Page 53 of Only Ever Yours

Jaydon

I’ve been following her around like a fucking lost puppy for goddamned weeks now. Fucking obsessed with everything and anything about her, but she continues on most days like I’m not even here.

Ever since that night in the kitchen, she wants nothing to do with me. Like this isn’t evenmyfucking house, she’s living in. It’s starting to get under my skin, the way she gets to me.

I’ve never felt like this before.

She twirls around and dances in my kitchen, eating my fucking food, and pretends like I’m invisible.

She’s even been eating my fucking Sno-Caps…MY fucking Sno-Caps. I’ve been thinking I was sleepwalking or some shit and eating them, but no, I caught her the other evening going straight for the spot where I hide them. I didn’t even know she knew where they were. I hidthem from her on purpose. I know they are her favorite, but if she doesn’t talk to me, she can’t have my candy.

I’m being fucking immature, and I know it.

I don’t give a fuck, though. I need her to acknowledge me so I can mess with her. It’s no fun if she won’t even talk to me.

I’ve been coming home daily after work. I know I told her I wouldn’t be here much, but it seems these days I’m making more of a point not to go anywhere else and come home. And apparently, it has everything to do with a woman that’s slowly creeping under my fucking skin.

She’s not only creeping under my skin; she's downright torturing me by living with me but dating another man.

Fuck.

I don’t know why I did this shit to myself.

I was living the bachelor life, doing as I pleased, but now I’m finding myself rushing home every day just to see if she’s made it home yet and asking her about her day. She hardly gives me an answer, though. Her daily presence is fucking driving me insane. She’s so close but still so far from my reach.

When I offered her a place to stay, I wasn’t thinking about all the self-restraint I would have to conjure up on a daily basis. I didn’t think about all the nights I’d be in my shower with my hand wrapped around my aching cock.

I heard her on the phone earlier with that douchebag boyfriend of hers. I wasn’t trying to snoop, but I was walking by her room and overheard her asking him if he wanted to go to the Wild Ranch tonight. It’s a line dance bar just outside of town. They have good wings and burgers. The beer is pretty fucking good too.

Sounds like there’s a lot of fun to be had tonight.

She’s been up in her room all afternoon getting ready, and I’m getting a little excited because I plan on having a fucking ball tonight. I would have called Ryan and asked him to hang out, but he’s at home taking care of my sister, as he should be.

So, instead, I’m about to call and round up a few of my buddies who work for me. It seems like the perfect chance to boost office morale with some team building.

Ellie

My phone beeps just as I curl the last strand of my hair. Shit—I already know I’m running behind. I got caught up talking on the phone with my mom earlier and completely lost track of time. She seems to be settling into the new apartment and, as usual, is still trying to talk me intomoving to California with her. I didn’t even ask about my sister, I don’t really give a fuck if she’s liking it or not. Picking up my phone, I see the message is from Kevin.

Kevin: Outside in the driveway.

Ellie: Okay, be out in a few.

I check the mirror one last time, making sure my makeup is perfect. Then, I add another spray of my favorite sweet vanilla perfume to my neck and wrist, and swipe one more layer of lip gloss, pressing my lips together for the full effect. Perfectly plump, just the way I like them. I grab my clutch and head out of my room.

I tiptoe past Jaydon’s room, leather cowgirl booties in hand, moving as quickly as I can. The faint sound of his shower running drifts through his cracked bedroom door, and I silently thank God he's too distracted to notice me slipping out for the night. I don’t have the energy to play twenty questions with him about where I’m going and what I’m doing. It’s none of his damn business, anyway.

He likes to play too many fucking games with me. I can picture the cocky-ass smirk now that appears on his face every time he knows he gets to me… and he normally does. A heated rush floods through my body at the thought of his gorgeous fucking face.

I need to get out of here fast.

All the while, in the back of my mind, I wonder what he's getting ready for tonight.

I’m a bit nervous about tonight because Kevin and I need to have a serious talk. It’s been almost two fucking weeks since I’ve seen him. He’s been out of town for work-related business. I have so many thoughts going on right now in my head.

There’s so much I need to get off my chest.

My life is a mess lately, and I can’t keep trying to force this thing—whatever it is—with Kevin. We hardly even talk, mostly just a text here and there, but I’m just not feeling it.

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