings, consequences be damned.
But I remain frozen in place, the words lodged in my throat. Some man I am, too chickenshit to tell the woman I love how I feel.
Her date's hand slides higher up her thigh and something in me snaps. White hot jealousy rips through me like a bullet. I can't do this anymore. Can't sit back and watch her fall for someone else over and over while I pine away in the shadows like a lovesick fool.
I abruptly get up from my stool, legs unsteady. I have to get out of here before I do something stupid like punch that douchebag in the face. Or finally blurt out my feelings to Lily in a jealous, drunken confession.
No, what I need is a real escape. A fresh start, far away from here.
Far away fromher. Just the thought makes my heart ache, but I know what I have to do.
With grim determination, I walk out of the bar and don't look back.
Tomorrow, I'm going to the recruitment office and signing up for the marines. I can't stay in this town a minute longer watching the woman I love move on without me. It's time I move on too.
The sun beats down on my neck as I make my way up Lily's driveway, each step heavier than the last. My duffel bag feels like it weighs a ton, but it's nothing compared to the weight in my chest.
I raise my hand to knock, but the door swings open before I can.
And there she is. Lily. My best friend. The love of my life. The one I'm leaving behind.
"Jake..." She breathes my name, blue eyes already shimmering with unshed tears. "I can't believe you're really leaving."
I swallow hard, fighting to keep my own emotions in check. "Gotta do what I gotta do, Lil."
She nods, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. A habit she's always had when she's upset or anxious. I want so badly to reach out and smooth away the furrow between her brows. To pull her into my arms and never let go.
But I don't. Ican't. Not if I want to keep my resolve and walk away.
"I'm proud of you, you know," she says softly, reaching out to straighten the collar of my uniform. Her fingers linger and my breath hitches. "You're so brave, Jake. You're going to make an amazing Marine."
I'm not brave, I want to tell her.I'm a coward. I'm running away from my feelings for you. From the possibility of you rejecting me and losing you forever.
"Thanks, Lil," I manage to choke out instead. "That means a lot."
She bites her lip again, harder this time. "Promise me you'll be careful over there? That you'll come back home to me?"
