I can't stop the smile that takes over my face at that. I know what she means, and she's right. Idoneed to get used to being independent again.
What she doesn't realize is that I can do that even with Jax by my side.
But I'm not quite ready to share that part of my life with her, especially after what she just said. So instead, I distract her by grabbing my own drink and taking a big swig.
"I can be drunk with or without a man. Right now, I want to listen to Illenium and forget that I have Karens to deal with in the morning and statistics to worry about at night. So can we just turn the music on? I want to see how long we can go before your neighbors come banging on your door again."
Remy's grin is both delighted and vicious. "Yes, ma'am," she says, grabbing her phone.
* * *
Twenty-four hours later, I’m in the exact same position: sitting on my computer, lost in the confusing universe of statistics, while Remy sticks her fifth pen in her hair as she tries to muddle through a plot hole in her new novel.
Only, instead of ending the night giggling on the couch watching old videos that we’ve taken of light shows, our study session ends with Remy announcing her brain is done for the night and that she needs to go punch her boyfriend in the face a little to relax.
I turn toward my sister with an amused grin. "Are you coming back here afterwards?"
Remy looks slightly guilty as she answers. "I was going to stay with Tristan, if you don't mind the empty apartment. You can sleep in my bed if you want." She studies me for a moment before adding, "But I can have Tristan come here instead if you want the company. I don't want to leave you here alone if it bothers you."
I wave her off. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine here. It might even be nice to get some peace and quiet without your big mouth and loud moans for once." When her jaw drops in shocked outrage, I can only chuckle. "The second part was a joke. You're notthatloud."
She narrows her eyes at me, then grabs a pillow and chucks it at me. "Brat," she mutters under her breath.
I turn back to my homework with another chuckle. It's not long before I hear her sing her goodbye and leave the apartment.
I manage to immerse myself in my homework enough that I completely zone out of the real world. So when my phone rings, I startle hard enough that I almost fall off the couch.
Jax's caller ID lights up my screen. "Jax?" I answer in surprise.
"Hey, Hailey, what're you doing right now?" his deep voice comes from the other end of the line.
"Um, I'm doing homework. Aren't you at the gym? What's going on?"
"I got the night off. Open the door."
I look to the front door in surprise. "You're here?" I ask incredulously.
"Don't make me ask again, baby girl," he growls through the phone. And I swear he can sense the shiver that runs through my body at his deep timber because I'm fairly certain I can also sense the smirk on his face.
I stand up and open the door to find Jax leaning against the doorframe, looking just as delicious as he always does. He towers over me, and yet again, I find myself wondering if he's ever gotten stuck in doorways—that's how huge he is. He's wearing worn jeans and a slate-colored Henley that looks like it's straining at the threads to cover his broad chest. With one hand holding his phone to his ear and the other in his pocket, he is the epitome of effortless self-confidence.
I don't even realize I lick my lips at the sight of him until Jax's smiling expression morphs into intense focus at the sight of my tongue darting out.
"Is Remy here?" he asks, tucking his phone into his pocket.
I drop my own phone. "She left for the gym not long ago."
He wastes no time. "Good," he growls, pressing me back into the apartment and slamming the door behind us. "Because I need to kiss you more than I need to breathe right now."
In the blink of an eye, I'm spun and my back is against the door. I don't even have time to gasp in surprise because Jax steals the breath right out of me.
The way that Jax kisses me is… epic.
Everything he’s ever done for me has been to protect me, to support me. To love me. I don’t know why I ever thought his kissing would be any different. His touch is frenzied because of the week spent apart, with his hand sliding into my hair and his lips eager against mine, but even still, the kiss is reverent. Like he’s showing me how much he adores me, how much he’s been thinking about me.
How much he doesn’t want to be anywhere else in this moment.
I’ve never been kissed like this, and I can’t imagine how I ever would be again.