Take Me Back

5 - Jenna

November

These last few weeks have been the best ones of my life. Running into Niall again was a true gift, because now our friendship is stronger than ever. Recently, he's been acting pretty flirty, but I shrug it off as his playful behavior.

Last week, Niall took me to play golf, and we had a great time. So, today, I'm taking him to do my sport of choice: lacrosse. I played all through college, and I think it'll be hilarious watching him try it.

"Jenna, I swear, if I get hit in the nose with that ball, you're dead", he warned me, gesturing to my ball.

"Whatever. I think you'll be fine as long as I go easy on you. Who knows, maybe I could pull a fast one and send it right at you!" He glared, knowing that I was joking but still being skeptical. We walked out to my car together and drove to the gym I practice at. "So, here's the equipment, just be careful and try not to break anything or anybody". Thankfully, we were alone since it was a Tuesday morning. Niall immediately went to the bounce-backs, and tried to throw the ball at it. Instead of launching back towards his stick, it went and hit him straight in the balls. I started laughing like a maniac while he groaned in pain.

"This isn't funny!" He winced and sat down. I sat next to him and rubbed his back as he glared at me. Needless to say, we left shortly after.

To make up for his mishap at the gym, I agreed to go out to the bars with him tonight. As I did my makeup, Niall sat on my bed and messed around on his phone. 

"So, I think I want to hit that pub a few blocks away, and then maybe the bar across the street from that Nando's?" I nodded in agreement. He was definitely a bigger fan of the night life than I was. But, that doesn't mean I don't know how to have a good time. I sat up from my desk, with my hair done and ready to go. "Ready, Freddie?" He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me out of the door. If there was one thing my best friend loved more than me, it was having a few pints. We walked to our destination, since we didn't want to have to drive if we had too much fun. My feet were already hurting from my heels, so I was treading behind.

"Wait up, would ya? Some people don't have the luxury of comfortable shoes". He rolled his eyes at me.

"Jenna, you make the same mistakes. Get over here". He crouched down so I could get on his back. I smiled as I hopped on, and he carried me the rest of the way.

Once we got to the pub, he put me down and went straight to the bar.

"A pint of Guinness for me, and whiskey coke for the lady". Of course he knew what I liked. It was my go-to drink at high school parties.

"Put hers on my tab. And another shot of Fireball, please". I heard a familiar voice say behind me, but I couldn't quite place it. I turned around to see a very angry Niall and a tall, smirking brunette.

"Grayson? What are you doing here? I thought you moved back to the states!" Grayson was a boyfriend of mine in my sophomore year. We only dated for about a month, because he transferred schools.

"I did, but I've been doing an internship here for about nine months. I'ts a year long, so I go back home at the end of January, but I'm enjoying it!" I was glad to see him again. I turned around to my other side to face Niall, who looked like he was about to punch him. 

"Niall, this is Grayson. We dated in college. Grayson, this is my best friend, Niall. We grew up together, got separated, and now we live together". I giggled, hearing how weird that sounds. Grayson reached his hand out to shake, but Niall refused. 

"Sure. Jenna's never talked about you before, strange". I shot him a glare asking what the hell he was doing.

"Nice to meet you, man. Catch up later, dude?" Grayson took my hand and pulled me towards the dance floor. Meanwhile, Niall stood in the same place, watching our every move. He seemed to be pretty jealous, but he had no reason to be. It's not like we're together and I'm cheating on  him. 

"I'm so glad you came here tonight, it's so nice to..." I was cut off by a long finger pressing my lips. 

"Don't talk, just dance with me". He slid his hands down on my waist and rocked his body on mine. I suddenly remembered why I liked him so much. He was absolutely gorgeous, and could make any girl drop their pants with just a glance.

"Maybe...we should go somewhere else...like back to my place". I suggested, and he smirked. We made our way through the crowd and to his car. I gave him directions back to Niall and I's flat, and he kissed me as we walked through the hallways to my room. He pushed me onto the bed and shut off the lights, locking the door behind him.

Through our heavy breathing, I heard the front door open and shut. I assumed Niall was home, so I shushed Grayson for a moment. Once his bedroom door slammed, we resumed our prior activities.

In the morning, I woke up Grayson and told him he had to leave. "Niall can't know that you were here. Sneak out and be careful". He looked at me with sad eyes, but buckled his belt and creaked the door open. I followed him and watched through the door frame. The coast seemed clear, but all of the sudden, a scowling Irish man came out of his room.

"Hey, great to see you man! How you doing?" He opened his arms for a bro hug, but Niall stayed put.

"Get out of here. Now". Grayson looked back at me and I gave him an apologetic look. Once he left, I exited my room, ready to face the fire.

"Don't do that shit in my house ever again. Ever". I pretended to not know what he was talking about.

"I have no clue what you think we did, but I don't think you're right".

"Oh, stop playing dumb, Jenna. I could hear you through the walls. 'Yeah, yeah, Gray, give it to me baby!' Not exactly keeping it a secret". He frowned at me, and I gaped my mouth, disapproving of his remarks.

"Excuse me, but I live here too. I pay rent and cook for you, so I think I have a right".

"Not if you keep this up. Consider this a warning. If I see that guy ever again, I swear I'll kill him". Why was he acting like this?

"Stop! I don't belong to you, we aren't together, so you don't get to be jealous!" I screamed at him, being so pissed off I could slap him.

"Jenna, I'm protecting you. That guy, Grayson, who you brought back here last night? He was doing an internship at my company. He didn't recognize me, but we fired him because he was accused of sexually assaulting multiple of my female employees. I came home right after I figured out where I recognized him from. I couldn't just open your door and tell you that, because you were clearly in the middle of something. So I stayed up all night to make sure he didn't hurt you. If anything happened to you, I would never forgive myself". I could see tears forming in his eyes. "I know you aren't mine, but I want you to be, okay? I can't let you go with somebody else and leave me alone. I can't live without you". I pulled him into a hug and didn't let go for a few minutes. Once I pulled away, I looked up at him with tears streaming down my face.

"Thank you for protecting me, Niall. I'm sorry for acting like a jackass. You really do mean the world to me. And I'm yours, okay? I'll always be yours. Even if somebody else comes along, I'll still be yours. Never in a million years could I let you go". I planted a friendly kiss on his cheeks and pulled him into another hug. He gave me a kiss on the forehead and wrapped his arms around me.

"Let's get you changed". I blushed, realizing I was only wrapped in my bed sheets. He took off his sweatshirt and handed it to me. I turned around and went back into my room and put it on. I slipped on a pair of athletic shorts and went back out. Niall was in the kitchen brewing some coffee for the two of us. I sat down on one of the bar stools and gave him a weak smile.

"Cheer up, petal. I'm here for you".

a/n: ahh! i cried so hard writing the last part of this chapter because he's too sweet. anyways, next chapter will be up tomorrow or the day after!! i hope you guys are enjoying my story so far, make sure to favorite it to keep getting my updates!