Crossing the line

4: Old Flames, New Sparks

AVA

Ava woke to the early morning light filtering through her curtains, casting soft shadows on her bedroom walls. She had hoped that a good night's sleep would clear her mind, but instead, her dreams had been filled with Jake-his laugh, his smile, the heat in his eyes when he looked at her. It was maddening.

Sighing, she threw off the covers and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Staying cooped up in her room wouldn't help. She needed to do something-anything-to distract herself. Maybe she'd go for a run, like she used to in high school. The familiar rhythm of her feet hitting the pavement might be enough to clear her head.

She quickly dressed in running shorts and a tank top, pulling her hair into a ponytail as she headed downstairs. The house was quiet, which meant Liam was probably still asleep, and Jake-well, who knew where Jake was. Maybe he'd gone out early. She could only hope.

Stepping outside, the cool morning air hit her, and she took a deep breath, letting the calmness of the early hour settle over her. The neighborhood was still, save for the distant hum of cars on the main road. She stretched her legs and set off at a steady pace, the familiar path around town guiding her.

Running had always been her escape. When her father had passed away, she had spent countless mornings like this, pounding the pavement and trying to outrun the grief that clung to her. It didn't fix things, but it helped-gave her a few precious moments of peace when the world seemed too heavy.

She passed the local park, her legs moving automatically, her mind slipping into that comfortable space where she didn't have to think about anything. But just when she started to relax, she heard footsteps behind her.

"Can't believe you didn't invite me."

She glanced over her shoulder, her heart sinking as Jake caught up to her, a teasing grin on his face. Of course. Of all the moments for him to show up, he had to choose this one.

"I didn't think you were a runner," she said, trying to sound indifferent as she picked up the pace.

"I'm full of surprises." Jake easily matched her stride, his long legs keeping up with hers without much effort. "Besides, it's a beautiful morning. Thought I'd join you."

Ava rolled her eyes, not slowing down. She wasn't in the mood for his games today, especially not after last night's encounter at McGee's. "I'm fine on my own, thanks."

But Jake wasn't deterred. He fell into step beside her, not saying anything at first, just running along like it was the most natural thing in the world. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and the tension she'd been trying so hard to ignore.

After a while, when they were both breathing more heavily, Jake finally spoke. "You're good at this."

Ava shot him a sideways glance. "At running?"

"Yeah," he said, his tone light. "I mean, I shouldn't be surprised. You've always been the overachiever."

She snorted, shaking her head. "Right. Because running a few miles is such an accomplishment."

Jake grinned. "I'm just saying, you're tough. Always have been."

Ava's heart did a little flip at the unexpected compliment. She wasn't sure if he meant it sincerely or if it was just another one of his playful jabs, but either way, it unsettled her. She kept her focus on the road ahead, trying to push past the warmth spreading through her chest.

"Why are you even out here, Jake?" she asked after a moment, her voice sharper than she intended. "I told you, I'm fine running alone."

He didn't answer right away, and when he did, his tone was different-softer, more serious. "Maybe I wanted to see how you were doing."

Ava slowed her pace, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his demeanor. "What do you mean?"

Jake shrugged, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "It's been a while since you've been home. Liam told me about... everything. With your dad, I mean."

Ava's throat tightened at the mention of her father. She didn't talk about him, not with anyone. Even Liam rarely brought it up. "It's been two years," she said quietly, her gaze dropping to the ground. "I'm fine."

Jake looked at her, his expression unreadable. "You sure about that?"

She stopped running altogether, her chest heaving with a mix of exertion and frustration. "Why do you care, Jake?"

He stopped too, turning to face her. His easygoing smile was gone, replaced with something deeper, more intense. "Because you're not just Liam's little sister, Ava. I care about you. I always have."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and unexpected. Ava's mind raced, searching for a response, but nothing came. She couldn't process what he was saying-what he was admitting.

Jake stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know we've had our moments. You've probably spent half your life thinking I'm just some annoying jerk who hangs around too much. But the truth is, I've always noticed you. And these last few years, since we've all grown up... it's different."

Ava's heart pounded in her chest, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mess. She wanted to say something, to tell him this was crazy, that he didn't know what he was talking about. But instead, all she could do was stare at him, her breath coming in shallow gasps as the weight of his confession settled over her.

He took another step closer, so close now that she could feel the heat of his body radiating toward her. "I can't ignore it anymore, Ava. And I don't think you can either."

Her pulse raced, her mind screaming at her to back away, to put distance between them before this went any further. But her feet stayed rooted to the ground, her body frozen as Jake's hand reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

His touch was light, but it sent a shiver down her spine. Ava's heart pounded louder, the blood rushing in her ears as she looked up at him, unsure of what to say, unsure of what she even wanted anymore.

For a moment, everything else faded away-the town, her brother, the complications that loomed over them. It was just her and Jake, standing in the middle of a quiet road, teetering on the edge of something neither of them had anticipated.

But before anything could happen, a car horn blared in the distance, jolting them both back to reality. Ava stepped back, her breath catching as the moment shattered around them.

"I- I have to go," she stammered, turning on her heel and running in the opposite direction, leaving Jake standing alone in the road.

Tried to give it a little more words for this chapter. Hope you enjoy!
<3