Page 78 of Crave

“But I still made them for him.”

“From scratch, I might add,” JD says.

“Yes, and they were delicious, but she made French Toast for herself and JD.”

“And you ate some of that too,” JD reminds him.

“Damn right. My girl’s not going to be making any special meals for you.”

“Okay, I take back what I said, son. If she still made them for you, then you should shut up before you ruin a good thing.”

Everyone agrees, and I stick my tongue out at him, but he only pulls me to him and plants a kiss on my cheek. “Next time you can make yourself a bowl of cereal.”

I surprise him by choosing a meal the first time the waitress comes by, and I’m relieved when he doesn’t announce to the entire table my usual inability to decide on a meal.

Everyone makes small talk as we wait for the food, and when JD’s phone rings, he answers as he excuses himself from the table.

“Mom, why are you so worried about Luke?” Jake questions his mother as we intertwine our hands underneath the table.

“He’s turned into a hermit ever since he’s moved back home. He won’t talk to me or your father about whatever’s bothering him. I’m surprised he hasn’t talked to you, Troy.” Mrs. Clark looks at her oldest son.

“He hasn’t said anything. The last few times I texted him, he hasn’t responded. I figured he was busy with his friends. I’ll go and see him later.”

“That’s the thing, Troy,” Lil says. “He hasn’t left the house and he hasn’t had any friends over.”

“Don’t worry about it, Lilian,” Jake’s father says reassuringly. “I’m positive whatever it is, it's about a woman.”

“That’s dad’s theory about everything. It’s always a woman, isn’t it, old man?” “And I’m always right.” Josh Clark winks at his son, and Jake laughs, but he also nods.“Jake?” Troy’s voice interrupts our lunch. Everyone pauses at the sound of him addressing Jake. Mrs. Clark’s fork stops halfway to her mouth, and JD looks over at me, panicked.

“What, Troy?” His voice is clipped, but void of malice.

“Tristan wanted me to tell you about his soccer games. They’re every Saturday at ten in the field at our old junior high. Do you think you can make it to the next one?”

All eyes turn to Jake as we wait for him to speak. I lay my hand on his leg underneath the table and give it a squeeze.

“Yeah, I can make it.” Everyone visibly relaxes. “Do you think you can come with me, Dee? You think Tash can cover for you at the bakery?”

“I didn’t tell you? My cousin is spending the summer with my mom and she’s going to work in the bakery. I’m officially laid off.”

“Your mom’s going to miss me.”

“Good, glad you can make it,” Troy says to us, smiling and assumedly relieved at the outcome of his request. “I’m looking forward to seeing you both.” I turn to Troy, a friendly smile on his lips, as everyone resumes their lunch, but I notice how Jake's body language changes slightly and his jaw clenches

“Well, she might still call me to make a delivery or two,” I say in an attempt to lighten his mood.

“A delivery, huh? Isn’t that how I got you?” I cover my laugh with my hand. His mother’s eyes light up as she looks from me to her son. She nudges Josh in the ribs and whispers something in his ear

“You didn’t get me.” I put the word 'get' in air quotes and roll my eyes at him.

“Yes, I did. You’re mine now.” He puts his arm around me, pulling me into his side and drops a greasy kiss on my temple.

“That reminds me, Lil,” JD says, “I see you saved the good one for your son.” He winks at Lilian Clark, and she has the grace to flush.

“Shut up, idiot,” Jake says, throwing a napkin at him. “This one is mine, and I’m keeping her.” “Ok, Neanderthal. Keep telling yourself that,” I say to him.

“I didn’t realize I raised such a caveman,” Lil says, smiling at her son.

“If I had gone to that party, it would be me who got her,” JD says, taunting Jake.

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