CHAPTER 17 - MIND BLOWN

Jake stared at the photo, dazed and confused. After a few moments, he finally spoke, "Where did you get that?"

Ross looked at him hesitantly. You could tell he was weighing his options, trying to make the right decision. His face wore the tension that was hiding behind his eyes. His reply shook Jake to his core, "From your mother." Jake looked at him, trying to reconcile exactly what he had heard.

"So, you and my mother have been in contact this whole time?" I could see the pain of betrayal all over his face.

Ross let out a long sigh. You could tell he wasn't certain that he had made the right decision. "We are not in constant contact, Jake," he finally said.

Jake pushed him further, not willing to let it go without an explanation. "What are you then?"

Ross stared directly at him, wringing his hands incessantly. He knew what he was about to stay would change everything. "Jake, leaving you was the worst mistake of my life, I figured it out too late. I tried to live my life without you, but thoughts of you haunted me every single day. When I finally got my priorities straight, I reached out to your mom. It was then that I learned how Scott was taking care of both of you. He was so successful and giving you an amazing life. He had been the father to you I should have been and I couldn't ruin that. I made a selfish mistake once that changed the course of your life, I would not make a second one."

Jake's hand squeezed mine under the table and I watched as his muscle tensed in his jaw. "So, you both have lied to me my entire life? Do you know how screwed up that is? I spent my life thinking I wasn't good enough and all the while you were hiding right in front of my face." He spoke firmly, but I could hear the pain in his voice.

Jake's words took Ross by surprise. I am sure he was expecting it on some level, but the shock of hearing it from his son's mouth seemed to be more than he could take. Ross fought back tears but lost the battle when one escaped. When he finally spoke his voice was shaking and unsteady.

"Jake, I didn't want to ruin your life, and neither did she. I agreed to stay away, and she agreed to give me updates and photos of you so I could still watch you grow. We did what we thought was best for you, son."

That last word hung in the air like an anchor. I stared at Jake's face, trying to read his expression. Before I could ponder it any further, Jake stood up, pulling my hand with him.

"That's the problem isn't it Ross, everyone was so busy doing what they thought was best for me. Nobody stopped to ask me what was best." With those words, he walked away from the table, pulling me behind him.

I could hear Ross in the background as we approached the door, "Jake, son, please ....."

Jake did not slow the intensity of his pace until we reached the car. He had to put some distance between us and the restaurant. He drove back to the hotel, walking to our room without a single word. I didn't dare speak either, trying to give him the time he needed to process everything that happened.

Once we were in the room, he took his seat on the side of the bed. He placed his elbows on his knees and cradled his face in his hands. He sighed a heavy sigh, and the sound made my heart ache. I knew it was the sound of his heart shattering into a thousand pieces. I sat beside him, waiting until he spoke. The only noise was his phone buzzing from his pocket.

"They took it all away from me Sky, the chance to have a real father," he said with his face still in his hands. Not knowing what else to do, I pulled his hands away from his face and climbed into his lap so I was facing him. Taking his place, I held his face in my hands, speaking to him as softly as I could.

"Jake, they both made sacrifices because they loved you so much. Your happiness was more important than their own. Your mom kept secrets from your dad and you. That must have killed her. Ross drove himself insane every day wishing he could be with you. No matter how backward their methods may have been, they did it out of love. They both love you."

Before I even finished speaking I saw a tear trail down his face. Watching that felt like someone was ripping my own soul out. I wiped his tear away and pulled him to me. Wrapping my arms around him, I tried to love away his pain. We sat in that position for what felt like forever and finally he kissed my forehead and told me he had to call Ross back. He left the room, and I understood that he needed to sort this out on his own terms.

When he returned he seemed lighter, like whatever Ross said to him took away some sting he felt earlier. He didn't tell me everything, and that was ok. He just said he was hungry, and we ordered room service and settled in for a movie. I fell asleep with my head on his chest and my arm wrapped around his waist. I hoped that holding him might somehow help him heal.

The next morning Jake woke me from my sleep. He was sitting on the side of the bed in his pajama pants and a white t-shirt. How could anyone look that good in the morning? I noticed that breakfast was already waiting for us on the table. He had his heart torn out the night before and got up early to order me breakfast. I was a lucky girl.

After we ate, Jake insisted that I get ready and wear something comfortable. He wouldn't tell me where we were going, but then again, I didn't care as long as it was with him.

We jumped in the car, ready to face a new adventure, and he grabbed my hand. It was only then that his expression revealed how his heart was holding up. Jake was still hurting but trying everything he could to hide it. 
Behind his forced smile was a hint of sadness. Dinner with his father had changed him forever, but he would do all that he could not let it. I held his hand, determined that we would get through this, together.

As we drove, I couldn't help but let a small giggle escape. He couldn't keep the secret for long because as we approached our mystery destination, the signs ushered us in. They revealed what awaited us. My excitement built with each 'Universal' sign. For a moment I felt a tinge of guilt before I realized this might be what he needed. A day of carefree fun. Jake looked at my level of excitement with a curious expression, I was practically jumping out of my seat.

"I've never been to a theme park," I admitted.

Jake looked at me like I had just grown ten horns. "You have never ridden a roller coaster?" he asked. Without answering, I just shook my head, watching his eyes widen. Was I the only person on the planet who had not ridden a roller coaster?

Jake's reply was classic, "Well, it looks like you will have more than one first with me." I couldn't help but blush.

We valeted the car and headed to the park. I was in awe as soon as we stepped off of the people mover. City Walk looked like a theme park to me, but what did I know? Jake insisted we get a picture in front of the Universal globe, I guessed that was a must for any first-time visitor.

The first ride we tackled was "The Hulk". When they snapped the safety bar shut, I felt my heart sink. Fear gripped me. I grabbed Jake's hand and looked to him with pleading eyes, mouthing the famous last words, "Help". Knowing full well that I would not die, Jake flashed me a mischievous smile.

It took off like a lightning bolt with no time to process what was happening. I closed my eyes, screamed, and before I knew it we were pulling to a stop. Once we exited, Jake showed me his hand and wrist. It was blood red. Poor guy, I almost ripped his hand off.

We rode every single ride and laughed the entire day. When we were in line for Dueling Dragons, Jake pulled me into a dark corner. He stole a quick kiss, sending my heart into overdrive. That day was exactly what the doctor ordered for a broken heart.

After one of the most fun days of my life, we grabbed a low key dinner and headed back to the hotel. Jake was sitting on the bed checking his phone when I walked up to him.

"Thank you for an amazing day."

Looking up at me with a teasing look in his eye, he replied. "Your welcome, glad I could provide you with a little enjoyment."

"Well, there are other things you could do to provide me with enjoyment," I teased back.

"Sky, I told you, we are not going there."

Undaunted, I persisted, kissing his cheek and then his neck. He shot me a warning look. "What, I just wanted a kiss?" I whispered.

"You are playing with fire, Sky, I am warning you," he said breathlessly. Before I even realized what was happening, Jake flipped me over so he was on top of me.

"So you like to be kissed do you?" he taunted. I nodded in agreement. He began kissing me and I felt his lips everywhere. He started with my cheek and then my chin. He moved on to my neck and finally my collarbone until I was the one who was breathless. He sat up, still kneeling on the bed, and ripped his shirt off. My eyes must have been as big as the moon.

Then he returned to me. "If this is what you want, I'll be happy to give it to you," he said while continuing to kiss me until I thought I would lose my mind. I arched my body to mirror his, and he leaned down, kissing the tip of my nose.

"I told you not to play with fire," he whispered. Then he got up and strolled to the bathroom for a shower, leaving me stunned.

So that's how it feels?

******

A/N

So, what do you think? Did Jake's biological father make the right decision? Is Sky ever going to learn? Thank you for reading and please don't forget to vote if you enjoyed this chapter.