And last night... I didn't even want to analyse that particular scenario. The little moment between Jasper and Skye when he had come to kiss me goodnight on the couch.
I had woken up as soon as I felt Skye stirring above me and heard her whisper. Jasper had brought her a blanket since she was the one who would be cold as my body was protected by her warmth on top of mine. And his tone as he had replied to her sleepy mumblings had been so...affectionate.
This could not be happening. I wasn't ready to deal with this shit. I simply was not ready and tonight was not the best time to bring it up, anyway so I leaned in to kiss Jasper's dry, cracked lips and ran my fingers through his hair.
"Get some rest, Wells," I said quietly.
He was as stubborn as always. "Cole, I have a shoot to prepare for. The gig is tomorrow morning. You need to give me something to fight the drowsiness. And bring me my laptop."
I raised my eyebrows at him. Usually, I did as he asked me to because Jasper knew what he was doing most of the time and I hardly felt the need to argue but this was stupid.
"You're not working, Jasper. For God's sake, just take a break. I need to check on Skye."
He opened his mouth to argue, closed it again and licked his lips. Then he looked at the door and said, "Hmm. You should do that. I'll be fine. You stay with her. I'll yell if I need anything."
As I moved to stand, something gave me pause and I looked down at my boyfriend suspiciously. "You are going back to sleep, right?" I asked him.
He nodded with a blank expression. "Of course."
I pursed my lips. The fucker did not fool me with that innocent tone. I knew him too well.
I sighed. "Jasper. You lost so much blood just hours ago," I reminded him sternly. "You need to rest up."
"Hey, guys."
We both glanced up at Skye who stood in the open doorway to our room and regarded us with a thoughtful expression.
"Is Jasper giving you trouble, honey?" she asked me in a soft voice.
Jasper rolled his eyes at her question while I gave her a miserable look. I felt torn. Jasper was definitely not going to listen to me and rest like he was supposed to and Skye was still freaked out so I felt bad about leaving her alone.
She smiled at me a little and shifted on the spot. "Is it okay if I come in?"
I held my breath. I actually stopped breathing for a few seconds when I realised she had never stepped inside this room before. It was kind of like crossing a line. This bedroom belonged to Jasper and I. It was the only place in this entire house where we could have privacy. It wasn't as though I minded her presence. It was just that inviting her in meant...something. I wasn't sure what.
Sensing my hesitation, Skye let out a sigh and turned to leave.
"Wait, Skye."
Truth be told, I was exhausted. I had been running around for hours, literally, since this morning and then trying to take care of everything since the attack. Now I felt like splitting myself in two.
I couldn't be in both places at once. I couldn't leave either of them alone. So I did the only logical thing there was and blocked my mind against the implications of my actions.
"Get in bed," I told her and she stared at me in disbelief.
"Huh?"
Her gaze darted to Jasper and then to me nervously.
I licked my lips and patted the spot on the other side of me. "You can sleep here with me while I see to this asshole," I explained, glancing at Jasper who gave nothing of his thoughts away from his expression. "Is it alright with you? I don't want her to be alone. It's just sleeping."
He shrugged. That was all. A shrug followed by a slight wince when he moved his arm.
Awesome. When I needed him to say something regarding her, that was the one time he decided to keep his mouth shut.
"Come on, baby," I said to Skye with a pleading expression. "I'm so fucking tired. I need a break too."
She stepped into the room, keeping her eyes averted from mine and quietly slipped into bed beside me, her slender back to us. I exhaled in relief, thankful that there had been no drama preceding this little change and peeled off my t-shirt and jeans before sliding down in the middle of the bed.
Jasper looked at me for a while. I could tell he was itching to grab his laptop and do something with it but he refrained in order to let me have my peace. Letting out a rough breath, he slowly reclined against the pillows and closed his eyes.
Silence fell in the room. Awkward, tense silence. Our breathing was all there was to hear. I turned to my side and placed an arm around Skye's waist, spooning her from behind.
"You okay?" I asked in a whisper.
She placed her arm over mine and snuggled closer. "Mmm. Thank you."
I nuzzled her ear and reached out an arm to switch off the bedside lamp, holding her close, all the time aware of Jasper's strong presence next to me...feeling like his eyes were no longer closed but now fixed on the two of us, even in the dark.
~~~
Chapter 23
Jasper
"You look troubled," I commented as Cole drove me to work the next morning after having dropped Skye off at
