Chapter 51

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The morning after is like a dreamy haze. I fell asleep cuddled in Jackson's arms and woke up as his personal pillow. Seriously, it's like his second talent.

He's never once stayed on his side of the bed or even next to me for that matter. Not that I'm complaining, but it's super hot under all these covers so I guess I'm complaining.

I try moving discreetly so I don't wake him, but nope, he's heavy and I'm only so strong. "Jackson," I whisper, combing a hand through his hair.

No response.

"Jacksonnn," I dragged out his name in a rough morning voice. Leaning down, I kiss him on the forehead and, magically, I get a response.

It's nothing more than a lopsided smile and a grumble, but it's something. "Good morning sleepy head." I say and brush his eyebrows neatly with my thumb.

The second he rolls off of me I start to move. "Where are you going?" Jackson reaches for my hand and his whine for me to stay put makes me laugh.

"To open a window." I answered him. "I know you slept like a baby all night, but I was overheating." I fan my face.

I stand up and open the window before quickly climbing back into bed with him. He's already sat up with the covers pushed down to his waist.

I spend no more than three seconds next to him before he pulls me onto his lap. "I should really learn not to smother you at night, shouldn't I?" He grins, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his palm.

"Maybe just a little," I say and pinch my fingers close together. "I love your cuddling and all, but if it's gonna be seventy degrees overnight, can we take it down a notch?"

"My bad for being a touchy person." Jackson shrugs and gives me a sarcastic pout, his hands finding their way over my hips.

"I don't mind you being touchy. I'm touchy too." I lean closer and kiss him softly. The smile on his face when I pull back is so bright, you'd think he just won the lottery. "You have dimples." I poke his cheeks.

"They only come out when I'm smiling super hard." He tells me.

"Aww. Are you saying you're smiling super hard at me?" I tease.

His chest vibrates against my hands as he laughs. I don't get a worded response, but he kisses me again and I don't stop him.

We don't stop for a while. I stay on his lap as we lose ourselves in each other. Our hands are running all over one another, but it's innocent; nothing gets too out of hand.

And I honestly don't know what I'm gonna do when he's gone. I know I'm gonna miss this. Kissing him, touching him, listening to his voice, fuck, I'm gonna miss not seeing him in person for three weeks.

I may sound like a clingy, obsessive girlfriend right now but I can't help it. I'm gonna miss him. A lot. I'm gonna miss him a lot and my heart knows it.

I also know I need to say a few things because it's killing me inside to keep quiet.

"What's wrong?" Jackson pulls back with his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Heat builds in my chest and shoulders, slowly fading until I feel like I might sweat. What's wrong? I don't know...a lot.

You're leaving soon. I'm gonna miss you like hell. I want to say I love you. You might think it's too soon. Or you might not even love me yet. So there's a lot I'm questioning right now.

"Emery," He says my name with just enough concern to snap me out of it. When I do, I relax into his touch and don't realize how tense my shoulders are.

Looking into his eyes I start to tell myself to speak up. I'm impulsive, remember?

But this can go terribly wrong.

Doesn't matter. It'll only go wrong if you want it to.

What if he doesn't say it back?

Just say it. You can't deny it any longer.

Wait–

Say it.

But–

Say. It.

"You know I'm in love with you." I tell him. His eyes widen but I say it again. "So stupidly in love with you it's embarrassing." My throat is already starting to tighten up.

My nervousness only gets worse when we sit in what feels like endless silence. His eyes search mine for I don't know what, but my throat is starting to close up and I'm probably going to break a sweat if this is all I get.

"Oh yeah?" The smile on his face is like a beam of light. "What's so stupid about loving me huh?" He questions in a sarcastic manner.

"It just...is." I say and my voice breaks. "Okay? It just is, Jackson." I ball my fist to his chest.

"Why are you crying Em?" He asks lightly and wipes the singular tear that rolls down my cheek.

I suck in a shaky breath, "Because you're leaving in two days and it's the only thing I can think about." I blink and another tear falls.

His lips roll into his mouth as he brushes my hair behind my ears. "I'll only be gone for a few weeks before you come to join me Em. I promise you'll survive. And if not, I'm only a phone call away if you need me."

The reassurance in his voice is appreciated, but I'm still uneasy thinking about the looming forty eight hours.

"I know, but...it's just you'll be super busy being fresh meat for all of them to pick on. And you'll be bossing around all of them because their quarterback was a senior this year." I ramble.

"How did you know that?" He stops me.

I pause and look at his face. "I...did my research," I hesitantly admit. "I promise I only wanted to see who you were playing with." I defend my actions.

He just laughs at my response. "Glad to know you're up to date then."

The kiss he plants on my lips is soft and assuring. Pulling me closer, I rest my head against his chest and savor the warmth radiating off his body.

I hug him closer in silence. A few birds chirp outside reminding me it's still early morning and the small breeze coming through his window evens out the room temperature.

"And Em," He talks into my hair.

"Mhm?"

"Just so you know, I'm in love with you too." He tells me and I can feel him smiling.

"Stupidly?" I ask into his chest.

I can feel his head shake. "No." I pull my head back, my eyes narrowing at the grin on his face. "Very. I'm very in love with you Emery." He kisses me before continuing, "There's nothing stupid about it."

And I think I might burst into tears.





Bro lemme just get the wedding bells out now I can't take this anymore

They're so perfect

Thoughts???

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