I shook my head. There was no way I could tell Trent I liked him, or that whenever I was around him, I felt like I was home again, that I was safe and loved. He’d think I was crazy.
“So, how did that happen then?” Jaxon motioned toward my cheek.
“Simon invited us to his house to go swimming. We were playing volleyball in the pool, and I got smacked in the face with the ball.”
Jaxon nodded. “I was expecting something more scandalous, like maybe you got into a fight with the mean girl.”
“Her name’s Olivia, and I did flip her off.” I smiled proudly. “Oh, and I called her out for how often she changes boyfriends. She really didn’t like that.”
“That’s my girl,” Jaxon said, and my heart fluttered at his compliment.
I took a deep breath. “Okay, we really should study. I’m like the worst tutor on the planet.”
“Nah.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Hearing about your life is much more exciting. And considering I’m paying you… the customer is always right.”
I shook my head, but I couldn’t contain my smile. “There’s nothing else to say. I’ve told you everything.” I tucked my other foot beneath me and mimicked Jaxon’s position with my elbow propped on the back of the couch.
He tilted his head, then reached over and gingerly ran his finger down my sore cheek. “Does it hurt? Want me to get you some ice?”
My throat was suddenly dry, and I forgot how to form words. His touch was softer than I expected, and without realizing it, I leaned into his hand. He cupped my cheek in his large, warm palm, and my eyes fluttered closed.
A fresh wave of heat spread through me, and my heart beat strong, a steady thumping that instinctively told me everything was all right. That Jaxon wasn’t ever going to hurt me. That he was someone I could count on—a friend.
“Chloe?” His voice was strained.
My eyes popped open and horrified, I jerked away. His hand fell back against the couch. I cleared my throat. “Uh, no, it doesn’t hurt. I’m fine.”
I put both my feet back on the floor and faced forward, away from Jaxon. Was it hot in here? I fanned my face with my hand, and when I noticed him watching me with an amused smile, I tucked my hands under my legs.
“So, are we going to study or what?” I asked.
“Or what.”
“Huh?”
“You asked if we were going to study or what. I choose the or what.”
“You’re impossible.” I laughed. “But fine. If you want to pay me to sit here and talk to you…” I shrugged. “Though, it seems like you’d have plenty of people who would be willing to talk to you for free.”
“Probably,” he agreed. “But would you talk to me for free?”
“Nope,” I said, but I couldn’t keep a straight face. “If this is seriously how you want to spend your time, then tell me about you.” I settled back again, allowing myself to get comfortable.
“I’m boring.”
“I highly doubt that,” I said.
I bet he had a lot of great stories to tell, stories that involved tons of friends and girls chasing after him. He’d probably lived a more exciting life in his high school years than I had in my entire life.
“Why are you nervous?” he asked.
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I guess this is all just a little weird.” With a heavy sigh, I faced him. “Why did you hire me, Jaxon, if you never intended to actually do any studying?”
“When I hired you, I did plan to study. I swear I did.” But his twitching lips told a different story. “Then I met you, and now, studying doesn’t seem so important anymore. But if you really want to teach me something, I suppose I can learn.”
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed. I dug my cell from my backpack to find I had a new message.
Simon: I’M SO SORRY ABOUT TODAY. HOW’S THAT BEAUTIFUL FACE?
I smiled. Simon really was very sweet, but him calling me beautiful had unease swirling in my chest. Was Jaxon right about Simon? Did he consider the concert a date? Did he like me as more than a friend?
Me: BETTER. STILL A LITTLE SORE BUT I’LL BE FINE.
Simon: GOOD. He added the emoji with the heart over its lips.
Jaxon leaned over and peeked at my phone. He raised a brow but didn’t say a word. The look in his eyes said everything he didn’t, though. I glared at him. He leaned back, hands up in a show of surrender.
“What?” I snapped.
“You’re going to break his heart, you know?”
I didn’t bother responding to that.
“What about the other guy? What’s going to happen with him?” Jaxon asked.
“Nothing.” Admitting that had a knot forming in my stomach. “Because I’m leaving in a month.”
At that, Jaxon’s eyebrows shot up with surprise. “You are? Where are you going?”
“Back home, to Keene Valley. As soon as I’m eighteen, I’m out of here.” I slid my phone into my bag.
Jaxon was unusually silent, and I glanced over at him. His face was stoic, but the vein in his temple throbbed. “You’re just going to walk away from your life here?” he asked.
I nodded. “I hate it here.” My tone was vehement. “I mean, Simon’s nice, and I actually like talking to you, even though you annoy me.” I stuck my tongue out at him, and he laughed. “But I don’t belong here.” My voice dropped with sadness, and I hung my head.
“What’s so great about Keene Valley?” he asked, his tone sympathetic.
“Everything. It’s beautiful there, and peaceful. My family is there, and all of my friends. I miss them like crazy.”
“And a boyfriend? Do you have one of those waiting for you back home?”
I hesitated, my mind flashing back to that strange memory I’d had about going to the falls with a guy. I didn’t remember dating anyone during the short time I lived in Keene Valley, and that didn’t seem like something I’d forget.
“No,” I
