Returning Hearts

Chapter 26: Change of Heart

Jackson wants to kiss her lips so badly but he wants to be a gentleman and not give her too much yet knowing she is still dating Cade. He knows if he wants to win her back he has to make her want him and miss him.

He holds her hand as they walk towards her door. He can feel tingles flooding through his body from her touch. "Thank you for tonight." She looks up at Jackson as they arrive to her door. "It was amazing."

"You're welcome. Thank you for coming out with me." He finds it hard to resist kissing her lips when her eyes are begging him. He can't deny her any longer so he kisses her softly for a few seconds. He knows if he keeps going he wouldn't be able to stop so he pulls his lips from hers. "Have a good night."

"You too."

He remembers tomorrow is his day with Carter as he turns to leave. "I will pick up Carter in the morning and he can stay the night with me tomorrow night." Jackson regrets his words immediately as he remembers her date with Cade.

"I will have him ready." She turns unlocking the door.

"Oh. And August." She turns back towards him and he feels his nerves increase. "Could I maybe, take you on a second date sometime?"

August smiles excitedly as she answers. "I would love that."

Jackson too feels excited but tries to hide it with a faint smile. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye Jax."

Jackson tosses and turns all night thinking about August. He tries to think of another good date that would help him win her back completely. The morning comes slowly and as his alarm finally sounds he jumps excitedly out of bed knowing he will get to see August again when he picks up Carter.

It is just at 8:30 when he arrives back at August's apartment and is about to knock on the door when it suddenly begins to open. He feels excited but then is struck suddenly with shock as Cade appears behind the door.

"Jackson!" Cade seems just as surprised to see Jackson. Jackson is feeling pain build up inside him as he stands motionless looking at Cade standing in August's doorway.

August quickly appears behind Cade with puffy eyes and Jackson knows she has been crying. "Jax. Carter. He fell." She begins to cry more as Jackson moves quickly past Cade toward her. He looks around and sees Carter sitting in the floor with a bandage on his head but Carter seems to be playing normally. August moves up against Jackson putting her face into his chest as she cries. He puts his arm around her before looking back at Cade.

"August said she heard a loud bang. He seems to have crawled out of his bed and fell. He hit his head on the corner of the chest of drawers but, I looked at him and he seems to be okay. Nothing to worry too much over."

Jackson holds out his hand to Cade. "Thank you."

"Anytime." Cade looks sorrowfully down to the ground. "Just bring him by the office if you notice anything odd."

Cade disappears through the front door and August finally speaks. "I didn't know what to do. He went unconscious for a minute. I was so scared. My parents were gone and all I could think to do was call Cade for help."

"He is okay." Jackson tries to comfort her. He feels relieved that Carter is okay but also relieved that Cade had not stayed the night with her. "He is playing and Cade said he was fine." He wipes her tears from her eyes.

"I know it is your day to have him and I hate to ruin your plans but I really want to keep him home so I can watch him if that is okay? But I want you to stay too because I don't want to be alone with him."