SURPRISINGLY YOURS

Doubt

Julia

"Heather's a good friend."

I watched him carefully, trying to figure out his next move.

"Want a bath?"

"Jagger..."

"Alone, sugar..not with me."

I smiled, "How will I know you won't try anything?"

"Oh, I'll try everything, but I'll never force."

I nodded, "That makes me feel so much better..."

Before I could question his actions, Jagger was headed to my bathroom. I heard the water running and it soothed me.

I watched him look through my notebook where I logged my sugar stats.

"These look like shit."

"How do you know?"

Jagger eyed me, "I might be a jock, but I'm not stupid."

Jagger

"I'm not saying that..."

"Then what's with this?"

She shrugged, "We're doing what we shouldn't do."

"What? Caring?"

Julia swallowed hard and let out a breath.

"Yes..."

I didn't blame her for that. I'd barely been a good man to her.

"Well, can we get these under control?"

Julia nodded, "I haven't been doing well first while, but I can't tell my brother. He's always got his own issues."

"You're not a burden."

"Easy for..."

Then she remembered my truth and my family demands.

"Anyway, is the bath ready?"

"Yes, ma'am..." I picked her up, much to her chagrin, and carried her to the bath, "Nerd.."

I watched her follow my gaze.

Star Wars shampoo and Dark Side/Light side bath bombs.

"Red or blue?"

"I feel like a Jedi so I'll take blue."

"Get undressed..."

"Jagger...I took my sugars. I'm fine."

"I won't look. I want to, but I won't."

I turned away so she could get into the bubbly blue waters.

Fully submerged, she looked up at me.

"Are you just going to stand there?"

"I'll be right outside the door."

I stepped out and sat against the wall in the hallway.

I could hear her splashing and humming to herself so it made me wonder if she usually had full on concerts in her shower.

"You good?"

"Yes..."

"Just checking. I'm going to grab a drink."

Julia

I washed quickly, but I was still a little weak so I tried to keep calm.

The last few days with Jagger were so surreal. I didn't know where it was headed, but surprises lingered around every corner.

I rinsed and dried off, dressing and making my way out to the main room where Jagger was staring off into the corner.

"Jagger?"

"Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

"Do you see it?"

"See...what?"

I trembled as he kept looking at the empty corner.

I touched his arm and he jumped.

"Jagger!"

"Huh?"

"What's in the corner, Jagger?"

He looked at me like he was utterly confused

"Are you seeing things?"

He straightened up and frowned. I knew something was going on, but he was too interested in keeping me well to care about himself.

"Of course not. Let's get you taken care of, sugar."

I let him do just that, making a mental note to talk to Moose as soon as possible.

My jock needed help.