Chapter 11

“Case, what’s wrong?” I asked.

She was pointing to the corner.

“What? I don’t see anything?” I said.

“There is a giant spider!” she yelled.

Jagger went over to look. I saw her unroll a small piece of toilet paper and quickly hit the wall.

“Got it!” she said.

“My hero,” Casey squealed, hugging Jagger around her neck.

After about three hours, my mom texted me and told me they were headed home. I told the girls that they could head out since I’d have some support home soon. Casey wrapped me in the biggest hug ever and rocked me back and forth. She planted a wet kiss on my cheek, because she knows I hate it, and then she took off.

Jagger had to wait for her dad to pick her up, so we waited on the swing out front. The weather was not too hot, though still very humid. It was a perfect night to sit outside.

“Jagger, I appreciate you coming to my rescue. I know we don’t know one another very well. So it’s really thoughtful and kind of you,” I said, fumbling with my necklace.

“Any time. You guys have really been great this summer in Louisiana, and I’m sad I’ll be leaving in two weeks,” she said.

“Wait, two weeks? You won’t be here any more either,” I said, with clear shock in my voice.

“Yeah, school starts soon in Texas, so I gotta get home and get things in order. It’s senior year, so mom is all excited with the senior pics coming up,” she said, helping me clip my necklace back on.

Her hands felt warm on my neck and she smelled so good. She hesitated for a moment with her hand on my back, but then she pulled away.

“I’m uhh, gonna miss you. We should keep in touch. It has been so nice getting to know you. So easy and effortless,” I said, turning towards her.

She smiled and moved my hair behind my ear. Her thumb tracing down the side of my cheek. My breath got caught in my throat as she ran her fingertips slowly down the side of my face.

“I have never met someone like you Brees. It’s so easy to be around you. I can’t imagine walking away from you like Keegan did. I would fight like hell for you if you were mine,” she said.

Her hand didn’t move away from my face. She edged herself closer to me on the swing.

“I agree. I have never met someone like you either Jagger,” I said, breathing deeply with anticipation of where this was going.

“Before the spider incident, I was trying to tell you that I have feelings for you Brees,” she said.

“I think I feel something for you as well. I’m not sure what to do with these feelings, but I know I get butterflies when you are near me Jag. I could be confused because of my break up with Keegan, but something is definitely there,” I said.

Her hand moved around to the back of my head as she pulled me closer. She leaned in and her mouth was inches away from mine.

“Tell me to stop if you don’t want this,” she said softly, her breathing getting more and more labored.

I didn’t say anything. My stomach was in knots and I felt warm all over. She leaned closer and then kissed my top lip softly.