"You may be his world, but you're the only thing that ever felt like home to me."
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Some people never get second chances. Lilah never thought she'd get one with her brother's best friend.
She's quiet...
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I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank you all—this story just passed 9.5k reads! 💕 Every single read, vote, and comment means more than I can say. You all keep me so motivated to keep writing and sharing Lilah & Jackson's story. I can't wait to celebrate 10k with you soon!
Anyways, hope you enjoy!
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The smell of bacon drifts through the kitchen by the time I drag myself out of bed. Well, Nat drags me out of bed. I had fallen asleep once I noticed it had reached the early hours of the morning. So granted, I am exhausted.
My chest feels heavy, like I hardly slept—even though I know I managed to. Every time I closed my eyes, though, I kept seeing him. The way Jackson had looked at me on the porch last night, the weight behind his voice when he said he didn't regret coming back. And that he was sorry.
It had felt real. Too real.
But now, as I step into the kitchen, it feels like I imagined the whole thing.
Jackson's already at the table, leaning back in his chair, chuckling at something Kayce just said. His plate is piled high, his hair still damp from a shower. He doesn't look at me when I sit down across from him. Not once. Not even a flicker of acknowledgment that last night ever happened.
I keep my head down, spooning eggs onto my plate.
Maybe it was just in the moment. Maybe he only said it because I'd been upset. Comfort words. Nothing more.
"Morning," Natalie sings cheerfully as she slips into the chair beside me. She gives me a quick smile, then glances between me and Jackson before grabbing a piece of toast. She notices—she always notices.
Mom sets another plate of pancakes down on the table, all cheerful with warmth. "Since I've got the whole day to prep for dinner tonight, I thought you guys could go out for a bit. Maybe the mall? Start on some early Black Friday shopping? Or," she looks to Dad, directing the question at him. "Do you want to do the grocery store first? I didn't realize how much butter I'd need for a Thanksgiving meal."
My mouth is already watering for Thanksgiving dinner tonight. But it doesn't stop me from noticing her comment—she's not used to all of us, plus our other family relatives. Or to put it simply, she's not used to Jackson being here.
"We can go to the grocery store," Dad says, reaching for the orange juice. "Figure we'll need the stuff for tonight anyway."
"Mall," Kayce says immediately, roughly tearing off half a piece of bacon with his teeth. "Less boring."
Jackson grins. "Pretty sure you just want a pretzel from the food court."
"And what's wrong with that?" Kayce fires back after swallowing a mixture of bacon and pancakes he shoveled into his mouth.
