Maybe Penny’s right. A restraining order might do me some good. The pictures from our relationship and the texts I have are more than enough proof to hopefully get it granted, at least temporarily.
How can I expect Jack to get over his demons when I’m still dealing with mine?
“Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you didn’t find me in my father’s office that morning?” I ask, gazing at him with wonder.
Jack groans, playing with the ends of my hair. “I think I’d be kicking myself for not pushing harder to get your phone number, and I probably would have failed Comp II again because of my stupid dyslexia. I think my life would be a fucking disaster if I hadn’t found you in his office, Alex,” Jack jokes, using the wrong name I let him believe was mine. His words should make me laugh or at the very least, happy, but all they do is cause my heart to ache.
I rest my head on his chest, unable to keep looking at him unless I want to word vomit my feelings all over the place. It’d be so easy to say how I feel, but I don’t want to lose him. I can’t, and if I tell him now how I feel, then Iwilllose Jack. “In my defense, you asked if my name was Alex, and I didn’t correct you.”
He doesn’t respond for a moment. “But most of all, I’d be missing you.” His arm tightens around my back, holding me in place. I close my eyes, feeling unshed tears burn in them as I fall deeper and deeper into my feelings for Jack.
I think I’m past the point of no return.
Fuck.
Why couldn’t he just be an asshole?
CHAPTER 36
Jack
After spending almosta week straight with Alondra in Texas, I was desperate to go back to Minnesota. I loved seeing her in all my favorite places, always being able to touch her or kiss her whenever I wanted.
Now since getting back, I’ve become a bit of a grouch as we try to line up our schedules with my hockey schedule, and I’m going through withdrawals. It’s different from spending nearly every waking minute with her.
A part of me was surprised by how easy it was to spend that much time together, because even spending long amounts of time with Dylan requires breaks, but I never needed that with Al.
It feels like since we got back to Wilder, we’re only alone for a few moments before someone needs something from either of us. Al was helping me look over an assignment the other night, and I was about to lean over and kiss her when her phone rang with a call from Macy because Chad broke up with her again. I know her best friend comes before me, but it’s pathetic how jealous I am of Macy right now.
By the time Al came back that night, I was already dead asleep when she crawled into my bed, and I had to get up before her the next morning for hockey.
We were studying the other day and I was just about to lean over and kiss her when Sara came in, claiming that she needed help on a paper for one of her classes.
Tonight, I’m at Twin City with Seth and Dylan, sipping my water as they drink their beers. Coop had a headache, and Nate had to meet with a group from one of his classes for a project, or he’d be here too.
Seth is complaining about how they lost their bowl game, and I feel bad for him because he’s a damn good quarterback.
I’m only half listening to the conversation, though, distracted by checking my phone to see if Al is going to come over tonight.
Dylan kicks me under the table. “Just because you keep staring at your phone doesn’t mean she’s going to text back.”
Seth snorts, and I flip him off, turning my phone over to prove a point that I don’t care that much, but I do. “I was waiting to hear from your mom what time she wants me to come over,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm, causing Dylan to frown.
“Dude, does she know how miserable you are without her?” he asks, and I roll my eyes, trying not to look at my phone again.
“Are you talking about the cowgirl? You’re still with her?” Seth asks, grinning.
“She has a name, and no. We’re just friends,” I say, tapping my fingers against my glass.
“Right, you’re totally just friends.” Dylan snorts, takes a swig of his drink. “Jack gets a little protective of her,” he warns Seth, giving him a quick side glance.
“I think I remember him jumping down my throat when I met her. If it’s the same girl anyway. It’s Al, right?” Seth asks, and Dylan nods in confirmation as I glance at my phone lying face down, my hands itching to check it to see if she messaged back. “What’s it short for? Allie?”
I can’t help chuckling because it was my initial guess too. “Alondra.”
Fuck, I love saying her name. I’m about done calling her Al, because even thinking about the way she looks at me when I say her real name is enough to make me hard.
Seth blinks, doing a double take. “Wait, are you sure that’s her name?”
