Chapter Four
Jaxon's pov- Morning at the Graysons'
Amelia came early to catch up on schoolwork she missed during vacation. Since we were both seniors-and since she believed we were still something-I was stuck helping her.
"Baby, I'm tired," she whined.
I exhaled. "Stop calling me that around people. What should my parents think?"
I didn't wait for her reply. I walked into the kitchen.
The aroma hit me first-barbecue, seafood, spices.
"Mom... What's going on? Are Nana and Grandpa coming?"
She gasped softly. "Oh, my darling, did I forget to tell you? The Smiths are coming. For a reunion!"
I paused.
Aurora... here?
"Oh! And tell Amelia to join us too," Mom added. "Her parents won't be home until night. Be a good boy."
Of course.
Upstairs, Amelia was half-buried in my sheets.
One glance at her bare thigh peeking out-and immediately, unwanted heat stirred in my stomach.
I looked away fast.
I didn't want to make a terrible mistake in my parents' house.
A cold shower was mandatory.
Under the running water, the mint soap, the steam-my mind wandered places it shouldn't. And when I stepped out, towel slung low around my waist, Amelia wrapped herself around my back, arms sliding over my bare chest.
I stiffened instantly.
"Amelia. Respect my home, at least."
She groaned. "Jaxon, I'm your fucking girlfriend. Why are you denying me?"
I pulled her off gently. "You're not. We only hooked up two days ag-"
That was when it happened.
The door burst open.
And there she stood.
Aurora.
Frozen.
Mortified.
Her eyes dragged-unwillingly-over my body, then lower...
and I realized, too late, that the towel didn't hide much.
Especially not the bulge pressing against the fabric from Amelia springing on me a minute earlier.
Aurora's face twisted with shock and disgust-and she slammed the door so hard the walls shook.
My entire body went hot.
Not with embarrassment.
With something else. Something I shouldn't feel.
"Jaxon-" Amelia started.
"Just go downstairs," I snapped. Harder than I meant. "Everyone's waiting."
My pulse was loud in my ears.
She saw me like that.
Why did I even care? A lot of girls wants to see what she saw freely.
Layla poked her head in moments later.
"Mom says the Smiths are here-oh. I didn't need to see all this."
"Ever heard of privacy!?" I barked.
"Bet," she said, rolling her eyes.
I wasn't mad at her.
I was mad at myself.
And at why my stomach flipped when I thought of Aurora's expression.
~~~
Aurora's pov
It was the weekend, and today was finally the day Mom and I would properly visit the Graysons. The first time I ever stepped into their house was because of Layla, and it barely counted-i didn't meet her parents. Today was meant to be a full reunion.
I woke up earlier than usual.
The first golden rays of the Californian sun spilled through my half-open curtains, washing my room in honeyed light. The Ravenwood's breeze drifted in, soft and salty, carrying faint whispers of jasmine from the yard. It slid across my bare shoulders as I stretched, legs dangling lazily off the bed.
I tumbled over my pillow, brushing a cascade of flossy chestnut waves out of my face. The tug pulled a tiny groan from my lips.
"Aurora! Be ready in an hour!" Mom yelled from downstairs.
My phone buzzed with a notification from the female football group chat.
"Official match in one month. I expect more resilience and team spirit - Coach Ramirez."
I squealed quietly. This already made my morning. I couldn't wait to tell Layla.
I stepped in front of the mirror and admired the look I'd chosen last night:
A sleek jade-green sundress that hugged my body just right. The soft fabric shaped my waist, skimmed my hips, and stopped mid-thigh-playful, but not too loud.
My nails-glossy nude with tiny gold flakes-glimmered when the light caught them.
I wrapped my chestnut hair into a tight doughnut bun.
Then I fastened the friendship bracelet Layla and I got together.
"Aurora!" Mom called again.
"I'm coming!" I yelled back, slinging my sleepover bag over my shoulder.
The moment I stepped into the living room, Mom eyed me top to bottom.
"Oh wow. Who are you looking sexy for? Hmm? You've got a boyfriend"
I groaned loudly. "Mom, please don't ruin my beautiful morning."
She laughed, grabbing her car keys. But before she opened the driver's door, Dad called her phone-and her mood shifted instantly.
She stepped out and slammed the door harder than necessary.
Her voice turned sharp and frustrated. She paced the length of the car; her hands cut through the air with every word. I couldn't hear the conversation, but the tension wrapped around my ribs.
I hoped it wouldn't ruin her day.
~~~At the Grayson's house ~~~
Mrs. Grayson said Layla had gone upstairs to call Jaxon, so I followed.
I should have remembered it was his room.
I should have knocked
I should have done anything except what I did.
I opened the door.
And instantly regretted being alive.
Jaxon stood there-wet hair falling over his eyes, towel hanging dangerously low on his hips... mint scent drifting through the air.
Amelia behind him.
Hands on his chest.
Both are still half-naked.
And him,
Hard.
My throat closed.
I gasped.
Nearly swallowed my tongue.
My heart slammed into my ribs so loud I thought everyone heard it.
I searched the room desperately-praying Layla was magically in there.
She wasn't.
I slammed the door with enough force to cause trauma to the wood.
I leaned my forehead against it.
Breathing fast.
Face burning.
"What the hell did I just see?"
I bolted to Layla's room.
Flopped onto her bed.
Covered my face with a pillow.
Layla came out of the bathroom humming.
"Hi gir-why do you look like you fought with God?"
"Let's just go eat," I muttered, refusing eye contact.
At the table, Amelia already sat pretty-acting innocent.
Mom glared at us. "You two took too long."
"Sorry, Mom."
"Where's Jaxon?" she asked.
"Right here, Mrs. Smith."
He arrived smelling like mint and trouble, dressed in a perfectly tailored two-piece.
His wet hair still framed his face carelessly... tauntingly.
He slid into the only empty chair.
Between me and my mother.
I grabbed my phone and texted Layla under the table: "Please switch seats "
Before I saw her reply-
Jaxon snatched my phone.
"We've wasted enough time," he said. "Let's eat."
He winked.
I clenched my hand into a fist.
"Damn him," I whispered under my breath.
And silently added-
"Why does he have to look like that today of all days?"
Amelia's pov-
Jaxon walked in and I nearly choked on her own breath.
He looked criminally good.
The two-piece.
The damp hair.
The mint scent.
The quiet, dangerous confidence.
And then he went straight to her.
The girl from earlier.
The one who walked in on us.
He took her phone.
He winked at her.
my stomach twisted.
Who the hell is she?
And why was she getting the attention I fought so hard for?
Even if he has other flings. I wasn't losing him.
Not today.
Not ever.
I would find out who that girl was.
And handle it.
