Mine Would Be You (97)

“Well, you’re my best friend, so I think that’s fine,” he mumbles.

I snort softly, acting like his words didn’t just leave another brand on my heart as he takes more and more pieces that I’d gladly give up to him.

I take another sip. “Do you wanna stay or go get pizza?” I ask, and for once in my life, I don’t feel the need to stay all night. Not that I don’t enjoy being wrapped up in a crowd, especially at my favorite bar. I love it, I love this place. But right now, I’m content either way. If he wants to go, I won’t complain because instead of being surrounded by random strangers I’ll be surrounded by Jackson.

“Let’s go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we get pizza and the sooner I can take those clothes off.”

I blush instantly. “Jackson Ross,” I huff, a little breathless, and I feel his laugh vibrate through his chest. Of course, I’m not denying that’s how I’d rather be spending my night too.

“God, I love it when you say my name,” he whispers against my cheek, and his lips are warm, and it doesn’t take much convincing. “Come on, I’ll get you French fries.”

I turn and look at him. “Let’s go.”

He laughs, louder this time, and nods, grabbing our coats from our chairs. “All right guys, we’re heading out.” He gives Myles a brief handshake and hugs Emma before I do. Myles nods at me, and I smile, tugging on my coat and taking Jackson’s hand in mine.

I follow Jackson out of the bar, and as soon as were in the cool air, he grabs my hand and leads us to our favorite tiny pizza shop on this side of the city. It’s barely big enough for five people, and we always end up eating at the window outside anyway. Once again, I’m not wearing a heavy enough coat, and he knows that immediately because he takes his off and puts it around my shoulders. He’s smart and is wearing a crewneck, and I’m not going to complain about the extra warmth.

He walks backwards in front of me now with a big smile, swinging my hands back and forth.

“Jackson, you’re gonna hit someone.”

“No, I’m not. You’re my eyes and ears, and you’re gonna warn me.” He just continues, pulling me closer and further away with every step.

“I’m your eyes and ears, huh? That’s a pretty important job,” I say as I pull us to avoid a drunken group of friends who just grin at the antics.

“It is, so don’t fuck it up.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I laugh; the smell of pizza fills my senses as we get closer.

I tick my fingers. “Eyes, ears, don’t fuck it up. Anything else?”

Jackson raises a brow and stops, pulling me in front of him. “Nope. Add pizza and then going home to the list, and I think you’ve got it covered.”

I nod, biting my lip, and I glance around to see that the street’s pretty empty and back to his waiting blue eyes, and I lean up and kiss him softly, gripping his sweatshirt in my hands.

Because little does he know, I’m already home.





Christmas has never been my favorite holiday. I like it, but I just always preferred other ones more. Thanksgiving for the food or Labor Day solely because it was about me.

But Nina’s parents’ house is filled with food and drinks and all our friends, and it’s warm. Basketball is on the TV on mute while classic Christmas music fills the space.

Nina’s parents were kind enough to welcome my entire family over when they said they would fly up for the holiday, and now we’re all spending it together. Mateo and Roman and Harper are all joking around, sitting on the floor by the Christmas tree in the window, while Sloan and Veah are on the couch, gossiping about god knows what.

I’m sitting in the armchair next to them, but I’m not paying any attention to anyone but the girl sitting on the edge of my chair, her legs draped over mine and hanging over the other side while my hand rests on her ankle. Her dark hair falls in waves down her back, much longer than it used to be, and her eyes are bright and warm, and I don’t even remember life without her in it.

“So, do you want your last present now or later?” she asks, excitement flashing in her eyes. I look around, confused because we did presents earlier in my apartment with my family before we came here, and she didn’t bring anything else with her besides the gifts for her parents.

“You got me enough, Scott.” I squeeze her leg softly, aware of her dad on the other side of the room.

Nina leans back. “It’s not a physical thing,”

I furrow my brows because now I have no clue. She already got me a few vinyl records, Elton John and Billy Joel, along with a new watch and tickets to a concert in the spring.

“Remember that question you asked a week or two ago?” She leans closer, taking sip of her drink. “Well, our lease will be up in March, and if you still want me to, I’ll move in with you. And Jenko, of course.”

The stupidest grin spreads on my face as she watches me, and her cheeks flush instantly. I’ll never get tired of the red flush she always gets. “Of course, I want you to. That place doesn’t really feel the same without you anymore.”

She’s spent so much time at my apartment that I can’t really imagine it without her in it anymore. When she’s not there, I’m at her apartment anyway.

Nina leans forward and hugs me the best she can in our position, and her hair hides me from view, so I place a few kisses under her jaw before pulling back, letting her familiar smell, her warmth, her love wrap around me. The necklace I got her dangles near her collar, a white gold sun pendant with her birthstone in the middle and a small J charm, and I reach up to play with it before my hand drops back down.