Chapter 18: Kiss Me Like You Mean It May 8, 2025 My phone buzzed against the nightstand, lighting up the dark room in a glow that immediately pulled my attention.
I grabbed it lazily, expecting some random group chat notification, but what I saw made me freeze.
Jake had sent a picture.
Two tickets not just any tickets, but tothe Sabrina Carpenter concert.
The one that sold out in twenty minutes.
The one Id mentioned offhand two weeks ago while laughing, like it wasnt even worth hoping for.
And there they were.
In his hand.
Waiting.
I stared at the photo for a long minute, my heart stumbling over itself, my mouth falling open slightly as I clutched the phone to my chest like it might vanish if I didnt hold it close enough.
A second later, a text followed.
Jake: Hope youre not busy Friday night.
Another beat passed, and then a third message.
Jake: Wear something you can dance in.
And lie convincingly.
Im picking you up at 6.
Still grinning so hard it hurt, I tapped out a reply.
Me: Youre actually insane.
Jake: Youre welcome.
It should have felt simple fun, exciting, easy.
But when it came time to rope my friends into covering for me, the conversation got… complicated.
At lunch the next day, Erin stared across the table like she could physically see the lie forming in my mouth before I even said a word.
You want us to lie to your parents? she asked, her voice somewhere between confused and concerned.
I stabbed my straw into my drink, trying for casual.
I prefer the term cover for me lovingly.
Willow, ever the bloodhound for drama, leaned in, one brow arched high.
For what exactly? Maisys face lit up with realization.
Wait.
Is this about that concert? The one thats impossible to get into? My hand twitched slightly around my cup, the smallest hesitation giving me away.
I could feel all three of them zoom in on the slip like hawks.
Lily, Erin said slowly, her voice dipping into that scary calm tone she only used when she smelled a secret.

How did you get a ticket? I looked up at the ceiling, stalling.
A friend.
Willow wasnt having it.
What kind of friend? I didnt answer because I knew if I did, if I let Jakes name slip into the air between us, everything would explode.
The questions would start.
The judgment.
The confusion.
Jake would stop being mine my secret, my thrill, my safe place.
So I smiled wide and practiced.
I need this, I said.
Just trust me.
Cover for me.
Please.
There was a pause long enough to feel like a courtroom verdict, and then Erin sighed heavily and leaned back.
Fine.
Well cover.
But if youre sneaking off to join a cult or run away to Vegas, we reserve the right to drag you back kicking and screaming.
Relieved, I grinned at them, sealing the pact.
Deal.
Friday night couldnt come fast enough.
When Jake picked me up, he was already waiting by the park where we always met leaning against his car, hands shoved into the pockets of his black jeans, a worn vintage band tee clinging just right across his chest.
He looked up when he saw me, and the way his eyes dragged over me made my stomach flip.
You look… he started, then stopped, his voice catching as his gaze swept from my sneakers to the hem of my dress and back up.
…like trouble.
I gave him a spin, pretending not to notice the heat in his stare.
The good kind? His smile was slow, dangerous.
The dangerous kind.
The drive to the concert was two hours of absolute magic.
We rolled down the windows, let the wind knot our hair, sang along loudly to whatever came on the radio.
We argued over the superiority of fries versus onion rings.
We laughed until my stomach hurt.

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Around the forty-mile mark, I saw him loosen up, that familiar tension in his shoulders melting away, like the road was stripping the weight off him.
At one point, I turned to him, grinning, and said, Tell me something real.
He didnt even hesitate.
Ive read every Percy Jackson book twice.
I snorted.
Seriously? I am the child of a Greek tragedy.
It tracks.
I burst out laughing.
And then, quietly, I added, Thanks for this.
For the concert.
His fingers tapped the steering wheel, eyes still on the road.
You needed something good.
You didnt have to make it this good.
I wanted to.
I looked at him then, really looked, and felt something deep and solid anchor itself in my chest.
The venue was everything I dreamed it would be lights flashing, bass pounding, bodies moving together in a tidal wave of sound and color.
Jake didnt let go of my hand once.
Not when the crowd surged.
Not when strangers pushed too close.
His grip stayed firm, grounding me when everything else felt electric and overwhelming.
We danced.
We jumped.
We sang Espresso until our voices cracked and our throats burned.
At one point, he spun me, his arms winding around my waist as he pulled me back against him.
His chin brushed my shoulder, and I felt his breath warm against my ear when he said, low and certain, Youre glowing.
I laughed, breathless, teasing, Its the fries.
He tightened his arms around me.
Its you.
For a moment, I turned in his arms, our faces inches apart, the world blurring around us.
I thought hoped he might kiss me.
Right there.

Right then.
But he didnt.
And I didnt ask.
Because some things needed to stay just ours.
The ride home was quieter, but not awkward.
Comfortable.
Full of unsaid things.
When he pulled into my street, parking a block away like we always did, I hesitated before opening the door.
I didnt want it to end.
Thanks, I said, voice soft.
He reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering just a second too long.
Come to my game tomorrow.
You want me there? I asked, surprised.
Front row.
Behind the bench.
Where I can see you.
My heart tripped.
Ill be there.
I leaned in, meaning to kiss his cheek, just a quick goodbye, but he turned at the last second.
Our lips brushed soft, tentative and everything inside me combusted.
I started to pull away, startled, but he caught me gently by the waist, pulling me back in.
The second kiss wasnt soft.
It wasnt careful.
It was everything wed been holding back, crashing into the space between us like a wildfire.
When we finally broke apart, breathing hard, he didnt speak.
He just looked at me, something fierce and tender burning behind his eyes.
Goodnight, Jake, I whispered, barely trusting my voice.
He nodded, slow, like he didnt want to let me go.
Night, Waters.
I stepped out into the dark, my heart still racing, the kiss still burning on my lips already counting down the hours until I could see him again.