Collateral Damage (bxb)

5. Looming Clouds

A.N.This chapter is from the perspective of Ian.

There is a place I love. That place is amazing, even if the air is chilly. I sat on a cliff's edge overlooking the sea of green in front of me. The sun was setting behind one of the peeks far away in the distance. I had hot tea in the thermos mug while taking in the view, but nothing can beat the warmth I got when he came and hugged me from behind.

"Hey there, cutie!" He spoke in a hushed voice. I couldn't see his face.

All I could do is giggle like a little school girl.

He moved in closer and put his lips near my neck. I could feel every one of his breaths. "You know... Recently there have been a lot of reports of bear attacks." Why was he saying that now?

Before I could figure out an answer to that question, the hug tightened. I felt teeth playfully biting my neck, not enough to hurt but enough to feel. All I heard were primal growls while his breath caressed my exposed flesh.

I flexed my arms upwards and started to struggle. "I have hot tea here! Stop it!" Those words were followed by playful laughter and squealing. In all honesty, I didn't mind his surprise attack.

"Argh! Bears don't care for hot tea!" He muttered while biting and drooling all over me.

I sigh out of annoyance at his disregard for my delicious drink. "Yeah. Bears don't talk!"

As he processes what I said, I collapse on top of him while making sure that I don't spill anything.

"Auch! You have squished the evil bear with your heavy butt!" He announces dramatically.

"That's what you get, you dunce!" I say while turning around, and laying on top of him.

We waste no time in giving each other a simple yet meaningful peck on the lips. No words had to be shared. I love his silly approach to life, I love his adventurous nature, I love how he decided to come here on a whim.

"I love you..." I whisper after breaking the little kiss.

I don't hear him say it back even if I wanted to.

There is that sound. I loathed that sound, so why did I put the same tone as Jack's alarm? It wakes me up from the haze that was this pleasant dream. I see that I am hugging one of the decorative couch pillows. I remember going to sleep upright with my phone in hand. Struggling to find the source of this god-awful sound, I see that it is on the coffee table. Turning off the alarm I see that I must have been reading through my and Jess's texts before dozing off.

I think nothing of it and go to start my morning. It's 6 AM, and Jack must be off to work or college. Didn't even leave me with breakfast or anything. My phone is about to die so I plug it in to charge, and I grab a shower to start getting ready for my shift at the coffee shop.

I'll get something to eat at work and rush out the door. I do what I usually do while walking somewhere, listen to some music to take my thoughts off of Jack. Jess helped me last night, and I want to thank her. Fumbling with my phone, while I walk, I pull up Jess's number and start typing a real thank you letter. Maybe she'll hang out with me after work since I'll have the same shift as yesterday.

The streets are empty if you don't count the traffic. I don't pay much attention to where I am walking while I try to figure out what to send her. Maybe I am overthinking this? I don't have to send an apology or a "thank you" letter to her. I am way too anxious. I know I set something off in here. She did want me to move in with her while I figure stuff out if Jack blows up at this job thing. Both of us know it will happen, but I doubt I'll go through with it and she knows it. I want to apologize in advance... Maybe that's the reason.