Chapter 39: Twenty Seven-1

9:46 PM I don't. I don't let go. I do pull away long enough to inspect his face. His brows are drawn down, his bottom lip raw. The way he's chewing on it, I can see why. "Jax. Oh my God. What's wrong?" He shakes his head, saying nothing before bowing it and burying it into my shoulder. Has Xavier completely crossed that line? Has he said something? My stomach drops to the floor and the air becomes too thick to breathe. "Jax," I repeat. "What's wrong? You're scaring me." He still doesn't speak but I feel his hands link through my hair. His touch is far more rough than I'm used to. They slide from my hair and as they move up my back he finally moves his face from my shoulder so he's looking at me. He cups my face, the pads of his thumbs tracing across my cheeks. "Angel," he whispers. "Jackson." His lips press to my forehead. "Jackson. Talk to me, please." "I can't Lola. Just let me hold you." He knows. He either knows something is up or this Jax in front of me is a glimpse of the person he was, or claimed to be before me. Before Sunday himself, was as vital to me as air. I wrap my hand in his and tug him to the bed. Obviously he doesn't want to talk, or he can't bring himself to say what he wants to say. I pull the covers to the side and motion for him to get in. He does, shuffling across the small twin bed so his back is against the wall. I follow suit and climb in beside him, moving my body until I feel his chest pressed to my back. His arm scoops around me and he pulls as if I can somehow get any closer. "Angel?" "Yeah?" "If I ever lost you, I'd have no reason to live." These are the only words he mutters before I hear his breathing slow. It's deep and shallow. "Jax?" I whisper. I get no response. While Jackson sleeps, I can't help but worry about the future. The next morning, I wake to a text from Madeline. There are none from Xavier, thank God. Jackson slept beside me like a log but with the limited space in my bed, his limbs are dead weight on top of me. "Jax," I say, trying to slip out from underneath him. "Jax." He groans and rolls over, mumbling something almost incoherent. I can't be sure but I think he speaks my name. I do an ungraceful dismount from the bed, sure that the thud of my feet hitting the ground is going to wake him but it doesn't. Tori's bed remains empty. I grab my toiletry bag and head to the shower, convinced he will be awake when I return, but he's not. I crawl on the bed and place my lips on his. His eyelashes flutter like the wings of a butterfly before they open. "Hi," he says. "Good morning Jackson Nathaniel Sunday." "I like it when you use my full name." "I know. Listen. I promised Madeline I'd meet her for a coffee. Stay here. Sleep. I'll bring you a coffee back and we can spend the day together." "Madeline? As in Mason?" he questions. "The same one. It's kind of a long story. I'll explain later." He nods. "Hey, where's Tori?" Right. I was supposed to be headed back to the dorm yesterday to help Tori. I shrug, feeling like shit about my lie. "I dunno. She had a fight with Leo and then left with him I think. Making up, probably." "I could sleep for an eternity," Jax says. I kiss his cheek. "Sleep then. I'll be back when you wake up, promise." "I love you, Angel." "Love you too." I leave and fire a text to Tori. Two words. Cover me. I don't need to explain any further. We've been roommates for a long time and despite any differences we may have, it's not the first or the last time this request will have been made by either of us. Madeline is standing outside her apartment waiting for me. I look around nervously, my eyes darting from place to place in search of Xavier. I don't need to run into him this morning so I send a prayer into the universe that I don't. For whatever reason, maybe the same universe that brought me Jackson, grants this small request. Madeline drives an Austin Mini. I'm no towering giant by any stretch but cramming myself into the front seat is nothing short of ridiculous. I fire off directions on how to get to Zena's shop. "What the hell am I going to say to her?" Madeline shifts the gears of the car, backing out of the stall and shrugs. "Demand answers, Lola. You deserve them. This woman flipped your whole life upside down, the least she can do is be honest with you." "You know something," I say, "you're absolutely right." She grins. "It happens on occasion. Do you want to stop for coffee?" "Can we stop after? I want to bring Jax some." She nods, continuing to drive, following my verbal directions without once asking me to repeat them. It takes less than ten minutes to get to the infamous palm reading slash magic bakery house. Madeline cuts the engine. "Do you want to go in alone?" "No," I say quickly. I fear that I'll not have enough aggression with Zena. After all it's my future. I could let her off easy, unsure of if I want the full truth or the truth that I'm hoping for. Either way, I suspect Madeline has a no nonsense way about her and I could use someone like that right about now. I knock on Zena's door, and in moments, the same blonde woman, this time sporting a Ramone's t-shirt answers the door. "Lola," she says. "Good to see you again." I force a tight smile. "I wish I could say the same." I motion to Madeline. "This is Madeline, a friend of mine." Xena steps back to let us both slip past her. "Come in." The smell of incense is strong enough to make my eyes water. Madeline probably feels right at home. Zena shuts the door and turns. "How can I help you?" "I need to know about my future," I say. She points to a chalkboard stand on the ground. "What'll it be, darling?" Palm Reading $40 Tarot Cards $60 Tea Leaf Reading $45 "Seriously?" Madeline says, "You're going to charge her? Your black magic cupcake messed with her life."