Leo(A Sign of Love Novel)(35)

"Because I believe in you. Because I think you're smart and I think you just need a small break to be able to reach for your dreams."

I shake my head slightly, "Jake, listen, that's a nice offer, but I've worked really hard to get where I am. I know to you my life probably doesn't look like a raving success story but I do okay and I'll find a way to go to school at some point… I mean we just started sleeping together and I don't really know how all this works but maybe we should wait to see where this goes before you start offering me large sums of money."

His face is hard now, clearly not happy with what I've just said. "First of all, I thought I already made it clear that, actually, I do consider your life a raving success story, all things considered. And secondly, do I need to remind you what you told me in my bed not 24 hours ago, Evie?" Yikes. He's pissed.

I blink again because I said a lot of things, most of them having to do with my approval of what he was doing with his hands and his mouth and… God, now I'm turned on again.

"Um - " I say.

"You told me you were mine, Evie. This is not some fun f*ck. This is not casual to me. I thought I had conveyed that to you."

"So, what? You're like my boyfriend or something now?"

"Boyfriend, man, lover, whatever label you like, you can use it, but what it means is that we take care of each other in and out of the bedroom. And part of me taking care of you means me offering to give you the money it takes to make your dreams come true."

Oh wow. Okay, then. "Jake - "

"Just think about it okay?"

I stare at him for a second but relent, "Okay."

"Okay." He takes a couple bites of his dinner and then, "Also, you need to get on birth control. I don't want to use condoms with you."

I pause, a bite halfway to my mouth. Alrighty. "I'm already on the pill. I have bad periods. It regulates it. I've been on it for years."

He stares at me silently for a second and then, "Okay, good. Now finish your dinner."

Totally bossy. But totally sweet. And totally hot. But...

"Um, Jake, if we're not going to use condoms, I should probably ask…"

"I'm clean. I've always used condoms and I get regular check ups. I can show you paperwork if you want."

I'm silent for a second, "No, I trust you."

After dinner, Jake drives me back to my apartment and we make out in his car for a few minutes but then he groans and pulls away, muttering, "Killing me," and comes around the car to open my door for me. I give him one last kiss, open my building door and practically skip inside.





CHAPTER 18



Evie is 13, Jake is 15



I heft my backpack up on my shoulder as I walk down the street towards Leo's foster home. I stayed late for a study group and so I'm not walking with Willow like I usually do.

Leo started high school several months ago and not having him at the same school anymore has been hard. He hasn't had to stand up for me for a while, kids started ignoring me after the Denny Powell incident, but just seeing him in the halls would brighten my day. Sometimes he would reach out and brush his hand against mine, pretending not to see me as we passed in the hall, or he would leave funny little notes in my locker. It made me smile. And I can use all the smiles I can get.

As I turn the corner to his house, I see a lone, familiar figure sitting on his porch stairs. I stop and stare at him for a minute, knowing he doesn't see me, apparently lost in thought, his elbows on his knees, his head bent foreword.

I head in his direction and as I walk towards him, his head comes up and he looks up at me, his face breaking out in a smile.

"Hi," I say, smiling, "What are you doing out here?"

"Just thinking," he says, looking more serious now. "It's so damned loud in there," he gestures backwards with his head.

I take a seat next to him, nodding. "Whatcha thinkin' about?"

"I was thinking about Seth, Evie." He pauses. "I was wondering where he is, how he's doing… wondering…," his voice breaks and I instinctively reach out for his hand, bringing it to my cheek, rubbing his knuckles against my skin.

His eyes dart to me and his lips part slightly. My eyes go to his mouth and I stare for a minute, wondering what it would be like to kiss him.

Oh my God! Did I just wonder what it would be like to kiss Leo? He's always been like a brother to me. But lately… I think about him in ways that I never have before. I find myself wanting him to hold my hand, to sit close to me when we watch television together at my house in the front room. I shiver when he accidentally brushes against me.

I love him, I already know that. I've loved Leo McKenna for so many years… but am I falling IN love with him?

When my eyes meet his, there is an intensity there that I've seen before but never knew what it meant. I know now. I probably have the same look in my eyes, too. A single thought pops into my head, "Kiss me!"

"Wanna walk?" he asks.

I let go of his hand and stand up, "Sure."

We walk together in silence for a couple minutes and then he takes my hand and looks shyly at me. I smile at him as warmth seems to spread from our joined hands, up my arm to spread through my chest. He smiles back and squeezes my hand tighter.