“Why didn’t you say your birthday is today?”
I shrug, wrapping my arm over his warm chest. “I don’t like to make a fuss about it. It’s just another day of the year, but Macy has this obsession with birthdays.” I didn’t want to bring it up either, with all the chaos surrounding my situation with Bradley. The swelling has gone down on my eye, but the discoloration stands out.
He yawns, resting his cheek against the top of my head. “Maybe I want to make a fuss about it. Happy birthday.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I whisper, closing my eyes again. I wish I could’ve pretended for a few more moments we were together. I know Jack isn’t ready, but is it selfish to want him to at least talk to me about it? I want to know if I have a fighting chance or if I need to let go of the delusion we might become more.
“Of course I do, Alondra. You mean the world to me, and you deserve a great day.”
I might mean the world to him, but I still don’t mean enough.
“I’m really okay with staying in,” I reassure Jack as we walk in his house with our Chinese takeout. Jack wanted to go out to dinner after his practice finished, but it felt like too much, especially with my black eye still attracting all kinds of unwanted attention. I was on the receiving end of a lot of stares during my lunch with Macy.
Sometimes I catch Jack looking at it, and then he gets this look in his eyes before turning away and saying nothing.
Jack rolls his eyes. “You shouldn’t be okay with staying in, darlin’. It’s against the birthday rules.”
“Oh my god, what is it with you people and these stupid unspoken rules?” I ask while laughing. My laughter doesn’t last long, because it causes a tightening in my chest.
Jack shoots me a weird look. “What are you talking about?”
“Orgasm and birthday rules—none of these are actual things! I swear you and Macy have been making these up.”
“We’re just on a more superior level than you. Deal with it.” He ruffles my hair, and I bat his hand away. “Don’t worry, I’m sure the celebration Macy and Ellie are planning for Friday is going to be a blast.”
“I tried telling them I didn’t want to celebrate, but they didn’t listen,” I say, and Jack opens the door for me.
I’m not surprised that no one else is home, but I didn’t realize how frequently they hang out at Twin City. I finish eating long before Jack does, even though he insisted on making my plate for me and serving me first. He’s gone out of his way to make me feel special today, and I wish I could enjoy it, yet instead it feels like we’re circling the drain.
As much as I want to believe what Jack and I are doing right now can continue, it feels insincere to continue going along with it when I know I feel more for him.
So I use my time wisely while Jack inhales an absurdly large portion of food, committing all his features to memory in case there comes a day when I won’t have the chance to.
His chestnut hair is cut shorter on the sides and a little longer on top. It highlights his cheekbones and strong jaw. I’ll never get over how annoyingly long and dark Jack’s eyelashes are, making his blue eyes pop even more. Hell, and then there’s his full lips I love to kiss and be kissed by.
They turn upward into a smirk, and I know I’ve been caught, but I don’t care.
“If you’re done ogling me, we can go watch a movie upstairs. It’s your birthday, so you get to pick.”
“Why wouldn’t we watch it down here? No one’s home,” I retort, grabbing our trash to throw it away.
Jack smiles, his dimples becoming apparent while he lifts his shoulders in a shrug. “Because I have something to show you.”
“If it’s your dick, I’m not going to be impressed.”
He laughs, radiating pure joy. “Good one. We both know you’re impressed with my dick, but it’s not the surprise.” Jack offers me his hand, leading me upstairs.
Jack stops me before his room and lets go of my hand. “Stay here for a moment.”
“You’re acting weird,” I say, and he winks at me, disappearing into his room. He cracks the door a minute later, angling his body so I can’t see past him, and if I wasn’t sure he was up to something before, I definitely am now. “Jack, what are you doing?” I ask, because I’m terrified of the warmth in my chest spreading everywhere.
I’m not just lying to myself when I pretend to be only his friend. I’m lying to Jack too.
“Close your eyes, please?” he requests, and I sigh, choosing to listen without argument for once. Jack still covers them with his hands, and I allow him to walk me into his room, trying not to laugh when his breath tickles my ear. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
He drops his hands, sliding them around my torso, taking care to be mindful of my ribs. “Happy birthday, Alondra.”
