The Price Of Love

Chapter 14

Jay's POV

I let out a deep breath as I stare at the blank sheet of paper in front of me.

I've been sitting here for what could only be hours at this point- pen in hand yet not knowing what to say.

I try to think of what I'd say if they were standing in front of me, but that's just the thing, I don't know what I'd say if they were here. I don't think I'd even be able to face them. I'd be too ashamed to say to their face I can't help them.

I glance at the watch on my wrist, seeing it's nearly three am.

I groan, holding my head in my hands as I lean my elbows on the table. Why is this so difficult?

I sigh for what feels like the millionth time tonight, lifting my head from my hands and grabbing the glass of whiskey I've been nursing for a while now. The ice has now melted completely, yet the glass is still cool and dripping with condensation.

However, I couldn't care less if the whiskey was cold or lukewarm- I just need some alcohol in my system.

Swallowing the last bit of whiskey, I put the glass down and go back to staring at the blank page.

I glance at my right hand, seeing the little splint on my index finger. I won't lie- I have no idea what's wrong with it. I wasn't listening when the guy explained. All I know is that I'm going to live.

"Sir?" I hear a whisper.

Looking up from the kitchen table, I see Talia standing just outside her bedroom, staring at me with wide eyes while she appears to be holding a..a frying pan over her shoulder as if it was a baseball bat.

She lets out a sigh and then steps out of the dark hallway, and into the kitchen that's better illuminated by the light over the kitchen table. I have a clear view of the relieved look on her face.

"Why on earth are you holding that?" I stare at the frying pan she now holds down by her side, before looking back up at her face.

"I-I thought someone broke in" She mumbles, staring at the ground, looking slightly embarrassed.

I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "So instead of knocking on the door straight across from yours and waking me up, you decide to take them down with a frying pan?" I say, not bothering to try to hide the amusement from my face.

I feel my lips turn up into a small smile as I watch her shrug her shoulders, still looking sheepish.

I sigh, bringing a hand up and rubbing the tiredness from my eyes while dropping my smile. "Why do you even have a frying pan in your room?" I ask, looking back at her.

"From my old apartment," Talia says, and I hum. Makes sense. All her stuff was brought here in boxes, and I can only assume they're still there since I haven't had time to ask Atlas to get a storage unit for her.

Silence falls between us, and I find my eyes moving down her body.

Wearing baby blue pyjama shorts that match the colour of her silk hair bonnet, and an oversized white shirt that is close to hiding her shorts completely, it's different seeing her like this. And unfair. No one should be allowed to look that hot in their sleepwear.

You see, Talia has such natural beauty that it doesn't matter what she's wearing. As long as you can see her face, you'll fall into such a daze you won't even notice if she's wearing a dress or a potato sack.

Jesus- I force my eyes back up to her face when I find myself staring at her thighs that I know would feel amazing wrapped around-

Not.Happening.