Page 57 of Casualties

“I know Jackson, and again, I’m sorry.I didn’t mean for it to come off like that.I can stay as long as you need me to.”I give him a reassuring smile.

I mean it; if he needs me to be here for the rest of break so he isn’t alone, I will.We don’t choose our parents and some of us aren’t dealt a lucky hand.I’m fortunate to have the love and support of my family, Cassie’s family, and Ace’s as well.Jackson doesn’t seem to have anyone but his teammates and me.

“It’s okay, Toots.I’m happy you’re here now.”He pulls me into his broad, muscular chest and holds me close to him.I love moments like this, when he loses his erratic, controlling behavior.I miss the Jackson I met when school started.The guy who walked with me around campus, getting to know me.He listened then and truly cared what I had to say.I’m not sure when he switched up his personality to this overbearing boyfriend, but I want the old him back.

I lean into him more, wrapping my arms around him as best I can.He clears his throat.

“Hey, the meeting with my dad sucked.He has a job he needs me to do, and I would like for you to come with me.”I feel his arms get tense as he asks me.Jackson never talks about the work he does for his dad.When I've asked him in the past, he brushed it off.I don’t think he should be working after a hospital stay, but I know his dad doesn’t give him the option to say no.

Curiosity takes over and I agree to join him, more so to know about what it is Jackson does for his dad.How aloof he is when I bring it up leads me to believe it’s not necessarily public knowledge.But Jackson’s dad is a powerful man in the city, so it can’t be illegal.Can it?

* * *

I wake to bright light shining through Jackson’s balcony doors.Looking at the large man snoring next to me, I decide my boyfriend is not the most attractive version of himself in the morning.Attempting to be as graceful and silent as I can, I sit up and head for the bathroom.I have to pee so bad.The hardwood beneath my feet creaks, and I hope I didn't wake him up.Nope, he's still snoring his life away.

Exiting the bathroom, I see Jackson awake, sitting with his back against the headboard.Now that he isn’t snoring like a truck driver that smokes two packs a day, I can appreciate the hot man in front of me.

“Hey, sexy.”He grins at my compliment, then pats the bed for me to sit next to him.

“So about tonight… We are going to a two-in-one club.”I tilt my head to the side in confusion.What the hell is a two-in-one club?He continues.

“I say two-in-one, because there's a main club open to the public, but also a connected second club that is members-only.My dad wants me to attend the masquerade party they're hosting to scope out competition.Apparently the owner is a rival of his, and he wants to get insider details.”His brow furrows, and I can sense the hesitation in his voice.I already told myself I was game for whatever this job entailed, so there's no need for convincing.

“Okay, but what makes the secondary club members-only?”I have to ask.

“It’s just a club for more elite people that want a specific type of nightlife, but don’t want to be around the basic twenty-one-year-old college crowd.”My mind eases at his explanation.It’s just wealthier, more established people not wanting to dance and drink with college kids.

“Um…Okay, but I don’t understand.If this is members-only and the owner is your dad’s rival, how are we supposed to get in?”It’s a valid question.I doubt the owner wants the son of his biggest competitor to gain access to his private club.Plus, we’re not twenty-one.

“A buddy of mine has a cousin pretty high up at a marketing firm, and he's the member.It’s a masquerade party, so our identities will be hidden.”It makes sense to me now; we're sneaking in.

“Hey, have you seen my phone?I can’t find it anywhere.”I've been looking around for it as we’ve been talking, but no such luck.I need to let my parents know that Jackson and I are okay.I didn't take it off airplane mode, so they're most likely freaking out.

“I haven’t, but it should be around here somewhere.”

“Can I use yours to text my mom and let her know everything is fine, and I'll be back in a few days?”I know the sigh that escapes his lips is likely from disappointment.

“What happened to staying the rest of break?”He’s holding the phone away from me, waiting for my response.

“Jackson, your accident was minor.I said that when I thought you’d need my help.Clearly you don’t, we’re going to a party tonight.”I can’t help my eye-roll.

“Right.”His tone is clipped.Jaw tight, his eyes stay on me for a second longer before tossing his phone on the bed, the device landing with a soft thud.

“Don’t be upset.I said in a few days, so that gives us plenty of alone time.”I wink at him, a seductive smile curving my lips.He doesn’t say more, just turns his back to me and walks into his bathroom.

I type in my mom’s number and pull up a blank text thread to give her an update, hoping my phone turns up soon.

* * *

We lounged the day away, watching old movies and binging takeout.I realized midday that I had nothing to wear to a fancy masquerade ball.Jackson said I was pretty close in size to his mom, and that I could raid her closet for a dress and heels.I was hesitant when he offered, but he reassured me that his mom is never home.Apparently she has hundreds of thousands of dollars in never-worn name-brand couture.

I skim through the most expensive walk-in closet I've ever seen.A dress catches my eye, and to my surprise, it’s not black.I pinch the dark forest green satin fabric with the tips of my fingers and loosely trail them down, admiring the buttery soft feel.The corset top will help to enhance my already large boobs.What I love the most are the off-the-shoulder cap sleeves.Now for the shoes.

Jackson knocks on the closet door as I admire myself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror.I’m not typically a vain person, but damn, I look good.I can tell from the slow whistle he gives me after opening the door that Jackson approves.

“You look—Hell Toots, you look hot.”He moves in to stand behind me, pressing his groin against my lower back because of the height difference.

“Thank you.”I feel my cheeks heat from the compliment and close proximity.

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