Future Favorite Regret (Jalex)

18: You're the Beat Playing in My Heart

Title: The Edge Of Tonight by All Time Low

"Bye, Awsten!" I say, waving as he leaves. Tay and Rian both left a few minutes ago. I turn to Jack and sigh. "We need to talk."

"We do." He sets his phone down. "The kiss yesterday... Alex, be honest. Do you like me?"

I let out a sigh and trail my eyes to the ground. "Yeah. I do."

He sighs. "But... You and Rian."

"What?" I give him a look.

"Alex, I heard your conversation with Rian. When he said he likes you- and you said it back. I just- I don't know, I thought you two were together-"

I let out a laugh. He raises an eyebrow in surprise. "Sorry, it's just- I don't like Rian back. I was probably whispering when I said I didn't feel the same. I didn't realize you'd be listening from outside."

His face goes red. "Oh."

"You were the person walking away?"

He nods. "I was- well, I wasn't sick."

"Figures," I mumble. "I guess I'll have to tell Lisa that you lied."

"Oh god, please don't," he laughs. "So... Do you actually like me? Or...?"

I look back down. "I- well, yeah. I do."

I hear his footsteps get closer until I see his shoes. I look up at him. "But Jack, you said you aren't gay. And even if you were, I know you'd never feel the same..." I let out a nervous laugh. "So we can just forget this ever happened and-"

He cuts me off by cradling my cheek in his hand. I blink and stare at him. "Can I kiss you?" He asks softly, glancing at my lips. I wrap my arms around his neck and close the space between us. 

His other arm wraps around my waist. He pulls away slightly. "I've been thinking... I think I'm bi. And- yes, Alex. I like you too."

I nod and let out a soft laugh. "Tay, Rian, and Awsten are going to flip their shit."

"I know," he says and presses another kiss to my lips. "But that's okay." He whispers. "I can't believe it took us this long. I mean, as friends we were basically cuddling all the time."

I smile. "So... Now what?"

"Wanna cuddle and watch a movie?" He suggests. I nod and hop onto his back. "Lexy, you can't walk?"

"Nope."

~~~

Eventually, I start paying less attention to the movie, and more attention to Jack's heartbeat. 

I rest my head against his chest, his arms wrapped around me. My ear his presses over his heart, so I can hear the steady beating. 

"Jack!" A woman's voice echoes through the house. Jack glances at me. "Jack, we're home."

"Oh god no," Jack mumbles. I lift my head and look at him. "My parents are back," he says. I pull away from him as I hear heels clicking on the floor, getting closer. He pecks my cheek before the door opens. 

"Oh, you have company-" She says. "Who are-" She gasps when I turn. "Alexander?"

I cringe at the name. "Hi, Mrs. Barakat."

"Oh right, you prefer Alex. I'm sorry, it's been some time since I last saw you. Jack refused to tell me why you stopped coming over." 

"Oh, just... Busy," I say. Mrs. Barakat nods.