#jcobmrtn

tori: had spent the night in the company of a few other girls she’d met at the mall the day before, flitting between bars, clubs, and bathrooms until she finally found herself at this place called The Grind at a little past two in the morning. Her body was slick with sweat as she staggered off the dance floor in her bright red mini dress, poised to approach the bartender for yet another drink. That was, until she noticed a familiar (lanky) figure out of the corner of her eye, prompting the corners of her lips lift into a smile. Of course Jake would be out and about on a night as lively as this one. With people still alve with the buzz of the holidays the city was on fire, and coincidentally so was she. She positioned herself against the railing next to his unsuspecting frame, “Hey Lumberjake what’s u--oh” she remarked, caught a bit off guard as she got a close up what he was really engaged in, dark hues set on the small lines of white powder beside him, one of them half inhaled. With a look, and a knowing smirk she folded her arms as she cocked her head to the side “You know, I’m not sure if I should be surprised or offended you never offered me any?”

tori: "knock, knock" a honeyed voice chimed, as tori stepped into the current rubble that was once her daughter's nursery. since jake had started working at the santamaria residence she'd made somewhat of a habit of either popping in with food her stepdad had prepared (which he seemed to love), or just to see what their cute new contractor was up to. today, however, she'd tried her very own hand at red velvet cupcakes and figured jake could use a treat since he was working a little later. "i come bearing gifts" she said, flashing a radiant smile before she perched herself on an idle block of wood, placing a plate of three cupcakes right next to her, two for him, one for her. "and i slaved over them for forty five minutes so even if you don't love em' tell me they're bomb" it was kind of nice having someone her age around the house, all of the other landscapers and decorators her dad hired were always in their forties, and kind of creepy, and made her feel like she had to be all covered up just to run downstairs for a drink of water. "looks like you're making some progress in here.." she acknowledged as she peeled back the sheer cupcake wrapper to indulge in her first bite.

tori: also what are you up to later?

tori:’s face scrunched a little as she tossed back her ketel one and tonic, wriggling from side to side in her barstool to the music that blared through the speakers. global 33 certainly hadn’t lost it’s touch, with the flashing lights and quickly growing crowd making her feel like it was 2016 again. her mother’s latest negligence already had her feeling like time traveling, back to a time where the only way to deal with the thought of her father and that man was to get very, very drunk. “i love this song!” she shouted to jake, her companion for the night’s festivities. given that he’d been working at her house for a little over a month now the two had gotten to know each other over their weekly dessert binges, but one thing tori was still curious about was the side of him that apparently had a penchant for parties. the brunette leaned confidently over the counter, careful not to show too much in her Pucci dress. “can we get another round?” she asked the bartender, peach glossed lips pulling into a smile that dared him to card her.

Maybe I’ve been sending mixed signals, too. Maybe I do like you more than I thought.. 

@jcobmrtn

katie: i thought when we first started this whole “friends with benefits” thing that it would stay just as that - something that would totally benefit both of us without any strings attached. but lately, i can’t stop thinking about you. i don’t want to feel this way, jake. things are so much easier if it’s just about sex. i don’t want to get hurt again..

I know this is going to sound really weird and honest but like I feel safe with you. Actually being able to go out and not having to worry about unnecessary cat calling or some form of bullying is nice because I know you would kick their ass. I honestly appreciate you so much so thanks for being there.