[chapter thirty]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**
~Jeffy's POV~
Ow. Ow. Ow.
Fuckin' ow.
Now I remember why I don't drink. Like, at all.
"You look terrible." I hear Jasmine's voice say from the doorway, but I don't have the strength to open my eyelids and look at her.
"I feel terrible." I say, my voice deep and raspy from sleep and beer and inhaling cigarette smoke. "Thanks."
"I come bearing coffee." She says, her voice closer to me now as she walks into the room. I venture to open one eyelid and wince at the light of the morning. Slowly, I pry the other one open and focus on Jasmine, who looks perfectly fine, and not the least hung over.
She looks like an angel.
An angel with a caffeinated beverage.
I love this woman.
"Thanks." I say, wincing as I sit up to take the coffee mug. Jasmine raises and eyebrow as she looks at me, her eyes wandering from my face further down.
I don't remember stripping off my clothes last night.
"I don't remember stripping off your clothes last night." She says, echoing my thoughts eerily.
"I don't either." I say, my head feeling hazy.
"You usually sleep naked?" Jasmine asks seriously.
"Uh … "
"Yeah, me too. I can't sleep in clothes. You're probably the same way."
I close my eyes and take a sip of what has to be the strongest coffee known to man.
"Scout brewed it." Jasmine says, again reading my thoughts. "When you're feeling up to it, I'll get you home."
"I can drive. I think."
"I would hope so. Rumour has it that's what you get paid to do for a living." Jasmine says with a wink as I lay back and close my eyes again.
"Jasmine?"
"Hrm?"
"Shut up."
I can hear her throaty laugh as she gets up and walks out of the room.
**
Situation, thy name is Awkward.
I'm getting ready to get into my car and finally head home, and Jasmine has walked me out here. I remember most of the night before, and I pray to God I wasn't an ass during the parts I don't. Mostly, I just want everything between us to be … okay.
"Jeff … " She says quietly, meeting my stare. "I'm sorry for … I'm sorry for the things I said the other night. I was just … I'm in a weird spot here. And I know you are too. So, I'm sorry."
"Do you like me?" I blurt out, echoing her words from a few nights before.
She levels her gaze at me, saying nothing for several of the longest, most painful seconds of my life. "More than I should." She finally says. "Go home, Jeff."
"Can I see you?"
"You can see me now." She says, raising an eyebrow, her voice serious but with an undercurrent of teasing.
"Jas … "
"I'll see you in a few days, Jeff." She says. "I promise. You can't get rid of me that easily."
I brush her cheek with my lips and touch her hair softly and then turn to get in my car.
And for the second time in two
days, I see Jasmine Jones blush.