Page 8 of Learning to Love

The conversation is buzzing in the back of the SUV. Sasha is laughing animatedly. I smile as I hear her call Dallas out on some bad pickup line he just used on her. I love her already. Jake looks at me and smiles. A genuine, relaxed smile. "Where's Bubba tonight?"

I try to maintain a straight face. Okay then, Mr. Sex King. No warm-up, he went straight for the kill in the very first round. I roll my eyes. No need in carrying on with this charade any further. He knows I’m lying, and I know that he knows. I won't insult his intelligence. It's time to be honest. "We both know I was lying about that. I just assumed it would make you lose interest. Sasha pointed out that it would have the opposite effect only after I had hit the send button."

I hear the boys "ooouuuuu" in the back. Jake is stunned. His expression is hilarious. I don't want him to think it's because I find him repulsive or anything. I don't want to hurt his feelings. I quickly add, "Listen, I'm not the best with spoken words sometimes. I didn't mean it in a bad way. You're hot, and you seem nice enough. But I'm not interested in a one-night stand, and I’m pretty sure you major in them. No offense, and no judgments given. Let's just be friends."

I reach out my hand so that we can shake on it. He smiles slowly. "So....you mean with benefits?" He winks.

I laugh. "No, jerk face. I mean, just two good ole buddies. Talking nonsense whenever we see each other."

"I am very offended that you called me jerk face, but yeah, friends. That's cool or whatever. In the spirit of honesty, I do think you'll change your mind. Eventually."

"Nope, I'm fairly stubborn, and jerk face is more polite than butt face. Just sayin'!"

The whole car erupts in laughter. "Yes, it is. Thanks for that." He rolls his eyes.

Jaxon leans up and whispers in my ear. "Hey Georgia, how are you? I'm just trying to make him jealous. That way, I can make fun of him later."

I throw my head back and laugh. That's crazy. Jake wouldn't get jealous over him flirting with me, I'm just a passing infatuation. I look at Jake, and he is giving us the death stare. That makes us laugh, and Jaxon whispers, "I told you so!"

That one eyebrow goes up again. "Told you what?"

I point back to the road. "I'll never tell, but pay attention, Jake. Precious cargo is up in here!"

He gives me that smirk of his. "Yes, ma'am. Will you tell me later though?"

We laugh again. "I'm almost certain Jaxon will tell you later."

We drive slow toward Fraternity Row. The streets and sidewalks are packed with people now. Red solo cups can be seen from a mile away and some people have one in each hand. Music is blaring from every single one of the houses we pass by. Some houses are big, while others are small. Not one house is the same color, but all have the name of their fraternity proudly displayed on the outside of their home in big Greek letters.

We park in the garage of the biggest house. "Y'all in this fraternity?"

"Nah," Jake answers first. "They just let me use this garage when big parties are in full swing. My car got keyed last year."

"That sucks. Probably some disgruntled one-night stand." Oh crap! I didn't mean to say that out loud. He looks amused. I quickly add, "Glad they let you use it, though. I've never been to a party. What do we do? Walk from house to house?"

Jaxon puts his arm around my shoulders. Which earns him another glare from Jake. That glare makes my knees go weak. I need to remember, he's not interested in me, only my innocence. We are just friends, with NO benefits. I will not change my mind either. "Georgia, football has its perks. We are the head honchos on this here campus. We let the party come to us. As our newfound friends, you can do the same."

No arrogance is in his tone. He is bluntly stating a fact. "Well, friends, what can I drink that won't make me fall flat on my face but will help me loosen up? I'm a nervous wreck right about now."

Sasha speaks up first. "I got you, and I'll handle that for you tonight! And Dani, remember, present company excluded, of course, never take a drink from a stranger."

I nod my head. "My cousin's friend was almost assaulted at a party back home. She took a drink from a cute guy, not thinking he would slip anything in her drink. Toby found her before he could do anything to her, and he beat his ass."

I shiver, and Jaxon, tightens his hold. In an almost brotherly way. I like him. I think he'll be my second friend. He makes me feel comfortable.

Jake reassures me. He makes a move to take my hand, but I awkwardly put it in my pocket. He grins. "Nothing will ever happen to you or your friend. We’ll protect you. Won’t we boys?"

"Yes!" They shout in unison.

"Thanks." I'm smiling but feeling reasonably awkward. I've never really had any good guy friends before, except for Toby and he's my cousin, so that doesn't count.

We move into the house. It's not packed in here yet. The walls have farm wood paneling, and the high ceilings are rustic tin. The floor is a light brown wood. This house is gorgeous. Pictures are everywhere on the walls of past accomplishments from each class.

The DJ is warming up in the corner, and Jake goes and grabs himself a beer. Sasha brings us a mixed drink back. I look at the amber liquid not sure if I should "sip it" or "turn it up." Yes, I'm a dork. Unashamedly. "What is this?"

"An Amaretto Sour. My Mama makes the best ones. She lets me have one every New Years' Eve. We have a big family party every year. You'll have to come to our next one!"

"I'd love that!" I look around the room to see if I might recognize somebody from our dorm but I don't. I think these may all be upper classmen. Jake is talking to two guys I don't know. One of the guys is from earlier today, the one with long blonde hair. His name is Axel Creed and he's a part of the Fearless Five. I have no idea who the other guy is, though. I feel like a stalker. I know everything about the Fearless Five. At least everything that Google knows. Ain't technology grand?