10
The moment I stepped outside, I saw Jax waiting by the gate.
He naturally took the bag from my hand and gently brushed a tear from my cheek.
His warm fingers rested on my forehead, right where Mrs. Stanton had poked me.
He looked at me carefully, his eyes full of concern.
“Are you okay?”
I gave him a huge smile.
“Jax, I’m free!”
In that moment, I truly felt that my future was bright.
“Thank you, Jax. You don’t have to pretend to be my boyfriend anymore. From now on, you’re just my landlord. So, Mr. Landlord, can
I move in tonight?”
I walked ahead, bubbling with excitement, completely missing the fact that Jax’s steps were slowing.
It wasn’t until a slightly disappointed voice came from behind me that I realized he had stopped.
“Oh. You’re welcome.”
“But I don’t want to break up.”
1 I didn’t quite understand, It wasn’t really a breakup, was it? We were never really dating.
Jax’s tall figure looked a little lonely under the streetlight.
I walked back to him and tugged on his arm.
“Come on, let’s go. I don’t have a place to stay tonight.”
Sensing his reluctance, I realized my actions did seem a bit like I was casting him aside now that I didn’t need him.
I decided to self–reflect out loud.
“I guess I didn’t really help you get back at James. I don’t think using me to get revenge on him is very effective. He doesn’t
like me.”
even
06:49
06.49
Chapter 2
My voice got quieter and quieter. The part I didn’t say was: And you don’t like me either, so it’s better to end this now.
Before I could finish, Jax blurted out.
“He does like you!”
“And I…”
He stopped mid–sentence, leaving me hanging. It was infuriatingly intriguing.
“What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”
Jax suddenly picked up his pace, walking ahead of
Then he spoke slowly.
“I said, I think you’re right.”
“James doesn’t deserve you.”
I jogged a few steps to catch up with him.
- me.
“As a reward,” I said, “I’ll take you to see a great show in a little while. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied. If James gets away with this, I‘
Il take your last name!”
Jax stopped and turned to face me, enunciating each word carefully.
“Okay. I’ll listen to you.”
The seriousness in his eyes was a little frightening.
It was as if he was eagerly anticipating that day.
