A Boy From Manning Heights ✔️

Chpater 44 | Beckett

I'm absolutely buzzing as we go downstairs. It honestly feels surreal; as if I'm just floating to the table instead of walking. Jasper loves me. He loves me and I love him. I don't think I expected to feel the way I do and Jasper seems to notice because he's given me a few odd looks. Same as the one he's giving me now as he leans in next to me handing me a plate.

"You good?"

I nod and my lips involuntarily curve into a smile.

"I'm fine"

He grins at me and it's almost as if I can sense that if he could he would kiss me. Instead he settles for a quick wink and pulls away moving towards the box of pizza.

"So whose spending the night?!"

Derek gives me a look wide eyed and I realize he's probably not at all interested in spending the night here. Not because of Jasper's family, but because he's doesn't really know anyone.

He starts to mumble "Oh I'm..."

I bite my lip shrugging at Jasper "Derek and I can go back to the school"

He looks unhappy and frankly annoyed at my answer, but I don't know what else to tell him. Preston however shakes his head a piece of pizza dangling from his mouth before he bites a piece off and pulls it away.

"Uh no way dude, you said we were going to play poker tonight!"

I turn looking at Derek questioningly and he shrugs sheepishly.

"I did say that"

I bite my lip "so we are staying the night?"

I'm nervous because even though I don't want to leave I've never slept over at Jasper's house before. His mom doesn't know that we're...together, would we sleep in the same bed?

Jasper grunts "Beckett can sleep in my room, P and Derek can have the living room"

His mother makes a face.

"Preston always sleeps in your room, wouldn't you rather let Beckett and Derek stay together?"

I glance at Preston awkwardly. I'm not jealous, but the idea of Jasper sharing a room with him instead of me isn't appealing. Preston catches my eye and shakes his head.

"Nah gives Derek and i more time to talk strategy. You know I'm gonna be a big player once Derek teaches me his skills right Mrs.Collins?"

Jaspers mom makes a face and tsks at him.

"Don't call me that, you very well know my name!"

Preston grins and Jaspers mom rolls her eyes.

"I'm going to bed, you're old enough to sort out your own sleeping arrangements"

Once she disappears down the hallway Preston turns to Derek.

"Let's get started then?"

Jasper nods "I'm heading to bed"

Derek makes a face and Preston gawks at him.

"Now?!"

Jasper shrugs casually pushing me toward the stairs.

"You spend that long in a jail cell and tell me you wouldn't want to hit the sack as soon as possible"

Preston rolls his eyes before sticking his tongue out like a child.

"Whatever!"

That makes me laugh because at least it isn't just Jasper who has an affinity to the word "whatever". Preston and Derek head toward the living room and Jasper bumps me toward the stairs again.