Page 17

Jackson

I 'm flicking through dull daytime TV when a car pulls into the driveway. I get up from my spot on the couch and see Chloe climbing out of the car, slamming the door shut and marching up the sidewalk.

Shit. She’s probably pissed at me for not texting her back.

With my hand throbbing and my mind a mess, I haven’t figured out a way to talk to her yet.

I go to the front door and pull it open before she can ring the bell.

"Chloe, what—"

My words are cut off as Chloe flings herself into my arms, her lips crashing into mine.

For a split second, I'm frozen in shock. Her lips are warm and firm and she feels like freakin’ heaven.

But then instinct takes over and I'm kissing her back, my arms wrapping around her waist to pull her closer.

It's everything I've ever dreamed of and more. Her lips are urgent against mine, and I can feel the rapid beat of her heart echoing my own. A thousand thoughts race through my mind but I push them all aside, losing myself in the moment.

When we finally break apart, I suck in a breath and search Chloe's face. Her cheeks are flushed. I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out.

I gently ease my arms from around her and she wavers slightly and puts her hand to the doorframe.

“I heard what happened,” she tells me, her voice breathy. “I came over as soon as I heard.”

“What happened…?”

“The fire? At your Dad’s place? I thought…” Chloe bites down on her bottom lip and looks me up and down. “God, Jackson, I feared the worst.”

I shouldn’t like her concern but I do. I want Chloe caring for me.

“I'm fine.” I lift my bandaged hand. “It hurts, but I’m fine.”

Chloe eyes me for a few moments.

“I’m fine,” I insist again. “It was a stupid, distracted moment.” I won’t admit I was distracted by her. “But no permanent damage done.”

Her shoulders drop and a small smile inches across her lips. “You’re fine,” she repeats.

I grin slightly. “I’m fine.” I thrust a thumb behind me. “Why don’t you come in?”

She glances around then nods. “Okay.”

Once inside, I lead her to the living room. The house feels eerily quiet without my dad's usual presence. "Sorry about the mess," I say, hastily moving a stack of car magazines from the couch. "Dad's cleaning up after the fire. I’m under orders to rest.”

I settle onto the sofa, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. The space between us feels charged. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever comes next.

She lowers herself next to me, the old couch sinking slightly, and she fixes me with a stern look. “And have you been?”

“Resting?” I grab the remote and turn off the TV. “Trying to.”

“I got so worried when you didn’t text. Then Dad said he heard about the fire and—”

“It was a small fire,” I promise. “I put it out quick.”

“But you still got burned.”

“I’m fine, really. Dad took me to the ER. We waited most of the day to be seen.”

It’s a crap excuse for not texting her back, really, but I need to figure out what I’m going to say to her.

Need to figure out why she kissed me like I was the only man on Earth.

“God, I’m sorry, Jackson. If I’d have known—”

“It was just a stupid accident. I didn’t want to worry you.”

“Well, you did worry me.” She leans forward. “You did worry me and—”

"I have feelings for you," I blurt out, the words tumbling from my lips before I can stop them. I can’t help it. I can’t keep this feeling in anymore and the way she kissed me…I can’t be making this shit up can I?

"Strong feelings,” I tell her. “And I know this might complicate things, with you being Ethan’s little sister and all, but I can't keep pretending.”

My heart's pounding so hard I'm sure Chloe can hear it. I hold my breath, waiting for her response, hoping I haven't just ruined everything. Praying she doesn’t run away and never speak to me again.

The silence that follows feels like an eternity. I watch Chloe's face, trying to decipher her expression. Her eyes are wide, her lips—still puffy from our kiss—are parted.

"Jackson—” Her throat bobs "I-I feel the same way."

The tension drains from me. I want to grab her and kiss her again and never let her go. Somehow I resist.

"Really?" I ask, unable to keep the grin off my face.

Chloe nods, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "Really. I've been trying to figure out how to tell you. I guess you beat me to it."

I reach out, taking her hand in mine. It feels right, like it belongs there.

"I’m not stupid.”

Her brows furrow. “I know you’re not, Jackson. You’re—”

“I know it’s not ideal. I mean you’re Ethan’s sister—”

“This has nothing to do with Ethan.”

“And you're heading off to college soon, and I don't want to hold you back. Your dreams, your passion for history, your future—it’s important."

She starts to protest, but I continue, "I'm not saying this to discourage you. I just want you to know that I'm willing to work through whatever challenges come our way. Distance, busy schedules, all of it. If you're in, I'm all in."

I hold my breath, waiting for her response. Part of me wonders if I'm being too intense, too soon. But with Chloe, I can’t seem to be any other way.

Chloe's gaze meets mine and she squeezes my hand.

"I appreciate your honesty.”

“I haven’t been honest enough, Chlo. I should have told you this sooner. I’ve been feeling this way for—”

“It doesn’t matter.” She tucks a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear. "I haven’t been honest about my feelings either and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared. After everything with Brendan…”

“He hurt you bad.”

“He did.”

“I won’t hurt you.” The words slip out before I can stop them. I mean every syllable, every promise, every part of my being. I want Chloe to know that with me, it's different.

Chloe’s gaze searches mine. “I know you wouldn't, Jackson, it’s just…”

“It’s just what?” I prompt gently, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Her chest rises and falls as she takes a breath. “It’s just that this feels so real. Scary real.”

"Chlo, I know it won't be easy, but with you, I'm willing to try, every single day if I have to. But I won’t push for more than you’re ready for. We can take this slowly, see where it goes."

Chloe cocks her head. "I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"You don't have to do anything, Chloe," I reply, my throat tight. "Just be you. That's all I need."

She smiles and nods. "I'm not letting fear hold me back anymore. You're right, my dreams are important to me. But so are you, Jackson. And I believe we can make this work."

I lean in close, unable to resist smoothing a thumb along her jaw and tracing the curve of her bottom lip. "We'll figure it out together.”

Chloe's gaze softens, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Together," she echoes, closing the distance between us.

I can’t take it anymore. I kiss her, curving my hand around her neck to keep her close.

Tension knots its way around my body, reminding me I’ll never, ever get enough of her but it’s the kind of heart-pounding tension that reminds me how precious what we have is.

I kiss her slowly, absorbing every moment of finally being able to kiss her without any lies between us.

When we end the kiss, I rest my forehead against hers.

"So—” I grin, unable to hold it back “—does this mean I can stop pretending to be your fake boyfriend?"

Chloe laughs. "I think it's safe to say you've been promoted to real boyfriend status."