18. Jake

18

JAKE

I sat outside for another hour, but no magical solution came to mind. However, I had found the perfect Christmas gift for Lydia. If things didn't work out between us, I could at least give her something she'd wanted for a very long time.

When I walked inside, the house was quiet, and the last thing I wanted to do was wake Lydia up. I left her a short note on the counter, saying I was going out for a while, and I'd be back soon.

I hopped in my car and drove the twenty minutes journey to Boone. Driving through the Appalachian State campus brought back a lot of memories, many of them involving Lydia and my sister. There was a time when the roads were covered in ice, and we thought it'd be fun to be pulled on a float behind my friend's Jeep. Lydia held on tight with me while Patrick sped through the vacant grocery store parking lot, dragging us this way and that. I'd never laughed so hard in my life. Of course, the cops busted us after about ten minutes.

It was memories like those that I thought more about, rather than my time playing pro golf. Granted, I had millions of dollars in my bank account, went to hundreds of high-profile parties with celebrities, but those things could only give you so much happiness.

Downtown Boone was always busy with college students and people filtering in to experience Christmas in a small mountain town, just like they did with Blowing Rock. Luckily, there was a parking spot right outside of the place I needed to go. I walked inside and, on every wall, hung an expensive painting.

Lydia loved art; her passion astounded me.

She wanted a certain painting, and I was going to make sure she got it. The gallery owner knew I was coming, so he was ready for me. All I had to do was pay the money, and he planned to have it shipped once he procured it from the artist. The painting was going to arrive on Lydia's doorstep by Christmas Eve.

There were only two things I needed to do today, and that was one of them. The other was to call my realtor. People were all around, going in and out of the shops, so I stepped out of the way.

I scrolled through my phone and tapped on Janet's name.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite golfer," she greeted.

"Hi, Janet."

"What can I do for you, Jake Reynolds? Did you decide on one of the houses I sent?"

Only one came fully furnished, and right now, that was what I needed. I didn't want the hassle of trying to find everything to fill a six thousand square-foot home.

"I did," I replied.

Janet gasped. "Seriously? That's great news. Which one do you want?" I told her which one and her excitement echoed through the phone. "I'll have the papers drawn up this afternoon. You'll be ready to move in tonight."

"Perfect, thanks. I'll see you later."

We finished our call, and while I knew I shouldn't have bought a house I didn't want, it was what I had to do. I didn't want to interfere in Lydia's life anymore. I'd already tried coming between her and Max, and it didn't work. There was a reason Lydia hadn't chosen me . . . she didn't want me in that way. We had history, but that didn't always mean anything.

"Jake?"

Out of all the people to run into, it had to be him. My teeth clenched, but I tried to relax and smile when I turned around.

"Max."

Max held out his hand. "Hey. It's good to see you again."

I shook his hand. He was dressed just how I'd imagine a young college professor would be: khaki pants, a white button-down, and a navy sweater vest over it.

"Same. Are you done with classes for the day?"

He nodded and blew out a relieved sigh. "Yes. I'm finished until after New Year's." He pulled his phone out and held it up. "I've tried calling Lydia today. I know you've still been there with her. Is she okay?"

I couldn't hold back the chuckle even if I tried.

"You'll have to excuse her today. She took nighttime medicine by accident this morning. She's been passed out since."

Max tilted his head back and laughed. "That's hilarious. I can't wait to tease her about it."

His words made a pang of jealousy spark in my gut. Max was a great guy, but I didn't want him with Lydia. If he was what she wanted, though, I wouldn't come between them. Sadly, it was hard to like the guy when he wanted the only girl I'd ever loved.

And there it was . . .

It took until now to actually say the word in my mind.

Love.

I loved Lydia. I always had and always would.

Once Max was done laughing, he pointed at the gallery. "I love that place. I go in there all the time to find peace after a long day of class."

That made me smile. It took special, hardworking people to want to teach.

"Yeah, it's nice. I've been in there before with Lydia."

Max's smile faded slightly, and he stared at me, almost as if he was trying to figure me out. "If you wanted a painting, she could've gotten it for you."

I nodded. "I know, but I was getting her a Christmas present."

Silence fell between us as realization set on his face. From the looks of it, she'd told him what she wanted as well. "Did you buy her what I think you did?" he asked, his voice astounded.

" Enchanted Falls by …"

"By Kenneth Halvorsen," he finished. "Yes, that's it."

"I did," I said. "She's wanted it for a while now."

Max averted his gaze to the gallery windows and sighed. "I would've loved to have gotten it for her, but it's way out of my budget."

"She'll like whatever you get her."

His brows lifted. "How will it ever compete with your gift?"

"You'll be fine. She really likes you. It's not going to matter."

Max stepped closer; his expression serious. "Do you have feelings for her?" His eyes never wavered from mine. There was no anger or jealousy in them, just concern.

I had no reason to lie; it would all come out eventually.

"I do," I admitted wholeheartedly.

Max nodded. "Thought so. I could see it in your eyes the first day I met you."

"Lydia and I are friends, Max. She doesn't see me in that way. I can tell she likes you, though." I blew out a sigh. "Also, I'm moving out today. She's had to put up with me enough this week."

Max's gaze narrowed. "Are you moving out because of your feelings for her?"

"Yes. And also, because I don't want to come between you two. It's not fair. She doesn't deserve me trying to interfere."

He shook his head and smiled. "Let me guess . . . the day in the towel? That wasn't by accident, was it?"

"No," I confessed. "And neither was my car not starting. I'm sorry for being an ass. From now on, I'll stay out of the way."

Max held out his hand again. "No problem, buddy. We all do crazy things for the people we care about."

"Isn't that the truth," I claimed, shaking his hand again.

He slapped me on the shoulder. "Take care, Jake. I'm sure I'll see you around again."

Unfortunately, I'd have to see him with Lydia. It was something I'd have to get used to.

Max started to walk off, but I stopped him. "If you speak to Lydia in the next couple of hours, please don't tell her I'm leaving. I want to tell her myself."

"I won't say anything," he promised.

Once he was gone, I took one last look around downtown Boone and got in my car. Before I could back out of my parking spot, my phone beeped with a text from Janet.

Janet: Got everything fast-tracked. The papers are ready to be signed. Stop by at your convenience.

The timing was perfect.

Me: On my way.