You've Got it Bad

Twenty Two

Jade's POV

They had to keep Perrie for the next few days to monitor her. It felt like a miracle that she was already acting like herself again, even though she still seemed tired and a little weak.

The doctors said it was normal after everything she'd been through, and they didn't expect any lasting issues.

Her and her mom volunteered to look after Jaden while I went to work, until I found a preschool to put him in.

All during my shift, I couldn't stop thinking about Perrie. We needed to talk, and we both knew it. I clocked out and made my way straight to the hospital.

"Mommy!" Jaden jumped up from his spot on the couch and tackled me at full speed.

"Hey, my handsome man!" I picked him up and spun him around.

I hugged Debbie and then Perrie. As much as I wanted to kiss her, I held back. She hadn't had that conversation with her mom yet, so in Debbie's eyes, we were just friends.

"Jaden was just getting ready to lose at Mario Kart!" Perrie teased, pointing at the TV in the corner where the video game console I'd brought from home for Jaden was hooked up.

Her voice was still a little hoarse, and she leaned back against the pillows for support, but her smirk was as sharp as ever.

"Was not!" Jaden shot back, sticking his tongue out at her, which made all of us laugh.

"You think you're good at Mario Kart, huh?" I asked, noticing how her eyes lit up despite the tiredness lingering in them.

She raised her brow at me, the smallest hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "And just what are you trying to say, Jade Thirlwall?"

Someone's competitive.

"Uh oh," Debbie spoke up. "This is her favorite game, Jade."

"Mine too," I replied, cutting my eyes at Perrie.

"Well, I sense a competition about to go down. Do you want to go get snacks with me, Jaden?" Debbie asked.

"Yep!" Jaden jumped off the couch and followed behind Debbie.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, I turned to Perrie with a grin. "So, are you ready to prove you're the Mario Kart champion you claim to be, or was that all talk?"

Her smirk grew as she adjusted herself against her pillows, controller in her good hand. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but the fire in her eyes told me she wasn't backing down.

"Don't underestimate me." She glared at me.

I chuckled, grabbing the other controller and sitting beside her. "Underestimate you? Never. But beat you? That's a different story."

She rolled her eyes, but smiled.

"Let's go, then," she said, her raspy voice steady with determination.

The game fired up, and within minutes, we were neck and neck, the competition heating up. Her tongue peeked out slightly as she concentrated, her one hand gripping the controller tightly, guiding her kart like she'd been playing this game her whole life.

"You're doing great, baby." I teased as I zipped past her on the track. "Right in second place where you belong."

Her head snapped toward me, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, you're going to regret that, baby."

I laughed, but she was quick. Too quick. Her character sped past mine, tossing a banana peel just in time to send my kart spinning.

"Shit! Are you kidding me?" I yelled, throwing my head back dramatically.