True Love behind Fake Date

Chapter 8: Causing a Scene

Jasmine and Mike both rushed to pull on their clothes. Mike was faster, only needing to pull his shorts back on. He was still somewhat hard but luckily his shorts were baggy enough that it wasn’t too noticeable.

“I’ll see who it is.” He left her getting dressed and went to open the door. Whoever it was had not let up on the continuous banging. He could just picture his brother standing on the porch with a mischievous grin on his face.

He didn’t bother checking who it was, instead he yanked the door open quickly, hoping to surprise his brother who was trying to prank them. He was the one left surprised.

Danielle stood before him, her face contorted in rage. He stood staring in disbelief, she was the last person he had thought would be standing here.

“Did I interrupt something?!” Her voice was a little high pitched but was laced with venom.

It took a minute for his voice to come back to him.

“What are you doing here Danielle?”

“Catching you in the act apparently!” She took a step back and waved her hands around as if he had missed the obvious, eventually gesturing to his groin area.

Feeling self-conscious he took a few steps away from the door and leaned against the porch railing. “What are you talking about? I told you we’re over. Remember?” The irritation in his voice was steadily rising.

“You think it’s that easy? You think I’m going to let you break it off with one call and let you run around f*****g everyone in the neighbourhood?!”

Jasmine appeared at the door, not at all oblivious to what was unfolding in front of her door as she had heard the screeching all the way inside the house. She had the good sense to stay out of it.

Mike stood up straight, he had an inkling of where this was going. “This again?! You’re paranoid delusions is one of the reasons this wasn’t working.” He waved his finger between them as he referred to their relationship.

“Delusions? Delusions?! Not so delusional now that I’ve caught you out, am I?” She was becoming hysterical but had not moved any closer, it was only a matter of time before her insanity boiled over.

Mike was starting to run out of steam, she had that effect on him sometimes. She wasn’t going to listen to reason but he had to give it one last shot. “You know Jasmine and I are friends, we have been for years.” It was a last ditch effort and it did not have the intended affect.

“You mean your f**k buddy over there?” Danielle pointed towards Jasmine who stood in the doorway.

Jasmine retreated a step as if it would help alleviate the hostility that was now directed at her. Mike instinctively took a step towards her trying to block off Danielle’s advance.

“You and little miss prude have been screwing around, I know it.” Her voice had become very soft, but the mania and anger had not subsided.

“I…” Mikes response was cut short when Danielle pushed past him and stomped towards the doorframe, before he realised what was happening she was directly in front of Jasmine with her finger pointed in her face and shouting.

“You think you can just go around throwing yourself at taken men do you? You think that doe-eyed innocent expression can save you? Why don’t I wipe that stupid look of your face and show everyone your true colours!” She had started to raise her hand while she shouted, Jasmine stood frozen in fear and bewilderment and Mike took immediate action.

It all happened very quickly, Mike took hold of Danielle around her waist, lifting and pulling her away all at once. Her fingertips barely grazed Jasmines cheek but she started to swing her arms around furiously, hoping to hit something.

Once she realised that Jasmine was out of reach she turned her fury on Mike. He held fast as she twisted and turned, trying to break free of his grip. He could feel her struggling, feel her blows as she proceeded to his him but he kept holding on and walked calmly down the porch steps and driveway towards her car. Jasmine was staring but did not follow.

It was a short walk but by the time they reached the car her struggling had become half-hearted, her energy becoming depleted. It was only when he put her down that he caught a glimpse of her face, it was tearstained but from the expression they were not tears of sorrow, rather tears of rage.

“You need to leave, before this goes too far.” His voice was even and measured he wasn’t going to fight her.

“This isn’t over.”

It was clear whether she was talking about their relationship or her outburst but she did not elaborate, choosing to get in her car and speed away. He watched her until she rounded the corner before returning to the house.

Once he was back with Jasmine he put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her into a hug.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Are you? It looked like she got in a couple of hits there.” Jasmine was hugging him back, still a little shaken at the outburst. She had always assumed Danielle was a little crazy from all the stories she had heard from Mike, it was why she chose not to hang out with the two of them but she had not been prepared for that.

“Just a little shocked that she would go that far. Who knew she could be so psycho.” He seemed genuinely surprised by the outburst. “Good thing I got away from her when I did.” He pulled out of the hug and chuckled softly, not letting what had happened dampen his mood.

“Do you think she’ll be back?”

“I don’t think so, she’s over emotional and impulsive but not stupid.” At least he hoped so, but there was no reason to worry her. “Besides she just caught you on an off day. I’m sure you could take her.” He winked and nudged her arm playfully trying to lighten her worry.

“Do you think she knows?” Jasmine couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud, she knew there was nothing to feel guilty over as they weren’t together but she couldn’t help feeling a little guilty and maybe a little sorry of Danielle.

“Nah. She’s always been super jealous and to be honest she never understood how we could be friends, being friends with the opposite s*x is something that is beyond her.” He had had to withstand numerous rants and tantrums from her over his friendships, it always seemed there was more to it when it came to his friendship with Jasmine. Her stunt only confirmed this theory, she probably always thought there was something going on with her.

“I can’t help but feel a little guilty you know. I didn’t want to cause any trouble for you with this.” She couldn’t look him in the eye, she looked down at the wood beneath her bare feet instead.

Mike’s arm snaked around her shoulders and he pulled her towards him.

“You have nothing to feel guilty about, I promise. This isn’t trouble, this is just basic Danielle drama and it has nothing to do with anything we’ve been doing.”

She didn’t answer but looked up at him. She still looked a little worried but tried her best at a smile.

“I know what will cheer you up. We’ll go get some lunch at Ella’s. We’ll forget all about Danielle and just enjoy our afternoon.”

“Okay. But this time I’m buying. Just let me get some shoes.”

“I think I need a little more than shoes.”

~~~

Mike went over to his house for a clean shirt and his car keys. He assured her he would pull the car up shortly and ran off.

Jasmine was already wearing a pair of green shorts and a white T-Shirt, it was what she had grabbed in her haste to get dressed not bothering with underwear. She didn’t bother changing, instead she slipped on some sandals and grabbed her bag with her phone, money and keys.

Mike threw on a fresh shirt and some deodorant before grabbing his keys and heading back out.

She locked the door behind her on her way out and waited on the steps for him to pull up with the car. She had only been waiting for about five minutes when he honked his horn to signal for her.

He looked a lot more cheerful than when he’d walked off and Jasmine felt a lot better as well, it was easy to pretend that it hadn’t happened when it was so farfetched to begin with.

They drove most of the way in silence besides the low drone of the radio, both of them were lost in thought but Mike knew exactly where to go and could probably reach their local haunt while blindfolded.

He parked in a spot right in front of the small dark café, it didn’t look like much but looks could be deceiving, they had some of the best food in town.

Upon entering they smiled at each staff member as they passed and walked straight to their preferred booth in the back. It was great for privacy and for people watching. It was almost completely out of sight and that suited them just fine. It was a blessing to be able to sit in the corner without people constantly bothering you.

They sat side by side in the booth, how they usually preferred to sit, that way no one could be caught awkwardly staring at each other while eating. They hadn’t been sitting long when Ella approached them.

Ella was a beautiful and warm woman, always had a smile for each customer and always working alongside all the servers like she was one of them. She usually served them and didn’t even bother bringing menus over, already knowing what they were going to order. “Let me guess… the usual?” She had her winning smile ready for them.

Mike nodded and thanked her. This place had always made him feel right at home, thanks in no small part to Ella. He’d spent many hours in this booth studying and finishing up assignments, mostly with Jasmine but sometimes on his own, but one thing never changed and that was their order.

While they waited for their order they made small talk and watched some of the other tables, but something was brewing in Jasmine’s mind. It was like an itch that could not be scratched.

Soon enough Ella returned with their order. A pitcher of ice tea, two sandwiches: cheese and tomato for Mike; bacon and cheese for Jasmine and a side of fries to share.

“Call me if you need anything.” Ella winked at them as she walked off knowing well enough they would likely order another pitcher soon enough, maybe even spice if up with some long island.

Their small talk continued throughout the meal, it was as delicious as it was every time they came. They called for a second pitcher of ice tea but decided it best not to kick it up a notch.

It was as they were working on the second pitcher that Jasmine decided it was time to bring up what had been eating her up.

“Mike?”

“Hmmmph?” He muttered through a mouthful of ice tea.

“Have you ever done anything s****l in public?”

He put down his glass and looked over at her trying to gage whether it was normal banter or a serious question. She was serious.

“I guess… but more like in a parked car in an empty parking lot. Why do you ask?”

Without thinking her hand moved under the table and rested on his groin, she could feel the outline of his member through his shorts, it was still a new sensation for her to freely take hold of someone else’s private parts.

Mike jumped at the sudden touch, not expecting her to be so forward. He found himself blushing which was just as unlikely to happen.

“I thought maybe we could have a quick lesson…” she had leaned closer and whispered in his ear.