I was heading to the kitchen to start breakfast when I paused, realizing I hadn't checked on Jake yet. After last night, I had no doubt that he would be nursing a serious hangover. The morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, brushing across his face, and I couldn't help but pause to watch him sleep. Even in his most relaxed state, he carried that effortless charm that made people notice him—and, for some reason, made my heart pound a little faster.
Gently, I climbed onto the bed, sitting beside him. My arms crossed over my chest as I studied him, trying to guess what he might be feeling. A few moments later, his eyelids flickered, and he groaned softly before opening his eyes.
Suddenly, he jolted upright, his back hitting the headboard. "You're scaring me!" he barked, voice thick with sleep and confusion. I suppressed a smile; apparently, I looked more frightening than I intended.
"Spill it," I demanded, leaning closer, my brows furrowed.
"What?" he rasped, blinking at me, then squeezing his eyes shut as if trying to hold onto the remnants of a dream. He groaned again, running a hand over his messy hair. "Shit… I was knocked out, wasn't I?"
"Uh-huh," I replied. "You got carried away."
He groaned even louder. "For what?" I pressed, leaning closer. "What celebration were you talking about last night?"
He leaned back, closing his eyes, a grin slowly creeping onto his face as if the memory of last night was too ridiculous to believe. "My internship."
I blinked, stunned. "You… got it?" I couldn't hide my excitement. I remembered him mentioning applications to various oil companies, but he'd never told me which one.
"Yes," he said, opening his eyes wide with pride. "And it's even more unexpected than I thought."
I raised a brow, intrigued.
"I got the one in Texas," he said casually, and my jaw practically dropped. One of the three major oil companies he had applied to! My excitement bubbled over.
"That's amazing!" I squealed, throwing my arms around him in a tight hug. "Jake, I'm so proud of you! You deserve this—after all the hard work, all the long nights, everything. I knew you could do it!"
His grin widened, but a pang of sadness washed over me. If he was leaving for Texas, that meant months without him in Boston. Who would I lean on when I felt overwhelmed with college life? Who would tease me mercilessly or act like the annoying big brother who secretly cared more than anyone else?
Noticing my sudden change in mood, Jake's brows furrowed. "What's wrong, Lia?"
I looked up at him, feeling my eyes sting. "I'm happy for you, really. But it just… sucks that I'll be stuck here without you," I admitted, my voice soft.
"Hey," he said gently, placing his hands on my shoulders. "Look at me." I obeyed, meeting his warm gaze, and my heart fluttered despite my sadness.
"You're not lost here, Lia. You finally got into the college of your dreams. You're doing amazing things, and I'm so proud of you. This isn't going to suck—it's just… change," he continued, his voice steady, comforting.
"It's just…" I sniffled, blinking back tears. "Everything feels so right, and I can't imagine it without you around." I swallowed hard, forcing myself to smile. "But I'm happy for you, Jake. You really deserve this internship. And when you come back, you'll have experiences nobody else has, things only you will know."
He chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So… you're letting me go? You're not going to beg me to stay?" he teased, leaning back slightly, playful and smug.
"I'll kill you if you don't take that internship," I shot back, scowling, and he laughed so hard I could see his whole face light up.
"It's only six months, Lia," he reassured me. That small detail eased my worries. In six months, I could adjust to this new environment, make new friends, and explore the city—and he'd be back for the remainder of his semester. Six months would pass faster than I thought.
I smiled, a spark of excitement returning to my heart. "When does it start?" I asked.
"Next Monday," he said. My eyes widened. "That soon?"
He looked a little guilty. "Yeah… I thought it would start in three months like the others, but the company needed someone immediately for a special project. They made an exception for me."
I nodded, trying to mask my worry. "I see," I said softly, though I pouted.
Jake laughed, leaning closer. "Come on, Lia. Don't sulk. You're amazing, and you'll survive just fine without me for a little while."
I rolled my eyes, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "I'll survive. But only barely."
He gave me a knowing look. "You'll be fine. And if you really need help… Damien's got your back. He's reliable, one of the most dependable guys I know."
It took a second for his words to sink in. Then, suddenly, it clicked. The memory of his words to Damien last night—I know I won't have to worry about leaving Amelia to you—it all made sense now. Jake was leaving the town, not leaving me to anyone else for any other reason. And yet… my stomach twisted, remembering how awkward I'd felt the last time Damien and I had been alone.
"I don't need a bodyguard," I said, crossing my arms, trying to sound firm.
"Oh, that's what you think, little sister," he said, tone serious. "Do you think I'll just leave you here alone like some lost puppy?"
"I'm not a lost puppy!" I shot back, rolling my eyes.
He laughed, shaking his head. "Damien isn't a bodyguard. He's just… someone I trust. Someone I know will check in on you if I'm not around. And someone I can call if there's an emergency. Nothing creepy. Just practical. Got it?"
I hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Okay," I whispered.
"Good girl," he said, ruffling my hair playfully. "Now… what should we do with you?"
I raised a brow.
"How about some ice cream?" he suggested, smirking.
I couldn't resist that tone. Ice cream was a yes, always.
"And maybe a walk around town? Hot dogs?" he added, teasing.
"You're a monster," I growled, laughing despite myself. But inside, I felt warm. I'd make the most of the time we had before he left.
"I know a good bowling place too," he continued, grinning, and I laughed again, my worries melting just a little in his presence.
---
A few days later, the moment came. Jake's suitcase was packed, the car waiting outside, and Damien was helping him carry the last of his things. When they were done, Jake faced me, arms wide, and I hugged him tightly.
No tears. I promised myself.
"I'm gonna miss you," I admitted, my voice cracking despite my best efforts.
"Me too, Lia" he murmured, smiling softly as we pulled away. "Be a good girl, okay?"
I nodded silently, knowing I couldn't roll my eyes this time.
Damien stepped closer, exchanging a serious glance with Jake. I knew they were silently communicating about me. Damien scoffed. "Don't worry about it. Go kick ass there," he deadpanned.
Jake nodded, opened the driver's side door, and slid in. "I'll see you soon," he called, smiling, starting the engine.
I felt the familiar lump in my throat as I watched the car disappear down the street. When I finally turned, Damien was still standing behind me.
This time, our eyes met—and neither of us looked away. We just stood there in silence, a charged tension hanging between us, unspoken but heavy.
And for the first time, I wondered if I would ever be able to ignore it.
---
💖✨ TBC