Is That Jada

“Shit. Are you ok Squirt?” he asked, helping me off of the floor.

My behind was in pain but otherwise I was fine. My strap to my tank top fell down my shoulder and my curls toppled forwards. He pushed my hair back out of my face slowly and gently. I hadn’t felt his touch in so long that it took me by surprise. His eyes went to my fallen strap and he slowly started to push it back up onto my shoulder. I got chills all over. His hand stayed on my shoulder for a minute and then he caressed it.

“Brees…” he whispered.

“Keegan don’t…” I pleaded, shaking my head at his predictable words.

“Don’t what?” he asked, as he stepped closer to me.

“I can’t do this with you again. My heart has been so broken by you over and over the last year and I can’t take another disappointment,” I said, backing away.

“I just haven’t touched you in so long. Your skin is so soft,” he said, running his fingers down my arm and clasping my wrist between his fingers.

“We are friends Kee and that is all, right?” I said, trying to convince myself of those words.

My gaze followed his hand on my arm. My lips parted and I let out an involuntary breath of content. Feeling him this close to me again definitely brought up all of those feelings I had done so well to keep tucked away the last few weeks.

“Tell me to stop Brees. If you don’t feel this magnetic pull between us, please say something,” he begged.

He put his hand around my waist and walked me backwards into the counter. We swayed back and forth to a nonexistent melody. Possibly the beat of the popcorn popping. His body pressed up against mine and I melted into him. I looked up at him. The hum of the microwave filled in the silence.

“We can’t Kee,” I whispered between exasperated breaths.

He grabbed the back of my hips and pulled me closer. His fingers traced my collarbone and my shoulder as we continued to sway.

“I still need you, Brees,” he said softly in my ear.

I closed my eyes and laid my head on his chest. He softly kissed my hairline. It felt like we were friends that were falling in love. The world stopped at that very moment. None of the Jeff or Jada drama was there. It was just us two falling in love in the kitchen. Well at least I was in love.

I looked up at him. His eyes caught the light and glistened like a Christmas ornament. They softened when they focused on my face. He put one knuckle under my chin and lifted it. His lips parted and I felt his breath hit my cheek. He rubbed his thumb over my lips. This has become his ritual with me it seems.

“I have been dreaming about your lips. That kiss. When I can actually kiss you again,” he said.

I looked away but let him keep me in his embrace.

“I have too, Kee. Things just haven’t worked out for us. And I’m not sure they ever will,” I noted, grabbing his hoodie strings.

“But they could. Just let me show you how much I want this,” he stated, running his thumb over my lips again. “Dammit Brees. You don’t even know what you do to me. I need you so badly.”

He lifted my chin and brought his mouth close to mine. “Tell me you want this,” he whispered.

He hesitated as if to wait for my approval. I rubbed my nose against his, but didn’t kiss him. I wanted to, but how could I? Allowing that would mean that I also allowed his behavior towards me. He was so irresistible though and his mouth was right there. Just go for it Brees, I told myself.

I moved my mouth towards his and he grabbed me tighter. Pulling me close. He went in for the kiss.

Suddenly, we were interrupted by the doorbell as his bottom lip brushed against mine. Who was coming over at this hour, I wondered. I heard Baylen run up the stairs. Keegan let go of me instantly. His fear of Baylen was still there and that was one reason this couldn’t work. I could hear female voices as Baylen opened the door. I stepped away from Keegan, fixing myself and he grabbed the popcorn from the microwave.

Baylen entered the kitchen and yelled, “Surprise! The girls are here to watch the movie with us.”

Quinn and Jada stepped into view and my stomach dropped. Why was Jada here?