The Girl's A Straight-Up Hustler (Jardougall)

20- Showers Again

It came in flashes, and I knew it wasn't going to be the last time. The night was replayed in my dreams and I sat up in bed, tears immediately following. Jenna must have woken up because I felt her hand on my back, rubbing it comfortingly.

"Hey, babe, what-"

I dove backwards, hugging my body against hers as tightly as I could as I cried. My tears were running down her bare skin, but she didn't seem to really care. I cried until my body was shaking, and then Jenna rolled me onto my other side and wrapped her arm protectively around me. Breathing was still an issue from sobbing so hard, and I could tell it was worrying her.

"Tay, baby, breathe," she cooed.

"It-it hurts..." I cried.

"I know, baby. But you gotta breathe. You're gonna make yourself sick."

I tried to rein in my tears as she buried her face in my neck. If it was an attempt to calm me down faster, it worked. Being in her arms, our fingers intertwined, soft kisses on my neck; it wasn't long until I'd calmed down to the point that the only evidence I had been crying were the tears and my hitched breaths.

We were in silence again, laying there, taking in being together. Or maybe she fell asleep. I didn't know, but it was peaceful.

"Hey," she whispered. "You still awake?"

"Yeah," I whispered back.

"Do you want a glass of water?"

"It'll make me have to pee."

She giggled into my neck and lifted her head again. "Is that a no?"

"You don't have to get me water."

"I don't, but I'm going to."

I rolled onto my back and looked over, seeing Jenna climb out of my bed. I followed her quickly.

Jenna grabbed a glass from the cupboard and began to fill it with water as quietly as she could before handing it to me. I held it in both hands as I took a small sip. When I pulled the glass down, Jenna reached out and touched my cheek, causing me to wince.

"I'm guessing it still hurts?" she asked with a worried face. I nodded. "Come here." I closed my eyes as she pressed her lips to the injury. I flinched and opened my eyes. "You wanna go back to sleep?"

I shook my head quickly; I didn't want to sleep any time soon. She frowned and nodded, while I drank the rest of my water. When I finished she lifted me up in her arms, carrying me bridal-style into my bedroom. I tightened my arms around her neck, cuddling against her as she carried me.

Jenna set me in the bed gently and pulled the blankets up over me before climbing in beside me. I didn't hesitate to cuddle against her and sigh in content.

"I love you," she whispered. "You don't ever have to say it back. I just want to tell you it constantly until that's the only thought on your mind."

I smiled. "Believe me, it's getting there." I looked up to see her smile.

"What do you want to do if you don't want to sleep?"

I shrugged and cuddled against her even more. "We can just lay here if you're okay with that. Or we can...kiss? We could watch a movie? Make food?"

Jenna laughed. "You're so adorable."

"Yeah, I know." She reached her free hand down to lift my head up to face her. I moved up more and pressed my lips to hers. "Kissing it is."

By that point I was practically on top of her, and we were kissing while her fingers ran beneath the shirt I was wearing, Jenna's shirt. She sat up, so I set my hands on her face and kissed her deeper.