Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
Like Haleigh, Stanton and Ryan knew the importance of not screwing over your future self by leaving cleaning for the morning, so together the three of them collected empty cups and plates, packed away the food, and filled the dishwasher.
“Where’s Jack?” she asked Ryan as she held out a trash bag for the stack of plates and napkins in his hands.
Ryan shrugged. “No clue. Maybe he left?”
After all the beers he’d had, Haleigh hoped not.
“It’s weird that he wouldn’t tell me he was going.” She checked her phone to make sure he hadn’t sent a text.
Nothing.
“Maybe he didn’t want to interrupt your daaaaate.” Stanton cocked an eyebrow from his place at the sink.
Haleigh rolled her eyes. Sure, their rules said no third-wheeling, but that didn’t mean Jack had to bail because she was hanging out with Brian. It was a party.
“Ryan, did you see proof of my excellent matchmaking skills tonight?” Stanton preened.
Haleigh groaned. “Someone give him more hands so he can pat himself on the back.”
As soon as they were done cleaning, she retreated to her room. She pulled her phone out and cued up Jack’s number as she flipped on the light.
“Haleigh!” he yelled, slurring the two syllables.
She yelped, and her phone hit the floor.
Jack was starfishing on her bed, his limbs tossed loosely out as he gawked at the ceiling. Every few seconds, he let out another giggle.
She leaned against the doorway. “Someone had a few beers.”
“And someone had a good date.” Jack seemed to think that he was pointing at her, but his hand was actually aimed at the closet.
“We should get you home,” Haleigh said. “Twinkie must be missing you.”
“Nope.” Jacked waved her off, almost falling out of bed in the process. “My brother has him.”
“So I guess you’re sleeping over?” She stepped deeper into the room and closed the door.
An exaggerated frown pulled at his face. “Only if you want me to.”
Shaking her head, Haleigh started untying his shoes. “Let’s get you ready for bed.”
“And you.” He patted the mattress beside him as his eyes began sinking shut.
“I’ll be sleeping on the couch. Rule Eleven. No sharing beds.”
Jack’s head lolled toward her. “That’s not a rule. Come lie down.”
“It is now. I’m adding it.”
It took a little more wrestling before Haleigh got his feet free. Then she set a wastebasket by the bed, just in case, and helped Jack flip over onto his stomach.
Before she left, she pulled the comforter over him. His curls, usually so well styled, were mussed across his forehead, and Haleigh had to fight the urge to smooth them back. “Thank you for making sure I wouldn’t be alone tonight.”
Jack’s shoulders jerked in what she assumed was a shrug. “You deserve everything…”
“God, you’re drunk.” Haleigh laughed, even as her heart hiccupped. He didn’t mean anything by it. Too many drinks always made Jack overly affectionate.
“Get some sleep.” She adjusted the blanket once more so it covered his feet. This man was too tall for normal household accessories.
He clutched her hand before she could step away. “Haleigh.”
“Hmmm?” She would not think about how warm his fingers felt. Or how easily they enveloped hers. Remember that amazing kiss you just had with Brian? Think about that.
Jack’s bronze-brown eyes were open, and they captured her in his gaze. “I love you.”
This time, her heart full-on stopped. Still, she tried to wave him off. “Hey. Rule Eight.”
“No.” He moaned in frustration. “You don’t get it.” He muttered something else but Haleigh didn’t quite catch it.
Before she could ask him what he’d said, his deep snores filled the room.
Stanton’s couch was more comfortable than a lot of beds, but even with her favorite down comforter wrapped around her body, and three fluffy pillows at her head, Haleigh couldn’t sleep.
She tossed and turned, her mind replaying what Jack had said.
You deserve everything…
I love you…
You don’t get it…
The whole night, he’d been… different. Singing her praises to Brian. Giving them space. Even just coming here with donuts and horror movies.
It’s like these boundaries they’d worked so hard to maintain between them were crumbling. At least on his side.
But why now?
Was this him spiraling further from his work stress? Did he know something that he didn’t want to tell her? Was he seeing Dylan, and observing Haleigh with Brian helped him feel more at ease with it? Like she had someone too?
Every potential explanation had only made her more nervous.
Haleigh didn’t want Jack to move on. It was selfish and unfair, but it was how she felt. She had to find someone first. It was the only way she could have a clean break from her feelings. The only way to ensure that she wouldn’t always wonder what could have been if they’d only waited it out.
But there were no clean breaks when he was flouting rules and staring at her with eyes full of… want? Affection? Haleigh couldn’t get their soft expression out of her head, no matter how hard she blinked.
Punching her pillows, she rolled over onto her side.
He was drunk, she reminded herself. This wasn’t the first time he ignored a rule while drunk, and it probably won’t be the last.
Once, he’d tried to kiss her, resulting in Rule Number Ten. Another time he’d wanted to hash out what happened in Hawaii, despite the fact that it had been years. Usually, he just went on about how beautiful she was.
Drunk Jack didn’t understand the rules. And it was Valentine’s Day. She shouldn’t be surprised that this was the day he broke number eight.
She tucked her blanket under her chin and tried to think about the rest of the night. Playing Jeopardy! with Brian. Listen ing to him share about his scars. Laughing as Logan and Everly continued their mission to dissect every appetizer Stanton had to offer.
And those puppies.
Brian promised he’d let her meet them soon, before they got too big.
A second good date. It was truly the last thing she’d expected from this date-pocalypse. But there was something there with Brian. She could feel it in the way they talked, in how they touched, in the ease she felt around him.
A tiny spark, waiting to grow brighter.
All she had to do was keep Jack from snuffing it out.