Chapter 17: More Than I Meant to Give You May 8, 2025 Jakes POV I never thought watching a girl demolish ten burgers and ten cookies could somehow be the hottest thing Id ever seen.
But there she was curled up in the center of her bed, my hoodie hanging off one shoulder, bare legs tucked under her like she didnt have a single care in the world.
She had crumbs on her lip, a soft glow in her cheeks, and absolutely no shame about it.
She looked like chaos in slow motion, and I knew, without a doubt, that I was completely fucked.
Youre not human, I muttered, unable to tear my eyes away as she took another massive bite.
She chewed for a second, looking pleased with herself, and then, with her mouth half-full, said, Im starving.
Sex burns calories, you know.
Youre partly to blame here.
She winked at me actually winked and all I could do was lean back against the headboard, trying to act like my heart wasnt threatening to beat out of my damn chest.
Youre dangerous, I said, half-laughing under my breath.
You knew that already, she teased, licking a spot of sauce off her thumb with a wicked little grin.
I watched her, feeling something deep and unruly settle in my chest.
Yeah, I said more to myself than to her.
I really fucking did.
When she finished the last cookie, she dropped back onto the mattress with a dramatic, exaggerated groan, patting her stomach like shed conquered a war.
Honestly, she said, her voice muffled into the bedspread, that mightve been better than the sex.
I turned my head toward her slowly, narrowing my eyes.
You did not just say that.
She tilted her head, giving me a shameless, mischievous grin.
Kidding.
Kind of.
I grabbed the nearest pillow and smacked her lightly across the hip.
She shrieked, kicking at me without any real heat, and we ended up half-wrestling across the mattress, laughing so hard our sides ached.
Eventually, the energy fizzled out, leaving only the kind of silence that felt full instead of empty.
She curled closer to me, her head resting lightly against my shoulder, both of us breathing steady and slow.

Maybe it was that moment the way she fit against me, the way it felt so easy that made me ask.
So… why didnt you ever sleep with him? She stiffened slightly, and for a second, I thought she wasnt going to answer.
But then she shifted, resting her chin lightly on her arm as she faced me.
With Travis? she asked, her voice softer now.
Yeah, I said, careful not to push too hard.
You guys were together a long time.
I wasnt ready, she said simply, but I could tell there was more behind it.
I waited, letting the space stretch until she felt safe enough to fill it.
It wasnt just about being ready, she admitted, eyes flickering to the ceiling.
It always felt… off.
Like I was supposed to want it, but didnt.
Like it was a step I was obligated to take, not something I actually wanted.
My hands clenched into fists against the bedspread.
He set up this whole big birthday surprise, she continued, her voice barely above a whisper.
Candles, flowers, some cheesy love song playing in the background.
And when I said no… She swallowed hard.
I could see the disappointment.
Like Id failed some unspoken test.
I wanted to find that asshole and punch him.
No, worse I wanted to erase every time she had ever felt less than enough.
She turned toward me fully, her hand brushing lightly against my chest.
With you, she said, her words threading between us like something sacred, it didnt feel like I had to perform.
It just felt like you saw me.
All of me.
I couldnt speak.
Not without saying something too big, too soon.

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So instead, I kissed her, slow and reverent, and hoped she understood all the things I wasnt brave enough to say.
Later, when she tucked herself against my side, her fingers tracing soft circles over my bare skin, she asked, What about you? I stiffened instinctively, every muscle in my body tightening.
No one asks me that, I said finally.
They dont want the real answer.
I do, she said, simple and sure.
It took me a minute to find the words.
They expect me to take over the family business, I said, my voice rough.
Luxury real estate.
Hotels.
My dad owns half the downtown strip.
My mom manages the charity side.
My brother used to be the heir before he… I stopped.
Lily didnt press.
She just shifted closer, her hand over my heart now, her silence saying everything.
So now its me, I said finally.
The next in line.
Is that what you want? she asked gently.
I let out a humorless laugh.
No.
Half the time, I dream about getting in my car and driving until Im just… gone.
No pressure.
No legacy.
No fake smiles.
She reached up and brushed her fingers along my jaw, forcing me to meet her eyes.
Then why dont you? I brushed her hair back, my palm cupping the curve of her jaw.

What if I told you I didnt want any of it? That I want to work with athletes.
Coach them.
Build something real.
Something mine.
She smiled, small and sincere.
Id say youre smarter than anyone gives you credit for.
My parents would call it a waste.
They dont get to decide your life, she said fiercely.
You do.
It wasnt easy.
It wasnt simple.
But when she said it, I almost believed it.
And what about you? I asked.
She hesitated, then whispered, I spent so long trying to be everything for everyone else that I forgot who I was.
But when Im with you… I remember.
I kissed her again, deep and sure, because I couldnt find words strong enough to hold everything I felt in that moment.
Later, I watched her sleep.
Her hair messy, her breathing slow, one hand curled under her cheek like she was dreaming something sweet.
And I felt it.
That dangerous, terrifying, too-big feeling.
The one Id been ignoring since the moment I pulled her off that bridge.
The one that said this girl was more than just a secret.
More than a distraction.
She was ahome I never saw coming.
And God help me, I didnt want to lose her.