My mate, My exception novel Chapter 12

"That is not what I meant." He quickly says blushing.

"That's what you made it sound like." I snap back at him a little offended. "And if that's really all you're interested in, then I'm sorry but I have to go." I make a move to get up but Jake's hand shoots out to my forearm. The contact makes my arm break out into tingles and I freeze immedietly.

"You feel that too, don't you?" He doesn't have to say what he was talking about for me to know. I nod my head yes and slide back into the booth.

"What do they mean?" I ask.

"They mean that we're meant to be together." He says meaningfully.

"I kind of doubt that." I chip in with an awkward chuckle. "But what do they really mean?"

"Please, Jen, just believe that I want to be with you and not just to be your friend with benefits. You mean a lot to me, more than you think." I nod my head but I still felt the tears of uncertainty make their way into my eyes.

"Please, Jake, just please tell me." I desperately beg.

Maybe it was my bottom lip puffed out or the tears threatening to spill. Either way he leans forward across the table.

"Well Jen, I guess I never finished telling you everything about me."

Jake decides that everything he has left to tell me he will say in the car. I am impatient, but right when he promises to tell me our food comes.

The meal is delicious and I leave the restaurant feeling like my fettuccine alfredo dish has made me ten pounds heavier. Jake tries to make small talk throughout the end of dinner, but with my stubbornness he eventually gets the hint to stop his efforts.

As soon as my seatbelt id on and the engine is started, I don't hesitate to get right to the point.

"So what else is there to tell me about you." I ask, trying to be subtle since I probably sound desperately obnoxious.

"What do you want to know?" He questions. I frown, wishing he would just get to the point.

"You said your parents are weird." I state. I regret not phrasing this as a question, but I want to start off somewhere.

"Yeah, they are." He replies, looking very intently at the road. I worry that I am pushing into a touchy subject but I can't help but pursue.

His face draina of color and I have a feeling he has made the connection too; between the lie and the cramp. He starts driving again and it is silent for about a minute before he speaks out again.

"I'm sorry Jen." He whispers. Judging by his hurt voice I can tell he really is. I nod and it goes quiet again.

"Do you know why I'm sorry?" He asks. I nod my head again.

"Why do you think I'm sorry, Jen?"

"I think..." I begin. "I think that it's all connected. The cramp and the lie, the touch and the tingles. Even the fact that I've felt sick all week and felt instantly better when I met you again."

He groans when I say that, almost making a growl-like sound.

"I'm sorry Jen, I wish I could have gotten to you sooner."

"For what? Jake, tell me what is happening to me because I may not be experienced in the guy department, but I know this doesn't happen between Leah or Tyler or any other couple." I say exasperated. Jake seems to be deliberating his thoughts before he opens his mouth to talk.