Jay and I lay in bed together, his arm draped across my stomach and his head resting on me. After our little intimate moment--which I still cannot stop thinking about, with wide eyes but also a blush--we cuddled, talked, and then Jay managed to fall asleep on me.

I decided that I should probably get up and finish getting ready for bed. I was tired yet still had to do my skincare routine and brush my teeth for the night. I got up as slowly and as inconspicuously as I could in order not to wake him up, but I heard him stir and then speak up and I knew I'd failed.

"Alina?" I heard a voice say softly.

"Yes?" I turned to face Jay, who was now sitting propped up, a sleepy expression on his face.

"Where are you going?"

"To get ready for bed and to go to sleep." I started shuffling over to the other side of the bed so I could get up.

"Nooo." He pouted and took hold of my hand.

"Yesss." I smiled back and pulled my arm away.

"Are you coming back?"

"Do you want me to?"

He nodded. I knew that deep down I wanted to come back too.

"Alright. I'll be back soon."

With that, I headed out of the room and toward my own, into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and quickly washed my face before applying moisturizer and eye cream.

I headed out of my room and just barely started to turn to go to Jay's room before nearly barreling straight into Mrs. Von Baron. Their room was on the other side of the floor and they normally did not stray into this wing.

"Hi Alina," she smiled. "Where are you going?"

"I was just uh- going to get water before I go to bed."

"Oh alright. Goodnight sweetie! I'm just going into Jay's room really quick to say goodnight. I just feel that he sees me as this cold, imposter-mother figure and I would just really like to talk with him more. Hopefully he's awake."

That was incredibly sweet of her. I just hoped Jay wouldn't be cold toward her, although knowing him, there was no being sure of anything. "I think he is." I just secretly hoped she wouldn't take too long because I wanted to be back in Jay's embrace for the night.

She nodded and smiled before offering me a slight wave and headed toward Jay's room. Now I actually had to go get water. My feet padded down the stairs and across the cold floor to the kitchen where I grabbed a glass of water and carried it upstairs.

Just as I was coming up the stairs, Mrs. Von Baron was coming out of Jay's room. She offered me a quick little smile before heading down the hall to her bedroom. I finished the water and set down the empty glass in my room before quickly heading into Jay's room.

He was sitting up in bed fidgeting with the Rubik's cube that always sat on his dresser. I noticed that all of the colors were nearly lined up, but then he set it down once he saw that I had come inside. I shut the door behind me and headed over to the bed.

"How nice of you to join us."

I sighed. "It took me forever because your stepmom was coming in just as I was on my way."

He shrugged. "So what?"

"Well, first of all, I think she wanted to have a talk with you one-on-one. Plus it would have been terrible if she came in and I was in your bed."

He rolled his eyes before patting the space next to him for me to lay down. "Trust me, she doesn't care. Also you look very pretty right now."

I didn't know whether that was supposed to be a compliment or not, as I was only in my pajamas, so I said nothing and got into bed next to him. "I would have just felt awkward."

"You're always awkward."

I rolled my eyes. "How'd the talk with her go?"

"And nosy."

"Okay you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

He sighed. "She came in and told me that while she knows she's not my mom, I can always come to her for anything and that I should know she will always support me."

"I think she's trying to reach out to you, Jay. What'd you say back to her?"

"I said fuck off."

I gasped. "What? Wh-"

I felt his chest move beneath my head as he started laughing his really cute laugh. "I'm only joking. I said thank you and goodnight. I appreciate the gesture, but my parents--I say parents because it's less of a mouthful than dad and stepmom--don't actually give a shit about me. I spent years waging battles alone." He shrugged. "I don't really care. Plus I'm moving out soon so a relationship with them doesn't matter to me."

"I can't say anything because I'm not in your shoes. If you feel that way, it's fine, nobody is obligated to have a good relationship with anyone."

"Thank you. I agree." Jay smiled before changing the subject. "Come on, let's get some rest." He pulled me closer and turned off the bedside lamp, rendering the whole room nearly pitch black.

"But why do you act like you don't care? I know deep down that you do. You wouldn't emphasize not caring if you actually didn't." I couldn't help but blurt out.

Jay sighed next to me. "Can we not do this right now? I had a bad, then good day with you. I don't want to talk about this."

"Yeah. Sorry," I mumbled.

I felt him shift before he placed a kiss on my forehead. My eyes widened as it was unexpected, but I felt warm inside and couldn't help but smile. Thank God he couldn't see my face.

We eventually fell asleep in each other's arms. Jay fell asleep first, of course.

———————————————————————

I woke up feeling well-rested and in a good mood. Despite the drastic turn of events that transpired yesterday, I felt that things were going quite well. More than well.

I rolled over in bed but Jay was not here any longer. Okay perhaps not that well, apparently.

I groaned internally, still paranoid that I might get caught being in his bed. The thought of his parents coming in here when I was alone terrified me. I wouldn't know what to say.

I quickly got out of bed and made it before tiptoeing to the door and peering into the hallway. I saw that nobody was there so I quickly scurried out and headed over to where my room was.

I ended up smacking into a hard chest.

"Woah, there," Jay smiled down at me. "You're such a nervous wreck."

I took a step back. "Sorry, I just had to get to my room really quickly." I squeaked.

"Aw, Ali, you're so cute," he said. "And little." Jay then patted the top of my head.

What the heck? I couldn't help but furrow my brows.

"Come downstairs for breakfast promptly, Miss Hadley."

"Yes, my dear sir," I went along with the posh accent that Jay had started speaking with. Someone was in a good mood today. "I'll be back."

With that, I headed into my room and quickly started to get ready. I washed my face and brushed my teeth and threw on a big tee and Nike athletic shorts. I eyed my phone charging on the nightstand and I resolved to call my parents tonight--I hadn't talked to them in a while.

I then headed downstairs to see that Jay had made french toast. I couldn't lie, it looked and smelled delicious.

"Are you in a good mood or something?" I teased.

Jay pulled me in for a hug and when I pulled away I saw the grin playing on his face. "I'm in a horrible mood."

We sat down and ate the french toast with strawberries and orange juice.

"That was delicious Jay, thank you." I said once I'd finished.

"Chef Jay."

"Ah. Of course."

"Kiss the chef."

"What?"

"Nothing," he smiled and took our plates to wash.

I got up and followed him to the sink. "I'll do it." He made breakfast it was only fair that I would clean up.

He shook his head. "I've got it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Alina."

"Alright. I'm going upstairs."

I bounded up the stairs and went into my room to call my parents. I picked up and saw that I had a missed call and a few texts from Griffin.

Hey

I tried to call you but u didn't pick up

Alina? can we pls talk about what happened a few nights ago??

I sighed.

griffin, i'm sorry but there is nothing to talk about. yes i said i had feelings for you bc youre my ex and those don't just go away. but its never going to happen. we can be friends if you'd like but that kiss was a mistake.

I then called my parents, who were ecstatic that I called. They told me they missed me dearly and I reciprocated. They told me all about the establishments they've made and how they're making huge strides toward expanding Hadley Real Estate.

"I'm so happy for you guys," I said into the phone.

"We're happy, too, but we can't wait to be home. We can't wait to have you home with us!" My mom said.

Realization suddenly struck: I'd have to be going home in a few weeks. I knew I had to, of course, but I was able to keep pushing the thought back until my parents brought it up just now. Whatever would happen between Jay and I until then would be bound to come to an end.

The thought made me rush to end the conversation--it would just be a reminder of the summer coming to an end soon. I missed my parents dearly, of course, but everything else in Texas was in shambles. I lost Erin, someone I'd been friends with for years. I was a naturally shy person and had a hard time making friends--Erin was one of my first and she was the one who had introduced me to my, or our, current friend group. I almost felt like an imposter in my own hometown. I was having a good time in Greenwich and Jay and I were finally on the good terms that we'd spent so long working toward.

Does he feel the same, though?

I shook the thought away. I guess today I was not up for any confrontation whatsoever.

I looked up and nearly threw my phone when I saw Jay leaning against the door.

"What are you doing? You scared me! How long have you been here for?"

"I eavesdropped on your entire conversation. You said you're a communist?" He feigned shock, pretending to have actually been listening to me.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I am a commie. My fellow communists are on their way to ambush this household as we speak."

"Spare me, please! Tell them they can have everything I own!"

"The sock and lotion under your bed?" I raised a brow, a smile playing on my face. I was on the verge of bursting out laughing, and did once I saw the blush take over Jay's face.

"How do you kn-wait. No. What? I don't have that under my bed!"

"Aw, you're the color of our manifesto."

"Shut up," he grumbled. "This isn't fun anymore." He crossed his arms and pouted.

"Come here."

Jay walked over to my bed and laid down next to me. I could smell the faint scent of shampoo on his damp hair as he rested his head on my shoulder. He'd spent so long putting up this tough exterior so that now all of the inner softness within him seemed to be seeping out.

"What I was going to say, before my home was threatened and my sock exposed, is that there is a party tonight and we should go."

"Whose is it? Some random person's?"

"No, I phrased that weirdly. I got invited and I wanted you to come with me. It's some old friends who I haven't seen in a while."

"I don't want to intrude on your get-together."

"Holy fuck. Stop worrying about everything. I invited you because I wanted you to come. My old friends are hosting it but a bunch of people are going to be there."

"Oh, alright then." I said. He actually wanted me to come, a step up from the first time I met him and he hosted. "In that case I'd love to come."

Jay suddenly shot up and leaned over me, a smirk playing across his lips. "Oh yeah? You want a part two of last night?"

Now it was my turn to become red. "No! What the heck that's not what I meant."

"Really?" He leaned down and started planting kisses on my neck, running a hand up my bare leg all the way to my upper thigh.

I let out the slightest moan, unable to contain myself.

"No, Jay," he pulled away and mocked me in a girly voice. "Don't touch meee."

I fought back the urge to roll my eyes. Instead, I tugged at the hem of Jay's shirt and he helped me pull it over his head, revealing the tanned chest and toned abs that I couldn't get enough of.

"I want to do something for you."

He raised his brows incredulously. "Am I thinking what you're thinking?"

I nodded and started unbuckling his belt. I could see the rise beneath his jeans.

"Wait," Jay ran a hand through his hair. "Are you sure? Have you done this before?"

"I did have a boyfriend, you know. We didn't not do anything."

"Ah yes, the blonde fuck. The mention of him almost killed my boner. Almost."

I let out a laugh. "Yeah, I can tell that it didn't. But let's not talk about him anymore." I then unzipped Jay's jeans and started pulling them down his legs. He helped me do so and then threw them to the floor.

I then made my way back up to Jay's lips and started kissing him while palming him through his boxers. I moved my mouth to his neck and sucked softly, and continued planting kisses down his neck all the way to his hips. I pulled the waistband of his boxers down treacherously slowly, lightly sucking on the skin beneath.

"Fuck," he breathed, his brows pulled together. "You're teasing, Alina."

I innocently batted my eyelashes up at him and I saw him suck in a breath. Just as I was about to pull his boxers all the way down his legs, a series of ding! ding! ding! started coming from the pocket in his jeans. I stopped and looked at Jay.

"Are you fucking kidding me!"

Then followed the buzzing sound of a call.

Jay grumbled. "I'm sorry," he said as he started getting up out of the bed. "I don't know who that is but it'd better be fucking important."

He walked over to the jeans and pulled the phone out, which had now stopped buzzing. I saw as Jay's grey eyes darted back and forth across the screen as he read the texts. His expression went from one of annoyance to one of worry as his eyes widened.

Jay hurriedly began to scoop up his clothes, rushing to pull them on.

"Jay? What's wrong?" I was now worried, too. I've never seen him this scared.

He said nothing as he scrambled to pull his jeans on. He then went into my closet and grabbed my sneakers.

What was he doing? "Jay?"

He walked over to me, placed my phone in one hand, and pulled me by the other. "Come on." His hand then moved to the small of my back as he led me down the stairs, his hold so firm I felt that I was on the verge of getting pushed down the stairs. He was acting erratic and not answering any of my questions.

When we had made it downstairs he disappeared into the mudroom and came out with a leash.

"Buddy!" He called out, followed by a whistle.

Buddy got up from his bed in the dining room and enthusiastically headed over to us, his paws clacking against the floors.

Jay clipped the leash onto Buddy's collar and proceeded to thrust it into my hands.

"I want you to take that back door over there and take Buddy on a walk," Jay gestured over to the backdoor in the kitchen. Buddy happily wagged his tail at the mention of a walk. "Go through the backyard. Do not go to the front no matter what. Just go across the yard, then turn left, and you can cross the street and it leads to these woods. They're perfectly safe--it's a public trail for the neighborhood. Just please hurry, don't be a snail like you always are, and don't ask questions. Please. I'll text you when you should come back."

"Jay? What's wrong? You know I can help you if there's anything-"

"What you can do for me is leave. Please. I'll explain after."