Chapter 12

 

Jacob

That night I didn’t sleep a wink. I’d turned off my phone the moment the text from Uncle Jack came in.

 

Tossed and turned, my mind racing with a million questions. I needed to turn my phone back on and talk to Uncle Jack or he’d be here at the school first thing tomorrow morning.

And that would be a total disaster.

A parent or guardian, visiting just of the blue.

It would rattle the school staff, and raise questions.

Questions no one would be able to answer.

Not me… and definitely not Daniel.

 

There was a text from Daniel the moment my phone was on. I opened it.

 

“Can’t sleep,” the text read.

 

I scroll down and opened Uncle Jacks. “I’ll be coming to see you boys this weekend.”

 

A rush of relief washed over me, I’d been worried over nothing. Kenny, that rascal, he hadn’t ratted me out. He might not be as bad as I’d thought.

 

“Me neither,” I replied to Daniel’s text.

 

He didn’t reply for minutes and then. “Come to my room?”

 

My heart stuttered and I hesitated before replying. “Be there in a second.”

 

Getting to Daniel’s room felt like an impossible mission. The sneaking and making sure I didn’t make a sound. Making sure no one saw. My heart beat faster with every step I took.

 

When I got to his room, he was standing there, shirtless, waiting by the door.

“Why the fuck are you outside… and shirtless? People could see.”

 

“Hey,” he whispered, ignoring my question and worry. He opened the door and let me in.

 

The door closed behind us and my heart jumped with the shutting sound.

 

His room seemed really warm tonight. It was big. And for the first time since today, I could finally relax.

 

Daniel sat on the edge of the bed, watching me. “Are you gonna stand there all night?”

 

“No,” I answered, shaking my head.

 

He reached for my waist, pulling me in and closer to him. “Everything’s gonna be okay.”

 

I wanted to believe him. To trust that Daniel Cobbs was being nice to me. Comforting me.

 

But all I could think about was how much I could lose, if things were to end up getting out of hand.

 

He squeezed my hands, bringing them to his cheeks. “Jacob.”

 

“Jacob?”

 

It was the first time he’d called me that and it sounded like a beautiful melody on those because lips.

 

I look up at him.

 

“I’ll take care of this,” he said softly.

 

I’d hoped so but I couldn’t stop worrying.

 

But then he kissed me and it felt like all the worries had been washed away, but I knew why he’d invited me over to his room or I thought I did.

 

I went on my knees, ready to him whole in my mouth, but he pulled me back up. “Not tonight, Jake.”

 

“What?” The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.

 

What was he up to now? Was he acting this way because I didn’t sign the agreement yet?

 

“Let’s just sleep tonight.” He sounded tired like he had the whole world’s problem resting on his shoulders.

 

We got into bed and cuddled up under the sheets. “Can you hold me?”

 

“Sure,” I said, trying to understand how a guy like Daniel could be this vulnerable with a guy like me.

 

We fell asleep almost immediately and when I blinked my eyes open, I couldn’t remember where I was.

 

But then I see him.

 

Daniel.

 

He was still asleep beside me. His hair was messy against the silk pillow, his breathing slow and his eyes, perfectly shut.

 

The lights that came through the window cast gold lines on his skin.

 

The flashes from last night filled my mind. The sneaking around the dorm. The way he stood there almost naked at the door, waiting for me.

 

The way his lips felt against mine in the dark room.

 

My heart was beating fast.

 

I should leave before the other students came out of their dorms. Before anyone sees me coming out of his room.

 

But I couldn’t leave. Couldn’t get my legs to move.

 

I just sat there, watching him sleep and his chest heaving up and down with every breath he took.

 

Memorized the way his lashes fluttered softly, the way his fingers held the sheets like he was dreaming.

 

Then he opened his eyes and for a minute, we just stared at each other.

 

“You’re up,” he mutters, his voice rough with sleep.

 

“Hey,” I whispered.

 

His lips curl into a lazy smile and suddenly, I forgot why I was in a hurry to leave.

 

He walks me to the door. “I’ll see you at breakfast,” he says, leaning against the frame.

 

Looked around the hallway and then back at him. “Gotta go now before someone sees us.”

 

He nodded but there was a glint of disappointment in his eyes… an understanding. Couldn’t quite place it but it made me want to stay anyway.

 

“Okay. Text me when you’re in your room.”

 

“Sure.”

 

I hesitate for a moment and then before I could overthink it, I stepped forward, leaned in and kissed him.

 

The kiss was soft. Quick.

 

His smile when I pulled away made me realize it was worth every second of the panic, the fear gnawing at the back of my chest.

 

Tried to make it back to my room, without getting caught, but the second I stepped inside, Kenny was there, laying comfortably on the bed like one of my fucking nightmares.

 

“Oh well.” He jumps up, that annoying smirk on his face. “Look who finally decided to come back to his room.”

 

My chest tightened. “What can I do for you, Kenny,” I snapped at him, picking up my uniform to get into the shower.

 

His phone buzzes. “He’s alright Dad.”

 

Dad? My heart sank just hearing the word.