New Girl in Town Pt. 03

"Still," Ray asks.

"Does someone want to bring the rest of us up to speed," Bobby asks.

"After their date that wasn't a date Saturday night Jessica let slip to her parents that Jake told her about the Thunderbird." Jody answers.

"Dean told her," I sigh.

"Technically it was Lee Ann and I didn't say Thunderbird, I called it the make out spot," Jessica chimes in still typing on her phone.

"Whichever," Jody says not one to let the truth get in the way of juicy gossip. "So Jessica's dad chased him out of the house."

"That didn't happen," I tell them.

"Daddy had a gun and a pitchfork too," Jessica shares then hands me her phone. "Answer that when it rings."

"Why am I answering your phone?"

"Because you can't say no to me," She smiles.

I sigh and sit there as she tells the others about what actually happened on Saturday.

"Oh Jessica, that was so bad," Staci says once Jessica finishes.

"I didn't mean it how it came out," Jessica tells her.

When her phone begins to ring, she turns to me with a smile, "Answer it, it's for you."

I look, see that it says "Mom," and sigh but I answer it anyway. "Hello Dr. Golden."

"Hello Jake," She answers. "Jessica texted that I needed to call and assure you that you are still welcome to come over tonight."

"I'm sorry she bothered you with this ma'am."

"I'm on lunch myself so it's no bother. Jessica clarified a few things after you left Saturday and everything is fine. We're looking forward to seeing you tonight." She tells me.

"Thank you ma'am," I tell her. "I'll be there as soon as practice lets out."

"We're looking forward to it Jake. See you then."

****

"Sarah, what are you doing?" Mr. Golden asks as he watches his youngest bouncing her legs in rhythm.

"Being ank shush," She answers causing him to laugh.

"I was not that bad Sar-bear," Jessica answers stifling her own laugh.

"You have better rhythm Sarah," Dr. Golden shares as she joins the family in the living room. "Jessica do you want to go ahead and order the pizza or should we wait for Jake?"

"I checked with Mr. Pennington after class and he assured me that practice wouldn't run late so I can probably go ahead and order it. Jake said he'd pick it up on his way here." Jessica answers. She pulls out her cell and calls the local pizza place that Jake suggested and places the order. "Forty minutes," She tells them once she hangs up. "Sarah do you have any homework that you want some help with before Jake gets here?"

Sarah shakes her head.

"I think that Sarah wants to do her homework with the big kids." Dr. Golden tells her.

"Is that true Sar-bear?"

"Uh huh," Sarah tells her.

"Okay, you can help Jake and me with our work and we'll help with yours."

"After tea," Sarah says.

Jessica giggles and nods. "Of course, you can't get any good work done before tea."

****

"Thank you for picking up the pizza for us Jake," Dr. Golden says as we're seated at the dining room table.

"It was no trouble ma'am. Dickinson's is right on the way here." I answer.

"That's good to know because if it's always this good I think it's our new pizza place." Mr. Golden shares and gets nodded heads in agreement.

"So tell us about this game on Friday Jake," Jessica says after taking a drink. "What time does it start and anything else we need to know?"

"Game time is six but there's a pep rally before so kick off won't be until six thirty." I answer.

"And you say most of the school attends," Dr. Golden asks.

"Yes ma'am," I answer.

"Will your family be there," Mr. Golden asks.

"Yes sir," I answer. "It's most likely the only time they'll see me play so Mom and Dad will be there."

"I've met his mom so I can introduce you guys to them when we're there," Jessica tells them.

"We'd like that," Dr. Golden says.

Sarah, having had her fill of adult conversation announces that she's done eating. "Can we have our tea party now?"

I laugh and nod. "Lead the way Sarah."

"You've got thirty minutes Sarah then we have to do homework, you included," Jessica tells her little clone. "I'll save you some pizza to take home," Jessica tells me.

"Okay come on then," Sarah says taking Jessica's hand.

"I thought this party was just for you and Jake," Jessica asks.

"Mr. Bear thinks you should come too," Sarah answers.

"Can't turn down an invitation from Mr. Bear," I quip.

Jessica sighs but gets up from the table. "I guess I can't but I'm keeping an eye on the clock so we can get our work done."

****

"Wow, okay so that's how you do geometry." I state as Jessica, Sarah and I are seated around their kitchen table.

"That's it," Jessica declares. "I can't believe you were having trouble with it."

"I've never been great with math." I answer.

"I am," Sarah states proudly.

"That's good," I tell her. "Would you like me to sneak you into my class so you can take all my tests for me?"

"She'll be in high school soon enough thank you Jake," Dr. Golden says as she joins us.

"You just come over and I'll help you here," Sarah informs me.

"Yes ma'am," I answer as Jessica and her mom giggle.

"So Jake I assume that college is in your future." Dr. Golden states.

"That's my hope," I answer. "It feels like I've been filling out scholarship and grant forms since kindergarten."

She nods and takes a seat at the table. "Do you have a major in mind or just waiting to see what grabs you?"

"I'm leaning towards marine biology."

"Really," she asks her smile brightening even more. "Jessica loves the ocean. We have a place down at Sunset Beach that we go to every summer."

"You should come this year," Sarah announces.

"Sarah," Jessica cries out with a laugh.

"We'll see Sarah," I answer also laughing.

"Let's not make plans just yet Sarah," Dr. Golden advises her. "You should show him your room Jess. She's got it decorated just like the beach house."

"Some other time," I state pulling my books together. "I should be getting home before I really overstay my welcome."

"Well you're welcome anytime Jake." Dr. Golden assures me.

"Thank you ma'am, I appreciate that." I answer.

"Come on, I'll walk you out." Jessica states as she gets to her feet.

"Thank you for all your help with my homework." I tell Sarah.

"Anytime," Sarah laughs as Jessica closes the door behind us.

"See, I told you that everything was going to be okay." Jessica points out as we walk towards my car.

"When you're right, you're right," I respond. "I'm just glad your parents are the understanding types."

"Well telling them how your concern for my well-being is the reason you didn't take us to the drive in probably helped."

"I'm just glad you left out that you think it was based purely on seeing you in your volleyball uniform." I answer.

"Who says I did," She asks.

"I do otherwise your dad would have met me at the door with a gun and a five second countdown to get off his lawn." I answer.

"He likes you Jake," She states. "I'm sure he'd have given you ten seconds... maybe even fifteen."

"Thank God for good first impressions," I joke.

"They work wonders." She smiles then glances back towards the house. "I should be getting back inside."

"Yep," I answer. "I'll see you tomorrow."

She nods and heads towards the door. I get into my car and give her a wave. She waves back before heading inside and I back out of her driveway not noticing Patrick's car parked on the street just a couple of houses down.

****

"Believe me now," Patrick asks Jamie as they watch Jessica close the door.

"They aren't together," Jamie points out. "The pussy didn't even try to kiss her."

"Probably because her damn folks were watching out the window," Patrick snorts. "Did I tell you how they didn't leave me alone with her for even a second?"

"A few times now," Jamie sighs. "I'm still wondering why you are so hung up on this girl."

"She's a challenge and I like challenges." Patrick tells him then laughs. "And if I get a chance to stick it to Jake again then all the more reason, right?"

"As long as I get to see his face when you do it, I'm all for it." Jamie adds.

"I may need a little help from you on that front."

"I don't know Patrick, Pennington was watching us like a hawk after the whole Ray thing and I'm first team so I'm not even with them this week." Jamie states.

"Yeah but there is the game coming up and I can guarantee that you'll get some shots on him. Besides you owe him and I figure that laying him out in front of the whole school will even you guys up."

Jamie laughs. "I like the way you think."

"Of course you do," Patrick chuckles. "Now let's get this plan in gear."