It Started With A Concussion ✔️

Chapter 39

Jackson's POV

"Elliot, do you know where my shoes are?" I hear Emery ask from the other room.

"Why should I know? You're the one who wears them!" He shouts back and a smile curls onto my lips.

Though, it doesn't last long when I remember why she's looking for them. She's been scrambling around, getting ready to go out with Liam for about ten minutes now.

I can't say I'm pleased with the idea, but I can't do anything about it. I just can't get the fact that she'll lay with me all night, and then turn around the next day and hangout with him.

I'm not going to be some emotional piece of shit and say I'm devastated over it, but I know what I want. The slam of the front door knocks me out of my thoughts.

I look up and see Elliot staring at me. "What?" I ask, realizing the only two people in the room are us. And besides Tyler upstairs, there's no one else here yet.

"Alright, I can't keep this up anymore," He starts.

"Keep what up?"

"I can't keep turning a blind eye to you two." He states. "And don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about. You two have been acting differently...together." He gets to his point and my eyes widen.

I can't sit here and lie to him can I? Even if I could, it wouldn't be a good idea. I think that's my problem. I have to come clean at some point. After all, I don't have much time left here.

"I mean, you've been sitting here, sulking that she's going out with another guy. For God's sake, I overheard that she slept over at your house last night?" He questioned.

I get even more confused about how he knows that, but realize I told my mom to not come into my room. I guess she didn't listen. "Our moms are really loud gossipers aren't they?" I try to lighten the tense mood but it hardly works.

"Jackson...please just be straight with me. Do you like her again?" He asks.

I sit back in my chair, looking at him and suddenly, the room seems to have no air circulation. "What would your reaction be if I said yes?" I tested the waters.

He sighs and drops his head into his hands. I can't lie, it makes me a little uneasy if he's not thrilled with the idea, but I'm not holding it against him.

"I know–you know I don't have the best track record. At all. If that's what you're worried about I'm telling you I'd never do that to her." I assure a worry he hasn't even brought up.

He stays silent for a moment and I just feel worse sitting here. "I know you've had your moments with other girls...but do you like her? Like, really like her?" He asks to clarify.

My eyes drift off to the side as I think about it. But I don't think for long. "Yeah, I do." I say and it feels like a breath of relief saying the truth. "Honestly, I don't think I ever stopped liking her, from...you know,"

"Seventh grade." He finishes my sentence for me.

"Yeah. I know you knew that, and I knew you didn't really like it. So for your sake I separated myself from her, but I don't think I stopped liking her over the years. Every once in a while the thought of being with her popped up, but I ignored them because I knew how you would feel." I explained. "I just...don't think I can do that this time."

He nods—in understanding I hope. Coming clean to Elliot wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. He's the more reasonable brother as I obviously know. And that was both of our main concerns.