Chapter Twenty-Four
Jaxon
I haven’t been to a party in months, but when I find out my little dove is going, I don’t have a choice. I have to go. I can’t stop myself from changing into all-black, walking out the door, and making my way to the frat house.
I have no idea if I’ll know anyone here. Maybe people from classes, but none of my circle will be here. This isn’t the type of party they go to. All of theirs are the off-campus kind, not this frat bullshit.
But Sailor is here, and any opportunity to be near her, I’m doing it.
When I get inside, I spot her immediately.
Her hair makes that easy on a normal day, never mind in a sea of people dressed in black.
I have no idea why they’re all wearing similar outfits and why this looks like a watered down Halloween party in February, but I don’t fucking care. Because there she is.
And she’s walking right toward me.
I duck into the first room I see, and her and Amelia walk by, hand in hand, their other hands holding drinks.
I go the way they came to get myself one so I’ll fit in, but I don’t plan on actually drinking.
I need to be clearheaded so I can remember this…
and so I can control myself and not do something stupid.
Like walk up to her—or worse. Kidnap her.
I should be looking for my mother, but I’m at a loss. I have no idea where else to look or who to ask. My father was my last hope. I’ve reached out a few times since going, and he won’t return any of my calls and he’s conveniently out of the office every time I show up.
Vincent hasn’t reached out again, but my time is dwindling with that. He was clear about his expectations, and if I don’t do as he says, my problems are going to be much bigger. But there’s nothing I can do about my mother right now, so I may as well enjoy the night.
The music is loud. The rooms are crowded. It’s no different from any other party I’ve been to, only this one I am enjoying more than the others. I get to stand here and watch my little dove for as long as she stays.
I go for the beer outside in the coolers.
Sipping off one won’t mess with my head the way other alcohol may.
It’s my safest bet. The kitchen is packed with people making drinks and standing around talking.
I make my way through, back to the living room and into one of the side rooms to keep an eye out for Sailor.
If I don’t want her to see me, then I need to know where she is at all times.
Easier said than done, since there are so many people here.
Even with her hair making her noticeable, she’s shorter than most of the guys here, so she’s hidden a lot of the time.
I spot her, though. Over in the corner of the main living room, talking to a group of girls.
I can’t tell what is being said, but hand gestures make me think she’s being introduced to them by Amelia.
Sailor doesn’t have any other friends, so it would make sense.
One of the girls is staring at Sailor like she’s an alien, while the other ones seem friendly.
There is always one in the bunch.
If she’s mean to Sailor, I’ll kill her.
I keep my distance, taking up space in the corners and shadows, keeping out of her view but always having eyes on her. She gets drinks multiple times, and with each one, she seems to loosen up just a little more.
I don’t like the idea of her and Amelia being at a party alone, drinking, but there’s not much I can do other than watch and make sure they are safe.
Eventually, they make it onto the dancefloor, which is the living room in the back by the DJ.
I keep along the wall, watching them together.
They chose not to stay with the other girls, and instead did their own thing.
Mingling, drinking, talking. Now they’re dancing together, both looking thoroughly intoxicated.
A guy makes his way over to them, and smiles down at Amelia. The hair on the back of my neck stands up, because if he tries talking to my girl, there’s going to be a problem.
I take the last sip of my beer, toss the can onto the table near me, and stand straighter, watching the interaction. Sailor doesn’t even seem to notice the guy. Which is a relief.
Amelia gravitates toward him though, and they start dancing. Next to Sailor at first, but then they end up moving away.
I shouldn’t do it… but I’m going to anyway.
I push my way through the crowd, making sure I’m at her back.
I make my way to her, shoving through the warm bodies with only one thing in sight.
She seems so far away until she’s right there, inches from me, moving her body to the beat, dancing all on her own as if she’s the only one here and the music is just for her.
Turns out I don’t need alcohol to do something stupid.
I step to her, and inhale her scent. Before I can stop myself, my arm is around her waist and my body is moving with hers.
She pauses for a brief moment, and I stop too.
I wait for her to turn around and look up at me.
I wouldn’t care if she did. Not now. I can’t take this anymore.
I hate this distance between us. I need her.
If she saw me right now and ran, I’d find her again.
If she turned around and panicked, I’d go after her.
It’s stupid, I know. It’s risky, but it’s worth it. Just for this. Just for a moment of us being us… not Shadow and mine. Well, always mine, but as Sailor. My little dove.
To feel her body against mine, to have my arm around her protectively, where she belongs, it’s perfect. To smell the sweet scent of her hair and know that right now, nothing in the world could hurt her because I am here to protect her, no matter what.
I prepare for whatever is to come when she looks up at me over her shoulder.
But she doesn’t. I’m not sure how long she stands frozen for, and I couldn’t begin to guess.
Then she starts to move again, without a care in the world, swaying her hips to the beat, and her fingers digging into my arm, holding me tighter to her. Like maybe she knows and she’s okay with it.
As we dance, I pretend, for just a few moments, that she does know it’s me. That she wants it. That this is her forgiving me and accepting me back. That from this moment on, it’s us again. Just her and me, together.