Soon after, we're both tipsy. Her more than me of course.
"You feeling okay?" I asked, already knowing my answer.
She rolled her eyes, and nodded her head in a not so convincing way.
"You assuming I'm drunk from one glass is insulting."
"I never said you were drunk Bel, I just asked if you were feeling okay." I teased, giving her a strong side eye and sip from my glass.
She threw a pillow at me and I quickly hit it so it landed on her face instead.
I couldn't control my laughter because she looked so stunned I did that so fast.
Somehow we started to speak about the sports we played in school, about our family lores and friendship breakup dramas.
It's funny how even though I've known her personally for a few months already, I genuinely feel like I'm actually meeting...her...for the first time.
She's the eldest...she played lots of sports and she won't admit she was a teacher's pet.
"You think we would have been friends in high school?" She asked ,her eyes wide open.
Hell no.
Wait why did I say that in my head?
"Hell no!" I shout accidentally forgetting to control my volume.
Her smile dropped and she put her glass down in disbelief.
"What?Why not? I swear you would have liked me as a friend. I was friends with all the cool kids."
She sounded like a living nightmare. I can only imagine her writing down the names of the 'naughty' kids on the board when the teacher left class.
"Belinda, you would have hated me. I was always doing naughty things and dirty from all my adventures."
Her face cringes seconds before she pretends what she just heard didn't bother her.
"One time I literally rode a locker down the stairs at school. A whole locker." I raised my eyebrow at her to see if she'd be honest about her disapproval.
Instead she laughed and asked me questions about what happened afterwards. That shocked me a bit.
"That's actually so cool!" She said trying to imagine the scene.
"I still wouldn't be your friend Bel. Sorry not sorry." I finished off my glass and placed it next to me.
When I looked back at her, her arms were folded and she rolled her eyes before giving up.
Why would she be offended over something like this? We didn't even know each other then.
It's kind of cute.
"You suck" is all she could say before refilling both our glasses.
I hate wine, but because I want to spend time with her, in her element, I'll allow it for today. I'm more of a cider kind of guy, and anything that isn't gin oh my word I can't stomach gin. Bad experience.
As we're talking, I noticed her entire demeanour is slowly changing.
Suddenly she was comfortable enough to lift her legs and place them on my lap.
I couldn't tell if it was just the wine or if it's because she genuinely wanted to.
Belinda's POV
All of a sudden I'm seeing Jay as someone I can be comfortable with.
I can't tell what's on his mind but I can tell he's feeling whatever I'm feeling too.
I lifted my legs onto his lap without thinking, and just as I was about to remove them, he gently pulled them both closer to him and rested his hand on them.
"Bel?" He interrupted my thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"We need to talk and I think you know about what."
Here we go again.
"Look Jay I don't want to talk about it okay."
An unexpected tear rolled down my cheek, and I immediately felt a rush of anxiety and embarrassment.
He noticed and pulled me in closer to him for a hug.
"I didn't mean to upset you Bel, I just need to know so that I'm able to handle situations correctly when it comes to your triggers. I can't do that if you don't talk to me. Do you understand now?"He said, wiping away my tears and lifting my face by the chin.
I understand what he's saying, he is my bodyguard at the end of the day.
I'm just scared to open up about what could be used against me in the end and I'm scared he'll see me differently.
I've grown quite fond of him and I'd hate to negatively affect whatever this...is all because of my ghosts and fears.
"I understand Jackson, I just don't think I'm ready. I do promise to tell you everything once I am. Is that okay?"
"Of course." He said stroking his fingers against my face.
When I looked him in the eyes, I noticed something different. He looked...worried, and a bit sad?
This man isn't phased or shaken by anything so this is completely new.
Then again, everything that's happening between us tonight is all new so...
I don't dare to speak once I realise how easy it is to get lost in his eyes. They're a honey brown when light hits them. Very cool.
Why isn't he looking away!
"You have beautiful eyes." He finally said using the triangle method on me.
No...no...NO!
GET ME OUT OF HERE!
What is going on!
Do I say the same thing back? I mean his eyes are dreamy but I'd hate for him to assume I'm only repeating what he said.
I'll save the compliment for another day.
"Thank you"
Our lips were only inches apart and a part of me wanted to give in, but another part of me knew better.
"We should...umm...get some sleep. Long Sunday tomorrow so we...need our rest." I said, trying to control my breathing, then moved my legs off of him almost immediately before downing the rest of my wine.
Jackson's POV
I can't stop looking into her eyes. Before I can stop myself I end up complementing them.
She tried her best to hide that she was flattered but failed.
I used the triangle method on her to test if I'm reading into the situation correctly.
She then moved closer without realising she was doing it, and locked her eyes onto my lips before thanking me.
So...I am reading into the situation correctly?
The tension in the air is thick and all I want to do is grab her neck and kiss her like nobody's watching...but I know better.
I need to be patient with her and make sure I don't pressure her or move too fast before allowing her to naturally fall for me too.
I'd hate for her to regret kissing me or blame the wine tomorrow morning.
She interrupted the moment by making an excuse about us needing our rest and I didn't object.
I respected her wishes and let her go to bed.
I'm growing impatient with her when it comes to her past unfortunately. I need to know everything for good reason because I have a feeling her past plays a role in her reckless decision-making patterns. I'm quite logical so it's easy to tell.
One day, she'll dig herself into a grave I won't be able to pull her from if she doesn't start being honest with me about what's happening in her head.
I'm going to do some deep digging and find out myself. I'll never tell her I know but this is important. Me not knowing puts her in danger that I can't intercept. I don't like being kept in the dark.
That's how I'll spend my night.
I'm not tired anyways and it's only 8pm so Belinda Knight...let's play hide and seek. You hide…I seek.