CHAPTER 8 #3
“You can lean against me,” she offered casually as she pulled the blankets between them, making a softer space for Reese.
Reese threw a smile in her direction and Jette felt her breath catch in the back of her throat.
She wiggled her knees forward, gently jostling Reese and smiling as she giggled.
The TV served more as background noise while they talked through every episode.
The snowstorm outside had stopped long ago and the plows could be heard driving up and down every street in the neighborhood.
Jette looked at her phone and saw it was after three in the morning.
Reese was nestled against her legs, lazily resting her head on Jette’s knees.
Jette felt her own eyes getting heavy as she struggled to stay awake.
Reese’s phone buzzed and Jette’s eyes fluttered open again.
Before she could look away, she noticed Kiran’s name pop up on the screen.
Her eyes darted away reflexively. She patiently waited for Reese to move, but she didn’t.
Instead she slowly typed out a message and set her phone down before gently resting her head on Jette’s knees again.
“Are you gonna miss this?” Reese asked sleepily as she took her hair down. Her messy reddish-brown waves cascaded across Jette’s thighs and Jette wanted to run her hands through them.
She paused and examined the cozy living room. She memorized the way their limbs were pressed together on the couch, and the warm glow of the room. Her throat felt thick as she clarified, “What do you mean?”
“Are you gonna miss tattooing?” Reese kept her eyes on the TV, watching the judges critique. “When you’re on tour, I mean,” her voice was quiet.
Jette nodded to herself. “Yes and no,” she finally admitted. “Drumming has always been my main dream, so obviously I can’t wait for that” she explained. “But yeah, I’ll still miss it when I’m on the road.”
Reese nodded quietly. “When’s your last day at the shop?
” she asked as her phone buzzed once again.
Jette kept her eyes trained on the TV, not wanting to accidentally read any texts over her shoulder.
Reese made no movement to reach for her phone, instead choosing to stay pressed against Jette’s legs.
“In three weeks,” Jette answered. Outside, she could hear someone on the street beginning to shovel.
Reese sounded curious as she asked, “Do you have any appointments available?” She turned to look at Jette out of the corner of her eye.
Jette’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Why? You want to get a tattoo?” she asked excitedly.
She shrugged and coyly smiled. “I’ve been debating it.”
“Really?” Jette could barely contain her excitement. “You actually want to book a tattoo with me?” she confirmed. “What do you want to get?”
“I was thinking of getting a bird,” Reese specified. “Think you could fit me in?” she asked, her voice hopeful.
Jette grinned and teased, “Yeah I think I can fit you in.” Reese’s eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled.
“What style? Or size?” she began spouting off questions.
“Where do you want to get it?” Reese rolled her sleeves up before pointing to her inner arm, on the side of her bicep.
Jette’s hand twitched imaging running her fingers along the slight curve of her muscle.
“Inside of the arm might hurt for your first tattoo,” Jette warned.
“I can handle myself,” Reese replied firmly and Jette raised her hands in submission.
“Okay, inside of the arm it is.” Jette opened her mouth to speak again when Reese’s phone began to ring. Reese held up a finger and put the phone to her ear.
‘It’s Kiran,’ she mouthed. Jette nodded and reached for her own phone. Once unlocked, she started to look at images, gathering inspiration for Reese’s first tattoo. Her own excitement and internal dialogue drowned out Reese’s phone conversation. Reese’s voice sounded strained until she hung up.
“I should probably get going,” she said while shifting away on the couch.
Jette hated how cold her legs felt without Reese pressed against her.
“You can always stay here if you want a place to crash,” Jette offered politely, though she was silently hoping Reese would decline.
The small couch was soft, thought not nearly big enough to be comfortable overnight.
And Jette didn’t think she could handle sharing a bed with Reese.
Not after the way her heart raced at the mere idea.
Reese shook her head. “Thanks, but I think I need to talk things through with Kiran tonight,” she said.
Jette could feel her brow furrow. “You’re not getting in the car with him, are you?”
A mischievous twinkle gleamed in Reese’s eye as she corrected her. “No, I’m taking an Uber.” Jette let out the tiniest sigh of relief as Reese continued, “But look at you getting all protective over me.” A teasing giggle escaped her lips as she moved to stand and Jette could feel her cheeks flush.
She swallowed with difficulty before admitting, “I just want to make sure you get there safe. Text me when you get home.”
“Deal,” Reese agreed. “And text me with any openings in your schedule. I’m making you my priority for the next three weeks.”
“It’s a date.” Jette felt her lips curl into a smirk. Reese pulled her jacket around her shoulders and paused as she looked down at Jette’s clothes. As though reading her mind, Jette interjected, “Don’t worry about it. Keep them.”
Reese chuckled out a thanks. Jette unlocked the front door and cold air seeped through the doorway, sending shivers down both of their spines.
Despite the bitter cold, Jette hesitated.
Even though they had spent the entire night cuddled together, Jette wanted to feel Reese against her again.
Their faces were so close. The faint red outlines of those green eyes confirmed she had also spent the night fighting sleep.
Before she could doubt herself any further, Jette wrapped her arms around Reese’s waist, pulling their bodies close.
She inhaled softly, enamored with the way that Reese’s perfume had mixed with the familiar smell of her own clothes.
Reese squeezed tighter and tucked her cheek against Jette’s forehead for a moment before moving towards the door.