“Claire.”
“Jamison.” We both smirk at the name.
“I’m not spending the rest of my night with this asshole instead of you.” Sean looks at me like now all of a sudden he knows what I’m saying. “No offense, buddy.” He leans his head against my arm.
Claire pouts again and pats him on the head like the sad little puppy that he is. “It’s fine Jay, seriously.”
It is so not fine, but what else am I supposed to do with him? If I leave him here, he’ll get kicked out, or worse, and I’m not having that on my conscience too.
I shrug Sean’s head off of my shoulder with a huff like a kid who didn’t get his way. Holding his face in my hands I look him in the eye. “Stay here,” I insist.
Claire steps next to him, taking over the babysitting while I pull the truck around. Looking back, I see Sean’s head now resting on her arm in the same way it was on mine.
This guy so fucking owes me.
28
Claire
As much as it killed me to end our night short again, Sean is in a rough spot. When we got in Jay's truck he told us about how he’s been in love with Maddie for a year now. Ever since she stopped by the garage to drop Zeke’s phone off once when he forgot it and told him he looked like a ginger Zach Galifianakis. I’m personally not sure if she meant that as a compliment, but if that’s how Sean took it, who am I to burst his bubble?
Either way, I would hate to be him tomorrow morning. He’s currently sitting in the back with his head against the window singing. He just keeps repeating the part in the Richard Marx song about how he’ll wait for his lover even after his heart breaks, horrendously offkey.
I’m riding shotgun, with my window down, trying not to either laugh or sing along, and Jay is driving with both hands white-knuckling the wheel.
It’s kind of adorable watching him be so mad at Sean, while also taking care of him. I know he’s upset that our night took a turn but seeing him still be there for his friend, honestly just makes me want him more. I put my hand on his leg, and his eyes dart from the road to my hand, then back to the road.
“I hate this,” he says, grinding his teeth.
“You’re a good friend.”
“I don’twantto be a good friend. Iwantto be with you.”
I squeeze his thigh, and he lets out a growl. Not like a sexy groan, an actual growl. This guy is so grumpy about this and I'm loving every second of it. We pull up to my apartment just as Sean is finishing his performance.
Jay gets out of the truck and comes around to my door. Opening it, he lets me out and then sticks his head in, talking to Sean. “Do not puke. I’ll be right back.” He slams the door shut.
I look at him and my mind funnels through all of the things I’d rather him do than get in his truck and leave. I saw such a different side of him tonight. The bones were still there — his straightforward answers, hidden smiles, and strong, stoic nature. But new layers also came to light. We flirted together, kissed in public, and danced along with everyone. Okay, I danced along with everyone, but he stood there, my one-man audience, like I was the best show in town. I had such a good time with him, and at least in my mind, it wasn’t going to end on my doorstep.
“I can walk you in, but I’m kind of afraid he’s going to make a run for it.” Jay looks back at Sean who is blowing breaths on the window and writing Maddie’s name in the fog. He drops his head, turning back to me. “I’m really sorry about this.”
“Don’t be sorry. It happens.”
“Yeah, but thingskeephappening.” He steps forward and takes both of my hands in his. “And not the things I want to be happening.”
I can feel my face grow warm. I step forward and kiss him as my response. He parts his lips, and I sweep my tongue inside to meet his. He kisses me again and then pulls back.
“Okay, if I don’t stop now,” he looks over his shoulder to Sean. “He’ll end up sleeping in my truck.”
“Well, you could always leave snacks. Maybe crack a window?”
He laughs and then grows serious. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” It’s not a question.
“Okay.”
“Dinner. Like an actual date.”
“Ooh we go could go to—”
