Page 12 of Side Out

So he’s from Montana, good to know. “So you’re a hacker?” For some reason, the image of this man sitting in front of a computer makes me smile.

I haven’t smiled this much in a while. And despite everything that this is… or isn’t… when I’m around him, it feels…good.

He shrugs and says, “Pretty much. But as far as the school is concerned… I just want to go into security.”

We’re still so close to one another, and I don’t want to pull away. But I have to.

I. Have. To.

So, once again, as I remember all of my responsibilities in life, I let my smile fall and step away from him.

Confusion and concern cover his face, but before he can say anything, I cut him off. “This can’t happen again. Goodnight, Jax.”

Without another word, I get in my car and head home to my fiancée.

COFFIN - PLVTINUM

CHAPTER8

I NEEDED A NEW GROCERY STORE

JACKSON

It’s been a week since we kissed in the parking lot.

An entire week of me wanting to bury myself deep inside of him every time I see him.

Which, admittedly… has been… a lot.

Because I can’t get myself to stop.

?*He’s been doing everything in his power to avoid me. He’s stopped following me to campus. He’s stopped looking at me through his living room window. He’s stopped coincidentally getting the mail at the same time as me. And that just won’t do.

So now, I follow him.

I can’t stop.

I’ve been late to classes. Late to workouts. I’ve canceled plans with Clay. I’ve missed FaceTimes with my family. All because I can’t get myself to stop. Wherever he is, is where I want to be.

No, need to be.

I watch him during Emerson’s practices. I watch him come in and out of the sports complex. I found out which grocery store he shops at, and it now just so happens to be where I shop… at the same time as him.

To be quite frank, it’s taken every ounce of my power not to break into that little yellow house across the street and set up cameras so I can always have an eye on him.

My new obsession.

But that would be crazy, right? Right.

I’m obsessed. I’m obsessed with seeing him every chance I get. I’m obsessed with staring into his green eyes as he grows more and more frustrated with his desire to want me too. I’m obsessed with the thought of tasting him again. I’m obsessed with imagining every which way he can be completelymine.

So I watch.

I’malwayswatching him.

I. Can’t. Stop.

And I know he thinks we can’t. I know he’s in an impossible position. And I know none of this is healthy.

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