Hit Me Up // Jack Avery • Why Dont We

19

JACK AVERY'S POV

"We're close to landing," I announce, a little louder than I intended to. I haven't slept a wink last night and jet lag was supposed to be getting to me but I was far from tired and I knew why.

I was seeing Val today.

In person.

"We know, Jack," Daniel groans, clearly half asleep and disturbed as he covers his face with a pillow.

"Give him a chance," Zach backs me up. "He's hooking up with Val when we land."

"She's at the airport?!" Corbyn practically shouts.

"No, she isn't," I tell Corbyn. Then I turn to Zach, "and how would you even know I'm meeting up with her?"

"I read your texts," he admits with a grin which I only roll my eyes at. "Don't worry, I promise I'll back off. No way am I following you on a three hour drive."

"We have a show today," Jonah pipes in, reminding us of responsibilities because he's obviously our mother.

"I'll make it back in time. It's in eight hours," I say this with certainty because I've been calculating for the past hour. I already rented a car online and I'll waste about two and a half hours on travel (or maybe 3 hours depending on traffic) and I'd still have a few hours to spend with Val before making the drive back.

"You gotta be an hour early for rehearsals."

"Seven hours then."

"Whipped," Daniel laughs into the pillow.

***

I was not able to drive to Val the second I got off the plane. We had to unload our things and I was forced to check into our hotel rooms before I could rent a car to drive to Alexandria.

This took a little bit over an hour but I left the hotel as soon as I could.

I drove for about an hour before I remembered that I haven't eaten anything since those pancakes on the plane. I drove through MacDonald's and got a burger to go.

When I reach the hotel Van said she was staying in, I book a room with the front desk lady who doesn't seem to recognize me and text Val that I'm here. I wasted a little over three hours, which I'm beating myself up for, of course.

Val replies: I'm by the pool ;)

She freaking uses a wink emoji.

I get directions from the lady and try my best not to walk too excitedly. As I near the door that takes me out of the lobby and into the poolside, I stop. My hand closes on the cold metal of the door, and I'm taking deep breaths.

I'm gonna see her.

I'm gonna see the girl I've been hopelessly crushing on since I saw her dancing to These Girls in an oversized white shirt and shorts; the girl I've been messing up my sleep schedule for, just so it would match her timezone; the girl who covers her face when she's embarrassed, even though there was nothing to be embarrassed about in the first place.

Daniel's right, I'm whipped.

I push the door open and the summer heat beats down on me. With my hands cupped over my eyes, I scan the area for Val. There were about eight people around, and they were mostly adults.

No Val.

I take my phone, ready to ask her where she was when someone literally jumps me from behind. I stood my ground because that was a lot better than slamming onto the concrete.

"Guess who," the person on my back says even though I had no doubt that it was her.

I cup her thighs so she's piggyback-riding me. "Hmm," I pretend to think.

"It's me," she giggles.

Her long hair tumbles down her shoulders and fans my face and chest. God, she smells so good.

I scoot close to the pool. "I don't think I know anyone named Me."

"Jack, no," Val says when she realizes what I'm trying to do. She starts wiggling on my back, tryna get off.

"What was that?"

"Jack, please!" she begs through giggles. "My phone!"

I give in, setting her on the ground and turning to face her.

I almost couldn't breathe.

She was stunning.

And I'd be an idiot if I didn't let her know.

"You're even more beautiful in person."

Her hands cover her face instinctively. "Jack!" She exclaims in protest.

"I'm serious."

"Are you?" she asks, placing her hands on her hips.

"Of course."

Val rolls her eyes but her smile was so wide, all her teeth were showing. I hope that scored me brownie points. She opens her mouth, closes it, and then opens it yet again. "Hi," She awkwardly says, running a hand through her hair. "Wow. Uh, this played out better in my mind. I'm literally a nervous wreck right now. My hands are shaking."

I smile down at her hands that she stretched out for me to see. "It's okay," I assure her, taking her hands in mine and caressing her soft skin with my thumb. "I'm nervous too."

She tightens her grip in mine ever so slightly, smiling down at our hands. "You're practically oozing confidence though."

"That's on the outside," I laugh as we release our handhold so I can lead her away from the pool. "Why don't we get like a milkshake or something?"

"Strawberry?"

"Whatever you want."

((okayyyyy, I'd like to apologize for the lateness of my update. I've honestly considered deleting this because I thought no one liked it but turns out people do so I thought oh well, might as well post something up

Thank you all so so much for taking the time to read my stupid chapters ilysm :*

also new cover whoopppp))