Page 18

CHAPTER 18

SLEEPING DOGS

JACKSON

“S o you guys are like all in love and shit now, huh?” I yell into Clay’s ear.

He downs another long swig of beer and smiles like a fucking god. “Yeah, man. We’re all in love and shit.”

And as annoyed as I am by the entire concept of love at this particular moment in life, I am wildly happy for my best friend.

He hasn’t had much love in his life, especially not from those who were supposed to love him most. But the family he’s found here has tried to fill that cup for him. And now that he has Rocky, it’s overflowing.

Clay deserves to have this kind of love. A love so deep and so pure it changes the very foundation of who you are.

Which is why, even in a crowded sports bar like Jack’s, the only person he has had his eye on since he got here is Rocky.

But that could also have something to do with the fact that they just won a national championship.

Champions and lovers… Wow, now I’m really jaded.

Clay must notice my facade slipping because his beaming smile dims for a moment. “Hey, you okay?”

I wave my hand at him. “I’m fine. Don’t you worry about me. Go. Go and enjoy your night.”

“Jax…”

“Clay, I’m fine. Really.”

And because he knows me best, he knows to leave it alone. “Will I at least see you at graduation?”

I look at him with a dumbfounded expression. “I wouldn’t miss your graduation for a million years.”

His smile beams all over again, and he wraps me up in a giant hug before whispering in my ear. “You’re going to be okay next year.”

It’s not a question, but a statement. Because he knows it, and I know it. A lot of shit has happened this year… to both of us. And while our outcomes may now be different, Clay knows that I’ve been putting in the work to make next year, my year. I’m not going to let anything or anyone take that away from me.

“I’ll be okay,” I say as I pat him on the back.

Clay pulls from our hug, but when he hears Rocky his eyes immediately start to wander. I can’t help but laugh at the lovesick look on his face. “Would you just go over there?”

“I love you, man,” he says as he clinks his beer bottle with mine.

“I love you too. Now go.”

? * He practically skips over to where Rocky is standing as “Sweet Home Alabama” starts playing over the speakers.

Next thing I know, I’m downing J?gerbombs with Rocky’s parents and then, like I’m an underclassman all over again, I’m waking up on my bedroom floor. However, contrary to underclassman Jax, upperclassman Jax had the foresight to pass out with a giant bowl next to me, a half-empty bottle of Pedialyte, and a spilled bottle of ibuprofen.

My parents can’t say I didn’t learn anything at college.

When I finally manage to peel my body off of the floor and get the room to stop spinning, my eyes land on my open computer, which I’m almost positive I had closed before I went to the game yesterday.

Slowly, as to ensure I don’t ralph all over everything, I sit down at my desk chair and turn on the screen, and I swear to fucking god I almost die in the middle of my room when a live feed of Theo making breakfast in his kitchen fills my screen.

Holy fucking shit.

Turning around quickly, I grab the big bowl off the floor and spill my guts right into it.

So much for not throwing up.

I broke into Theo’s house when he was sleeping.

I put cameras in Theo’s house.

I DRANK AND STALKED.

Immediate panic sets in as I spiral about how the fuck I’m going to get those out of his house, but I suddenly realize…

They’re already in there. What’s the harm in leaving them there?

Because he’s driving you insane you fucking idiot.

But I’m about to be back in Montana for the entire summer, and even though the thought of seeing him in that house with her makes me want to hurl this bowl at his front fucking door, I will admit it’s better than the thought of not seeing him at all.

So right then and there, I decide. What’s the harm in letting sleeping dogs lie?

* ? Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd