{Chapter Eighteen}

During lunch the girls only continued to whisper and giggle every now again about some plan to get Ian back. Though I just ignored them because I highly doubt two giggling teenage girls are going to be able to get Ian to forgive me, I wouldn't forgive me. The rest of the day was weird, what with actually going to our regularly scheduled classes rather than our parent's work. We didn't actually miss anything because we still did all our homework for those classes and kept up but it was definitely weird.

It wasn't until I actually got home that it sunk in that school was actually over and I was free to my own devices for the weekend. Then I remember my date with Jer and anticipation runs through me. Also curiosity because he did say he has a surprise for me.

So I use the next hour to get ready. I put on a nice red dress shirt, black jeans, and my nice black Vans to complete the outfit. I gather my stuff and leave the house after telling my parents that I'm going out. I drive to my mom's work, because Jer agreed that would probably be the easiest option rather than meeting in some location and leaving one of our cars at the place.

I shut the engine off, realizing I'm parked in my usual spot which makes me laugh a bit because I really thought yesterday would be the last day I parked here. That would be, or so I had thought, the last time I came here. I do get the feeling though that even this won't be the last time I come to my mom's, er, Jer's work.

After a minute or two I get out of my car and head into the building. I notice the receptionist is gone already, as is Mom obviously. I walk through the quiet, empty building, my footsteps echoing a bit throughout the halls. I go past Mom's darkened office, causing the lights to come on from the movement.

I get to Jer's door and get the familiar sense of deja vu. It was a mere thirty-one days ago that I first came to this exact door, pretending I didn't have the hots for my mom's boss. Just thirty-one days since I had pushed those feelings down, trying to ignore them. And barely less than thirty-one days that I met Ian. Barely less than thirty-one days did I somehow fall for both of them. And barely less than a week did I break one of the people I love.

Who knew so much could happen in such a small span of time.

“Levy, were you planning on staying outside my door all day? Or were you going to come in at some point?” Jer asks in amusement, his soft voice breaking me from my thoughts to look up at him. I laugh a bit and shake my head.

“Just thinking.” I reply before leading the way out of the building. I notice Jer locks his office door before walking out and locking the front door of the building. He walks with me to my car but stops at the drivers door, making me look at him in confusion.

“Um, Jer I'm driving.” I state and he chuckles.

“No, I have a surprise for you, so naturally I can't just tell you where to go. Now give me your keys,” he orders in amusement and I sigh, begrudgingly handing him my keys. I get in the passenger's side, grumbling as I do while Jer just laughs and starts the car.

“You know, I've never actually driven a car this nice.” He states before pulling out of the spot and putting my poor baby in drive only to peal out of the parking lot.

“Jeez, Jer, be careful with her.” I grumble, grabbing onto the door handle as he takes a particular turn a bit faster than necessary.

“Don't worry, love, I won't hurt the car.” He assures as he slows to a stop at a light. I relax into my seat at his assurance and sigh a bit.

“Yeah, ya better not. I love this car more than anything,” I muse and he laughs, driving more like a sane person when the light turns green.

“I doubt that,” he replies, reaching over to lock our fingers. I look down at our entwined fingers and smile, relaxing even more as he gets on the freeway. I watch as cars pass, watch the sights outside pass by as we go further out of town. Away from the lights, the drama, away from everything.

The car ride is quiet, save for the music playing softly through the speakers. Though it's comfortable, I don't feel the need to talk and I can tell Jer doesn't feel the need either. It's calming.

However, when we finally pass a sign declaring that we've come into the city next to our small town, I begin to become even more curious as to what Jer has planned. So I decide to break the calming silence, despite the fact that I know he's probably not going to tell me.

“So, where are we going?” I question, looking around at the bustling city. It's far bigger than our own town, much more populated with more stuff to do, large building and skyscrapers. It's not that our town is small, it's just more of a medium size. Not too large but not small in the least. So it does have things to do, and a couple thousand people. But it doesn't have an incredibly large range of things to do.

“Not gonna tell you, if I did it wouldn't be a very good surprise.” Jer replies with a smirk and I sigh but I nod anyway. I decide to stay quiet, but my brain apparently has other plans because I don't stay silent.

“Are we going somewhere really nice?” I ask but since Jer doesn't seem to be dressed in formal clothes, rather he's wearing a plain white v-neck, and a leather jacket with gray jeans, I assume we're not going to a classy restaurant.

“Nothing fancy,” he assures before taking an exit onto a road pegged Chester. He drives down the road a bit, making a few turns until he finally parks in a parking lot full of other cars. I glance around to see if I could find a sign for the restaurant but I don't see any so instead I just get out of the car. I meet Jer at the back of the car and he takes my hand before clicking my car's remote to lock it.

We walk into the restaurant, that isn't fancy like Jer had previously assured me of. It's just a small chain store with warm orange walls, multiple paintings, and a measly four couples. The place reminds me of a smaller, homier version of a Denny's. The smell of food is also quite potent, meats mixed with bastes and garlic, with a hint of fresh fish.

Jer leads me to the podium where a hostess is waiting. She glances up at our appearance and smiles brightly.

“Hello there, how can I help you?” she greets brightly, her bright blue eyes shining brightly.

“I have a reservation for two, under Cole.” Jer responds and her blue eyes skim the list before nodding, making her blonde curls bounce a bit.

“Of course, you're seated right over here.” She takes two menus and leads us through the less than crowded restaurant to an empty table for two. She sets the menus down in front of us while we each take our seats and after taking our drink order, leaves us alone.

It's silent for a minute while we look over our menus. While I'm scanning the dishes, I can't help but thank God for Jer bringing me to a restaurant where the menu isn't in some different language like I've seen happen in movies. That would be so awkward, trying to order something I can't even pronounce. I shake those thoughts away though and instead decide on some kind of steak that sounds good.

I fold my menu after deciding and Jer does the same just as the waitress arrives with our drinks. We both order and she assures us our food will be here soon before walking away with our menus. I take a sip of my water, watching Jer as he looks at his hand, twisting one of his rings around his fingers.

“What are you going to do about Ian?” he finally asks, looking up to meet my eyes with his gold ones. I swallow hard at that, biting my lip as I think about Ian. I haven't talked to him since he got mad at me, not that I've tried to talk to him. It's not that I don't want to talk to him, to try to get him back, but I'm honestly just scared that he's going to yell at me again. And I know that makes me a coward, but I can't help it.

“I don't know,” I admit at last, dropping my eyes. I feel Jer's hand cover mine, giving it a squeeze in comfort, and I honestly nearly loose it. How did I find someone like Jer? Someone so accepting, accepting of the fact that I love not just him but someone else? How can he still stand me, let alone like me?

“Don't worry about it, Love. We'll figure it out.” He assures and my gaze meets his once more as he smiles a bit. I honestly didn't think it was possible, but just his words, his smile, makes my heart flutter a bit with that familiar sensation of love.

“Thank you,” I whisper, biting my lip a bit.

“You don't have to thank me,” he replies honestly. I don't argue and we go quiet once more, but it's comfortable. The food comes soon after and we begin to eat. Surprisingly, Jer is the one to break the silence again.

“We're going to have to tell your parents, it's best they find out from you, or us, rather than let them hear it from someone else.” He explains and I arc a brow in slight confusion.

“Tell them what exactly?” I prompt.

“About us; you, me, Ian.” He clarifies softly. I stare at my plate for a minute or two, chewing my lip as I contemplate this.

“There is no you, me, and Ian if I can't get him to talk to me. Why tell my parents that there is a chance of us being in a relationship when right now there's no chance of that?” I question. Jer tilts his head to the side for a moment before shrugging.

“Because there will be an us. And we're going to have to tell them at some point. Honestly, Love, you over think everything. But we can drop this for now.” He adds before reaching over to wipe what I assume is a bit of steak sauce of my face and smirking as he licks his finger. Something about that movement makes me squirm in my seat a bit but I ignore it and continue eating.

The silence is, once more comfortable as we finish our meal. We don't get desert and Jer pays. I don't bother arguing about that though because I know he wants to pay and will win the argument anyway. We get back in my car after leaving the restaurant and begin driving somewhere else.

I place my hand on top of Jer's on the gearshift and he glances at me a moment to smile a bit. The car is silent as we drive while I look out the window for any indication of where we're going. I watch bar after bar, store and even a strip club, pass by before Jer parks in the back of one building. I don't know where we are, and don't bother trying to find out because I know it won't actually help.

We get out and Jer leads me around front of the brown brick building. We enter the building and I'm confused at first until I realize where we are. An ice rink. I look over at him with a smile.

“Ice skating?” I ask in disbelief. He shrugs with a triumphant smile and leads me to the check in desk.

“Surprise.” He says and I grin, stopping him from going any further so I can kiss him chastely on the lips.

“Thank you,” I murmur against his lips. After that we get our skates and go over to the rink full of people, mostly couples.

I watch as people skate past us while we put on our skates, and all I can do is panic. These people are doing triple axles, lunges, and I swear one of them did some kind of back flip. And I'll be lucky if I can even stand on the skates.

“Jer,” I whisper in worry, making him look away from his laces to me in surprise.

“Yeah?”

“I don't know how to skate. I can't even skate on roller skates.” I inform him in a whisper as if the other people will hear and make fun of me.

“Oh, Love, don't worry about it. I'll be by your side through the whole thing.” Jer assures with a small laugh before he finishes tying his skates. He helps me when he realizes I'm having a bit of trouble and finally stands, helping me stand as well. We walk over to the ice, which was actually easier than I thought it would be. It's actually not too hard to walk in these, I'm sure I'll be okay.

Or so I thought.

As soon as I'm on the ice I feel my balance shift and my legs shake as they threaten to give out. I ignore that and attempt to walk but yelp loudly when I realize I can't do it and begin falling back. Thankfully a pair of arms catch me before I could fall on my butt, and all I can do is sigh in relief.

“Dang, you really picked the worst person to skate with.” I mutter as I struggle to turn in Jer's arms. He chuckles and leans down to kiss my forehead.

“You're doing fine. Just follow my lead and don't let go.” He adds and before I can ask what he means, he's skating with me in tow by holding my hand. I gasp and clutch his hand in mine, probably hurting it but I can't think of that as we begin to glide across the ice. I realize after a few minutes that we're actually doing pretty good and I smile.

After a bit I get used to the feel of the skates and get a better handle on skating. Though I never let go of Jer's hand. Not that I would want to, just holding onto him sends bolts of electricity running through me.

It may not have been some kind of fancy date, with a pricey restaurant and some expensive play or something at the end. We didn't go on some balloon ride or anything like that. It was simple, yet thoughtful. It was perfect.