The Meet [Jaime Preciado] [Book 3]

[1] Nerves Suck

Lily

Jaime let Toni and I come inside. He snapped the door shut and locked it for the night. The two of us left our luggage by the front door and looked around, admiring the house. Jaime held up one finger to the both of us and hurried off. I smiled. He was so nervous.

It was so adorable.

Toni gazed around the house from where she stood, wiping off her forehead. It was kind of like Florida here; hot and humid. She was super excited, too, to be here. I never knew her boyfriend lived out here. What a coincidence, huh?

She perked up when she heard voices in another room, but she didn’t make any moves to head over to where they were. Toni was shy, but you would never guess so if nobody told you. Her energy led to hyperactivity; let’s just leave that at that.

Jaime returned with two hand-held fans that also sprayed water. He was prepared, and that was adorable, too. He handed one to Toni smoothly, but when he went to give me the other, he hesitated, gave me a shy smile, and slowly held it out in a shaky hand. I took it gently out of his grasp and gave him a small smile. I was kind of nervous, too, but I wouldn’t admit that to him.

He cleared his throat and rubbed his hands together. Jaime told Toni where the guys were, and that he’d show her to her room later. Now it was just the two of us alone in the threshold. I bit my lip and, after deciding I was ‘cold’ enough, put the fan on top of one of my suitcases.

I looked over at Jaime, now, who was watching me with a glint in his eyes that told me he was admiring me. My cheeks flamed up, and he smiled a little. As if we were in a movie, he stepped closer and hesitantly put his hands on my hips, as if he were scared that he was going to break me.

My mouth opened as if I was going to say something, but I stopped as my eyes caught Jaime’s. We stared into each other’s eyes for a few silent moments. His eyes were the kind of eyes you’d want to get lost in; they were full of every positive emotion there was to name, one of the most prominent being love.

Jaime moved forward a bit like he was going to kiss me, but instead, his lips connected with my forehead so softly that I was barely aware that they were there. I let my eyelids close. His warm breath hit the top of my head. It became soothing after a minute or two.

I let my arms snake around his neck. Jaime smelled like cologne and cookies; not a combination you would expect from a Mexican. He moved so his arms were around my body and his face was in the crook of my neck, like he was afraid to let me go.

“Happy birthday, Lily,” Jaime breathed into my neck. My lips turned up into a soft smile. He didn’t forget to say it like most people would. Being here with Jaime, Toni, and the rest of the band on New Year’s Eve (and my birthday) was better than being around my drunk and/or high middle-aged relatives who were ringing in the New Year by passing out on the ground.

“Thank you,” I mumbled shyly. His arms gave my body a squeeze before slowly – and, as it seemed, reluctantly – he let me go. Jaime’s hands moved down my arms to grab my hands in his. He brought my right hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it. I felt my cheeks go red.

Being here was not only better than being with my family – it was also hard to do, considering the foundation of lies I’ve built our relationship off of. The odds were constantly stacked against me. What if he found out? What would he do? Would he hurt me – physically, emotionally, and/or mentally?

I knew Jaime was different, though, so I guess that’s why I chose to stick around. Besides, he might be able to change me. He might be able to get through the thick, brick walls I’ve put up between myself and the universe. Maybe, just maybe, Jaime could piece the old me back together again. I might be able to be okay again.

I almost laughed at myself. Fat chance. Trust me; I’m not okay.

**

Short, I know, but I need some foundation to build off of, so bear with me, please. I might update tomorrow, who knows?

 

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