“I mean, it’s perfect for smoking weed.”
“That it is.” He grins, taking another hit.
“I bet you bring all your dates up here.”
I frown, thinking about that. I wonder how many naked women have sat on this couch.
“Would you believe you’re the only woman who’s been up here?” He lifts his brow in a silent challenge.
“No.” I narrow my gaze. Though, what reason would he have to lie? “Really?”
“Really.” He grins. “Only my brothers have seen my hot tub time machine. Too bad I don’t have a hot tub up here. That’d be nice.”
“Might have trouble fitting it through the hole in the floor.” I point to the opening.
“Damn.” He sighs. “I think you’re right.”
The full effect of the weed hits my system, because all I can seem to concentrate on are the lyrics and familiar tunes filling my ears. I sing along to each chorus, the words extracted from the deep corners of my mind with surprising ease. Can’t remember the password I created yesterday, but apparently you never forget the lyrics of songs from your youth.
I don’t know how much time passes, but when the next song plays—the track we started with—I suspect I’ve been here longer than it feels.
“Jackson.” I turn my head, resting my cheek against the back cushion to meet his gaze.
“Yeah?” He’s closer than I remember, our bodies almost close enough to touch. I don’t remember what I wanted to say. I only know I can’t tear my gaze from his.
“Rosalie,” Jackson hums, his hand brushing the hair from my face. His touch is a caress. So gentle for someone who works with his hands. “My rose. So beautiful. So pretty.”
My brow furrows, but I laugh. “What?”
“I’m going to call you Rose now,” he states matter-of-factly.
We’re both high, but I still don’t follow. “Why?”
“We’re having fun, right? You want to be here?” His face sobers and he looks so dejected, my heart squeezes a little. “Because I’m worried you’re going to let me drown.”
“Drown? There’s no water.” I sit up, looking over the edge of the sofa to be certain.
“You’re Rose. I’m Jack.The Titanic.” He gives me a pointed look, as if that’s explanation enough for his ramblings, and takes another long drag from the joint. “And that’s why we’re doomed.”
“Jackson.” I take the joint from him, concern filling my mind. “I think you’ve had enough.”
“No such thing.”
If he’s hallucinating water, maybe I should put this joint out before I experience the same. I place it in the tray balanced on the windowsill and take inventory of how I feel. My body is warm and I wish I could snuggle up next to Jackson, so I know my inhibitions are lowered. Still, I feel perfectly fine.
“There was room for both of them, you know.”
“Who?” I flex my feet and hands to make sure I have full control over my limbs.
“Jack and Rose. There was room for both on that makeshift raft.”
I temporarily abandon the self-check-in with my nervous system to agree with him.
“There totally was!” It’s the one part of that movie that’s always pissed me off. “She didn’t even try to share it!”
“I would never let you drown. You know that?” His sincerity cuts through my defenses. I believe him.
“I know.”
