His Secret Obsession
Chapter 29

Well, that was the last thing I expected to happen when coming to the grocery store. Running into my childhood best friend and first crush Jacob Davison. How he even recognized me I have no freaking clue..I haven't seen him since 8th grade when he moved away to California with his parents for his dad's new job. I can still remember the last summer we hung out. We all met at the river on one of the hottest days of the year. A lot of kids brought floaties to drift down the slow-moving current that ended up near a park in town. It was Jacob's birthday and we were still pretty close at that time. At that point I had given up all hope on him ever liking me and was focused solely on saving my heart for Asher..it sounds pathetic, I know. But it was the truth, once Asher came into the picture there was no one else who could quite fill those shoes for me..well until Ronan, and guess what..that was still Asher!

I remember Jacob inviting me to come with them and he made sure to ask that MacKenzie came with me. He still had a major crush on her all throughout elementary school and up to middle school but nothing came of it. He begged me to make sure she was there because he was going to do a last-ditch grand gesture and go in for the kiss. Sadly I guess my loyalties lied with Mack at the time because I literally told her everything he said to me right after. I feel kind of bad for that honestly. But Mack was all for it, she had many kisses by then and was a champion at spin the bottle which I could never replace the courage to play.

I couldn't help but feel that pang of jealousy that Jacob was still so obsessed with MacKenzie. Deep down I always wondered why it was never me. But looking back I realized Jacob and I really were just best friends. He was more comfortable with me than he ever was with anyone else. He told me all of his secrets and invited me to every birthday party or family event. His parents and older sister loved me..but I'm pretty sure his sister Alisha had a crush on Asher and Carson at the time and she knew I saw them on the regular basis. So I'm not sure how genuine that was.

I guess the most I remember about that day was the way he looked at Mack. How her laugh made him smile like an idiot or the way he teased her and tried to be as close to her as possible. My role in this plan to win Mack over, was to lead Mack away from the group and towards this large weeping willow that sat right off of the river bank. Mack knew exactly what was going to happen because I obviously told her but she played clueless.

I led her over towards the tree, parting the wall of branches when my eyes met with Jacob's as they quickly left me and landed on Mack. He wanted to declare his love for her, to ask her to wait for him until he could move back on his own so they could be together..dramatic I know. But I am a hopeless romantic and I always thought just maybe he truly would wait for her. I guess there are two sides to everything though because I don't think Mack was really interested in Jacob at all. I think she was more curious than anything.

I saw Jacob give me the signal to leave and I quickly exited through the hanging branches. As soon as I left, something weird happened to me...it was almost like a realization that I would never be that girl. I would never be the one getting pulled aside or asked to the dance. I would never be the one who was smiled at or have a grand gesture planned out just for me.

I guess at some point I just accepted it and any guy I met afterward was just a friend and I made sure not to have any false expectations..except for Asher of course..but honestly, he was more like a crush you would have on a famous actor or musician. The type of guy you daydream about but in reality, you know nothing would ever come if it. That's why it's so hard to wrap my head around the fact that Asher is Ronan. It's like my celebrity crush walked straight out of the movie and looked toward me. "Who is this guy Em?" Carson asked firmly. His posture straightened as he eyed Jacob up and down.

"This..uhh this is Jacob Davison, he went to grade school with Mack and I." I explained, my answer not changing Carson's protective stance whatsoever.

I glanced at Jacob as his smile widened and he stepped closer toward me. His blonde hair was long and went down to his shoulders. His blue eyes were crystal clear and he reminded me of a surfer dude. He was still as handsome as ever..of course..they all were. "I thought that was you Em, you look great." He said happily, coming in to hug me as Carson literally stepped between us like a damn bodyguard..seriously.

"Oh, sorry, is this your boyfriend?" Jacob suddenly asked, glancing between me and Carson curiously.

"He.." I began and Carson quickly interrupted me.

"I'm her brother." Carson said flatly and I swear Jacob began wracking his brain to remember if I even had a brother.

"Well, it was nice to see you.." I added awkwardly, embarrassed by Carson's hostility and running into Jacob, to begin with.

"Wait..I just got back in town, I moved back a few weeks ago. I was thinking about you and was going to try and reconnect." He began and I knew exactly where this was heading. Was he really still wrapped up in the idea of being with Mack? I mean that is sweet and everything but I am in no mood to be a matchmaker..especially for MacKenzie.

"Sorry, she has a boyfriend now. But I can tell her you are in town." I cut him off, my tone making Carson look at me curiously. I have never been short with anyone in my life. I just was in no mood to deal with this right now. "Who has a boyfriend?" He asked, looking thoroughly confused..which confused me.

"MacKenzie, you wanted to reconnect with her?" I heard Carson scoff as he stepped back, standing by my side now. I guess Jacob being into MacKenzie meant he wasn't a threat to me anymore in Carson's eyes. "Oh..no, I meant just you and me. Maybe we can grab a coffee sometime, to catch up." He looked at me hopefully and I swear my mouth opened and closed several times like a damn fish out of water.

"Sorry pal, she's not interested." Carson cut in, speaking for me as he tugged my arm and pushed past Jacob and I just let him.

I furrowed my brow, wondering what he meant about reconnecting. Maybe he just wanted to know what I have been up to and be friends again. That had to be it.

"Carson, I feel bad. I think Jacob just wanted to get together and catch up as friends." I whispered, looking around the store making sure Jacob wasn't somewhere in earshot.

"Please..come on Em, you cannot be that naive. The way that guy was looking at you he had no intentions of being so-called 'friends"." He made a big deal of air quoting the word friends and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Whatever..let's just finish shopping." I grumbled, pushing the cart as we made our way through the rest of the store.

We were just walking out the door after paying as I glanced to the side and notice Jacob leaning on the wall like he was waiting for someone. Suddenly his eyes caught mine and he pushed off, making his way toward us smoothly. Carson hadn't noticed him yet but when he did I swear he let out a low groan and cursed under his breath.

"I told you she wasn't interested." Carson growled and Jacob lifted his hands in mock surrender.

"I just wanted to give her this if she changes her mind. No pressure." He said cooly while lowering his arm and handing me a folded-up piece of paper.

"Maybe see ya around Em." He quickly added then took off the other way, leaving me confused as I stared down at the folded piece of paper.

"Come on, let's go." Carson muttered, his voice full of annoyance.

We loaded the truck up with the groceries and I slid into the passenger side as Carson went into the driver seat and turned the car on.

Looking down at the piece of paper, I slowly opened it and read what was inside.

If you change your mind, here is my number.

(123)456-7891

Also, I always thought you were pretty Em, but now you are absolutely gorgeous.

The note read and I swear my eyes almost popped out of their sockets. I can't believe he said that.

"I gotta give it to the guy, he has some balls on him." Carson mumbled and I saw him smirking to himself as he shifted the truck into gear and drove off. He thought I was pretty before? Oh no..Asher is not going to like this..not one bit..and knowing Carson he can't keep his mouth shut for anything..crap, this isn't going to go well.