JAX
THEN
Four and half months came and went, and I graduated from high school. The last time I saw or spoke to Sophie was a few weeks ago. Not from lack of trying. I was moving into my new apartment near campus, in the same complex as Kinley.
It took up a lot of my time. When I wasn’t packing and unpacking, I was at football camp, getting ready for the season come August. Being away from Sophie wasn’t something I wanted, but it was definitely what I needed…
I hated that more than anything.
I missed her ridiculously contagious laugh. Her infectious smile. Her hazel eyes that held more expression than any other person I knew. I missed the way she felt in my arms. The sound of her voice and the smell of her hair. I basically became a fucking pussy. Dreaming about her was my new normal.
I. Missed. Her.
All of her.
From beginning to end.
I read some of the books she told me about, just to feel close to her. Memorizing her favorite parts she always spoke about. Feeling nostalgic, I grabbed the picture I had of her in my drawer, looking at it as I laid on my bed.
The last time she slept in my arms, I snapped a photo of her and printed it out at the university library. Impulsively, I texted her, hoping like hell she would answer this time.
Jax: I’m thinking about you.
Was all I said.
The last couple of texts I sent her, she didn’t reply, and I knew it was because she thought I was once again trying to stay away from her. Maybe a part of me was, especially now that I didn’t live at the house anymore.
It was easier to keep my distance, but to her it probably felt like I was fucking her over again. It was what I was known best for. I was beyond frustrated when it came to her, not knowing what the right or wrong thing to do was.
For once, I wanted to do the right thing.
Throwing my phone onto my bed, I went to take a shower. I didn’t expect her to text me back—Sophie was a stubborn little shit like that. After I was finished, I tossed the towel that was around my waist onto my desk chair and grabbed a pair of gym shorts from my dresser.
All of a sudden, my cell phone dinged with a new text message from her. I opened it, and a video started downloading on the screen. She didn’t send videos of herself ever, so I was immediately intrigued.
Cocking my head to the side, I waited for the video to come through, and I was almost knocked on my ass from what was playing out in front of me.
She was in the arms of another guy. His face wasn’t on the screen, but hers sure as shit was. She was smiling at me while both of his arms were around her body from behind her.
“What the fuck?” I rasped to myself before replying.
Jax: What are you doing?
It didn’t take long for her to answer.
Baby Sophie: I’m on a date.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I roared out loud.
Jax: Where are you?
I waited for what felt like forever with no response.
Jax: Don’t fuck with me. Where are you?”
Still no answer.
I paced around my bedroom, raking my hands through my hair, wanting to rip it out of my head. I looked at the video again, realizing she was laying on her bed. Making me see nothing but fucking red.