Page 69 of Just Friends
I wasn’t convinced things could ever go back to normal for us. But at the very least, some quality R&R at the spadidsound like it could be healing.
I blew out a deep breath. “You know what? Sure. I’ll come along.”
“Really?” His eyes lit. “You will?”
“Might as well, right? I don’t have anything else going on right now.”
He pumped his fist and cutely bobbed his head. “You just made my day, Pipes. I don’t even care that the guys are gonna give me so much shit because of this—”
“Wait, why would they give you a hard time?” I asked, afraid he’d told them about us.
“Oh, uh, because I kinda made a scene earlier today.”
Jax explained that his buddies were grilling him over why he wasn’t bringing me to the party. Apparently, some of the girls really wanted me there, and since I’d ‘won’ the promo, my presence was expected. But Jax threw a fit, telling everyone he wasn’t going to the party, and stormed out.
“Ja~x.” I slapped my forehead. “It’s a team event. You can’tnotgo, or you’ll look like an antisocial jerk.”
“It’s a good thing you’re coming with me, then, isn’t it?”
“Guesso,” I said. “Can I ask what changed your mind?”
“My mind never changed, Pipes. Ialwayswanted you to come with me,” he said. “And I can’t stand things being weird between us anymore.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Jax. That’s sweet.”
“Hey. Thanks for coming. Seriously, it means a lot.” He stood, offering me a hand. I took his hand and he pulled me off the couch and into his arms.
We hugged.
“Anyway, I was thinking of ordering dinner,” Jax said, turning me loose a moment earlier than normal, before our hug felttooclose. “You in the mood for anything?”
I took a second to think it over. “How’s Chinese sound?”
He smiled. “Sounds like you read my mind.”
“Perfect,” I said, returning the smile.
I can do this,I thought.I can act normal again …
17
Jax
The coffee maker rumbled and hissed, and a warm and sweet aroma filled the air. With bleary eyes, I watched the coffee trickle into the pot.
I needed a cup. Bad. I’d slept like total shit last night. Today, I was moving like I was stuck in molasses.
As soon as the coffee finished brewing, I poured the pot into two travel mugs. One got cream, the other black. Eager to feel awake, I slammed what was rest of the too-hot coffee straight out of the pot.
I knocked on Piper’s door, but she didn’t answer. “Hey, Pipes?” Through her bedroom door, I heard running water. “Yo, Pipes!”
“What?” she yelled back. “I’m in the shower!”
I raised my voice. “Can I get you something for breakfast?”
“I can’t hear you!” she yelled. “Just come in!”
I stepped into her room and went to her bathroom. Clouds of steam escaped when I cracked the door open an inch.
