Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
AINSLEY
THREE MONTHS LATER…
“Mmm…roll over, brute.” I wake up to a hulk of a man lying on top of me. My face contorts in disgust as I get a whiff of rancid morning breath blowing right in my face. The idea of cuddling is great, but the reality is not that cute.
“Toooots…let’s sleep longer. You’re so warm,” he whines.
“Yeah, of course I feel warm. I’m overheating from your giant ass crushing me into this mattress.” I catch a break when he shifts, and I'm able to roll him over. Jesus. Now I can breathe.
After spending that day with Jackson three months ago, I decided to give it a real shot with him. I’ve spent the last few months really focused on school and this new relationship.
I don’t hate Ace anymore. I do consider us friends, but there needed to be space between us so that we can both move on. Plus, I don’t want Jackson to get the wrong idea.
I stayed the night at Jackson’s again, per his request. We've been together for three months now, and while I have enjoyed it…he has flaws. I’m sure he would say the same thing about me. I’m nowhere near perfect, and never claim to be. For example, I'm usually a morning person, dancing to music I play while diving into my morning routine. When I stay at Jackson's, which is more often than not, I barely sleep, and wake up extremely grumpy. I need my sleep, no one wants to be around me if that doesn’t happen.
“Aww, you’re so cute when you’re grumpy in the A.M.”
Just say morning like a normal person.
“I am grumpy. I have a paper due in two days, and didn’t get any sleep last night.” He hasn’t made eye contact with me yet, still burying his head in the pillow.
Better that pillow than me gagging at the smell of his rank breath. Ugh, stop being a bitch.
“I’m sorry. I need to go back to my dorm for a few days to catch up on life. Not to mention a little break from the frat house would be nice.” That got his attention. His head pops up quickly.
“Do you not like spending time together? I thought you liked staying the night.” He glowers, and here comes the attitude.
“That’s not what I said, but I do need to stay at my dorm, too. I barely see Cassie, my brother, and—” I abruptly shut my mouth, but not soon enough.
“Maddox? Is that who the fuck you were going to say? Why are you in my bed if you're missing that prick?” He slams his jaw shut, hardening it. I can feel the anger radiating off of him. We don’t talk about Ace. The one time I did mention him in passing, it didn't go over well. Much like the current situation I’m in now; he’s pissed.
“Hey. Hey, that’s not what I meant. I just miss spending time with Cassie and Morgan. It’s a habit to say all three of their names. I need to head home to get some writing done.” His face relaxes to a more comfortable level. I don’t understand why he gets like this. When we first met, he was understanding of my situation with Ace and our past. Now his name can’t be brought up without a huge fight. I've noticed him slowly changing over the last month. He went from being my sweet boyfriend that dotes on me to a jealous, short-fused prick.
“I’m sorry I snapped.”
Again.
“I wish you wouldn’t bring him up. You know what that does to me, and I don’t like being upset with you.” This is how it's been lately. I do something to piss him off, he freaks out, then apologizes. After said apology, he finds a way to turn it around, making it my fault.
I really like Jackson and hope this is a phase. I assume he is stressed with school, and the work he does for his dad—something I still know nothing about. After that day I met Levi Davis, Jackson hasn’t invited me back to his parent’s house. No arguments here, his dad made me uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault, I won’t bring up He Who Shall Not Be Named again.” I hold my hand up in a Scout's Honor signal, and that seems to appease him. He leans over to give me a kiss, but I can’t with his breath. I fake a cough and turn my head, causing him to graze his lips on my cheek. Making up for it, I lean over and kiss his forehead.
I jump to my feet and start to shimmy my jeans over my hips. We're in the middle of December, and about to leave for Christmas break. I can’t wait to spend the entire break with my family, Cass, and... Ace.