Chapter 57

Chapter 57

The next morning, I woke up with bed head and a quiet house. There were no signs of life anywhere and I was stuck in a big house alone. Even Twila and Bradyn were missing, which was strange. They would usually wake me up whenever they were going somewhere. Why didn’t they today then? Nothing was making sense, but I didn’t have time to think about it as coffee was calling my name. 

Making myself a cup, I went outside on the porch taking in that sea like air. There was a bit of cool wind blowing and it was very relaxing. My mind was still wondering where everyone else was. How dare they just leave me behind like that? I thought we were all getting along well. Not that we needed to spend every second together, but it would’ve been nice to go wherever they were. I mean, we had no obligations until tomorrow night. There should be tons of fun happening, and that wasn’t the case right now. 

Regardless, I continued to enjoy my coffee before being greeted by Cyrus himself. He looked great dressed in jeans and a nice shirt. His watch being the most expensive thing on him. I loved his moments when he dressed like a normal person. The glitz and glamour were always fun, but this suited him best. Not to mention how much more comfortable he looked. Of course, it’s hard to do what you want when your mother is Farah. 

I smiled at him, happy that he at least was still here. For now, anyway. 

“Hey, I was wondering where everyone went.” I said, as he came to stand next to me. 

He smiled back, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I’m pretty sure the girls went out somewhere. Jay is doing his morning run and, unfortunately, I have to go with my family today.” He sighed. 

“I’m all alone today?” I asked, pouting. 

Nodding, he turned me towards him, a look of concern on his face. “Will you be ok? I’ll be back later this afternoon and was hoping you’d join me for an outing.” 

I agreed as we have had little time alone recently. “You know I never turn our secret meetings down.” I wrap my free arm around his neck. 

“Good, because I missed you.” He nuzzled his nose against mine. 

That made me giggle. He was such a sweetheart, and I couldn’t wait to see what he had planned for us to do. I knew he’d make time for us alone before that stupid dinner tomorrow night. It was only a matter of time before he came asking me to go somewhere with him. At least it gave me something to look forward to instead of just being bored all day. All I had to do now was play the waiting game. 

Before we could go in for a kiss, a jealous Jay rudely interrupted us. Neither of us were expecting him to come back so soon, but he did, and he was a sweaty mess. 

“Get a room, you filthy animals.” He said, more in a joking kind of manner. Though there was no doubt he meant it in my head. 

Cyrus laughed, shaking his head. “Didn’t know you would be back so soon.” Cyrus admitted, letting me go. “I need to get going before my mother calls me.” He fixed his attention back on me. 

“What time should I be ready?” I asked, just so I know when to get prepared. 

He thought before answering me. “Let’s shoot for 4.” He said before kissing my cheek and saying bye to Jay. 

I smiled as he rushed to go meet up with his family. He was so cute and sweet that if anyone wanted to be mad at him, you couldn’t. Despite our few incidents, he’s been nothing but a true gentleman. Nowadays it’s hard to find that in a guy and I was lucky to have found that in Cyrus. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as faithful as he was being to me, making me feel like shit. However, I couldn’t exactly control how I felt. Plus, nothing was official. At least not until next week, where anything could be possible. 

Sighing, I finished my cup of coffee before catching Jay staring at me. He wore a smile on his face but said nothing to me at first. It was awkward with him looking at me like this, but I would not question him. He did just see his best friend and I being lovey after expressing how jealous it made him last night. If this were reversed, I can’t say I wouldn’t have the same reaction as him. There was also the possibility I wouldn’t be able to hide it as well as he could. 

Adverting his eyes, Jay spoke to me in a soft tone. “Where is he taking you?” He asked me, not really wanting to hear the answer. 

I shrugged. “I’m not sure he just said to be ready.” I said as to not upset him too much. 

“Right.” His lips pursed. “Ok, I’m going to go get this sweat off me.” 

With that, he walked away, but I wasn’t accepting that. That’s all he wanted, really? I knew he got jealous, but to just end our conversation so short would not fly. As he walked into the house, I followed behind him before setting my mug back in the kitchen. If he thought he was getting away from me, he had another thing coming! I didn’t want to be alone. Everyone was already gone. Jay was my last hope of doing anything fun until later. 

We get to his room he’s staying in as he goes into the bathroom to turn the shower on. Coming out of the bathroom, confused to see me standing there. Not that he paid much attention to me because he went to close his room door before pulling clothes out of his bag. Clearly, he was ignoring me for whatever reason. His thinking was backwards. We were just fine yesterday and now he was acting like I didn’t exist. What was up with him? 

Still ignoring me, he went back into the bathroom, not saying one word to me. I had nothing to lose, so I walked into the bathroom, noticing he was now in the shower. Taking off my clothes, I walked into the shower as well, surprising him. He was under the water as droplets cascaded down his chiseled chest. His curly hair was now soaking wet, with a small curl resting against his forehead. Why did he have to look so good all the time? It was sickening. 

After staring at me forever, he switched places with me getting my hair wet now. “Why did you follow me in here?” He asked, gently putting water on my body. 

I crossed my arms over my chest as if he hadn’t seen me naked before. “What’s going on with you this time?” I was going to be the one asking questions. 

He chuckled, acting oblivious. “What are you talking about now?” He sucked at playing the idiot. 

“What’s with the small talk? Every day, are we just going to keep starting over?” I was annoyed at this point. “I know it’s hard, but damn, can we put all the other bullshit aside and just enjoy each other while we can?” 

“Exactly, while we can.” He said, making me shut my mouth. 

I can see why he was acting the way he was. Once Cyrus made his choice, it’s not like we could continue to do this. Just like Cyrus, he had feelings for me as well. Same as I for him and to get so close to one another just for it not to amount to anything was unfair. It’s not like I was going to turn Cyrus down, either. Someone I wanted to be with for the past seven weeks and finally had the opportunity. But that didn’t mean I wanted to give up Jay, either. The definition of having your cake and eating it, too, was me. Though that would not happen. 

Looking down, I continued to enjoy the water, not knowing what to say to him. He was right, and I couldn’t bear the thought of not having Jay in my life anymore. I promised him I wouldn’t leave him, but I didn’t think I might actually have to. Especially if we didn’t want Cyrus to find out about our secret love affair. 

Jay leaned against the shower wall, looking so hurt. I brought him so much distress, yet he still wanted to be with me somehow. 

“I don’t want to be angry at you or at Cyrus or anything like that.” He speaks. “When next week comes, there’s a possibility that you won’t be able to be mine anymore. I won’t be able to do the things I want with you because you’ll be with someone else.” 

The way he poured his heart out to me all the time was unmatched. No guy has ever expressed himself to me the way Jay does. Not even Cyrus. 

I walked up to him, resting my hand on his cheek like he did to me. “Can’t we just focus on the here and the now? Nothing is happening until next Saturday.” I try to reason with him. “That’s plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company. I don’t want to see you every time, and we have the same confrontation over and over. I want...I want to see you and just be with you, Jay.” 

“It’s hard to do when I see you with Cyrus. Even just knowing you're going to be alone with him later drives me fucking insane.” He raked his fingers through his wet hair. 

I smirked, leaning up to his ear. “Well, I’m alone with you right now.” I whisper before nibbling on his earlobe. 

Feeling him shudder at my touch, I knew that got him to shut up and take me right in the shower. That’s exactly what he did as he pinned me against the shower wall, kissing me passionately. It wasn’t the solution to our entire problem, but it was enough to get his mind off of things for a bit. Amazingly, too. He was just as great as he was the first time we did this and more attentive this time around. The steam from the shower was nothing compared to the steam we were creating on our own. If it weren’t because we were sharing this place with other people, I’d opt to stay like this all day long. Jay was a weakness I would never overcome. No matter how hard I would have to try. 

After we finished our business in the shower, we washed up, heading back into the bedroom. It was still early, and the girls weren’t back yet. Before getting dressed, we climbed into his bed as I laid against his chest. Holding me in his arms tightly and securely. There’s no place I’d rather be at this moment. Deep down, I knew he was right about next week changing everything. As much as I didn’t want to accept it. We were going to spend as much time as possible together. 

“Autumn,” he spoke, “have you thought about what to do if he chooses you?” He asked me, rubbing my back slowly. 

I didn’t look at him because I didn’t want to see the sadness in his eyes. “Not exactly. I was hoping it’ll all work itself out.” I said honestly. 

Jay chuckled. “Figures.” His spirits changed. “Next week, if you can, I’m gonna spend almost every day with you until I can’t. If that’s ok with you.” 

I squeezed his chest slightly, feeling warm inside. “That sounds perfect.” 

He kissed the top of my head, snuggling me closer. “Good.”