Chasing Mia

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

As I watch Ryder load his things into the trunk of my mom's car, I actually fight back the urge to cry. I don't ever cry. Actually, if it's beyond hungry, sleepy, annoyed or angry, it's a special circumstance for me to show any emotion. I blame it on growing up with boys. I was a girlie girl for a few years, but Ryder, CJ, Russ and Jake always made me feel like I had to be tough like them.

I think Ryder is a little emotional today too, though he'd never admit it. He loads the last of his bags into the car before turning to look at me. I stand from the front porch step where I've been sitting and start towards him. He holds out his tattooed arms and I warmly embrace him.

"I'm gonna miss you so much," I mumble into his chest.

"Me too, peanut," he says, kissing my cheek. "Take care of yourself at UCF. Remember what I told you about using one punch to knock a guy out cold?"

"Aim for the throat."

He grins and pats me on the head. "That's my girl. I'll call to check in on you from time to time. Keep Russ and Jake out of trouble."

He opens the passenger side door of the car and I grab his arm before he gets inside. "Wait."

He turns to look at me and I again fight back the urge to cry. I know he's been a pain in my ass all these years, but I've never been without him. I'm honestly a little afraid to be without him for the first time in my life.

"Stay out of trouble, Ry. For me," I tell him.

He purses his lips together and nods. "See ya, peanut."

I swallow the lump in my throat as I watch them drive away. The minute they're out of sight, I feel the sting of loneliness penetrate my heart. I've been so excited about having a little freedom that I didn't even think about what it would be like to not have Ryder around. Despite everything, he's truly my best friend and the only person in the world I trust completely with my life. Being without him is going to take some getting used to.

I dress like a bum for what I hope is my last shift at my parent's bakery. Dad is helping a customer when I walk in the front door. He shoots me a pleading glance and I quickly make my way behind the counter.

Dad isn't much for customer service, or talking to people in general. Not to mention, people get a good look at his appearance and run. He's not the type of guy you'd picture owning a bakery, yet that's how he and my mom met. He's been doing this for over twenty years, believe it or not.

I take over for him and he jets into the kitchen. "Hi, I'm Mia. What can I do for you today?"

A slender, middle-aged woman with short black hair and green eyes smiles politely at me. "I was told this is the best place to get a wedding cake."

I put on my most professional smile, despite my appearance. "Oh, yes ma'am. My mother makes the best wedding cakes in the state of Florida. She's not in today, but I can show you a few pictures-"

The front door opens and the most beautiful guy I've ever seen walks in. My jaw drops and I instantly become dumber, forgetting everything I was doing before. He stands next to the woman I've been talking to and smirks at me. His eyes are amazing and his jawline looks like it was chiseled by god himself.

"What part of wait in the car did you not understand, Torrance?"the woman snaps at him.

He shrugs. "I got bored." His eyes travel up and down my body and he grimaces. "Damn, sweetheart. You must've had a rough night."

I scowl, but my dad would kill me if I punched this guy in the face right in the middle of his bakery, so I restrain myself. However, the lady smacks him in the back of the head and gives him a pointed look. "You apologize, right now."

I shake my head. "It's okay, really." I smile politely at her, but the second she looks away, I glare at him.

He smirks. The asshole actually smirks.

"Anyway, before my son so rudely interrupted us...you were saying?"

"Oh, right!" I reach underneath the counter and take out the book that contains pictures of all my mom's wedding cakes. "Take a look at some of the cakes we've done in the past. We also take special requests, if you're looking for something in particular. Feel free to take a seat and take your time," I say, gesturing to the small table and chairs that sit in the corner next to the window.

She smiles and nods, taking the book and walking over to the table. I notice her son staring at me from the corner of my eye. He seems exactly like the type of arrogant asshole my brother warned me about. I'd love to punch him in the throat, but I'm going to try and remain professional.

I turn to walk away, but I hear him mumble something under his breath. I turn around and raise a brow. "What?"

"Your eyes," he says, pointing to my face. "They're two different colors. The right one is green and the left one is brown."

"Really? I had no idea!" I say sarcastically.

"It looks weird."

I scoff. "Then don't look at me."

Before he can formulate a comeback, his mom steps in front of him and sets the book on the counter in front of me. "This one here is lovely. It's so simple, yet elegant. My daughter has a rather unusual taste, but I think she'd really like this one. I'll bring her by when your mom is around."

"Great! She'll be back on Monday. If you'd like to set up a personal appointment, just give us a call," I tell her.

The lady nods and extends her hand. "Thank you so much..."

"Mia," I reply, shaking her hand.

"Thank you, Mia. You were very helpful and kind despite my son's rudeness," she says, cutting her eyes at him. "Again, I'm so sorry about that."

"It's no problem, really. Thank you for stopping by."

She turns and walks away and her asshole son follows behind her. Before he leaves he turns to me and smirks. "See you around, Mia."

I spend the rest of the day packing what's left of my room. I look around and realize all that's left is my bed, my nightstand and dresser. I can't believe I'll be leaving this room for good in just a few days.

My phone buzzes and I pick it up to see a text from Jake.

Jake: I need you

Me: Is everything ok?

Jake: Baylee and I broke up

Me: WHAT? Why?

Jake: Can I come over?

Me: Of course

Jake: I'll see you in five

Poor Jake. He's been in a relationship with Baylee Reese for the past two years. I was certain they'd get married, have children and live happily ever after. I'd be lying if I said I'm not a little bit happy that the whole 'Baylee experience' is finally over though. She hated me. I guess when your boyfriend's best friend is a girl, you tend to get a little jealous. Jake and I aren't as close as we used to be because of her, but he never dropped me just because he was in a relationship.

Baylee pretended to like me at first, but after she got her claws into Jake, he started coming around less and less. I understood, but it sucked being all alone. Russ moved to Chicago our Freshman year, Baylee took Jake from me the following year, and I spent the last two years of high school as the loneliest prom queen, cheerleader and class president ever.

On the outside, it looked like I had it all. Only none of it was real. People liked me because I was Ryder's sister. No one ever bothered to get to know me. With Baylee out of the picture and Russ moving back to Florida, maybe all that will change.

"Princess! Jake's here!" I hear my dad call from downstairs.

I hurry down the stairs and see him standing in the foyer. His hair is a mess and his brown eyes look so tired. My heart sinks when he gives me a sad smile. I wrap my arms around him and hug him tight.

"Jake, I'm so sorry."

He chuckles and pulls away from me. "Don't be. I think we both knew it was a long time coming."

I take him by the hand and pull him into the living room. I sit down on the sofa and he sits next to me. "Tell me what happened."

He looks straight ahead and bites his lip. "It was a lot of things. We'd been growing apart these last few months. She's going to Miami and I'm staying around here. My mom hates her. Literally, hates her. And..." He sighs and runs his hands over his face. His leg begins bouncing up and down, which is something he does when he gets nervous. "And she told me I had to choose between her or you."

My eyes widen in surprise. I knew Baylee didn't like me, but I can't believe she'd actually give Jake an ultimatum. "She never did like me."

"We've been friends since we could walk. There's no way I'd choose any girl over you," he says.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

He nods as a smile pulls across his handsome face. "I guess so. Like I said, it was a long time coming. Besides, the three musketeers are reuniting. We're going to wreak havoc on Orlando!"

"You're still the lamest guy ever," I giggle.

"You love me," he says, wrapping his arm around my neck and ruffling my hair. "You know you love me, peanut."

"Okay, okay!" I pull away from him and run my fingers through my hair. "I love you, Jake. Even if you are lame."

"That's it, you asked for it," he says as he starts tickling me.

In the midst of my kicking and laughing, my knee accidentally flies right into his crotch, sending him falling to the floor, writhing in pain.

"Damn you!" he groans.

I cover my mouth with my hand to hold in my laughter. "I'm so sorry, Jake! I didn't mean to knee your family jewels!"

He narrows his eyes at me and slowly sits up. "I hate you."

"No you don't," I smirk.

His scowl turns into a smirk and his eyes glint with mischief. "Kiss it and make it better."

I scoff. "What?! I'm not gonna kiss your balls!"

"Jake," a booming voice calls from behind us.

Jake stops laughing and stares up at my angry father in fear. "Sorry, Mr. Rhodes. I was just...just kidding around."

"Go home," dad says flatly.

Jake nods and glances over at me. I still can't seem to wipe the smile off my face. "See ya," he mumbles before jetting to the door like his ass is on fire.

"See ya, Jake," I call out as he's leaving.

After he's gone, dad sits down on the sofa next to me, eyeing me suspiciously. "So he broke up with his girlfriend, huh?"

"Oh my God, dad! Were you listening?"

"Of course," he says, like his intrusion is no big deal. "When a guy likes my princess, I'm going to watch him like a hawk."

I raise a brow. "But it's only Jake. He doesn't like me like that."

"Jake has always liked you like that. He's probably just been too afraid of what Ryder might do if he made a move. You think it's just a coincidence that he broke up with his girlfriend of two years right when Ryder left for Chicago? He saw an opportunity and I promise you, he's going to take it."

I frown. I don't want Jake to like me in that way. We're friends. Best friends. It would ruin everything if feelings got involved. "It's not like that with us. He's my best friend. He wouldn't want to ruin that."

"Mark my words; the boy's been smitten since the two of you were kids. It'll happen. Just try and let him down easy when it does." He kisses the top of my head and leaves me with my mouth hanging open.

I love Jake, but only as a friend. If he came onto me and I rejected him, it would ruin our friendship. He should know that, right? Of course he knows that.

I hope he knows that.