Page 53 of Kissing Chaos
Without another word, I lead Jett to her spot and sit behind her, her body fitting perfectly between my knees as I carefully comb the tangles from her hair.
After spending fifteen minutes blow drying her hair, I sit back to brush out any new tangles. Several moments in, I have to double check that Jett is still awake. Her body keeps going lax against my leg or the front of the love seat, and she never makes a peep. Finally, as I am attempting to braid her hair—something I haven’t tried to do since my sister was a kid—Jett speaks and, funnily enough, brings up my sister.
“I mean, who has girly bath stuff in their manly bathroom?”
I chuckle. “Oakley leaves her stuff here for when she drops in between flights out of Atlanta, like the night you met her. She’ll swing by long enough for a shower and some sleep then she’s gone again.”
Jett is thoughtful for a moment before she says, “You should talk about them more. Your family, I mean. I know the sad. I want to know the good, too.”
“Yeah?”
At her drowsy nod, I start to explain, but a knock at the door halts the conversation.
“To be continued,” I mumble against her crown before leaving another kiss and standing to open the door, knowing it is McKenna. “Get comfy on the couch, love. I’ll let Sadie back in to snuggle you.”
McKenna took one look at Jett before taking control of the situation. Though I don’t actually know what the situation is. I tried to leave the girls with their privacy, but my loft is only so large. Even Sadie has made herself at home with Jett. I swear that dog loves her more than she loves me.
After what seems like forever, McKenna brings the now-empty food tray back into the kitchen where I’ve been watching videos on some new elevator models.
“Did she tell you what happened yesterday?” I ask McKenna, doubting I’ll get a straightforward answer.
“You’ll have to ask her. Best friend confidentiality and all.” She turns from the sink of dirty dishes and looks at me, face somber. “Look, that girl has been through hell and back more than once. She’s the kind of girl who can sit at rock bottom for weeks before you will notice. Her heart is usually the culprit, so it’s not something to toy with. If you are just here for a quick venture to her bedroom, or if she is your next fix for the next little stretch of time, then leave her alone. Do not try to comfort her. Do not tell her it will all be okay. Do not pass ‘GO,’ and do not collect two hundred dollars.”
I shake my head at McKenna. “I’m not goin’ anywhere, Kenna. That girl means something. More than something. She’s supposed to be in my life.” I pause, looking back toward the couch where my personal bundle of chaos is curled up with Sadie, eyes unfocused as she stares toward the television, hand absentmindedly stroking the Aussie’s coat. “She is all that matters to me. I just want her happy.” It must be the right thing to say, because McKenna’s lips tip into a grin.
“A few years ago, you would have been out that door without a second thought.”
“Four months ago, I wouldn’t have taken off work just to look after someone.” I shrug. Her words are not wrong. Back when I’d met McKenna, I’d been a young twenty-something guy looking to get lucky. She’d been witness to it, watching me fly through partners. Now, though? Now I only have eyes for the kind of chaos that is Jett Taylor. “Like I said, this means something. Jett isn’t just some hookup.”
“You don’t need to explain it to me, Noah. I know how special she is. She and her brother both.” Her words draw my focus, making me reallylookat McKenna and think back to how we met.
“I know you wanted out from under Trace’s thumb back in the day because you fell for someone less toxic. It was because of Reece, wasn’t it?”
She shoves my shoulder gently before laughing softly at my reddening cheeks and passing me the empty fruit bowl to refill, fully evading my question. “Just go be with her. Let her snuggle you under all the blankets. Feed her fruit and cookies. Fund her Dr. Pepper addiction. All she really needs is someone who will listen, both to what she says and what she keeps to herself.”
I nod at McKenna as she lets herself out then I make my way over to only girl to ever make me feel like this. How does a guy like me deserve the chance to be with a woman like this?
***
“You ready to talk about yesterday?” I ask as I slip under the blankets and pull Jett’s legs into my lap, scooting closer to her.
The only indication that she hears me is a slight lift and drop of the blankets covering most of Jett’s body, including her head. Letting my hands roam up and down her legs, I sit quietly while watching the halftime report. We usually fast forward through it, but it seems like a good excuse to talk today.
Choosing my words carefully, I ask, “What happened yesterday, sweet girl?”
The blankets drop slightly, just enough for me to see that gorgeous face, perfect little button nose, and those amber-flaked green eyes.
“There she is.” I pour as much adoration into my expression as I can, squeezing right above her knee as I watch her eyelids flutter.
“Keep doing that and words won’t come,” she warns quietly.
I offer a cheeky grin. “But you would.”
The shade of red her face turns could give the red line on the ice a run for its money. “Not cool, Slater.”
“In all seriousness, you look exceptionally cute peeking out of your blanket igloo.”
“And you’re full of shit.”
