Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 3.5 | Chapter 4-1 | Chapter 4-2 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

Take away everything if it feels fine
Catch a shape in the circles of my mind
Make me feel like I belong to you
Make me feel it, even if it ain't true

I’ve Been Let Down, Mazzy Star

Less than ten minutes later, they were sequestered in a quiet corner of the café with drinks in hand, awaiting the arrival of their just ordered food. Being that it was Sunday morning, many of the townspeople were in church, which meant Jake and Kate nearly had the place to themselves. The shiplap walls of the establishment were adorned with a haphazard collection of local artwork, photographs, and fan photos of this or that celebrity enjoying a meal while shooting one of the innumerable movies and TV shows that had been filmed locally.

Jake’s senses were still tingling from the electric make out session, while Kate sipped on a steaming hot dirty chai, an exuberant smirk on her radiant face. As his jangled nerves finally started to calm, Jake cleared his throat awkwardly.

“So…I have to ask…” Jake trailed off awkwardly.

“You want to know how I ended up…doing what it is that I do.” Kate let out a dispirited sigh. “I knew you were going ruin this moment by asking me that.”

“It’s a fair question,” Jake rejoined defensively.

“I don’t think this is something you actually want to hear about.”

“Want to? No. Need to? Yes.”

“But why? Why can’t you just enjoy being with me?!” Kate forcefully slammed her cup on the table, causing flecks of chai and frothed milk to spew out of the lid’s tiny opening.

“I just want to know the truth. I don’t think that’s unreasonable.”

Kate could see that he would not be dissuaded. “Do you love me?”

Jake was caught off guard by the abrupt and off-topic question. “What?”

“I have to know,” Kate insisted. “Before we go down this road: I have to know if you love me.”

“What does it matter?”

“Because it matters. You’re not going to like what I have to tell you, and I have to know you’re not going to despise me afterwards.”

“You know that I do,” Jake reassured her with tender affection in his voice.

“I’d like to believe that. I used to think Ethan loved me.”

“I’m not Ethan,” Jake growled. Kate smiled wanly.

“I know. But I used to be naïve and trusting.” Her alluring visage hardened. “Not anymore. Now, I know exactly what men want from me, even you. However, you’re at least genuine and honest.”

“So…you don’t believe that I love you?”

Kate pondered the question momentarily. Finally, she nodded. “I believe you do. You have to understand, though, this stuff isn’t easy for me to talk about. I’m not doing this if you’re just going to be a voyeuristic pervert.”

“I’ll do my best,” Jake agreed dubiously. Just then, the matronly proprietor of the establishment brought their food. She set down a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel in front of Jake, then presented Kate with a bowl of oatmeal piled high with delectable fresh fruit. The older woman beamed with delight at the two of them.

“It’s so good to see you two back here,” she gushed amicably. “Although, I heard there was some kind of commotion at The Sands last night, Jake.”

“Nah, that was nothing, Evelyn.” Jake waved a dismissive hand. Evelyn pursed her lips doubtfully. After a moment’s hesitation, which she no doubt hoped would lead to some juicy gossip, she shrugged her shoulders in reluctant resignation.

“Well, I’m awfully glad to hear it. I would hate for any trouble to befall my favorite couple in Bayport.”

“Actually, we’re not-” Jake started to correct the woman, but Kate reached across and silenced him with a firmly insistent squeeze of her hand.

“We’re certainly glad to have you on our side, Miss Evelyn! It hasn’t always been easy, but this guy sure does make me happy.”

“He’s a good one, alright,” Evelyn cheerily agreed. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. Enjoy yourselves!”

“Now, why would you go and lie to poor Evelyn like that?” Jake queried, sounding oddly annoyed.

Kate shrugged. “She wants to believe that we’re together. I want to believe that we’re together. What’s wrong with a harmless little lie?”

Jake gave her a significant stare. “You should know better than anyone the harm that can come from telling lies.”

“You’re one to talk!” Kate raged suddenly, her eyes flashing in anger. “You keep whining and bellyaching about how egregiously you’ve been lied to. Well, what about the lies you’ve been telling me?!”

“What the hell are you talking about? I haven’t lied to you.”

“I waited for you on your boat last night after Ethan and I left The Sands. I found your girlfriend’s hair tie. When were you going to tell me about her?!”

“You were snooping around Mira Bella last night? What gives you the right to pry into my business?!”

“I wasn’t snooping, you imbecile!” Kate struggled to maintain a harsh whisper in the quiet confines of the café. “I was waiting to talk to you. I wanted you to hear my side of the story. I was practically ready to crawl back into bed with you in the hopes you would forgive me! And then I found that floozy’s hair band under your pillow.”

Jake’s voice took on a hard and remorseless edge. “Who I run around with is none of your business. You made sure of that when you chose Ethan over me.”

“You know something: you’re absolutely right. I can’t begin to fathom why I ever thought you deserved an explanation. What I’ve done…who I’ve slept with…is none of your damn business either!”

As Kate got up to leave in indignation, Jake knew he should keep his mouth shut. Knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he shouldn’t dare verbalize the abhorrent retort that had just burst into his head. Jake knew…and he still couldn’t stop himself.

“No, but it’s apparently the whole internet’s business, isn’t it?”

Kate stopped in her tracks, reeling as if she’d just been slapped. The stricken expression that materialized on her otherwise charming countenance made Jake sick to his stomach. He immediately regretted his loathsome words.

“How dare you?” Kate whispered despairingly as she choked back tears. “You son of a bitch.”

“I…” Jake tried to think of something soothing that would undo the damage he had so glibly wrought, but his mind adamantly refused to cooperate. Meanwhile, Kate slipped out of the café, dejected and silent; leaving Jake in miserable solitude.

Afterword: To enhance the impact of this story, listen to the song below after you read.

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