The Mate He Couldn’t Control (complete)

Chapter 5

I woke up to the sound of my tv and my nephews running around outside of my room. The feeling of the light around me made me guess that it was around nine. The familiar heartbeat under my cheek made my eyes open slightly and look up at the white haired beauty I was pressed against. His eyes looked from the tv, down to me and a smile came to his lips. “I thought you were going to sleep all day.”

“I don’t even remember falling asleep. Or being asleep. I didn’t even have dreams,” I admitted, trying to sit up to look around my room.

“Be careful,” Jaylon warned, placing a hand on my back. “Your parents and I didn’t want to wake you, but your nephews have been trying for hours. Whatever Martha gave you put you out like a light.”

“This is so weird I have never woken up this late in my life. I’ve slept half the day.”

“Half of the day?” he questioned.

“Maybe a quarter. . . What did my aunt say it was?”

“She said. . .” he trailed off as I watched his eyes show his panic. Why? “Exhaustion! Your body just needed a break I guess.”

My eyes widened at his outburst. “Exhaustion?” I questioned in disbelief. I haven’t done anything tiring.

“Think about it, you didn’t sleep at all one night and you haven’t made up for that. Now you have. You should be much better now. And if you aren’t, your aunt made you some of her herbal teas. I can go heat you up one if you want?”

“No, I think I’m fine, but thank you.”

“Good, we don’t need you to be sick on your birthday. Speaking of that, I have to tell you something.”

“Hmm?”

“I won’t be here for it. My father and I are going out of town tonight and we’ll be gone for a few days. I’m sorry, but I have no choice.” Jaylon’s eyes were filled with guilt and sadness and I’m not completely sure why.

“That’s perfectly fine. Why would I be upset?”

“Because I have to miss your birthday? Why wouldn’t you be upset?” My mind flashed to how he chose to celebrate my past birthdays, specifically my sixteenth. This is the last thing I’d expect Jaylon white to care about. “The way you wanted me last night, I thought you’d feel differently.”

“What do you mean? What did I do last night?”

“Whatever your aunt gave you made you act out. Everytime you didn’t see me you’d start crying and then you were in the car mumbling to me about your cousins. You’d ask if they liked you, forget the answer and ask again. Your mother was giggling the whole drive home.” I looked anywhere but him as I mentally freaked out about how embarrassing it was.

“I always find a way to embarrass myself.”

“I don’t know what you mean, I thought it was cute,” He smiled up at me, before his tone switched to a more irritated one. “Someone’s been texting you. . .”

I looked back at him confused before thinking back on the parts that I do remember. Nick. My mother said he was texting me. “Where’s my phone?” Jaylon picked up from the other side of him and handed it to me.

“You're friends with a lot of guys,” he mumbled, making me smirk down at him. I’m not the type to care if someone goes through my phone, I have nothing to hide, especially not Jaylon. Selfishly, I love the jealous act on him. I love that I’m not the only one with feelings. It makes it feel like less of a repeat of history. The new lock screen picture I had made me question my new relationship status. I know, I know. I’m cuddling and driving around town with the dude, but still, you can’t assume. Do not assume. You know those toxic couples that are very much a couple and then one day the guy or girl will be like ‘what do you mean? We aren’t dating.’ yeah. I don’t do that. That is almost precisely why I don’t do that. I’ve watched my friends get told that by guys and girls that swore up and down they’d marry them hours before. I stay single and observe, but Jaylon makes me want to rebel against myself. He makes me want to leap at the chance of love. It’s scary though. Falling for someone is like walking across the highway blind folded and hoping you don’t get hit. Making it out alive is rare.

“Ooh, he’s cute,” I mumbled down at the picture of him.

“I thought it would be useful for tonight. It appears someone wants to take you out.” Jaylon’s voice was still irritated. My flirting didn’t help. I scrolled through the hundreds of notifications from my family and friends (they’re very needy as you can see) until I found the spread out texts from Nick.

“I don’t have to go,” I offered, cuddling back up to him. “You just have to say something. . .”

“No, I guess you should. I can’t keep you hidden away and I know you probably want some friends here. But, you should let him know that you won’t be alone,” he sighed out.

“You're coming?” I beamed up at him.

“No, he wouldn’t dare come if I was with you, but your cousins are. I think you should spend some time with them. I know you want a better relationship with them. So, tell your new friend to pick you up at eight.”

“I’m sorry I know you told me to stay away and I wasn’t thinking yesterday. All I knew is he helped me and I honestly didn’t think he’d use my number,” I blurted out, guilty at talking to Nick in the first place.

“I’m not mad at you. I know you weren’t thinking anything about it.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I went downstairs to see my family before he got there and I drank a cup of my aunt's tea to make sure I would be okay through the night. Jaylon left a few hours ago to pack for his trip, but promised he would come see me before he left. I’m still wondering about our relationship because the guilt I’m suffering from is insane at the moment.

“Why Nick?” Bridget questioned with a disgusted eye squint.

“He walked me home and he seemed nice,” I defended.

“He’s annoying though,” she complained.

“Well how was I supposed to know?”

“Bridget, don’t tell her that, he is a good young man!” my uncle chimed in to reassure me.

“I don’t know why she’s so worried about you and Nick. She's been complaining about it since we got home yesterday. I mean Bridget you already fling with Jaylon I don’t know why you get so jealous,” Dalton also chimed in annoyed. Wait, she's jealous? That’s why she doesn’t like him? Is he her ex? Are she and Jaylon still flinging? Great, now my nerves are worse.

“Ugh! I don’t care about sharing attention! I am simply looking out for my cousin and there is nothing between Jaylon and me,” she started and I eased slightly.

The same Jaylon that my nerves were so torn over just walked into the kitchen. I looked in his hands to see a small bag. “Hi!” Really Alison, Hi? I couldn’t be more obvious about my feelings. Well, I guess nothing I did made my feelings any less obvious. Look, Jaylon is the only guy I have ever obsessed over and obviously nothing has ever worked for me before.

“I got you something, but you have to come in here and open it,” he replied, making the room stop and look at us. The smirk on my dad and uncle's faces made me lightly laugh as I followed Jaylon out. The wide eyes from Bridget made me feel nauseous though. Jaylon has never gifted me anything before so this is new. I don’t even know how to act and I’m starting to fidget. He stopped in the main room before turning to face me. “I’m sorry I’m late. I was out trying to find you something.” He handed me the bag and I pulled a box out of it. I opened it to find a locket necklace and smiled up at him.

“Aww you didn’t have to get me anything. It’s not even my birthday yet.”

“It will be in four hours. I won’t be here to give you this then. I couldn’t wait. . .” Once those words had come out, he stood there for a second before doing something I never saw coming. He did something younger me would murder someone to experience. He grabbed my waist and pulled me to him. His lips leaned down and grabbed mine, making my eyes fall shut. I’ve been kissed before, but it’s never made me feel sparks from my lips down to my toes. I’ve never been so into a kiss that the world around me was muted. The house could be in flames right now and I would have no idea. Jaylon’s lips separated from mine but he still held me close. “Is this saying enough for you?” he asked in my ear, causing a grin to come to my lips.

“I think you might need to say a little more,” I teased, making his lips come back one last time, before we slightly separated. I didn’t want to, but if I didn’t I’d make out with him all night. He is a very good kisser.

“Maybe when I get back I can give you another present,” he smirked, flicking his eyebrows.

“Jaylon!” I whisper-shouted, lightly tapping his arm. He’s never been that flirtatious either. Now isn’t the time to tempt me like that. I’m dazed enough to do it without a single thought.

“What? You don’t want hot birthday s*x?”

“Jaylon! I’m a virgin!”

“Even better!” His eyes lit up as he tried to pull me back.

“You’re insane,” I commented as I took the locket out of its box.

“How?” he asked as I turned around so he could put it on me.

“My parents would murder you! My dad especially!”

“No, your parents love me!” he argued once I turned back to face him.

“They won’t after that! Trust me, my dad had a very long discussion with Cole the last time he tried,” I explained with wide eyes as Jaylon’s darkened for a second

“Someone tried to sleep with you?”

“Yeah, but it didn’t happen, obviously.”

“Good, it isn’t his to take,” he replied, looking me up and down slowly. “Are you sure you should wear that?”

“What? Is the dress ugly?”

“No, you look beautiful. I just don’t want anyone looking.”

“They wouldn’t live to tell what they saw.”

“That’s my girl.” He looked down at my necklace before looking deep into my eyes. “I knew it would look beautiful on you, everything does.”

“Thank you.” After that, my cousins walked in behind us as I heard a car coming to a stop outside. I turned around to face them as Dalton was giving Jaylon raised eyebrows and Bridget's eyes were studying us, adding things up in her head, then she shrugged and I guess came to her results. Something tells me I should be worried, but Jaylon’s fingers gently running up and down my back told me that everything is fine. Perfectly fine.

“Are you ready?” Dalton asked.

“Yes!” I beamed before they opened the door and headed out. I turned back to face. . . my boyfriend? This is so foreign. Alison King with a boyfriend? Anna swore hell would freeze over before this historic event would happen. “When will you be back?”

“At least a day or two, no longer than four,” Jaylon explained sadly. “I’ll be counting down the minutes until I get to see you.”

“Don’t forget the tour you promised or else you’ll keep missing me,” I jokingly threatened as I headed for the door.

“Of course not! You’ll be getting a real thorough tour of my bed,” he joked again, making my head shoot back in his direction as my mouth dropped open. An evil grin came to his lips as he took one last look at me and turned around, heading back for the kitchen. I shook mine, turned and walked out of the house. I guess I’ve officially unlocked the part of Jaylon I used to daydream about. I used to dream of the day he’d want me back. Who knew all I had to do was stop obsessing and spend some time away and then he’d want me? Wait, that sounds like a red flag. . .

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I don’t know why I’ve never thought about it until now. All of those guys I didn’t like. . . I should have just gone on the dates wearing men's cologne, because Nick is sitting in the car awkwardly. I would say it was my cousins glaring from the back seat, but he mentioned it the second he opened the car door for me. I’m not saying I don’t like Nick, I don’t know anything about him to make me like or not like him. BUT, I know for sure I don’t and I’m not going to like him in any romantic way, or any way that isn’t friendly. Believe me, he’s hot and I love my brunettes just as much as my blondes, but I’m Jaylon’s. His looks couldn’t compare. Maybe it’s puppy love, but I’m a very loyal person. Bridget says Nick’s a player. I hope he doesn’t think anything along those lines are going to happen. I’d Dimitry his ass real quick. I’m sure any of those thoughts would have vanished by now. Hopefully. . .

Slowly, I’m realizing how different of an environment I grew up in. Everyone here so far just goes into random quiet moments and the car is currently that way. I don’t do quiet, awkward tension. It’s boring and unnecessary. If I want quiet I could stay home. My friends back at home would straight bully someone until they started talking so I guess you could blame them for my social skills. Me being me, I initiated the conversation. I tried to make it an open conversation that anyone could join, but they all silently refused so I started pulling them into the conversation by name.

By the time we reached the arcade, I had the whole car in a conversation. Dalton and Bridget never directly spoke to Nick, at least not kindly, and Nick did the same, but at least I got them all talking. I strategically picked an arcade for the purpose of separation. If I didn’t like him, I could distance myself with an excuse.

“So, what’s the problem with Dalton, Bridget, and Jaylon?” I questioned once it was just Nick and I.

“We used to be friends. You know how friend breakups are,” Nick explained awkwardly.

“The only friend breakup I have had was because of a loyalty issue. My cousins can be assholes, but I will always love and respect them. If you're a sensitive subject for them. . . I couldn’t do that to them,” I explained casually, making his eyes widen.

“No-no! There’s no problem! No serious problems. We just grew apart naturally. The group did really. It’s not a personal thing. I swear!” he quickly blurted out.

At that, I dropped my act and perked up. “Good! I like your personality, I think we’d be good friends.”

“I do too,” he smiled at me. “I want to get to know you. You’ve been hidden all of these years. I hear so much about you. I wanna know the person behind the stories.”

“Well, I can promise the stories didn’t cover it all.”

“I can already tell they didn’t. So how do you feel about the move?”

“Lots of disadvantages, but equal advantages. I won’t be seeing my family or friends as much as I’m used to. I’m leaving behind my whole life, but I get the rare opportunity to start over and build a new one. I could be a different person if I wanted to be. I’ll meet new people, find new friends, and try new things. I’ve been here for like three days and I already have a boyfriend so I guess that’s a good sign,” I explained as he listened intently.

“I’m glad I get to be one of those new people. Something about you. . . it just makes me want to experience those things with you,” he admitted, looking into my eyes. Of course I broke the contact and turned my attention to the arcade hoops.

“I can definitely see that.” I mean I’m not lying. I got visions of him the second he helped me out of the car earlier. We’ll be close friends. I seriously need to find a way to practice sometime soon. “May I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“What is everyone like? What is the school like? I’m not nervous, I just don’t want to walk in blindly.”

“Good, you have nothing to be nervous about. Something tells me everyone is going to love you. There is drama, as I’m sure you have experienced before, but for the most part everyone is welcoming. It’ll be like a family you never knew you had. The school is the same way. It’s the people you're going to see everyday. You’ll have me as a tour guide if you get lost.”

“Sorry, the tour is Jaylon’s responsibility.”

Eventually I got Bridget and Dalton to come over with us because this isn’t a date. I’m trying to spend time with them too. I may have been crazy because of my sleeping medicine last night, but I wasn’t lying. I do want to spend time with them. I want to know who they are and what they like. I love them just like I love the rest of my family. Judging from everyone's faces, I’d say they had fun and it was a good distraction for Dalton. I’m not sure what’s been wrong with him lately, but you can just tell something is nagging at him. It breaks my heart to see and even more that I can’t help. It’s not my place to ask though, it’s never been our relationship and he’s never been the type to tell even if it was.

Nick took them home first and then me so he could talk to me alone. He didn’t say that, but I’m not stupid. He drove out of the way to take me home last. Which, I probably would have done if I would be in the car with two people that didn’t like me either. I respected him. He was a gentleman and hadn’t tried anything on me all night. I don’t know if it was out of respect for me, or his old friend, but I respected it.

We said our goodnights and I thanked him for the amazing time. Quietly, I stepped into my house and sighed. I lived and I didn’t have to hurt anyone. I went upstairs, showered and lied down in bed. It still smells like Jaylon. I probably shouldn’t have let myself get too comfortable with his cuddles. It’s so lonely now. I mean his texts helped, a lot, but they’re not him. They aren’t his words coming from his lips. Words from his phone will have to be enough for now.