Through Time Again

Ch.30 Lighter

"How was lunch with your cousin?"

"It was nice. Interesting. I did my best not to interrogate him too much. He had bought tickets to the game tonight. He invited me, but I think he was being polite, I think he'd rather go with someone who enjoys the sport."

"What about our movie night."

"Come on, Jay. I know Matthias is the first friend you actually enjoy hanging out with since we got here. He's your bro."

"Only because I don't have any neo-memories of him, so I don't have to switch over."

"Tell me about it! I wish I knew where Abby was... honestly I'm afraid of finding her and her being so different." Sigh. "Anyway. Just go! Have some fun."

"What're you gonna do?"

"I'll just stay here and work on the wedding invites."

"You don't want to go to your mom's for that?"

"No way."

"You still haven't talked to her about her and my dad?"

"No! It's not a comfortable subject! And I know she was over at his office today. It's like, now that I know it's a thing, I can always tell when she's been with him!" Exasperated breath. "I wanted having my mom back be a good thing. But it's like time wasn't going to let me have her either way."

"I think it would be good for you to talk to her. She's not like my dad, I think she'll listen to you."

"...maybe." Sigh. "I could use a distraction myself." Playful eyes.

"I've got time." He pulled her to him.

Jay loved the taste of her lips. Her skin. The feeling of her hands in his hair. His neck. His back. The way her fingertips traced his abs and played at his waist band. He loved the innocent places her lips traveled... God! I wish she would cross more lines! She must know how hard she makes this for me!

The difference between Anet and those girls who went further was that he cared about Anet -he wanted her! It frustrated him that he couldn't hold out for her. It frustrated him that Anet was so tempting and so desirable and so stubborn and that after this he was probably going to get the satisfaction he craved elsewhere. And his frustration would give way to self-loathing, because he could see himself falling into that same likeness of his old man.

"Ouch! Jay!" She pushed away. Hands rubbing her waist.

"I'm sorry, Anet! I didn't mean—,"

"Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah."

She pulled down the hem of her shirt. The red marks already fading. "I know sometimes you get passionate intense, but you're upset."

He hated how she could read him like that. "I'm sorry. It's not you. It's me."

"Is this a breakup?"

"No! No, babe, I would never break up with you."

Sigh. "I get it. I'm not making it easy on you —when we're so close to the big day."

"Close? Babe. The wedding is in August. It's March."

She nodded. Bit at her lip. "Okay." She took a step forward. Took his hand in hers. "What do you say we move the wedding up?"

"Anet don't do that just because I—,"

"No, I want to, Jay. I love you and we've been together this long; you've been such a gentleman! I know I don't make it easy for you sometimes, and, if I'm being honest, it is not easy for me either! You have no idea what you do to me! My restraint exhausts me! And I would have you now, right here, but..."