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Cocking his head to the side, he asks, “This is the house you visited each summer?”
“For as long as I can remember. Why?”
I can hear the wonder in his voice as he admits, “Wow. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked right by this place. It’s a wonder our paths haven’t crossed earlier.”
“Do you live near here?” I ask, wondering just how often he passed by. I would’ve noticed Jax. I’m certain of that.
“No, I live at the other end of town. But my buddies and I used the Prom as a shortcut to get to one another’s houses before we started driving.”
“Sloane? Is that you?” I hear a male voice call from behind, causing me to jump back from Jax. I hadn’t realized my body had crept closer to him.
Turning, I smile at Ryan approaching. He’s sweaty and must’ve been out for a run. But I quickly make introductions before he jumps to any conclusions. “Hey, Ry, how’s it going? You remember Jax, right?”
Reaching out his hand, Jax offers it to Ryan. “Great to see you, man. It’s been awhile.”
“You were great at open mic. I had no idea you could sing like that. You still at Berkeley?” Ryan asks with interest.
“Thanks. It was a first. I’m just home for the summer.”
Looking from me to Jax, Ryan asks, “What are you two up to?”
“Jax just got himself a regular gig at Pop’s. Lanie will get to experience his talents all summer long,” I proudly inform Ryan.
“Wow. Congratulations. I’m sure the crowd will love you. Lanie and Sloane couldn’t stop talking about your performance the other night.”
He cocks a brow in my direction. “Is that right?”
Fuck… I don’t want him to get the wrong impression. “We were just talking about how insanely talented you were, and how I got you to perform again tonight. It’s not that big of a deal.”
Ryan glances at the house and notices Lanie plop down on the couch in the living room. “Look, I’ll catch you later. Lanie and I have a movie night planned, and I need a shower. It was great seeing you, man. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
Like a moth to a flame, Ryan doesn’t even wait for a response before bee-lining it up the path into the house. That man is so in love with my sister, it’s like she’s the only one he sees.
Rocking back on his heels, Jax watches Ryan hop up the steps to the deck and bound into the house. “Well, I should let you hang out with your family. Thanks again for encouraging me to perform tonight. It was a lot of fun.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I can’t wait to see you again Thursday night.”
Jax stares at me for the longest moment. His body leans closer to mine. The tension that’s been shifting between us all night is back with a vengeance. I know without a doubt he’s about to lean in and kiss me; I’ll have no choice but to kiss him back.
Suddenly, a shout comes from my house, “Want us to save the movie for you?”
Could my family have worse timing?
It feels like a needle scratching across vinyl as I watch him blink and pull away. “I’d better let you get in there. But, Sloane… for the record…” He leans in closer, and I can barely remember how to breathe. But instead of kissing me, he smirks. “I’ll be asking you what you did to unplug the next time I see you. You’d better be able to tell me you’ve done something just for you.”
“Uh… Bossy much?” I sputter, trying to come up with a comeback and utterly fail. Now I sound like I’m twelve.
Laughing, Jax turns and starts walking away, but after a few steps, he stops and glances over his shoulder with a challenge, “Oh, Sloane. You have no idea just how bossy I can be. I guess you’ll just have to hang out with me more to find out.”
Without letting me say another word, he pivots and walks away, and the only thing I can think of isyeah, I’d like to see you try.
I’ll give my sister Lanie some credit for her restraint. We make it nearly twenty-five minutes into the movie before she turns to me with a pointed stare. At first, she just silently scrutinizes me. I feel her gaze, but I do my best to ignore her and watch the movie. Then she finally breaks and blurts out, “So, what’s up with you and Jax?”
With popcorn halfway to my mouth, I stop and stare, wondering where she’s going with this. “What do you mean?”
Giving me a look only an older sister can perfect from watching my mom, she chastises me, “You know exactly what I mean. What’s going on with the two of you?”
“I’m helping him gain exposure. I think he’s just the type we’re looking for in terms of local talent for the festival later this summer.”
