AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Giggles filled the house, and my heart warmed. “Like we would get busy with the door open anyway.” I rolled my eyes, grateful for the lightheartedness. The girls had been phenomenal the week I’d stayed at the hospital with Jagger. Once he had cleared the twenty-four hours, he demanded that the doctor reduce the pain meds. He said they made him loopy and he could barely form a complete sentence. Once he was on a lower dose, to my surprise, he confronted Samantha and Theo for lying to him about my death. He made it clear that they’d crossed a hard line and he wouldn’t forgive them any time soon. Even though Samantha pleaded her case, it was disregarded. I had no idea how it would play out in the future, but Jagger and school were my focus.
“I need to get some homework done. If you doze off after your pain meds, then I’ll go downstairs. Just text me when you wake up.”
Jagger set his fork on the side of his plate. “Babe, I don’t want you to fail this term. Please don’t fall back in classes because of me.”
I sat on the edge of my bed and placed my hand on his leg. “I’m not that far behind since Teagan brought me my books at the hospital. Some of the instructors record their lectures in case a student has an urgent need and can’t attend classes. I worked on my assignments while you slept. Remember?”
He shook his head. “Not really. The pain meds seriously messed with my head.”
“I’m glad you’re almost off them and you’re home. That’s all that matters.” I squeezed his thigh, refusing to talk about the elephant in the room. “Eat.”
The faintest hint of his smile peeked out. “You know what happens when you’re bossy, right?”
“No.” I feigned total innocence, knowing full well where the conversation was headed.
He smirked. “You get spanked.”
I carefully slipped off the bed, not wanting to jostle his shoulder. It was in a sling for at least a few weeks.
“Good luck with that.” I stuck my tongue out at him, and he reached out to grab me, but I easily dodged him. “Getting slow, old man.”
He growled as he returned to his lasagna. “I have a place for that sassy mouth of yours. You wait until I can take your ass back to the society.”
My core throbbed with longing for him to touch me. At least we could work around his shoulder, but it would be pretty vanilla until he healed. “Oh, I’m scared.” I pretended to chew on my fingernails. “Tie me up, hurt me, fuck me senseless. Sounds good to me. Until then, Jagger Whitlock, I call the shots since I’ll be the one riding you.” I winked at him before I walked away and swished my hips a little extra for his enjoyment. “I need to shower.” I closed the bedroom door, then disappeared into the bathroom.
* * *
“How’s he doing?” Teagan asked, setting two plates full of lasagna on the table for us, then she sat in the chair across from me. It had been a week since I’d been able to spend any time with my bestie, and I missed her horribly.
“He’s okay. It’s Jagger, so he won’t actually tell me how much pain he’s in or if he’s scared about his future in football. He starts physical therapy in a few weeks at least.” I speared a bite of the hot square of deliciousness.
Over the next hour, I updated Teagan on Theo and Samantha. It didn’t get past her that I referred to Dad as Theo.
“That’s some heavy shit, Ari. It trumps the rumors at school for damn sure.”
I sank back into my chair. “I don’t even care what people are saying. Haters are gonna hate. But, I feel so betrayed. Not by the assholes at school, but by Samantha and Theo. I expected Theo to be the hard ass against mine and Jag’s relationship, not Samantha. He still went along with the plan to lie to me about Jagger, though.”
Teagan took a sip of her drink, the soda bubbles still fizzing.
“Just goes to show that people will continue to surprise the crap out of you even when you’ve known them for years.” She poked at her food and eyed me.
“I’m so sorry, Teagan. The guilt of thinking that I’d murdered Jagger, then the shit show with Peter, it really messed me up. I never meant to hurt you. Ever.”
“I know. It’s why we’re still talking. I am aware that you defend the people you love, and one of those people is me.”
“I do love you. I’m an asshole for not telling you more often. After almost losing Jagger for a second time, I had a lot of time to reflect while sitting beside him in the hospital. I’ve taken our friendship for granted, and I never want to do that again. Teagan, you make my world a better place. I’m so, so fucking lucky to have you as my bestie.”
Teagan’s eyes welled with tears. “Same, bitch.” She took my hand in her free one. “If you’ve ever doubted my loyalty, I hope my actions have proved how much you mean to me.”
“They have. I have your back too. Always.” I sniffled as tears streamed down my cheeks. “The last four years have been hell. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Jagger is alive and here.”
“When you guys return to classes in person, are you ready to deal with the haters?” Worry flitted across my friend’s face.
“What do I need to be prepared for?” I took a sip of my soda, wishing there were a couple of shots of vodka in it.
As if reading my mind, Teagan hopped up from the table and grabbed the bottle of Froggy B. She unscrewed the cap, and before I could block her, she poured an ample amount into my glass. “I’ll help you with Jagger. You need to unwind. Besides, the girls will be back early tonight. They’re skipping the after-party to hang out with you and Jagger.”
“Really?” I slowly pivoted my attention to the clock on the wall over the sink. I snorted. “It’s eleven in the morning and I’m drinking. What does that make me?”
