Page 38 of Could Have Been Us
Jack chuckled. “I guess he doesn’t like coming back here.”
“Reminds him of Jess.”
He sighed deeply. “I guess so. And what about you? You graduate this month and then where are you off to?”
“South Carolina.”
“It’s crazy that you’re going to college.”
“Why?”
Jack shrugged. “I don’t know, you’ve just always been so young to me, Meatball.”
I glared at him. “Seriously, I hate Josh for giving me that stupid nickname.”
“It’s not so bad.” He nudged me playfully. “It could be worse.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
Jack wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close as my teeth chattered. “You’re freezing.”
I was willing to become a popsicle if it meant Jack’s arm stayed around me. “Temperature dropped fast.”
He rubbed his hands up and down, trying to warm me. I’d dreamed of this—of Jack realizing that he wanted me. His arms would wrap around me before he admitted to having always wanted me, and then our lips would touch.
Of course, it didn’t happen, but a girl could dream.
I leaned into his chest, absorbing the warmth. “Better?” he asked with a chuckle.
“Much,” I said and bit my tongue to stop from saying more. Like how he smelled like spice, whiskey, and heaven.
That would be a bit much.
The music played on behind us, stars twinkled above as well as the string lights around the property. It was beautiful and magical, even if it wasn’t what I had wanted.
“Good. So what did you get for your birthday?”
“This stupid party, my brothers leaving to do their boy thing, and stood up.”
“That sounds like you got screwed.”
I laughed once. “I guess we could say that wassupposedto happen.”
“What does that mean?”
I broke up with my boyfriend two weeks ago. Before then, we had decided that my birthday was going to be the night. The night we gave ourselves to each other—finally. It would’ve been perfect because the idiots known as my brothers would be gone. The house would be empty and there would have been very little chance of being caught, but . . . I didn’t know, the closer the date got, the less I wanted it to happen. I didn’t want it to be him, if I were being honest.
I wanted Jack.
I’d always wanted Jack.
I sat up and gave him a sad smile. “I had plans, that’s all, and they are all gone now.”
Jack’s hand lifted, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “What plans?” he asked, barely audible.
Our eyes were locked, his hazel ones staring into my brown, and I wondered . . . did he feel this? Could Jack hear the pounding of my heart or feel the way I shook, not from the cold but from my need for him to touch me?
I was literally trembling with anticipation.
