Page 35 of Frost
He swallows and looks as if he wants to say something. But then he retreats. Literally. He pulls from my arms and walks toward the kitchen. “Are there any pretzels left? I need some crack.”
I chuckle, though it sounds a bit sad to my ears.
Jack no longer runs from intimacy like he did only a few days ago, but he still has a way to go. Maybe he’ll never get there. It’s easier if he stays firm on his decision to keep a distance between us. For both of us.
“Look in the plastic container by the coffeepot,” I tell him as I head that way. Since he stole my coffee, I need to get another cup. I enter the kitchen just in time to see him stuffing two pretzels into his mouth at once. “Are you sure it’s me you missed and not the tasty little treat?”
Jack smiles around his mouthful, his cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk.
I shake my head and fill another mug of coffee, then top off his cup. I add creamer to both of ours before going back into the living room. As usual, I don’t hear his steps behind me, but I know he’s there. Even when out of sight, it’s like the energy in the air shifts around me when he’s near.
Unless I’m laser focused on writing. And then he manages to scare the hell out of me with his damn sneak attacks.
“Is this your plan for the day?” Jack asks, falling onto the couch and propping his feet up on the coffee table. “Break readers’ hearts?”
“Yep.” I take a sip of coffee and scoot the chair up to my desk. “You can watch some TV if you want while I work.”
“It won’t bother you?” he asks, perking up. “I’ve watched very little TV, though it’s always intrigued me.”
I get up and grab the remote off the entertainment center before handing it to him. “It won’t bother me at all.” I bend down and kiss his forehead. “Watch as much as you like.”
He sighs and grips my side, not letting me walk away just yet. “You aren’t leaving soon, are you?”
“I rented the cabin for another two weeks. Looks like you’ll have to put up with me for a little while longer, Frost.”
He snickers before playfully biting at my neck. “How will I ever cope? A clumsy, beautiful man has taken over my woods.”
He doesn’t want me to go.
As much as it makes me happy, it feels bittersweet. Because the longer I stay, the harder it will be when we finally have to say goodbye.
I give him another kiss before going back over to my desk. Jack turns on the TV and hums to himself as he channel surfs. Having him here with me actually helps me concentrate more. Maybe because I know where he is, that he’s not alone like the moon in my dream.
An hour later, he starts chuckling.
I turn around to him. “What’s so funny?”
“It’s a show about me,” he says, pointing to the screen. I recognize the movie instantly. It’s an old Claymation movie titledJack Frost.He then cuddles on the couch with a fleece blanket and watches the beginning credits roll, eyes big and curious. His pointed ears stick out from his silver hair. “Oh no. He’s in love with a human woman and wants to become human himself. This won’t end well.”
In a way, he’s right. Jack, from the movie, doesn’t find his happily ever after with the woman. He turns back to Jack Frost, living an immortal life, while the woman marries someone else. It makes me wonder… is that what our future looks like? Me moving on with another man while Jack watches from a distance, happy for me but sad at the same time?
My heart fucking breaks at the thought.
“I don’t hear your fingers typing, little light,” Jack says, tossing me a lopsided grin when I look back at him. “I expect another five pages before you stop for the day.”
“Yes, sir.” I scoff and turn back to my laptop.
“That’s Daddy Frost to you.”
And just like that, I’m laughing so hard my belly aches.
God. I’m not just falling for him.
I’ve already fallen.
***
Time passes, each day amazing.
