Birthday Party - II - My Hot Forbidden Neighbor

When Jacob pulls over at West’s place, I look around to see how well I remember this place.

The lawn has some new pots of plants and it's better maintained now. I am surprised I remember many details. Like the bird feeder is there but its beneath the tree now. Looks like he added some new wind chimes on the tree in the lawn.

One I hung is still there. Didn't he throw away things related to me? Because I did.

Does West still take an interest in gardening? Does he find enough time? Is money and food still a problem? Is his father still abusive to him?

So many questions come to mind at once and a wave of guilt washes over me.

It happens sometimes and I have to tell myself that facing hardships at home didn't justify his cheating and apathetic behavior towards me.

“Have you been here before?” Jacob asks.

I nod. He doesn’t ask me for details, but I feel compelled to give him something.

“We used to go around for picnics and long drives, you know… three of us. Many times we spent our afternoons here.”

Suddenly my face goes hot realizing it sounds like maybe I had a thing for West but he chose Riley. That’s why I stopped talking to both of them.

Fuck.

Does it?

Although that’s exactly what happened. Only a much messed up version.

…..

We get out of the car & enter the house. Riley gives me a disapproving look.

” So fucking late!" she says and punches my shoulder. I roll my eyes and give her a hug.

Jacob leaves towards the kitchen to drop the bag of food and drinks he bought. Riley drags me towards living room.

House is well decorated and looks nice in a dark ambience. I wonder if West decorated all of this. How did he even find time to do this today?

“I helped him.” Riley says, reading my mind and grins.

“Looks nice. Right?” she asks and I nod.

They have removed all the furniture from the living room and made a dance floor. There are too many people. From school and some new faces, too. I guess it’s an open invitation to all. I glance towards the main door to see if someone was guarding the door, and I didn’t notice.

Yup, that asshole David is on guard.

Nice. I hope he doesn’t get to enjoy his time. I grin inwardly and sway in music standing in a corner with Riley. Soon Jacob and West join us with drinks.

“Happy birthday West” I wish him again.

“Nice party,” I add

He nods and comes near me. For a moment I panic, speculating a side hug and kiss on my temple, but to my relief, he passes and stands next to Riley. Then tilts his head at her. “Her efforts. I barely care about these things. You know that.”

"You barely care about anything apart from Hockey." Jacob says dryly.

West chuckles and says looking at me. "Well there are a few things I care about." Then he pulls Riley towards her.

It’s true. West isn’t the kind who like to celebrate birthdays. I don’t want to linger too long around him, so I grab Jacob’s arm and pull him to the dance floor with me. I let myself loose in the music. I don't want to think about how I used to spend my time with him in this house. My past with West doesn’t matter.

I agreed that I will talk to West tonight. Now that I am here, I am not in the frame of mind to be around him alone. I wonder if I don’t trust him or if I don’t trust myself.

“You look beautiful today, “ Jacob murmurs into my ear. I lean in to kiss him.

A small voice in my mind says I shouldn’t kiss him here. West might think I am putting on a show for him. But I push that voice away.

He flaunted Riley in my face for a whole damn year. I can do whatever I want.

But why I am thinking like this. We both are committed. Looks like his manipulation is getting to me.

I deepen my kiss to forget everything, and Jacob pulls away. He leans his forehead against mine and says, “I don’t think it’s appropriate to do that here. Maybe we could borrow West’s room here.”

My face burns and I turn my face to hide my expression.

Jesus, I don't want to make out in his room!

He chuckles and says, “That’s alright if you don’t want to.”

I grab his shirt and pull him closer. “Oh I want it more than anything… but not here… “ I whisper against his lips.

He groans and says,”We need to figure something out Natalie… You have no idea how I think about you every night. Trying to relieve myself.”

Heat pools between my legs thinking about him touching himself thinking about me. It’s been a few days. I wish we could meet every night. I suck in a sharp breath and to calm myself.

”Stop teasing me or I will start dry humping you in front of everyone." I tease him, biting my lips.

He chuckles and pulls me toward a dark corner. “Let’s sit somewhere.”

“Yeah, I am tired too.“

He raises his brow at me. " I’m the one who played. What the fuck did you do? “

"I cheered on you! Let's not forget that's the only reason you played so gracefully.“

… .

Soon Riley comes to us and says, ”Jacob, Your team is looking for you." She shoves a drink in my hand and sits with me.

"You guys are so hot together…“ she says once Jacob leaves and I blush.

“Even West said you look like a perfect couple.”

What?

“He did?”

She nods. “Yeah, you know how hard it is to coax a compliment from his mouth. But he sure did.”