Page 44 of Forever Home

“Real funny,” I reply, pointing the hammer at him threateningly. “I haven’t seen you pick up as much as a tool or paintbrush yet. So don’t come in here, wise guy, and—”

“Woah,” Knox intervenes, holding me by the shoulder as he turns me away jokingly. “Don’t bait him, Jaxson.”

I notice how Asher’s demeanor turns a little more serious, causing Knox and I both to frown. Something I’m not used to seeing on Asher.

“What’s up, man?” Knox asks, stepping closer to him.

“I actually wanted to talk to you, Knox. Got a minute?”

I don’t pay too much mind to the fact that Asher wants to speak to Knox privately. Though the three of us have been friends for a long time, Knox has always had the ability to help us think through shit. Which is why I’ve thought about talking to him about Madi over the last few days, but every time I do… I chicken out.

Making my way towards the kitchen for a drink, I glance out the window and spot Knox and Asher talking underneath the treehouse. The two were in a heated conversation, with a look of defeat on Asher’s face. And to top it all off, I don’t miss Sam’s head that passes the large window of the treehouse as the two men talk.

It’s only after a few minutes that Knox comes strolling back towards the house, and steps in to find me still gazing out the window. “What was that all about?”

“Well,” he sighs. “He finally realizes that he loves Sam and wants to spend the rest of his life with her, though he also acknowledges that he’s a complete idiot.”

“Uh,” I mutter, lifting my water bottle to my lips. “Well, whatever you two just talked about, Sam heard it.”

He turns quickly, eyes locked onto mine under a narrowed brow. “What are you talking about?”

I can’t help but chuckle as I point out the window. “She’s in the treehouse… or, well… was. Now she’s climbing down the ladder.”

“Seriously?”

Knox pushes into the view of the window, the two of us standing there watching Asher and Sam talk before they dive into a deep kiss, his arms around her waist as he sweeps her off her feet. It touches me that the two of them were able to fix their relationship. They were meant to be together regardless of the bullshit that happened in high school.

“I’m glad that they were able to fix things,” I finally say, a feeling growing in the pit of my stomach that I can’t quite put my finger on. Is it jealousy? Longing? Or something else?

As much as I want to stay and carry on with Knox and the others on the project, I can’t. Pulling out my phone, I check the time and internally cringe. I only have two hours until I’m supposed to board my flight and I still have to make it to the airport.

The realization that I’m leaving hits me like a ton of bricks. “I’m gonna have to head out, Knox. I’ve got a plane to catch.”

He meets my gaze with a smile and nods. “No worries, man. I’m looking forward to seeing the show when it comes out. We have everything in hand here. By the time you get back, you’re going to be shocked by the changes.”

“I appreciate everything, Knox,” I reply, his words touching me in a way that I can’t explain. It’s exactly what I would have liked to hear from my parents but of course, that didn’t happen.

Gathering my things, I make my way out towards the car. I planned on saying goodbye to Sam and Asher, but I don’t have the heart to ruin the moment they are having. Knox informs me on my way out that he would explain everything to them, and to hurry before I missed my flight.

As much as I appreciate him doing that, there’s one person I can’t get off my mind. One person that I don’t want Knox having to say goodbye for me. As soon as I put the car into drive and head down the road, I dial Madison’s number. My heart races at the thought of talking to her. I can’t help but feel like there could be something between Madi and I, and with me leaving, I won’t get the chance to dive deeper into it.

“Hey, you!” Her sweet voice says after the third ring. “What’s our favorite TV star doing?”

“I’m not a TV star yet,” I laugh. “But maybe one day.”

“Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that. So, what’s up?”

Hesitating for a moment, I try to gather my thoughts. “Well, I’m currently heading to the airport and I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye to you.”

“Oh,” she replies with silence following. “Well, I mean it’s not forever Jaxson. You will be back in four months and then we will be seeing a lot more of each other while you’re filming.”

“I know. I just didn’t want to leave without calling you.”

Something about telling her makes my stomach flutter in a way I don’t expect. Madison and I had always been close, just like we both werewith the others, and then life pulled everyone apart. Now, even though conversation still tends to come easy with her usually, it’s different.

“Well, thank you for calling me,” she replies, sounding a little hesitant before cheering up again and asking, “Did you already see the others?”

“Yes and no,” I reply, my eyes fixed to the road. “I was with Knox earlier, and then Asher stopped by but the conversation with him was short. He ended up making up with Sam at the treehouse.”

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