First Crush (Dark Falkon #1) (12 page)

“It…you look…” he couldn’t find the words to finish that sentence.

“What?”

“Nothing, it’s just-”

“Just what, Jake?” Sienna asked, slightly annoyed.

“Nothing.”

“Jesus, Jake we’re friends for Christ’s sake. It’s not like we’re brother and sister.” Flicking her hair, she turned and headed for her room, closing the door shut behind her.

“Nope! We certainly are not,” he whispered. Flicking off the light, he headed for his bedroom and closed the door.

A
smile swept over Ivy’s face as she rolled over and stared up at the ceiling. She and Dick had been dating for almost six weeks, and for the first time in a long time, she was finally happy.

She checked her phone for messages. Each morning Dick would send her a “Good morning” text and an emoji on his way to work. In the evenings, he was the pizza delivery boy down at the local Dominos. Between the hours of nine to five, however, he was one of the best reporters for the New York Times newspaper. At times, Ivy felt like Lois Lane and Dick was her Clark Kent, but without the jet black hair or geeky glasses.

Dick was making a generous wage at the paper. However, he had been at the pizza store since he was eighteen and after twelve years, it was like his family and he couldn’t bring himself to leave. Not to mention, he got free pizzas every shift, which came in handy on a Friday and Saturday night when he and Ivy were together.

Getting out of bed, she showered and got dressed. She and Sienna both have the day off work, it didn't happen very often and neither of them had seen each other for a few weeks. 

She pulled up outside Sienna's place, got out of the car and let herself in using her spare key. Jake was sitting on the sofa watching TV.

“Hey, Ivy,” he said, without turning around to acknowledge her. 

“How did you know it was me?” She asked.

“I could see your reflection through the television, and not many people have a key to our apartment,” he joked.

“Fair point,” she said, walking over to him and kissing him on the cheek as she sat down beside him.

“You look nice,” he said, finally admiring her.

“Thanks.” She blushed. 

“So, where are you two off to today?”

“To be honest, I'm not actually quite sure. It's very rare that the two of us have the day off at the same time, especially on a Friday. We haven't seen each other in weeks so we decided to catch up. You know, shopping, coffee, girl talk, all that sort of stuff.”

“Sounds boring!” Jake laughed. “So, tell me, how's things with your man, Dick?” He couldn't help but laugh each time he said his name. 

“Dick is fine. We're fine. Things are going great, thank you.” Jake gave her a smile, but it wasn't the warm, pleasant smile that Ivy was used to. He turned his attention back to the TV. Ivy looked around; “Where's Sienna?” 

“Oh, she's taking a shower,” he replied. 

“What's going on with you, Jake? How have things been here?”

“Same as always,” he said, unsure of how he was supposed to respond. 

“I mean with you and Sienna. Have things changed?”

“She's still fucking Jesse if that's what you're asking,” his response was frustrated. 

“So you still haven't told her how you feel?”

“No! And I'm not going to Ivy.”

“Jake, you can't do this to yourself. I hate seeing you unhappy. I feel really guilty about all this.”

“Guilty? Why the hell would you feel guilty?” He asked, confused. 

“Because a while ago, it was me who had a crush on you and now all that's changed. I mean, please don't get me wrong, you're a great guy. I just mean that, you were kind of my first crush, you were always around Sienna and I've grown up with you. And now, I've found a guy that I actually enjoy being around, I didn't think anything would come of it. Yet, here we are together and happy, Sienna's with Jesse and you're all alone.”

Jake switched off the TV and faced Ivy; “Ivy, listen to me. You don't need to worry about me, I'm fine. This thing with Sienna, nothing can ever come of it. She can never know how I feel. I believe that she genuinely likes Jesse, the two of them are happy and I'm happy for them, and I'm happy for you too, I'm glad you've found someone, really I am.”

“Really? I don't think so, Jake. I know how much Sienna means to you, you've been around her most of your life and it's only natural that you'd have feelings like this. I just don't think it's fair that she and I are with someone and we're happy and you're not.”

The water in the bathroom stopped, Ivy and Jake looked at one another, “Look, why don't you go to the Dark Falkon concert with Sienna. She was meant to be taking me, but I'm not really fussed if I don't go, you can have my ticket.”

“Seriously? That's the last place I’d want to go. I'd rather watch One Direction in concert. That guy is the reason I'm feeling like-” he stopped short and turned away.

“What? Who are you talking about, Jake?”

“No one, forget it.”

Ivy stared at him, after a few seconds she clicked. 

“Oh my god! Jake please tell me you're not seriously jealous of Lukas Dark?”

His silence answered her question.

“Jake that is the most absurd thing I have ever heard.”

“Is it?”

“Yes!”

“Why?” He asked.

“Jake, he's a rock star. Yeah sure he's great looking, but he's a rock star, Sienna wouldn't stand a chance.”

“Why not?”

“It's a crush, Jake. Sienna has no hope of getting with Lukas. How many fans fantasize about their idols? Millions! But they are just fantasies, nothing more.”

“That doesn't mean she doesn't stand a chance. You hear about it all the time on the news, celebrities marrying ordinary, everyday people who aren't in the spotlight. I know I shouldn’t be jealous, but it’s a bit hard not to be. I just wish it was me, that I was the one that she wanted to be with. You know, just an ordinary, everyday guy.”

“That's like one in a million...a billion even. Trust me Jake, you have no reason to be jealous. If anything, Jesse is the one you should be jealous over. He's the one she's with, not Lukas. But like I've already told you, you can change that, all you have to do is tell her how you feel,” Ivy explained.

“Wow! You're giving me relationship advice? I never thought I'd see the day, Ivy.”

The bathroom door flung open, Sienna walked out wrapped in a towel, her hair was soaking wet. 

“Oh, hey babe, give me a couple of minutes to get ready,” Sienna acknowledged Ivy. She closed the door to her room and Ivy and Jake were alone once more.

“It's killing you isn't it? Seeing her practically naked in front of you.”

“You would think, after all these years it would get easier, Ivy.”

“But it's not, is it? It's only making it harder for you,” Ivy could see the disappointment that had suddenly appeared on his face. Lately, he wasn't the cheerful and chirpy Jake that she knew. Although he had said he was happy for her, Ivy knew too well that he was only saying that so that she wouldn't worry about him. 

A few minutes later, Sienna's door opened. Her hair was loose, and neatly combed. She grabbed her handbag and phone from the sofa and headed to the door. 

“Ready?” She asked Ivy.

“Yep!”

“You two have fun, enjoy your day off and the “girl talk,” Jake said, sarcastically.

“Oh, we will. What are your plans for the day, Jake?” Sienna asked. 

“I'm actually meeting with the band today. The album is officially ready and we are picking it up this afternoon.”

“Wow! That's awesome, congratulations,” Sienna replied. 

“Congratulations, Jake. That's awesome news,” Ivy said.

“Thanks, guys. Now, go! Have fun.”

They exited and closed the door behind them, leaving Jake alone with his thoughts. The girls sat at their regular cafe where they had lunch. Sienna enjoyed a Greek salad, while Ivy chose the Porterhouse steak and a bottle of wine between them. 

“So, babe! I haven't seen you in a while, how's things with Dick?”

“Pretty good I must admit. We're both really happy.”

“You're looking happy, I did notice that. I'm so happy for you and proud of you too for moving on from Jake. I'm glad you didn't wait around for him to make up his mind, otherwise you would have missed this opportunity with Dick.” Sienna continued with her salad while Ivy struggled with her steak.

“I think Jake has a lot going on at the moment. He did say that the band had finally finished their album. I'm no rock star, but I can imagine the kind of stress he's going through. The last thing he needs right now is a relationship to make his life more stressful.”

“And yet, you gave me a hard time when I told you that I didn't have time for a relationship because I was concentrating on my career. I see how it is,” Sienna said.

“It's not like that, you know what I mean. It's different for us females. Speaking of which, how's Jesse?”

“He's great. Everything's going really well. He and a couple of his mates have gone to Boston for the weekend, some motorbike show or something.”

“Don't you get scared riding on the back of that thing?” Ivy asked.

“Well,
first I was afraid, I was petrified
...” Sienna said, singing the lyrics to Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive.

“Hun, I wouldn't hold my breath on winning a Grammy based on that performance,” Ivy laughed. 

“You're such a bitch!”

“Yeah, but what are friends for, right?” Ivy teased.

“In all honesty, it's actually not that bad. Yeah, at first it was terrifying, I would scream at the top of my lungs, and wrap my hands around Jesse's waist and squeeze him tight. I would swear and curse Jesse for making me get on. But then after a while I got used to it. Now, each time we ride down the highway I just sit back, relax and enjoy the thrill of it all.”

“God, I hate when these things are so hard,” Ivy said, carving into her steak.

“Excuse me? Hun, keep your sex life in the bedroom, please. I’m wearing my good top and I don’t want to get it dirty.” Sienna said, looking at Ivy mortified.

“Huh? Oh, and I’m meant to be the perverted one? I was referring to the steak, Sienna.”

“Of course you were,” Sienna replied, still looking at the menu.

By the time Ivy had finished her steak, she had no room for desert, so she ordered a coffee instead.

“You said things were going great with you and Dick?”

“Yeah…they are.”

Sienna looked at Ivy, she knew that tone, Ivy was keeping something from her.

“Ivy?”

“What?”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“Huh? Nothing,” she replied, distracted.

“Ivy. This is me you're talking to. I know when something’s up.”

“It’s nothing, I’m okay.”

“No you're not, something’s up.”

Ivy took a deep breath, she was really nervous, but she knew that Sienna wouldn’t shut up unless she told her what was on her mind.

“It’s Dick.”

“What about him? Oh no, don’t tell me the two of you have broken up?”

“No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just…” she struggled to finish the sentence, she turned away, avoiding eye contact with Sienna.

“Ivy!”

“The thing is, like I said, things are good between us, great even.”

“So then, what’s the problem?”

“I’m really nervous, Sienna.”

“About what?”

Ivy looked at Sienna, her eyes were serious.

“Sex.”

“What? Wait…Ivy are you telling me that you're still-”

“Oh god no! That’s not what I meant.”

“Phew!” Sienna said, relieved. “Then what’s the problem?”

“The thing is, it’s been so long since I’ve had sex. I mean, the last time I was with a guy I was a lot thinner. I’m a lot more conscious about my body now, I don’t look how I used to, and I’ve put on a few pounds since then.”

Sienna giggled, a little too loudly and Ivy stared at her.