Page 74 of True Blue

Bentley nods, kissing my forehead then Axel’s. “I’ll see when they’re free for coffee and let you both know.” We all nod. “You mind if I stay here to wait for Mira to get back?” I shake my head, releasing his hand and pushing against Axel’s chest.

“Out. I need to get ready for our date and I already know you’ll try to distract me if you stay here.” Axel starts to protest and I tsk, stopping next to the door.

Bentley laughs, settling down on one of my couches.

“Go upstairs and play video games or something. I’ll be ready in an hour.”

Axel shakes his head, grumbling a little as he leans down to kiss my cheek. “One hour,” he says, the serious tone cut by the boyish grin across his face. He looks over my head to Bentley, hand already on the doorknob behind him. “Can’t wait for your revenge tomorrow, Bent.” He winks and then he’s out the door, leaving me to get ready for our first date.

34

“You ready for this?” Janette asks, blowing on her gloved hands and bouncing on the balls of her feet. I reach over and take her hands in mine, rubbing them to try to generate more warmth. Thick puffs of snowflakes fall around us outside the closed campus cafe, catching on her tight space buns and the little fuzzy hairs of her black earmuffs. She smiles, watching me warm her hands while still shifting her weight around on her feet.

“Yes. I want them to know about us. I want everyone to know about us.” Her eyes widen as they slide up to meet mine and I chuckle. “Baby steps, sunshine. Together, right?”

She nods as I bring her hands up to kiss her gloved fingertips. She blushes and puts them in her coat pockets after I release them.

I stare at her for a moment, eyes roving over her face as I take her in while she hops around. “I like this by the way,” I say, reaching up and tapping just above her new nose piercing with a grin.

Janette smiles and my chest expands. “Thanks.” Her eyes crinkle as she looks up at me again. “I still can’t believe I did it.when I told Axel I always wanted one at dinner, I didn’t expect him to take us to a tattoo shop immediately after.” She laughs again, the sound airy and making my smile grow. With a shake of her head, she adds, “He’s insane sometimes.”

“But you love it.” I start rubbing her upper arms, wanting to touch her just as much as I want to warm her up.

Janette rolls her eyes. “Like you don’t too.” She pauses, looking at her hands again. “My mom would never have let me before, and I figured I shouldn’t worry about that so much anymore.”

I dip down to catch her eyes, holding them as I say, “I’m proud of you, sunshine.”

She smiles, bouncing around after a moment to try to stay warm again. I watch her with a smile until she suddenly goes rigid and looks sharply over her shoulder.

My smile drops and I follow her gaze, looking out at the early morning campus. Some people walk through the cleared paths, but most of the school still sleeps or are in their early morning lectures.

“What is it?” I ask and Janette looks back up at me.

“Nothing, I guess.” She glances back over the campus behind her. “I just thought I felt someone looking at us.” She shakes her head. “I felt it when I was out with Axel the other day too.”

My brows furrow and I reach out, rubbing the spot where her neck meets her shoulder. She looks up at me again. “Maybe you just felt people were watching you because you fucked Axel in the bathroom?” I give her a wry smile and she shoves my shoulder. I chuckle. “Did you see anyone watching you?”

She shakes her head. “No, I never saw anyone. I don’t think anyone at the restaurant was actually watching us or anything. Maybe I’m just going crazy?” She laughs uncomfortably, looking down again.

I tip her chin up, meeting her eyes. “You’re not crazy.” She smiles and I drop my hand from her chin. “You’re probably just nervous about people finding out about us. I am too. You weren’t wrong that publicity will become a problem at some point.”

She nods, biting her bottom lip. I pull it from her teeth, rubbing it with my thumb. “We’ll handle it though. And we don’t have to worry about it right now. The school’s security will keep the press off campus.”

Janette nods, hugging herself against the cold. “Can I ask you something?”

I squeeze her chin, smiling. “Anything.”

“Your parents,” she starts, studying my face. “They weren’t around a lot when you were growing up?”

I sigh, rubbing my thumb against her skin. “They were around, but no not all the time. They always made an effort though. When they were home and when they were away on shoots. My grandfather was there all the time and I met Mira in elementary school. Her and her mom, April, became my second home. So, I never felt like I was missing anything.” She nods and I continue. “I don’t resent them or anything. They always made sure I was protected and kept up with everything in my life. I remember one time a photographer got into one of my tee ball games and my dad literally hopped on a jet and came back home to make sure I was okay. Mom wasn’t on that shoot, so she was there when it happened. She took a swing at him, and it made national headlines.” I shake my head, laughing a little and Janette smiles with me. “Why did you ask?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I know you didn’t resent them, but I wanted to make sure I understood. Being around Axel’s family last week was a lot and I wanted to check in that you were okay too.”

I hold myself back, telling her, “I really want to kiss you right now. Thank you for checking in with me. I’m okay, promise. Ilike big family gatherings. Mira’s house can get kind of rowdy with all the stray kids April takes in.” He chuckles.

We stand in the cold together and I think over her paranoia from earlier.

“If you feel like you’re being watched again, let me know. Or Axel. I’m sure he’ll be concerned too.” Janette nods, looking into the café now. I watch her, looking back the way she suddenly stared and still seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

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