Page 51 of Learning to Love

I grimace as I hear Jake let out a string of cuss words that would make a sailor blush. I knew he wouldn't take kindly to what I had to say. I had to be 100% honest, though. I look back at him, and he's pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. That's his tell-tell sign that he's very stressed.

He takes my hand. "You're not doing anything by yourself. Even before you gave your honest answer, I knew I couldn't drop this, but Dani, will you still want me after I hurt that motherfucker? He can't have what's mine. Not football and not YOU! I've been worried for a while now that he’s obsessed with you. I didn't want to believe it, but he fucking is, Dani! I'll be the one to fucking END him!"

He goes to get up, but I sit my chubby self in his lap before he can. I make him look down at me and I whisper so that only he can hear me. "I know you won't ever question my loyalty to you, but Jake, you've got to keep a level head about this. One false move could end everything you've strived so hard to accomplish in your life. Don't let him hold that power over you. We will get through this, and we will be smart about it. We're a team. Remember?"

He looks at me with puppy dog eyes and it breaks my heart. He loves me so much, I know this now and he wants to solely protect me. While that is one of his most admiral qualities, he has to remember that we're a team. I'd go to the ends of the earth for him just like he would for me. "I remember. I love you, Dani. I don't want you hurt. I..."

I put my finger to his lips to nicely shush him. "Jake, I don't want you hurt either. We're either all in or not in at all."

He licks my finger and smiles. He kisses me gently, and I turn to our friends to await their answer and Jake sighs. "Nobody has to agree to do this. You guys have done plenty, and we can take it from here."

Jaxon stands up. "Okay. No, you're not doing that. We may not be obligated to help, but I think I can speak for everyone else when I say y'all are NOT doing this alone. We're a team. On and off the field."

Dallas agrees. "I wish I could talk Sasha out of doing any spy work, but I know that's meaningless. She's got her girls back, and that's one of the reasons I love her."

Sasha squeals. She's got tears in her eyes. "Dios mìo! I love you, too, baby!" She kisses him all over his face. I jump up and down because my best friend is in some serious love!!

Jaxon smiles. "You just had to one-up my speech, didn't you, Dallas."

Dallas smiles like only a man in love will do. "Yes, I did!"

Everyone laughs and we look to Hector and Axel. It's their turn to decide. Hector gives us a stank face. "I'm not a little bitch. I ain't scared of an Asshat."

Axel agrees. "Yeah, Jake. I'm all in. I would hope you would have my back, too. Especially since that Preppy Asshat smelled your girl's panties."

Jake's eyes go big, and I cringe, blushing like always. "That motherfucker did what?!?!" Oh, boy!

Chapter 31

I Love You More

Everything Fearless 24/7

Do you think Benji and our dear Jake will make it through football camp without getting into a fist fight?

Once I get Jake calmed down, we all head to bed. We jump in the shower together, and all we do is hold each other until the warm water turns ice cold. He leaves in two days for football camp, and I hate to be this girl. The needy one, but I feel things, and I can't deny that I am right now. All this stuff that's going on, things I never thought I would have to deal with, is overwhelming.

I blow dry my hair and fall into his outstretched arms when I finish. He's stressed tonight and I can feel it in his body language, he's worried. "Baby, you've gotta stop stressing out. Just let it go. Don't make me sing that song because I will."

He smiles. "I've heard you in the shower, please don't. And I know, baby but it pisses me off because that's so messed up, not to mention disrespectful to you. I mean, he violated you without touching you. It's my job to protect you, and I failed."

"Yes, he did. For whatever sick reason, but it doesn't matter. He stole something personal from me, but at the end of the day, it's just an object. I won't give him the satisfaction of a reaction. I honestly think he did it to see if we had cameras. And I'm safe in bed with you, so stop stressing!"

"Stupid prick, but maybe he was testing the waters, you could be right." He kisses me softly. "You will forever be mine. You're end game for me, Dani."

My insides clench. I love Jake with every part of my heart. "You're mine, too. Promise me you will not treat him worse at football camp than you normally do. Be a regular dick, not a big dick." I roll my eyes when I realize what I just said. Jake is laughing louder than I have ever heard him. I hide my blushing face in his armpit.

"I only show you my big dick side."

I pinch his nipple! "Shut up!" He laughs and rubs where I pinched him. "What I mean is y'all don't like each other, so you're not nice to him already. Please, just promise me that you'll behave, and you won't be overly aggressive.”

He growls. "Okay. I promise, baby. This football camp is going to be the hardest week of my life. I will be away from you, and I can't obliterate Asshat. This fucking sucks."

It's my turn to laugh. "I'll miss you so much, but I'll be fine. Sasha and I will stick together and have some much-needed girl time. I'm not cut out to be a prison girlfriend, so no obliterating for you!"

He kisses my forehead. "That'll be good, but you girls won't technically be alone."

I can barely keep my eyes open. "Whatcha mean, big dick?"