A Different Light

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

AVA POV:

I couldn’t believe it. The man I had been sitting next to all night was the one and only Jackson Bates. I looked from him to Keeley, she nodded at me happily while he on the other hand looked like he was going to puke. Keeley and her football guy excused themselves to go back to his place leaving me and Jackson Bates alone together.

“Well this has been fun.” He said standing.

“Where are you going, we were in the middle of a conversation about your fetish for penguins?” He gave me a cock eyed look and sat down. The night raced by as we talked normally. At 3:45 AM I glanced down at my watch.

“Holy crap, look at the time.” I said shocked.

“Yeah its late. I should get you home.” He offered.

We both stood and he escorted be out of the club his hood now down. I finally realized what it meant, looks could kill, with his strong hand in the small of my back every girl in the club envied me and threw mean daggers my way. We walked through the door to the outside of the club. Cameras flashed at us, we posed for a few pictures, the flashes hurting my eyes.

“Just smile for a second and then we can leave.” He whispered in my ear. After a minute we left the carpet and walked down the streets to my apartment. As we walked he playfully bumped my shoulder and I bumped back. A few streets down a crowd of people came running towards us. He signed a few autographs then grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the crowd with him. Hands laced together we took backroads to get to my apartment so as to not be interrupted again. A breeze blew by my bare arms and I shivered. He looked down at me.

“You want my jacket?” He said. Without an answer he took his sweatshirt off and put it over my shoulders. I snuggled deep into it and smiled. It smelled so good. We got to my building and he walked me up to my door. I opened the door and blocked his entrance.

“I had fun tonight, Jackson.” I said to him.

“Me too.” We stand there just looking at eachother.

“Here I’ll call you tomorrow.” He says giving me his phone. I program my number into it and handed it back.

“Thanks.” He said. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. Blushing I said goodbye and closed the door. I slid down to a sitting position and put my head in my hands. The soft fabric startled me and I realized I still had his jacket on. I hopped up and threw the door open but he was already gone. Darn, I guess I have to see him again. Chuckling at my sarcasm I changed clothes and washed my face. I climbed into bed and turned on the TV. Drifting off to sleep put everything that happened tonight in a special place to deal with tomorrow.

When I woke that lazy Sunday morning I didn't  want to get out of bed so I turned on Channel 4 news and the sports reporter was talking.

        “My last story here on Channel 4 is actually very interesting. Area 43 Club in downtown Manhattan had some special visitors last night. After the big loss at home yestorday The New York Giants showed up ready to party. Our golden boy, Jackson Bates left the club with a new girl on his arm. Are these two the new power couple? Who is this mystery girl. Our sources tell us she will be on our show. Stay tuned till tomorrow. I’m Veronnica Capster, goodnight Manhattan.”

I shut the TV stunned. What just happened. Power couple? We weren't even dating and the world already knew who I was. This was not good.