READY FOR LOVE | JENLISA

Chapter 46

Lisa

After football practice, I take a quick shower and rush out of the locker rooms, not wanting to linger and bullshit around with the team, like usual. Instead, I hop in Hoony's truck and drive to Jennie's house.

When I arrive and throw the truck into park across the street, it's already past ten thirty. All the lights in the house are off, so I assume that her parents are asleep. Quietly, I get out of the truck and close the door, walking around to the back of the house. I look up at her bedroom window, finding a light on in her room.

With an annoyed huff, I look at the tree next to her house sceptically, not believing what I'm about to do.

"I thought this shit only happened in movies." I mutter to myself, struggling to climb the tree.

Finally, I manage to make it to the roof and walk over to her window. I peek inside the room, noticing the lamp on, bathing the room with a dim, warm glow. I find Jennie at her desk instead of being in her bed, her computer screen on, illuminating her face as she stares at it intently.

Sharp and quick, I rap my knuckle on her window. She jumps at the sound, spinning around in her desk chair, her wide eyes locking with mine. Placing her hand on her chest, willing her heart to slow down, she scrambles up from her chair and comes over to the window, opening it.

"What are you doing here?" she whisper shouts, the shock evident on her face.

I reach my hand through her window and place it on her waist, gently moving her out of the way. Contorting my body, I manage to get my large frame through her window and practically tumble into her bedroom. I shut the window behind me to keep the cold from seeping in and straighten out my clothes before facing her. I try my best to throw her a stern glare and be mad at her, but it's nearly impossible when her big brown innocent eyes are looking up at me with guilt. It also doesn't help that her hair is thrown up in a messy bun and she's in her plaid, powder blue pyjama pants and the hoodie which I gave her on the night of our homecoming game. She's looking so soft and vulnerable.

"Finch." my voice comes out huskier than I intended it to. I swallow thickly. "Why aren't you asleep?"

She bites her bottom lip between her teeth, giving me a small shrug. "I couldn't sleep." She turns and crosses her room to sit back down in her desk chair, bringing her knees up to her chest. Hugging her arms around her legs, she rests her chin on her knees, looking up at me in a way that makes my heart melt.

I walk over to her, the computer screen catching my eye. I scan the page pulled up and realise that it's one of her medical school applications. Leaning in and reaching my arm around her, I grab the mouse, scrolling through the application. "Is this what's been keeping you up?"

"Part of it." she admits sheepishly, unfolding her legs and swivelling around to face her computer.

I sigh, minimising the screen. Sinking to my knees, I swivel her around in her desk chair to face me, placing my hands on her thighs. "Finch, you've literally just got home from the hospital. You shouldn't be worrying about this right now."

She frowns. More like pouts. "But it's due in almost four weeks."

I tuck my lips in, trying to refrain from laughing. "Baby, exactly, you still have four weeks." I remind her gently.

I watch as her cheeks redden and she shyly looks away. It's then I realised that I slipped up and called her baby.

She clears her throat, not meeting my gaze. "But between studying for finals, all the extra assignments, teaching Mrs. Lee's lab, tu..."

"Shh..." I cut her off. I frame her face with my hands, her soft cheeks squishing together a bit, making her look utterly adorable. "Finch, you have time. You've got this. You could literally fail all of your finals and maintain your 4.0."

She frowns. "That's not true, and it's not like I'm not going to try. Plus, it looks better to submit your applications early."

"Well, how much of it all do you have done?" I ask, curious. I'm honestly surprised that she hasn't turned them in already.

"They're all almost done, I'm just trying to perfect my essays. I'm scared they're not good enough."

"Finch." I sigh, running my hands from her cheeks down to her shoulders. "You are the smartest person that I know. Any medical school would be completely stupid not to accept you."

I watch a hint of a smile tug at her lips.

"How about this? Once you feel better, I'll go over your essays with you and we can get these applications off your plate." I offer.

She looks at me wearily. "No, it's okay. The topics are stupid, anyway. I'd be embarrassed to have anyone read them."

"Really? What are the topics?"

She shrugs. "Most of them focus on explaining your biggest life struggles and what shaped you into the person you are today. The typical, cliché and impossibly hard and evasive questions."

I nod, wishing that I could relate to help her more. But since I'm gunning for the NFL, I'm not looking to enter any masters programs. My college application days are well over. "Well if you need me, I'm here."

She gives me a small, appreciative smile. "Thanks, Lisa."

"Anytime." I say, standing. I extend my hand out to her. "Now let's get you to bed."

Reluctantly, she grabs my hand and stands from her chair. I walk her to her bed and flip down the covers, taking off my shoes and crawling in first. She stands at the edge of the bed, looking at me sceptically.

"Come on, Finch. I don't bite." I chuckle, patting the space next to me in her queen size bed.

"You're staying the night?"

"Probably not the whole night, but just long enough to make sure that you actually go to bed."

"Lisa." The slight whine in her voice tells me that she's about to argue with me.

"I'm not going anywhere until you get in this bed." I tell her with finality.

She huffs, jutting out her bottom lip in a disapproving pout. Regardless, she crawls into bed with me, laying her head on my chest.

"Get some rest, Finch." I say, stroking her hair, her signature vanilla scent surrounding me like a warm blanket.

She snuggles into my chest, closing her eyes. She seems to fall asleep quickly, but I wait for an hour to make sure that she stays asleep, her breathing deep and even. Watching her sleep, I realise that it is the best fucking thing in the world. She looks so soft and peaceful and her soft little snores from her stuffed up nose are surprisingly adorable.

Reluctantly, when the clock strikes midnight, I slowly move out from under her and crawl out of bed, being extremely careful not to wake her. I'd stay the night with her in a heartbeat, but I'm not sure how her parents would feel about finding me in her bed the next morning. I feel like I'm in a really good standing with them right now, and I don't want to fuck that up.

Before I leave, I make sure that she's comfortable and well tucked in for one last time. Kissing her forehead, I turn off her bedside lamp and slip on my shoes before climbing out the window and heading back to Hoony's truck.