Counting Stars | ✔

Chapter Thirteen

I wince.

"Fuck! I'm sorry, baby."

Baby?

For a moment, I forget how to breathe. Butterflies erupt in my stomach. I never cared to be called by anything other than my name when I was with Elliot, but it somehow has a different effect on me coming out of Liam's mouth. But he doesn't even seem aware that he's said it as he helps me to the door.

"Will she be okay?" Becky asks him, eyes full of worry.

"I'll be fine. You guys go play, okay?" I smile at her reassuringly.

Once inside, Liam informs my mom what happened. She makes me ice my wrist and wraps it in a bandage and tells me to elevate it to avoid swelling. There is no way I could ever skate again. Yeah, I give up just like that!

I tell Liam I want to rest and head up to my room.

I can't remember how I fell asleep, but I wake up to my phone vibrating. I slowly open my eyes and reach for my phone, but I wince as sharp pain travels up my arm. I forgot about my stupid wrist!

"Hello," I say, picking the phone up with my good hand.

"Jess, it's me, Steff." Steff says.

"I'm aware it's you. What time is it?" I ask groggily.

"It's 8. Don't tell me you're already asleep."

"Not anymore. What's up?" I ask.

"I feel bad about what happened today. I know we haven't been spending much time together. I miss you."

"I miss you too," I say, sitting up.

"I'll come by tomorrow. Will you be home?" She asks.

"Yeah. I have a lot to tell you. And I met my father today, details tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." She says.

"Goodnight." I hang up and lay on my back.

I wonder if Liam left after I came up or if he stayed and played with the twins some more. I hope he did. They seemed to like him.

A knock comes on my door.

"Yeah?" I yell.

Mom opens the door and lets herself in.

"Oh, good! You're awake. Somebody's here to see you." She says.

"Who?" I ask, confused.

"Jayden?" She raises a brow.

I leap to my feet, and I rush to the mirror to fix myself up before I run downstairs.

He's standing with his back turned. He's looking at the photos on the shelf.

"Jayden," I call. He turns around.

"Hey!" He takes two steps, and he's embracing me in a hug.

"Ah." I cry out in pain as he crushes my hand underneath him. He pulls away immediately and looks at my hand for the first time.

"What happened?" He asks, shocked.

"I sprained my wrist," I tell him.

"Clumsy much?" He arches his brows.

I glare at him.

"Sorry. I just think you should be more careful." He holds my hand delicately and examines it.

"Why are you here, Jayden?" I ask, taking my hand back.

"Because I don't want you to be mad at me. What I did was impulsive and dumb. I can't leave until you forgive me." He says, and I sigh.

"I just don't get what it is with you two."

"That doesn't matter. You mean a lot to me even though we haven't known each other for too long. I'm not sorry about the things I said to him. I'm only sorry that I hurt you."

I nod. Getting into it all over again is no good. I know that at this rate, they will never be willing to tell me the truth.

"So, are we good?" He asks, searching my eyes.

"Of course, we are." I smile.

"Good." He holds my gaze. All of a sudden, there is tension in the room, and it is very new for us.

"Well, I'm gonna..." He gestures at the door.

"Yeah, yeah."

He reaches and gives me an awkward half-hug. My hands hang limply on my side because I wasn't expecting that. I then walk him to the door, and we say our goodbyes. I lock the door and turn around to find my mom staring at me with penetrating eyes.

"What?" I ask.

"That boy likes you."

I choke out a burst of laughter.

"No, he does not."

"I know longing when I see it. He was looking at you with hearts in his eyes." She says, and my eyes widen.

"Wow! All this happened just now? Where was I?" I mock and walk past her.

"Are Liam and Jayden friends?" She asks.

"More like mortal enemies."

"Sounds like a recipe for disaster." She says, sounding an awful lot like my subconscious.

My mind goes back to their fight, but I shake my head. There's no way.

"You're wrong," I tell her and head up.

Liam and Jayden hated each other long before I came into their lives. Even though I have no idea why. I bet Red Miss Perfect knows. Something about her just doesn't sit right. Or it could be the fact that she and Liam make a dynamic duo, and I just can't stand the thought of that.

***

Hello, dear, dear readers :) I know this chapter is short so I'm going to update another one in a short while. Don't forget to vote.

Smooches!

Love, Becca.