Page 185 of Now and Forever

Chapter 62

Jackson came back the next day with a huge announcement, so big in fact that I didn’t see it coming.

“What do you mean you’re taking a semester off? Why would you do that, Jacks? It’s not like you’ve got better things to do back home. I mean, of all places, why home? You hated it there, so why go back to the place you couldn’t wait to get away from?”

He shrugged, barely meeting my eyes. “It’s just something I’ve gotta do, okay? I’ll explain later, but I really don’t feel like talking about it.”

“And they’re okay with you taking off like that?” I referred to our parents, not his school.

“Not really,” he said before scratching the back of his head. “But it’s just a semester; that’s all I’m asking. They can’t hold that against me.”

Whatever it was he was trying to figure out, it was blatantly obvious he was tormented by it. Maybe this could be good for him. It wasn’t like he was trying his best in school, anyway. His life was full of parties, which couldn’t be good if you were feeling lost and in need of redirection in life.

“All right. Well, I hope you know what you’re doing. I’m here for you either way, Jacks.”

“I appreciate that, booger face.” He gave me a wan smile. “So, what’s this talk I heard that you’re dating my best friend?” His smile grew, radiating happiness for me.

“He told you?” I gasped before blushing deeply. “We’re still trying to find our groove. I’m not really sure if he’s serious this time, but so far, he’s been very good to me. Too good, in fact, and it scares me that he’ll get sick of it.”

“Have a little faith in my buddy. He loves you, and that’s all that matters to me.”

I wouldn’t go as far as that, but I supposed, as my brother, he wanted to believe it.

Apart from my doubts, things were perking up in my love life. Drew was taking me to the Christmas party of one of his father’s companies a week and a half from today. There was no doubt in my mind that I would definitely be wearing red.

On the days leading to the party, I mostly slept at Drew’s hotel suite, or he would come over and sleep in my bed. With school and work pressing on us since it was almost winter break, we would go to bed exhausted, but together. And I loved that part the most. It was where we shared stories. It seemed more intimate, and I felt as though it brought us closer together.

On the night of the Christmas party, I wore the dress that Chuey had approved when we had gone shopping two days before. My hair had that old Hollywood glamour style with a side up do and the ends were tamed and wavy. It went perfectly with the dress.

“These dresses tend to fuck with my head. They never fail to keep me up at night,” I heard Drew say from somewhere in the bedroom while I was in the bathroom, applying my lipstick.

With a wicked look in my eyes, I grinned as I approached him. “Well, at least this time around, you can ease your mind with knowledge that you can unstrap it whenever you fancy, seeing what’s underneath.”

“Don’t tease me like that, babe. You know I get hard easily when you talk dirty, and we’re already running late. Sporting a boner will slow us down.” His face was a crossover between tortured and aroused, evoking another laugh from me.

“Oh, boo-hoo. You’re fine! Come on, let’s get going, or your stepmother will blame me for being late.” Shrugging, I began to pick up my clutch and wool jacket before frowning back at him. “Why aren’t you moving?”

He glared at me. “I’m kind of hard right now.”

“What?” I huffed. This was seriously not the time to be horny. “Can’t you walk, like, in little steps or something?”

Drew glowered deeply, as if I had just suggested the most annoying idea. “Give me a moment. Maybe you should put that jacket on,” he suggested. “Babe, please, come on. This is not funny.”

He was insane, and I couldn’t help it. I guffawed so hard I was almost in tears.

“Oh, poor you and your darn dick.” Although I found it beyond hilarious, I began to slip into my jacket, buttoning it up to my neck so he would immediately sober up.

“Thank you. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make fun of me next time.”

Planting a soft kiss on his lips, I fell in love with him all over again. “You’re too cute sometimes, and I do want you just as much.”

He grinned then kissed my forehead. “Good, because it’d be a horrible thing if I didn’t have the same effect on you.”

“Ready?”

“Almost,” he whispered. “Let me hold you for a little bit longer.”

At moments like these, I realized how needy he could be. Never had I imagined Drew Cavendish would resort to such notions. He simply wasn’t the type to be so cliché, but he kept proving me wrong.

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