When it hurts (ongoing)

Chapter fifteen

I dust off the book cover, placing it onto the shelf. I return to the till when the bell rings. I'm surprised how happy I am when I see Austin standing there. Things are different when he's around. Kind of like time stops and I can finally relax.
He walks towards me, he's in his black basketball Jersey, a cardboard box in his hands.
I smile, staring at the muscles in his arms "Hey."
He sits the box down on the counter in front of me, grinning "Hey, I wanted to see you before my game."
"You have a game on a Sunday?" I ask him, trying to see what's in the box.
"Yeah it's just a friendly competition with some other schools, points aren't being counted" He opens the box "I brought you some stuff to help speed up the recovery."
The box is filled to the brim with goodies, chocolate, crisps, chewy sweets, a single red rose, coffee sachets and even books.
I squeal excitedly, grabbing the books out of the box, surprised when I realise they are all on my to be read list "You got all of this for me?"
He nods and stares at me in a way he never has before "Of course I did" He leans over the counter with a familiar pair of concerned eyes "How are you feeling? Should you be working so soon?"
I understand why he's worried, it was only yesterday I woke up in his bed after being drugged the night before. I walk around the counter and pull him into a hug. He's surprised but doesn't object, he pulls me closer against him, placing a kiss into my hair. "I'm ok honestly. I rested all of yesterday and woke up today feeling back to normal."
He looks down at me, unconvinced "I just think you should take it easy for awhile. I'll do your shifts for you."
I laugh surprisedly "You'd do that for me?"
He smiles and pulls me tighter against him "I'd do anything for you."
I look up at him, wondering if he means those words. I convince myself he's joking, it's too big of a promise to make to me. Someone he's only started talking to this week. Still, he looks at me like he's known me forever. Maybe he has, there's moments where it feels like he knows me more than he should. I clear my throat and look to the box.
"Thank you" I smile "How did you know what stuff I liked?"
I start to pull back but he continues to hold me, pulling me back to him "I texted Jess."
I pull back again, he taps his cheek, I kiss him there and wiggle out of his arms. I walk back around the counter, picking up one of the books. He leans against the counter and watches me like I'm a piece of artwork.
I smile "I've wanted this book for ages."
The bell rings again, I can't help my disappointment when I see Jackson standing there. He walks towards us, also in his basketball jersey.
He looks suspiciously between Austin and I "What's going on?"
Austin speaks before I can "What are you doing here?"
Jackson glances between me and the box, at the book I'm holding against my chest "I came to speak to Nora. What are you doing here?"
"Our game starts soon."
Jackson smiles "That's not stopping you" he turns to me "Nora, a word in private?"
Austin doesn't move, he turns to me, looking me over as if checking if i'm uncomfortable "Do you want me to stay?"
I shake my head, fighting the impulse to say yes "It's ok. Thank you again."
He stares at me for a few more seconds, he reluctantly nods, walking to the door. Jackson advances towards me, I'm too busy staring after Austin to realise he's holding something behind his back. He smiles, holding flowers towards me, a gorgeous bouquet of daisies.
I bite back my smile, taking them from him "Thank you."
He leans over the counter "I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am. I've been thinking about our conversation from this morning all day. I shouldn't have taken a drink from someone else. I guess as a man it's not something I have to worry about, I genuinely didn't think twice about it. But still, I should have been more careful." He shakes his head and looks genuinely upset with himself "I'm going to try my best to earn your forgiveness" he reaches over the counter, placing his hands over mine "I'm so sorry Nora, I swear I'm changing. You make me better." He kisses my hands "I just need one more chance."
I question if I forgive too easily, if I'm letting myself be walked over.
Probably
But then I remind myself it's not fair to punish Jackson for someone else's wrongdoing. It's not him that spiked the punch bowl. Deep down I don't really care. Deep down I know my intentions are bad. Deep down I know Jackson and I won't last. I know it sounds bad, but sometimes I think I'm keeping Jackson around because it reminds me of the time we dated before Issac's death. It takes me back to the time I had a brother. It makes me think Jackson and I should just be friends, if it's his company I enjoy. But it's gone too far now.
"It's not your fault" I tell him "I wouldn't have expected someone to put drugs in the punch either."
Forgive but never forget
Jackson signs "I swear I looked everywhere for you, I don't know how I lost you in the first place. When I couldn't find you I drove to your house and you weren't there, I ended up going home early. I should have kept looking but I honestly had no idea where you went."
I can't help but notice how his answer sounds a little rehearsed. I shake it off and smile "It's ok, at least you tried".
He smiles, leaning over to kiss my cheek "I've got a game so I better get going." He glances down at the box on the counter, remembering something "Oh and I was wondering, there isn't anything going on between you and Austin is there?"
I shake my head "No why?"
Jackson shrugs "Just looks kind of weird. I don't like it. Could you maybe stay away from him?"
My eyebrows raise on their own "You want me to stay away from Austin?"
He nods "Yes, it makes me uneasy. I don't like him around you."
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't realise it made you uncomfortable" I say "I'll stay away from him if it bothers you."
I think about staying away from Austin and hate that I despise the thought. But maybe this is a good thing, I can't be falling for Austin, keeping my distance from him will help me keep my priorities straight - school, dance, college, Jackson. I can't have any distractions.
Jackson grins "Thank you. I appreciate that."
I shrug "No problem, I know if I was threatened by a girl you'd set boundaries-"
He cuts in with an awkward laugh "Wow. Wow. Slow down. I'm not threatened by Austin."
"Oh" I stare.
"I just don't like him around you that's all." He sounds like he's trying to convince himself more than me.
"Ok well I'll stay away from him" I fill the awkward silence.
"Thank you." His voice is crooked, he starts off towards the door, letting it slam closed behind him.

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