Page 43 of Learning to Love

"Jake. I'm fine. It's okay." I don't add, and you can let me go now because he's cute and smells nice. He looks me up and down, making sure I'm okay. I see the worry in his eyes. I feel instantly guilty. "I forgot my phone, and I'm so sorry to have made you worry. Baby, I'm sorry."

He looks relieved. He takes my hand and leads me to his truck while Sasha gets in the back. "We need to talk, Dani."

"We will, as soon as you drop Sasha off."

The whole car is silent until we get back to the Fearless Five house. Dallas hugs Sasha about as tight as Jake did me. We didn't mean to make them worry. Jake waits until they make it into the house, then drives away. He turns on some tunes. We leave the city and ride down a dirt road until he eventually parks by a pond.

"Do you trust me?" I ask.

He looks at me in shock. "What kind of question is that?"

"When you don't tell me the whole truth that makes me feel like you don't trust me."

"I didn't lie to you."

"Did liar come out of my mouth?"

"No."

"Okay then. I know you didn't want to make me worried about the Benji situation because you wanted to protect me. I love that, but I also need to be told the truth because I can handle anything thrown my way. I need to know we're partners in this relationship. If we're not, we won't make it."

"No need to be dramatic, Dani."

Dramatic? I'll show this boy dramatic. "If telling you how I feel is being dramatic, then we will definitely NOT make it."

I get out of the car and start walking toward the dirt road. He jumps out of the truck. "Dani, get back in the truck."

I keep walking.

"Dani, get in the DAMN truck!!"

I flip him off and keep walking.

"Dani! Please."

I turn around, and his long arms engulf me. "I'm sorry, baby, and I know you're right. I promise to be 100% honest with you from here on out. Yesterday scared me to death. I can't lose you, Dani. I love you! There, I said it. I love you. Please, don't leave me."

I start crying. I can't help it. Jake loves me, too. I'm an emotional wreck. Yesterday took so much out of me. I rub his cheek with my palm and say, "Baby, I love you, and I'm not going anywhere, but you can't shield me from everything."

"I promise, I won't. Not anymore. You'll know everything. And Dani..."

"What, my love?"

"I love you."

Awe. "love you, too."

Chapter 25

Confessions

Everything Fearless 24/7

Pick-up truck beds are the best way to stargaze. Watch out, Dani, Jake placed blankets in his back seat. Sometimes honest conversation and cuddling lead to adult situations. Are you ready? #NaughtyDake

We sit in the truck enjoying blissful silence until a thought occurs to me. "Whose pond is this?"

"I honestly don't know. I just found it when I was having a bad day last year." He takes my hand and then continues. "It's time I tell you about some things. You ready for a heart to heart?"