Page 15 of Count On Me

Tom

Unless his name rhymes with Smaxson Schmady, you wouldn’t bother talking to anyone.

Me

Eye-roll emoji.

Tom

Lol. Listen babe, I’m heading into work. I’ll check in with you later. If he calls, answer, but be normal. And if he asks to meet up tonight tell him you can’t, you're busy. Be evasive, don’t tell him what you’re doing. Okay?

Me

I hate lying to him.

Tom

It’s for his own good.

Tom

Laters baby.

I blow out a frustrated breath and heave myself off the sofa. Walking over to the kitchen, I flip the switch on the kettle and root around in the cupboard to find a chamomile tea bag. As I wait for the water to boil, I let my thoughts run wild. Will I be able to pull this off? I’ve never been able to lie to Jaxson. Will he see right through me? Will he even want me after this? He didn’t look like he wanted Cindi (I’ve decided her name is something doll-like seeing as that's the look she’s aiming for).

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I tell myself, “You’ve known him since you were eight years old. You know that boy better than he knows himself. It’s time you took matters into your own hands instead of waiting for him.”

I throw the tea bag into the cup and pour the boiling water over it. Once the soothing, fruity scent hits my senses, I let go of the tension building in my shoulders. As I walk back from the kitchen, still inhaling the sweet apple-like fragrance, I smile when the fireplace catches my eye. A picture of thirteen year old Jax and I climbing up to his treehouse sits on the mantle. The summer we spent in Syracuse when I never wanted to go home again…

“I don’t know Jaxy, it’s pretty big.” I tell him nervously.

He looks down at me, already halfway up the tree he’s used to climbing, and grins. His dimples pop and I fight the sigh that wants to escape my lips. Jaxson Brady is All-American gorgeous and I’m so in love with him.

“Just put your foot in the groove like I did. Want me to get down and help you?” He smiles again and I can feel my heart beat faster. I nod at him so he chuckles and jumps from where he is.

“Jaxy…” I shout out in panic, but as he lands with both feet on the ground, he laughs and brushes the dirty blonde curls from his forehead.

“Don’t worry so much, Eddie. I’m all good.” I roll my eyes at his use of Eddie,turning away from him and stomping toward the base of the tree. I hate that he calls me a boy's name. It’s like a slap in the face every time he says it, reminding me that he sees me as his friend, and his friend only.

“Where am I supposed to put my foot?” I huff out, but I’m just greeted with a chuckle from him again as he points to the groove. I place my toes inside it, grab the branch and pull myself up. I climb for a little while, looking anywhere but down. I know Jaxy isn’t far behind me, so, with a deep breath, I carry on up the tree. I want to prove I can do this.

As I near the part of the tree that has the house on it, I can’t find my footing and scramble to find something to stand on.Then I do the worst thing possible—I look down. Panic starts to set in as I realise I’m a lot higher than I anticipated. Just as I’m about to lose my footing completely, Jaxy places my foot onto a branch. Looking over my shoulder I spot his beautiful pools of blue staring back at me.

“Don’t panic, Edie, I’ve got you. You can always count on me.” The fear washes away as I stare into his eyes. He overtakes me and stands on the landing of his treehouse and reaches down to me. I look at his hand and then at my own white knuckles clinging onto the branch. “Trust me, babe. I won’t let anything happen to you. Hawaii, Edie. Hawaii.”

Instantly, I let go and take his hand.

“Hawaii.” It’s our word. Our promise that we’re telling the truth no matter what. The one word we use when we need the other to trust and believe what we’re saying.

As he pulls me up to a standing position, my legs feel like jelly and I wobble toward him. He catches me in his arms and holds me close to him. It’s the closest we’ve ever been. Apart from in my daydreams, anyway. If this were a dream, he would gently lower his head and place his lips on mine. I’ve always imagined my first kiss would be with him.

But it’s not a dream, it’s reality, and as I stand awkwardly in his arms, he clears his throat and lets me go. A red blush covers my face, the curse of being a redhead, and I cautiously step over the threshold of his self-made house.

“This is really cool, Jaxy.” I turn to face him and stop dead in my tracks. He’s staring at me, the same blush on his cheeks and confusion swirling around his eyes. “Are you okay?” I ask him tentatively and step toward him, but he jumps backward and stutters about getting us drinks and bolts out of the treehouse door.

A text notification brings me back to the present and I place my tea on the coffee table to read it.

Jaxson

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