Page 35 of Forever Home

“She hasn’t eaten one since she got sick in high school,” Kylie pipes up. “Ever since you dared her to eat more than you, if I remember correctly.” She laughs. “So basically, it’s your fault.”

His eyes go wide, and I can’t help but shoot her a “what the fuck” glare. The last thing I need is him daring me to do something like that again, because I won’t back down. Even if I don’t want to do it. I’d never live it down if I did.

“You seriously haven’t eaten one since high school?” he gasps, a smile spreading across his face before laughter escapes him.

“No, I haven’t.”

A devilish grin slowly spreads across his face. There’s a calculating look in his eyes as the imaginary gears seem to turn within his head. I know that look. I remember it all too well. It’s the same look he and Asher would give someone right before they dared them to do something stupid.

Like eating funnel cake until they made themselves sick.

“Don’t you dare,” I say slowly, narrowing my eyes at him.

Once again, laughter leaves him. I look to Kylie and Knox for support, only to see the two of them have ventured off towards the funnel cake stand.

Jaxson wraps a firm arm around my shoulder. “Don’t worry… I don’t really want to see you throw up tonight.”

My eyes lift to meet his and my breath catches in the back of my throat. The last time I was this close to him was when he was with me in Mrs. Kendall’s house. The feeling of how badly I wanted him to kiss me resurfaces.

“Thanks…” The words leave me softer than I expect them to. My heart beating rapidly as he stands staring at me, lips parted as if to say something but unable to.

“Hey! Do you guys want a drink?” Knox calls out, pulling both of our attention towards the funnel cake tent. I move out of Jaxson’s reach as I make my way towards them.

“Yeah, grab me a coke.”

Or anything for that matter to distract me from whatever is going on with Jaxson. I spent years wanting him, wanting everything with him, and it ended with me getting my heart broken. Now, it’s like he finally sees me.

The conflict of my past feelings for Jaxson swells within my chest. How is it that after so many years he’s able to make me feel the way I do around him?

I don’t have to turn around to know that he’s staring at me. The feeling of his eyes boring into the back of my head causes me to glance over my shoulder to see him watching me. A small smile pulls at his lips when he notices me noticing him.

Jesus Christ… Why does that smile look so good on him?

“Everything okay?” I turn to face Kylie who’s frowning at me, shoving a piece of powdered sugar-covered funnel cake in her mouth while struggling with her polar bear and other winnings.

“Yeah,” I reply quickly. “Here let me take those stuffed animals for you while you eat that.”

She willingly passes them over, a low groan of satisfaction leaving her lips as she pops another piece of funnel cake into her mouth. “This is so good…”

Ew.

“More for you.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks again, her eyes sliding to Jaxson before landing on me. “Every time he’s around…”

I frown at her comment. “Every time he’s around what?”

Shrugging her shoulders, she nods her head in the direction of Jaxson and Knox, who are busy in conversation while picking at the plate of funnel cake in Knox’s hand. “I may not say much, Madi, but I’m not blind. I can tell there’s something going on between you guys, and honestly… I hope there is.”

“Nothing’s going on,” I say, straightening my shoulders. “We’re just friends.”

She pops another piece in her mouth, raising her eyebrow at me. “Uh-huh. Even Sam has said there is something going on with you.”

What the fuck? Sam is talking to Kylie about me and Jaxson?

“There’s nothing.”

As much as I want to keep denying it, I don’t know what to think. I cared about him at one point in my life, but that was back then. There’s no way that I can let myself fall for a man like Jaxson Rivers. Can I?

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