This has been one of the best days of my life. It has definitely been more than I ever expected. If I’m being honest I thought we would have gone on a typical date. I’m happy that it wasn’t and Jax actually listened to me and showed me a piece of himself not many people knew about. It was fun getting to see a new side to him but also getting the chance to be close to him. 

We were making our way back down the trail now because Jax said he still has evening patrol with his dad. 

“So we have one more stop before I take you home.” Jax says breaking me from my thoughts.

“Is that okay?” I nod but I couldn’t help but wonder what else he has planned.

“Where are we going?” I know I shouldn’t have asked but I tried my luck anyway. He smiles down at me shaking his head.

“You will have to wait and see when we get there.” I stick my tongue out at him, causing him to chuckle. I like hearing him laugh, it makes me feel warm inside.

“Cute. Now come on before my dad calls.” He grabs my hand and leads me all the way back to the car. I look around to take in the beauty of this place once more before getting into the car. 

“Thank you for today.” I blurt out as we turn back onto the main road. We were both quiet but I felt that I needed to let him know that I enjoyed every bit of today. 

“You are very welcome. To be honest, I didn't think you would’ve liked it at all. I’m happy I took the chance.” How could he think that I wouldn’t have liked getting to not only experience such a beautiful place, but to also get to learn more about him. I got to see him in a different light. I don't even think he realized that I sketched him while he tended to his garden. That will be my little secret for now, he doesn’t need to know about it yet.  

“Well now you know that I did have fun. I’m happy you took the chance too.” I say smiling at him. 

After we have been driving for a few minutes, I notice we are heading to the outskirts of town. I got a little excited because the only thing that I could think of that was out here was a little ice cream shop. Out of the two ice cream shops in our little town, this one is my favorite. They make their own ice cream. They also give lessons to those who want to learn or just want the experience. The closer we got, the more excited I became. 

“I guess based on your unconcealed excitement, you figured out where we’re going?” Jax asks. Nodding like a maniac. I give up trying to conceal my giddiness.

“Calm yourself before you give yourself a headache.” Too late the headache was already building and I felt a little dizzy too.

Jax pulls into a parking spot outside of the shop and turns to face me.

“Are you okay? Do you want some water?” 

“Yes please.” I plead, leaning my head back on the seat with my eyes closed. Jax gets out of the car, I hear the trunk open a second later. 

“Here, drink this.” I peek at him and see that he is holding a juice and a water. 

“Take a sip of juice first then a sip of water.” I took the bottles from him and did as he says. After a minute or two I start to feel a little better, enough to get out of the car. On our way into the store, Jax’ phone rings.

“Go on ahead and pick what you like. I have to answer this.” He says before walking back towards the car to answer his phone. There are a few people sitting around talking or just enjoying their ice cream. Making my way to the counter I notice Jax’ friends, Sara and Mitchell are waiting off to the side. They haven’t noticed me yet and I’m not sure if Jax even told them about our date. I’m a bit lost about what to do when both of them turn in my direction when the door opens again behind me. I didn’t know what to do, I was stuck in place.

“Sean are you okay?” Jax comes up behind me resting his hand on my shoulder. I don’t get to answer him before his friends join us. 

“Hey Jax, we didn’t think we would be getting to see you today. What are you doing here?” Mitchell says while looking directly at me.

“Hey guys. Uhh… Yeah we’re here to get some ice cream before I take Sean home.” Jax answered. 

“What are you guys doing here?” 

“We had lunch with my family and figured we could use the treat.” Mitchell says and Jax nods his understanding. Is there something going on there. I thought about asking but it wasn’t my place to involve myself with others' business. Sara waves to me, I smile and return her wave.

“Hello Sean, I’m sure you know who we are already but just for the sake of an official introduction we are this guys friends.” I chuckle a bit at his antics. 

“This lovely lady here is my mate and bestfriend Sara and I’m Mitchell. Which I’m sure you knew already.” I nod and Sara shakes her head.

“Don’t mind him, he can be quite annoying after a while.” Sara says, still shaking her head while rolling her eyes. Mitchell looked hurt but it didn’t last long once Sara hugged him. They were cute together. I could tell that they really loved each other.

“How about you and Sara stay here while we place the orders.” Jax says pointing to the line that has gotten longer since we have been standing here. Sara and I nod and step off to the side to sit at one of the empty tables. 

“I’m happy that you are giving Jax a real chance. He was really worried about that. So how was your date? He wouldn’t tell us anything about it.” Sara says without taking much of a breath.

“Well if we really are mates as he says then I can’t hold our past over his head forever.” She nods but doesn't say anything right away. Figuring she was waiting for me to answer her other question, I told her partial truth of our date.

“It was fun we drove around for a bit and then we had a picnic and went for a hike. I had a really good time getting to know him a little bit more.” Thankfully I was saved from saying anything else as Jax came over to our table holding a big paper bag. 

“Alright guys, I have to get Sean home and head to evening patrol before my dad starts calling.” Jax pulls out my chair as I stand up and Mitchell takes it.

“It was nice to officially meet you both. See you in school tomorrow.” They wave us off with Mitchell telling Jax that he was going to sleep over at his house tonight. 

“Sorry about my friends. They can be a bit much at times.” He says as he pulls back onto the main road. 

“It’s okay. At least I got to officially meet them. Sara didn’t seem so bad but Mitchell seems like he is a handful.” He chuckles. 

“You got that right. He is always trying to put himself in someone's business. Sara is a bit like that but not as bold as Mitchell would be.” No wonder they made such a great couple, I thought to myself.

It shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to get to my house from the ice cream shop. Jax turned on the radio once there was a lul in our conversation. We both sing along with the radio until he gets closer to my house. Once he comes to a complete stop outside of my house we both get out. Jax goes to the trunk and gets my bags and I get the bag with the ice cream from the backseat. It’s a bit heavy, I could barely pick it up. 

“Jax? How much ice cream did you buy?” I ask, still trying to pick it up.

“Hold on. One of those is mine, the rest is for you and your family. There is even one in there for Jasmine.” He says taking the bag from me, taking out the pint that belonged to him. Did he get pints for everyone. That had to be very expensive, the ice cream is great but it is expensive. Had I known he was going to do something like this I would’ve stopped him. I should’ve figured this was the reason he asked me what everyone's favorite flavors were.

“Thank you, but you didn't have to do that.”

“I wanted to. Plus I didn't want them to ask for yours, especially not after you told me about Jasmine.” He made a great point.

“I know they will be very grateful since we haven’t had it in a while. Thank you very much.” He nods, grabbing my bags and heading up to the house. I followed behind him, happy that I had already taken my keys out of my bag. He sets my bags down by the door and turns to face me.

“I wish we could’ve gotten to sit and enjoy our ice cream together but maybe next time.” He says, sounding hopeful that I will agree to another date. Who am I kidding? I would love to go out with him again.

“Yeah maybe.” I giggle. 

“I better get going before I’m late. See you tomorrow at lunch.” He was going to leave but I stopped him by grabbing his arm. I don’t know what came over me. I pull him down to me and kiss him. I swear it feels as if someone else was controlling my movements. He was shocked for a few seconds then he pulled me closer to him and traced my lips with his tongue. I wasn’t expecting it and he used my surprise to invade my mouth. I’m not sure how long we were going at each other before Jax’ phone started ringing.

“Damn! I’m sorry I didn’t mean for that to happen.” He says pulling away from me. Placing my finger against his lips to stop him from saying anything else. 

“You didn’t do anything. You just responded to my actions.” His phone had stopped ringing to start again. 

“That’s probably my dad, I should go.” He kisses my forehead before heading back towards his car. He stops and turns back to face me. I still have yet to make a move to go inside. 

“Promise you won’t regret it. That’s all I ask.” He doesn’t wait for my answer as his phone continues to ring. He curses under his breath before answering his phone while getting into his car. I watched him drive away until I couldn’t see his car anymore.

“Ahem… Are you not going to come inside?” I didn't even hear the door open.

“How long have you all been standing there?” Behind me stood my parents and Jasmine. 

“Long enough to know that you won’t be spending your weekends with us anymore.” My dad says as he helps me bring my bags inside. Jasmine takes the bag with the ice cream and opens it before I could say anything.

“Oh my ever loving Goddess he loves you.” Jasmine was being over dramatic as usual. Brenda moved closer to look at what had Jasmine reacting the way she did. When Brenda sees what's in the bag she joins in with Jasmine’s craziness. I swear sometimes dad and I are the only normal ones in this house.

“I take it your date went well bud.” My dad says holding up the gift bag that Jax gave me.

“A gift and Gergio’s ice cream for one date. It had to be some date.” At first dad wasn’t okay with me going on a date with Jax. Then he came home on Friday with a change of heart. I didn’t question it then because I didn’t want to risk him changing his mind. Hearing the resigned anger in his voice I wonder what is going on in his head. 

“It was fun, we got to know each other a lot better. I’m also more comfortable around him.” I know my dad is just worried about me. He, like most people, knew about my history with Jax. 

“As long as you enjoyed yourself then I guess I’m okay with it.” He pulls me into one of his bear hugs. 

“Movies and ice cream after dinner.” Brenda asks, taking the bag from Jasmine heading to the kitchen. 

“Sure, I’m going to take a shower and then I’ll be back down in a few.” On my way upstairs all I could think about was the kiss. What the hell was I thinking? I can’t believe I really kissed Jax. I gave Jax Alexander my first kiss and I liked it. His lips were firm but soft and he tasted like coffee. 

Entering my room I head straight for my bathroom, stripping along the way. Am I ready for that next step with Jax. We have technically only been on one date, but if I could this past week this is technically our fifth date. I am curious if Jax liked the kiss though. I guess I will have to wait and find out. For now I will let it go and try not to overthink about it. What’s done is done. There is no taking it back and I definitely do not regret it. I want to see where we will go from here. I just hope Jax is on the same page. I will find out at school tomorrow.