Playing for Keeps

Truths

Jack POV: 

It's been an hour and a half since I called Lily, she said she would call back in an hour but she hasn't and my mind is starting to play tricks on me. Has she had enough time to backtrack and remember last night when I called her Winnie? did I scare her off before I even had a chance? I can't stop pacing around my house, trying to think of how I can call her back without seeming pushy. 

I am sitting on my kitchen island as the call comes in, it's Lily. "Hey" I answer sounding too excited. 

"So you're Jackson Merrill" she says off the bat catching me off guard. I forget how forward she is and how that is one of the things I love about her. Before I can respond she says "Why wouldn't you tell me before? Why give me tickets and continue to talk to me. oh my how stupid am I? that is why you go out of town so much, and your tight schedule and-" before she can continue I interrupt her.

"Winnie, don't overthink it. " I say as calm as I can even though I can barely hear myself as my heart is pounding in my ears. 

"Don't overthink it? Jack, we've been talking for a few months, I thought we were friends and you never told me why?" she sounds hurt, oh no she sounds hurt. I have to make this better before I lose her, as it is her calling me is a good sign. 

"I was afraid, Lily. I was afraid you would stop seeing me like Jack your friend and more like Jackson the baseball player. You are one of the few true friendships I have, and I was being selfish trying to latch on to that" I say laying my main insecurity out on the table for her. 

"Then why letting me know the way you did? Ambushing my date and then not telling me right away but talking to me how you did. I am so confused Jack. I don't know where this leaves us, how I should move forward. It-" she quiets and whispers out "It scares me." I can hear the defeat in her voice, the uncertainty. I understand her, because I am unsure as well, the only thing I know is I love this woman and I want nothing else but an opportunity to make her fall in love with me. 

" Lily, let me invite you to dinner, talk about this in person, the last thing I want you to feel around me is scared." I remember how things ended with her last relationship, how scared she is of taking on a new one because if it, but I need her to know I am a safe space, that I am here for her. 

"I can't Tanya is coming over tonight" The gears in my head are turning, now that I have confirmed that my feelings have transpired to in person, I need to be around her. I remember how soft her face feels and how she smelled like Jasmine...

"Text me after she leaves, no matter the time. Promise?" I say eagerly.