Jenna

I'm captivated by Tanner's performance. He's never participated in karaoke before; he usually sits back and observes, but not tonight. No, tonight he's rocking his song on stage, and it feels like this performance is all for me. The rest of the bar fades away, and it's just us.

No one else matters right now. My man is doing this for me. I can't help but stare up at him on that stage. He's amazing, and he's all mine. My cheeks hurt from smiling so widely at him, and I never want to stop. His song starts coming to its end, and I'm brought swiftly back to reality when I hear a familiar voice to my left say, "Oh my God!"

I look over and see Lindsey's mouth gaping, looking back and forth from me to Tanner. Chase asks her what's wrong as she continues to stare between my lover and me.

She knows!

Her eyes look like they are about to pop out of their sockets. The song is almost over; everyone is still watching Tanner. Everyone, that is, but Lindsey and now Chase.

Okay, Jenna, decision time. What's it gonna be?

I look up at Tanner, then back to Lindsey, take a deep breath, and then let go. I stand up and make my way onstage just as Tanner puts up the mic. I look at him and smile as he looks questioningly at me. Before he has a chance to stop me, I throw my arms around him. He quickly understands what is happening. This is our moment. This is when we come clean.

He picks me up and brings his mouth to mine. We kiss each other deeply right there on stage, confessing our truth to everyone present. The music has stopped, the entire crowded place is silent. Everyone is gaping up at the stage.

When we break apart, we place our foreheads together and whisper, "I love you."

When we look out to the crowd, it seems that everyone is holding their breath. We're frozen in time until suddenly we hear a loud whistle from the back of the room from Rob. The whistle is quickly followed by cheering and loud clapping from the rest of his table.

Before long, the whole place is whooping and whistling, voicing their praise. All but one table, the table where Lins, Chase, Liam, and Mel are sitting. They are silent. All are sitting with stunned looks on their faces, except Mel, who is smiling kindly at us as if she knew this would happen all along.

We make our way offstage towards them, Tanner's arm around my shoulders, mine around his waist as someone else takes the stage. All the way, people patting us on the back and whistling at us. I see Jenna D. and Val gaping, eyes wide in disbelief. I feel a wave of primal satisfaction roll through me as they look on. That's right; Tanner is all mine! You can't have him!

We grab the empty seats next to Liam and Lindsey. They are still starting between the two of us. Lindsey is the first to speak. "It was T.J.? This whole time it was T.J.?"

I smile and look over at him. "Yes. It's been him the whole time."

She lets out a breath and leans back in her chair, looking between Tanner and me again. Chase squeezes Lindsey's hand. "Wow. So, uh, when did this start?" He points between the two of us.

Tanner answers, "It was when you were all upstate for the long weekend."

Chase nods his head again, still stunned by what just happened on stage. "Wow."

Liam is staring at us with brows furrowed and arms crossed. He looks at me. "Are you sure about this?"

I smile at my friend. "I am."

It's a beat before Liam does anything. Finally, he nods and uncrosses his arms, pointing to Tanner. "You hurt her in any way or screw her over or make her unhappy at all; you are a dead man."

Mel slaps Liam's shoulder and shoots him a stern look. Tanner looks Liam directly in the eye. "I won't hurt her."

He looks at me, squeezing my hand. "This isn't a game for me. I'm crazy about her, man." Tanner turns his head back to Liam.

A faint smile crosses Liam's lips as he sits back in his chair, still scrutinizing Tanner. "Good! Treat her right. Make her happy!"

Tanner, smiling at me, replies, "I plan to."

This man could melt stone. I'm swooning so hard right now that I almost forget we have company. I'm tempted to jump his bones right here, right now. That is until I hear Mel. "Awww. Jenna! I'm so happy for you!"

Tanner pulls me close and gives me a quick peck on the lips. Then, he puts his arm around my shoulders, making it known that I'm his.

Chase slams his shot before setting his glass down on the table. He's still shaking his head. "Fuck! That's going to take some getting used to!"

Liam takes a swig of his beer. "You got that right! But if I can get used to you and my sister, I can get used to this." Chase shoots him an exasperated look.

Lindsey shakes her head and mutters to herself under her breath. I barely make out what she says. "I knew I recognized that voice."

Chase furrows his brows. "What voice, babe?"

Lindsey's eyes grow wide as everyone looks at her. Chase asks again, "What is it, love?"

She shoots me a look that I return with my own questioning gaze. Liam looks at his sister. "Come on, sis, share with the class."

She grimaces before giving me an apologetic glance. "The voice from that day... In the apartment. The one coming from Jenna's room... I thought I recognized it."

Everyone stares quizzically at her. Then, Chase's eyes grow wide. "Oh, my God!"

Lins hides her face, tucking herself into Chase's chest. Liam looks between Chase and his sister. "What? What happened? We're obviously missing something here."

I think about what Lindsey said, and the puzzle pieces come together. I suck in a breath and look at Tanner, whose jaw has dropped to the floor. He's figured it out too.

Mel gives a nervous laugh. "Did I miss something?"

After a long pause, Chase replies slowly, looking at me, then Tanner, then Lindsey. "Um, Lindsey kind of walked into the apartment one day and heard them," he points at Tanner and me, "having sex. Except, no one knew until now who was in there with Jenna."

Liam's eyes are enormous as he takes in the information. His mouth keeps opening and closing like he wants to say something, but he can't find the words. I bury my head in Tanner's neck, trying not to die of embarrassment.

Mel starts to giggle and covers her mouth. "Holy shit! That must have been awkward!"

Lins takes a sip of her drink. "You have no idea!" Then, she starts laughing. "I still can't believe it. You and T.J., wow."

I peek out from the safety of my lover's neck, unable to hide my grin. "Me and Tanner."

Lins shakes her head as her laughter subsides. "So, you never actually hated each other?"

Tanner and I share a quick look. "No, I've always liked Jenna." He brushes my arm gently with the pad of his thumb as he looks lovingly at me. "From the beginning."

Mel breaks the trance I'm falling into. "Tay, why didn't you tell us?"

I look over at her. "I wasn't sure how anyone would react. And with the whole AthletaWear situation, I didn't know what to do. Plus, it was kinda sexy sneaking around."

The whole table shares a laugh at the last part of my confession. Then, Lindsey levels me with her wisdom. "We will always be happy for you, Tay, as long as you are happy. No matter who you choose to be with."

She's smiling at me when I brave a peek in her direction. I see the rest of my friends nodding in agreement. It warms my heart to have their support. I'm living a dream right now. "Thanks, guys."

I look over at my man, reflecting on everything we've been through. "I am happy. So, so happy."

Tanner leans in and captures my lips in a kiss. His hand cups my cheek as his other tugs me closer. I vaguely hear the reactions around us. Some people are cheering; some are 'ooo-ing and awwing'; some are remarking on how shocking it is. But, it seems the roomies approve. And that's a huge relief.

We no longer have to sneak around. We can go out and have dates like a normal couple. I am ecstatic. I can hold my boyfriend's hand in public and hug him or kiss him whenever I want without having to look over my shoulder.

I look at Tanner, who is beaming at me, and I feel so happy, so free, so in love.