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I tightened my grip around her middle. “See you soon?” I asked once we parted.
She nodded. “See you soon.”
I gave Connor a quick hug and waved them both goodbye. Just as they pulled out of the lot, Bryson returned with a few bags and a fresh pair of clothes. I recognized the scent of his body wash and immediately felt weird that I knew that.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched a silent exchange happen between Jaxon and Bryson. They both laughed.
“Be careful, man.” Bryson held out his fist, and Jaxon pounded it. Bryson took a few steps in my direction, and my dimple dug into my cheek when his fist was still extended. He raised his eyebrows, and I laughed at his attempt to make this any less weird than it had to be. I accepted his gesture and pounded my fist against his.
It was probably the strangest way I’ve ever ended a chapter with a guy, but considering everything that happened between us, I would chalk it up as a win.
* * *
“It isn’tweird at all for you?” I asked when we were back in the car.
Jaxon shrugged and kept his eyes on the road. “There’s nothing weird about it, Mace. You guys slept together, and it happened. Sex is sex.”
I wasn’t sure if I liked how that last part sounded, but I understood the point he was trying to get across. I knew the way Jaxon thought about sex was very different compared to how I did. He saw it as a disposable action, and I took it as some sort of unspoken commitment.
I thought back to the beginning of the year when Katie and I spoke about finding me a Fun Dip. It was hard to believe how much had changed since then.
My parking lot was as empty as Jaxon’s. Katie and Connor’s cars were gone, and my Elantra sat alone in the usual spot. He pulled up next to it and turned off his engine.
“Do you want me to help you load your car?” His voice was soft, and his hand grazed my thigh again.
“I should be okay.” I swallowed. I held my breath and felt the back of my eyes get heavy. I was afraid if I looked at him, I would cry.
“Are you sure?” He got out of the car, and I followed his lead. He rounded the hood and stopped when he noticed my expression. “What’s up?”
I shook my head and cleared my throat. “Nothing. Just don’t wanna make this drive.” I giggled for emphasis. He eyed me cautiously, and I added, “I only have one bag upstairs since it’s only for a few days.”
“Give me your keys and I’ll warm up your car.”
I tossed him the keys, and we parted ways. I ran upstairs and found the apartment exactly how Katie and I had left it. Part of me wanted to say screw the rest of the break and just hang out here on my own until Sunday. Then I remembered that Chase invited me to Pittsburgh, and suddenly, getting away for a little bit didn’t seem so bad.
When I got back down to the lot, Jaxon was leaning against the hood of his Jeep. He was texting on his phone and didn’t look up until I was a few feet in front of him. He dropped his phone into the pocket of his sweatpants and took my duffle from me.
“This is all you’re bringing?” He led me to the Elantra and tossed my bag in the trunk.
“That and laundry from this weekend,” I said.
I crossed my arms and waited for the part I dreaded most to come next. I didn’t know why I allowed myself to get this way. I was going to see him again in just a few days. If this was how it felt to leave him for such a short amount of time, I had no idea how I was going to cope over summer break.
He pulled me into his arms, and I pressed my cheek against his chest. I breathed in the cologne from his hoodie and tried to file it away for later.
He dipped his mouth to my ear and whispered, “I’m gonna miss you, Mace.”
We were in this exact spot only a few months ago, sharing a very similar moment. But back then, I wasn’t sure about us. Back then, I drove away even though it killed me not to kiss him after spending a few days together.
To keep myself from losing it completely, I drew back from his chest and cupped his chin with my hand. I kissed him softly at first but then parted my lips so his tongue could weave against mine. He kissed me back and kept his arms wrapped loosely around my waist. His thumbs brushed against my hip bones, and I pressed harder into him so I could savor the way our mouths moved together.
He cupped the back of my head, and I pulled away to look at him. His eyes were tired, and I knew he wanted to get on the road so he could get home. He kissed my forehead. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
I waited until Jaxon was in his Jeep before I pulled out of the parking lot. A tear escaped down my cheek, and I shook my head at the mess I had gotten myself into. I would never be able to cut this off come May, and I was kidding myself if I thought for even a second that Jaxon would want an actual relationship. I made a left turn and watched as he made a right in my rearview.
My heart beat rapidly against my chest, and I knew that I was done for. I was dangerously invested in my feelings for Jaxon, regardless of how it was going to end.
Chapter67
