Page 64 of Stray

“Ohhh, still secretive?” Niamh shakes her head while she starts drying my hair.

“No, Jensen isn’t interested in me. I’m just a silly girl with a crush. I’m supposed to be getting set up next week with someone Leon knows. I think he’s like the son of a bar owner or something. Apparently ain’t hard to look at and has money so,” she shrugs, but I can see the disappointment on her face. I feel bad for both her and Jensen. Jensen is so scared. I’m not sure he will ever be able to tell her he likes her, and he comes off so standoffish. I’m sure that can seem like a rejection to Niamh. But she has no idea how much he thinks about her, how often I’ve seen him checking her social media pages, or how he takes Jackson’s truck to drive by the bar and see if she’s there.

I look down at my phone and see I have a message. It’s a photo. Once I see Niamh turn away, I open it to see a shirtless picture of Jackson in his mirror with his jeans open, showing his V and my fucking god….

Jackson: Spank bank?

Me: My god, I’m making this a poster, hanging it on my wall, and licking it every night before I go to sleep.

Jackson: OR hear me out. You could lick the real thing.

“Oh, you dirty little,” Niamh snickers, and I turn red as I cover my phone.

“Okay, okay. I know, I’m a pervert.”

* * *

“Ozzy!” Niamh calls from the living room. “Spank Bank Daddy is walking up!” I snort at the nickname while fluffing out my loose curls.

Staring at myself in the mirror, it’s almost shocking. I feel comfortable. It’s not the weird feeling I got on the last date. I just feel pretty. If not for the piercings, I would look normal. Just a young woman with funky hair. Not a scarred human who is completely covered in tattoos to hide the past. My eyes shudder, and I look away from the mirror before heading down the hall.

“You look hot as fuck!” Niamh calls to my retreating figure.

“Love you!” I yell back as I walk out the door, just as Jackson approaches my door. Woah. He’s… wow. Clean cowboy boots, dark wash jeans, and a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show his delicious forearms.

“Hey,” I smile softly as I walk up to him. He’s just staring, mouth hanging open. “You look really nice, Jackson,” I say, snapping him out of his trance.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” he breathes out. “Tink… my god.” I give him a shy smile before doing a spin to provide him with the full look.

“You like it? Now I look almost normal.” I joke as I walk closer to him. “Minus the hair and piercings.” I stick my tongue out, showing off my tongue ring to further prove my point. He frowns at me, shaking his head.

“You look breathtaking, but don’t think for one second I prefer the conservative you. Give me all those piercings and tattoos,” he growls out a sigh before pulling me to him and kissing me softly.

“You two are disgusting!” Niamh calls from the porch. I chuckle before walking to the passenger side of the truck. “I expect her home at a proper hour!” She says to Jackson in a mock parental tone. He gives her a small salute before sliding into his truck, and I watch Niamh head off to her car to head home.

“So,” I ask, trying to tamp down my excitement. “Where are we going?”

“Holiday festival.” He says simply, and I raise my brow.

“Holiday… festival? Like… what?” He chuckles lightly.

“Come November until the end of Christmas, the town decorates the main street for the holidays. Shops stay open later, Christmas lights, music, apple cider?” I watch while he parks the truck, and he looks at me. “You hate this idea?” His face falls. “I’m sorry, there just ain’t much here, and I didn’t want to take you to the bar and–”

“N-No! It’s so sweet.” I say softly while squeezing his thigh. “Sorry, I just don’t think the women here like me.”

“So? When have you cared whether people like you?” He has a point. Why do I care? I guess because I like him, and this is his home. I could move anywhere. But Jackson, he’s firmly planted here. There is no uprooting him, so it’s important to me that the people in his life accept me.

“Hey,” his hand grips mine, and I look at him. His blue eyes look over my face before he chuckles, almost nervously. “God, you’re so pretty. It’s almost too hard to look at you.” Oh wow, that was a smooth one. Leaning in, I kiss him, enjoying the small moan escaping his throat. “Tink,” he whispers against my mouth. “If you want to do this date, we gotta stop.” I chuckle against his lips before nodding and sliding out of the car.

* * *

“Thank you,” I say to the glaring older woman as she all but throws my hot apple cider into my hands. She’s all smiles once Jackson turns around, though.

“Jackson Rowe, my lord, look at you.” She gushes while handing him his drink and bag of food. “You know my Joanna is single now.” She gives him a wink. “I could give her your number.” Okay… so I’m invisible? Jackson chuckles politely before snaking an arm around my waist.

“I appreciate it, Ms. Reddner, but I think I’m doing alright in that department.” He leans in and kisses my cheek, making the old woman scowl at me before we head out to the sidewalk. The sun has set, leaving the sky dark, but as promised, the entire street is covered in Christmas lights and decorations. People in town square play music, and little shops are open later, selling candles, jewelry, baked goods, and more.

“Here,” Jackson holds up a donut. “Try it.” I hold his wrist as I lean in and bite the pastry.

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