Jake

Why was he here? Why were they here alone? Did he try something on her? Why is he so interested in our sex life?

"Jake." Amari groaned waving her hand in my face.

"Sorry. I was thinking about something." I said nervously rubbing the back of my neck.

"Can you think about me?" She asked grabbing onto my face.

"I'm thinking about you." I laughed kissing her forehead. "I think about you all the time."

She smiled and walked over to her closet.

"So, Tyler's here?" I asked sitting on her bed.

"Yeah." She said. "He's staying over."

"I guess you two made up then, huh?" I asked staring down at my hands playing with a loose thread on her blanket.

"Yeah. We talked." She sighed. "We've been friends all our lives. It's pretty easy for us to make up."

It shouldn't be. That guys an asshole that only wants Amari because I want her. Why is she so blind?

"Hey. My Aunt and I are visiting my Mom soon. Do you maybe want to come?" I asked.

"Visiting your mom?" She asked walking over to the bed. "You want me to meet your mom?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "I mean, I really like you and I think she might too. We're going this weekend."

"I can't." She shook her head sitting beside me. "This weekend is Lana's birthday and I'm helping her with her party preparations."

I wonder if Tyler is going to the party...

"That's alright." I nodded. "Maybe it's too soon anyway. I mean, we aren't even really dating yet."

She nodded in agreement. Why was I being so awkward and boring? Tyler had gotten into my head and now I could only think about him and her. Them together. Amari looked around her room at a loss and I knew she was bored. Should I just leave? There's no way I'm leaving him here with her alone.

"So..." I started and Amari looked at me. "Summer is winding down."

"Yeah, but we live in Arizona. It's always Summer." She laughed. "Why're you acting so strange? We can open the door."

"No. The door is fine. I'm just tired." I shrugged. "You know, looking through so many dresses can do that to a person."

She laughed and I couldn't hold back my smile. She was perfect. Was she perfect for me or Tyler, though? Which one of us were perfect for her?

"Speaking of dresses, I got you something." I smiled standing up and walking over to the dress bag I had hung on the doorknob. "My Aunt is opening up another dress shop across town in January and she's throwing a luncheon to celebrate. I want you to be my date."

I handed her the dress bag and she smiled at me. I watched her lay the bag across her bed and unzip the bag. Her mouth fell open in astonishment as she stared down at the soft dress that was an even softer shade of purple.

"We'll be matching." I said standing behind her.

"It's beautiful." She smiled at me. "When's the luncheon?"

"The luncheon is going to be a week before the official opening day." I explained. "I just wanted to ask early to make sure you didn't have any plans and would be available for me."

"Of course I'll be your date." She said happily. "This dress is amazing!"

"My aunt thought it'd look great against your complexion and I thought that a perfect dress like this needs to be on a perfect girl like you." I smiled at her.

Was it really that corny? I hope she didn't notice. She hugged me tightly and I laughed inhaling her scent. I never wanted to let her go.

Amari
An Hour Later

I walked Jake downstairs as he prepared to leave. He kissed my cheek and waved goodbye to Tyler who sat tiredly on the couch watching tv. I watched him pull off before shutting and locking the front door.

"So, how was your date?" Tyler asked sitting up.

"It wasn't a date." I rolled my eyes sitting beside him.

"Whatever. Did you get that kiss you wanted?" He smiled amused.

"If you must know, no I didn't." I rolled my eyes hiding my smile. "But I did get a date in January."

"January? That's a long time from now." He nodded.

"Well, I plan on being with him for a long time." I said. "You should see the dress he got me!"

"Okay. Show me." Tyler laughed.

"Come on!" I grabbed his arm and pulled him upstairs to my room.

I went into the bathroom and tried on the dress before looking at myself in the mirror. It fit perfectly. Would Tyler think so? What about Jake? Would it still fit like this in January? I fluffed my hair before walking into my bedroom where Tyler sat on the bed staring down at his phone. He must've sensed my presence because he slowly looked up at me and sat his phone down.

"Wow." He mumbled standing up.

"Isn't it perfect?" I smiled rubbing my hands across it.

"Yeah it is." He nodded walking over to me. "And Jake chose this out?"

"With help from his Aunt." I nodded.

"They did a good job." He said.

"Feel how soft it is." I said grabbing his hand and placing it on the material that covered my thigh.

He stared into my eyes and I could see the want in them. I wanted him so bad, but I knew better. He wasn't made for me. Tyler's other hand grabbed onto my waist and slowly he leaned in. My breathing hitched as I allowed his lips to get closer and closer to mine. If he kissed me I don't think I'd stop him. I grabbed onto his shirt and lift it slightly, before his hands grabbed onto mine.

"I promised I wouldn't try anything." He shook his head.

He was speaking to himself. Not me.

"We're just supposed to be friends." He said stepping away from me before finally looking at me. "Jake did a good job with that dress."

"I know..." I mumbled. "I'm gonna go change. I'll be back."

Tyler nodded and I walked back into my bathroom. What was that?

Tyler

What was that? Why did I stop? She clearly wanted me just as badly as I wanted her. I couldn't have her though. I needed to stay away from her, but I really didn't want to. I didn't have the strength to. My mom is going to kill me. Hunter is going to kill me. Chase is going to kill me. Lana is going to have my head plastered on her wall if I so much as breath in Amari's direction. Jake would help her cover up the crime. There were so many relationships at risk when it came to Amari and me. That's why there can't be an Amari and me. Amari came out of the bathroom in her pajamas and she was tying her hair up.

"Are you sleeping in here or do you need me to go fix the guest room for you?" She asked grabbing a hair tie from her vanity.

I want to sleep here, but I know that if I do, I won't be able to control myself.

"I'll sleep in the guest room." I said standing up.

"Oh." She sighed.

Was she disappointed?

"Unless you want me to stay..." I trailed off.

I'm playing with fire...

"I mean, you can." She shrugged. "It's not like you haven't slept in my bed before."

Right. She wanted me here for old times sake. Not because she wanted me.

"You're right." I rubbed the back of my neck. "Uh, got any sweats?"

"Yeah. I haven't thrown out all of my old clothes yet." She said walking over to her closet.

I leaned on the door frame as she kneeled down to get some joggers for me. She handed them to me and I whispered a thanks before going to change. When I came back into the room, Amari was already laying in bed typing on her phone. I laid beside her.

"Lana wants a lingerie party." Amari sighed.

"Huh?" I asked glancing at her phone screen.

"Yeah." Amari nodded. "I mean, it's party so I guess..."

"What is that?" I asked.

"Everyone comes in lingerie or sexy clothes." Amari mumbled. "Some of us can't even go into sex stores."

"17 year old problems." I laughed.

"Hush. I'm going to be 18 next year." She laughed nudging me.

"By then, we'll be on our way to 19." I laughed.

"I'll just order an outfit online." Amari sighed. "Since you older kids want to make me feel bad." I watched her switch over to a shopping app. "Are you coming to the party?"

"I don't think Lana likes me very much." I laughed.

"She loves you." Amari said. "Probably more than me."

I stared at her. What's that supposed to mean? Do I ask about it? Do I leave it alone?

"I'm tired." I faked a yawn.

"Then go to sleep." She laughed locking her phone and turning off the lamp beside her. "Goodnight."

"Night." I mumbled.