Page 111 of Crave

Troy catches me looking at them, and I quickly avert my gaze.

“Okay, Troy and Jacob, get lost. Back to work ladies,” Aunt T says, putting an end to the moment.

“So, I guess that Troy and Jake are too cheap to buy their women jewelry. Our mother has to subsidize you two in the jewelry department.”

I run my fingers across my necklace, ignoring Luke’s words.

“At least we have women,” Jake says to him, as he reaches over and ruffles his hair.

“Good for you, Jake, but I’m off women for good. I’m done.”

“Men, then? It’s okay. We still love you.” Jake reaches over to ruffle Luke’s hair again, but Luke knocks his hand out of the way.

“Sandy,” Lil says, changing the subject. “How was your weekend at the Vineyard? I haven’t seen you guys since you got back. Did you like it?”

“Since we got back?” Jake asks. “We got back three days ago.”

“I loved it.” I reach under the table and twine my fingers with Jake’s. “It’s a beautiful house.”

“It’s been in the Clark family for generations. Jakey, did you get a chance to take the bikes out? Show Sandy the trail?”

Jake starts to cough and laugh at the same time. I turn to look at him, lips pursed into a flat line as he continues to laugh.

“I can’t believe you told people, Jacob.” I pinch his thigh underneath the table.

“Ouch! I didn’t say anything, but I’m going to tell now. That’s what you get for pinching me.”

“You better not say anything if you know what’s—”

He quickly interrupts me before I can finish my sentence. “Sandy can’t ride a bike, everybody. Every time I mentioned taking the bikes out, she’d balk, so I got suspicious. When I pressed the issue, she confessed.”

Everyone chuckles except me.

“I confessed? It’s not a crime.”

“Why didn’t you teach her?” Troy asks.

I cross my arms over my chest as Jacob erupts in laughter again. He tries to hug me, but I move away.

“I tried. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life. She could not keep that bike upright to save her life. I thought she was perfect until I saw her on a bike. What a rude awakening. First, pancakes, and now this.”

“He didn’t try that hard. I fell.”

“Jake’s the worst teacher, Sandy. He tried to teach me, too. I have the scars on both knees to prove it. The creator is the best teacher in the family. Jake makes fun of you if you mess up, and Troy’s too protective,” Luke says.

“I’ll teach you, Sandy. I’m teaching the kids next week, and I have room for one more. Lil’s bike’s in the garage.” Josh winks at me, and Jake laughs again. I try to inch away from him, but he pulls me back into his arms.

“Yeah,” I say with a cringe. “That won’t be embarrassing at all.”

“You better put some training wheels on Mom’s bike, old man.” Everyone laughs at Jake’s words, and I pinch him under the table again.

Jake turns his face to kiss me, but I turn my face away.

“You don’t get kisses from me, Jacob.”

“You’ll be begging for it later.” Everyone laughs, but I’m mortified by his words. Jake’s family is much more comfortable talking about sex than mine. I turn to Jake, my mouth open in shock at his words. All he does is laugh. He pulls me closer and plants a kiss on my mouth. When he tickles my ribs, I give in and join the rest of the table in laughter.

“I hope you don’t say things like that to my mom. In fact, I should tell her you made me fall.” I turn and address the rest of the table. “Jake’s scared to death of my mom.”

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