AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Our lips brush for only a moment in the lightest of touches. Like a secret whispered in the dark, I latch onto it, holding it close to my chest where it will stay for all of eternity.
When we pull apart, I can feel eyes on us at the same time a chorus ofooooohserupt around us in high definition.
I turn to find the children watching us with part glee, part mortification and laugh as they launch into a familiar chant of the K-I-S-S-I-N-G rhyme, crooning about sitting in a tree and kissing and what comes after.
I cover my eyes with my hands and groan while Jace tips his head back with a roar of laughter.
This is what falling in love feels like.
CHAPTER 28
JACE
It’s been a coupledays since my stint at Helping Hands and things between Brynn and I are progressing nicely. I quietly rose from bed this morning, refraining from kissing her because I didn’t have the heart to wake her. After conditioning, I went straight to class, then met a few of the guys for a late lunch where we hung out for a while. The whole time, however, I thought about Brynn and how I couldn’t wait to see her.
I used to watch my friends and their girlfriends with something close to pity. I thought they were stuck, tied down, and forced to answer to someone else. But my eyes have been opened. The way I view relationships is rapidly changing. Now I wonder if this is what Atlas and Graham felt like with Mackenzie and Skylar. I wonder if this feeling I have inside is what I’ve been missing out on all this time?
It’s this need to see her, this line of thought, that’s kept me out far longer than necessary today. I’m trying to be cognizant of how much time I spend with her. The last thing I want to do issmother her, seeing as how she has no place to go other than the apartment.
One month ago, I could barely spell relationship and now I’m so far gone over this girl, I’m stressing over not seeing her versus seeing her too much.
I shake my head.
I’ve gone certifiable; it’s the only explanation. But the truth is, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s almost six p.m. by the time I arrive back at the apartment. I have the entire night free to do whatever I want. A bunch of the guys are going to grab wings and beer later, including Chris, but I’m not feeling it. I’d rather spend my night with Brynn, and as I let myself into the apartment, an unfamiliar surge of anxiety that she might not feel the same, or she might have other plans, shoots through me.
I’ll be the sad asshole who stays home sulking just because his girl has plans that don’t include him.
I frown when I kick off my shoes and set my keys on the counter, noting the closed bedroom door. Brynn usually leaves it open during the day, so I assume she’s changing, sleeping, or otherwise occupied. I hang in the living room for a bit, waiting for her to come out, but when she doesn’t, I decide to check on her.
Crossing the room, I knock on the closed door and listen, but I hear nothing.
I try again, calling out, “Hey, Brynn. I was thinking of ordering a pizza, you want in?” Again, nothing. “We could pay to stream that new chick flick that’s out in theaters.” I frown at the answering silence. “I’ll cover the twenty bucks.”
When she still doesn’t respond, my stomach clenches. I wonder if she’s pissed at me for something. Maybe she’s come to her senses and wants nothing to do with me. “I’ll even spring for ice cream.”
I hear a low groan come from the other side of the door, and my frown deepens. Slowly pushing it open, I peek my head inside to see Brynn lying in my bed, covers drawn to her chin. “Brynn?” I step further inside and cross the room for a closer look. Her cheeks are flushed, a slight sheen to her skin.
I reach out to feel her forehead when she moans and rolls onto her back, swatting at my hand half-heartedly as her glassy eyes meet mine. “Go,” she rasps. “I’ll get you sick.”
Concern knots my brow. “You’re burning up. How do you feel?”
I half expect her to push my hand away again and tell me to leave, say she’s fine. I’m so used to years of hostile interactions between us, there are moments this new dynamic still catches me by surprise.
Bryn grunts. “Awful,” she mutters, trying to snuggle further into the blankets. “And cold, so cold.”
“Shit. Did you go to class today?” I ask, knowing that if she didn’t, I should definitely be worried. Brynn’s not one to shirk her responsibilities.
She shakes her head. Or at least I think that’s what she’s doing, but the movement is barely perceptible.
“You definitely have a fever, and I don’t have a thermometer.” I curse under my breath, annoyed I’m not more prepared. “How long have you been like this? You seemed fine when I left.” Though if I’m being honest, she’d been asleep, so I have no way of knowing for sure. She’d been so peaceful I didn’t want to wake her, but now I’m pissed I didn’t give her that kiss. Maybe I would’ve known.
“My throat was a little sore when I woke, but I just thought it was allergies . . .” she says, trailing off. “Until I tried to stand and realized I had body aches, too. I laid back down, thinking I’d sleep a little longer, and the next time I got up, I was miserable.” A shiver punctuates her words.
I stand there, staring down at her while contemplating what to do.
We should probably check her temperature, so we know if it’s something we need to worry about, but I also don’t want to leave her to run to the drugstore until I know she’s okay. “I’ll be right back.”
