Chapter 46
Chapter Forty-Six
JAYSON
Present Day
H ave you ever thought to yourself after you’ve experienced one of the shittiest days of your life, I wish I could go back in time and have a redo? How can your morning start out so normal, but the day end as your worst fucking nightmare?
If I knew today would be that day, the one that forever altered my reality and scarred me in a way that would damn my soul to hell—the one that shredded every part of me into jagged, fragmented pieces and then burned them to ashes—I never would have left Liz’s bed that morning. I would have held her tight, kissed her forever, fucked her completely, shouted I love you, and then I would have repeated it all again, over and over.
So, that’s how my morning starts—a slice of normal. I reluctantly leave Liz’s bed so she can get ready for choir practice before school. I know she’s excited about her upcoming music competition, but fuck, if I won’t be ecstatic when it’s over with. I hate her early morning practice days because it means that I’m forced to give up an hour of being snuggled next to her in bed. I will never get tired of waking up to her gorgeous, smiling face, her soft kissable lips, her light green eyes that I willingly fall deeply into. My hands never know which part of her to touch first. They are absolutely obsessed with every inch of her tall, slender figure.
I’ve been looking online at cheap apartments near campus at CU. I plan to move her in with me as soon as we get there. I love Liz so damn much. I meant what I said. I plan to ask her to marry me. I want a family, a lifetime, a forever with her. I’ve been looking for a ring. Liz is it for me. My soulmate. Always has been.
My girl is also a fucking boss. The way she sucker-punched Marshall last night was a sight to behold. Pride swells my chest for my fierce princess. Then it turns to fear and rage and shame. Marshall went after her in retaliation, and I wasn’t close enough to stop him. Thank God for Fallon—words I never thought would leave my mouth.
On the way to school, the guys and I stop at Ruby’s for breakfast, and I make sure to get Liz her favorites—coffee and a scone. I have a smile on my face, knowing I’m going to see my girl soon. Even a minute away from her is too long.
When we get to first period, my smile falls when Liz sees a text from Jacinda meant for me on Julien’s phone. Jacinda is a manipulative bitch. She knows I can’t stand her, especially after what she did.
And then, Liz finds out about what happened at the bonfire. Ryder warned me to tell her, but I’m the asshole who thought I could protect her by keeping it from her. The morning gets worse when Hailey skips school, and Liz can’t get in touch with her.
That leads to now.
I check my watch.
Instead of going home, I decided to stick around the library and use one of the study rooms to finish my homework while I wait for Liz to get off at six. I text Julien to let him know I’m taking Liz to dinner when she clocks out. Ryder’s at the garage working on getting out the dents and scratches on his Hellcat.
“I hope I’m not the reason for that scowl.”
Liz props her shoulder against the doorjamb, purse hanging from her hand, looking like the most beautiful creature ever to exist on this planet. She slays my heart. Every. Single. Time. My scowl turns to one of perplexity.
“It’s only five. Are you on break?”
She pushes away from the door and slips inside the room.
“Nope. They’re letting me off early today. Nothing to shelve.”
When she gets close enough, I pull her between my knees.
“You know we need to talk about the text, right?” she says.
“There are better things we can talk about. Or not talk at all.”
I tug her closer, and she places her hands on my shoulders, looking down at me in the chair.
“Jayson,” her voice is soft, but commanding.
I sigh. “I know.”
I stand up and spin us, so she’s sitting on top of the table. Grasping the back of her head, I angle it so I can kiss her.
“No necking in the library,” Mrs. Peters calls from outside the room.
Liz giggles. “Yes, ma’am.”
“How about we head on home, and I cook you dinner while we talk.”
Liz’s eyes brighten. “You had me at cook dinner. Let’s go.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re back at my house and parked in the driveway. My parents had texted me and Jules earlier saying they would be late.
“Be right back. I’m going to grab a clean shirt,” I say as soon as we walk inside.
I’ve already stripped my shirt off by the time I get to the closed bedroom door. But I wasn’t expecting to see my brother kissing Elijah when I opened it.
“ What. The. Fuck! ”