I take out my cell and open the Uber app. I go outside and sit on a bench in front of the guesthouse, sorting through driver profiles. It’s still way too early to leave for the function, but I’m starving and wonder if I should hit up a drive through. If I go to another fancy function and eat pea sized servings of food, I’ll freak out. A juicy burger sounds good.
The security guard, Bart, walks up to me. “I’m so happy you didn’t walk out with your running shoes. You had my heart palpitating.”
“Well, I can’t promise I won’t have a late-night jog.” The more I think about a fast food burger, the more I feel I will need a run after the function.
A black Jeep pulls into the driveway, and Bart looks at me. “Your ride?” I know instantly it’s Jaxson, but didn’t expect to see him. I can’t hold back my smile.
Jaxson gets out of his Jeep and walks toward me. I stand when he gets close, and he kisses me lightly. He looks me up and down with a devilish smile. “Wow, girl, you’re something else.” My smile widens. “I know you weren’t expecting me, but I just had to see you.”
“And I need a ride, so it works.” I kiss him again. This time, we take our time. I open one eye and notice Bart gawking at us.
Jaxson notices as well. “Uh, hey, man. I’m Jaxson Davis.”
Bart shakes his hand furiously. “Oh, I know. I keep track of the up and comers. Your last game against the Fallon Hill Cougars was insane.”
“Thanks, man.”
There is a silence afterwards, and I assume Bart will catch on that we would like to be alone, but it goes right over his head. “I mean, that one throw you had in that game must have been some type of record, right?”
I stare at Bart coldly. “If you don’t leave right now, Bart, I’ll run at least three times tomorrow.”
Bart smiles back. “My day off, so have at ‘er.” He looks at Jaxson, who is looking at him weirdly. “Well, you two have a fun time.”
Jaxson turns to me. “I know you have your friend’s thing tonight, but I just wanted to steal you for an hour.”
“If you’re okay with dropping me off after, that works. What did you want to do?”
He puts his forefinger to his mouth. “Can’t say. Jump in.”
Jaxson looks so manly when he drives his Jeep. I mean, he looks sexy no matter what he does, but something about this powerful man driving a massive vehicle is just hot. Jaxson puts on his sunglasses when the sun blisters through the windshield.
Although he looks good as always, he doesn’t seem as chill as he usually does. He usually looks relaxed, with one arm on the wheel and the other on my headrest. Today, he moves almost robotic. It’s just odd.
“You okay?” I ask.
Jaxson looks at me without much expression. “Yeah, of course.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jaxson upset before, and wonder if this is how it looks. “You’re not mad or anything?”
He shrugs his shoulders. I wonder if it has to do with Chase. It’s not exactly normal for someone to be seeing two people romantically who live at the same home.
I decide to change the subject. “So, any clues as to where you’re taking me?”
“None. You just have to trust me.”
“That I can do,” I say with a smile. He looks at me if I insulted him.
After a few more minutes, Jaxson puts the turn signal on and drives into an empty parking lot.
Jaxson finally smiles at me. “This is one of my favourite spots in this town. There’s a small lake close to here. I used to come here all the time when I first came to Ryland. It was my thinking spot, you know? I’d come out here close to sunset, take in the scenery. I wanted to take you here today, so we can take it in together.”
“Are you saying I need to think more?” I ask, laughing.
“No, of course not, I—"
I punch him in the shoulder. “Let’s go, big guy. Show me your special spot.”
We walk towards the lake hand in hand. Jaxson is carrying a few blankets with him. I remind him of Bryce’s function, and he reassures me we won’t be here long. When we finally make it to the lake, Jaxson rolls out one blanket. We sit, and he puts the other on top of us.
The scenery is beautiful, and the lake looks crystal blue. I wonder if it’s manmade, because it looks so perfect. Despite the romantic idea of what Jaxson is doing, he still looks upset. If he wasn’t taking me somewhere special, I would almost assume he was breaking up with me or something.
We look out onto the beautiful scenery. The mix of orange and blue across the sky as the sun begins to set is beautiful. I look at Jaxson, who maintains his awkward mannerisms. He looks across the lake as if he’s seeing something on the other side that’s insulted him.
“So, are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” I ask.
Jaxson grabs my hand tightly. “I just—I really like you.”
I sit in between his legs and face him. “I feel the same about you. I know this thing with Chase and you isn’t ideal. I feel terrible. I don’t want to you to feel like I’m leading you on for no reason. I just really like you too. I get really confused.”
Jaxson nods his head. “I get it, I do.” He looks at me shyly and quickly
