Chapter Five

I finally walked through the door. I noticed Jackson relaxing on the sofa.

"Glad I didn't walk into some serial killer's house! Actually, I might have," I said sarcastically.

Jackson eyed me and again I noticed he never looks at me in my eyes. I always assumed it was fear.

"Okay, I'm showering! Order food! Chinese please!" With that, he laughed as I walked up the stairs.

The warm water hit my skin as I replayed today's actions in my head. I'm starting to think Dom has nothing to do with why I am here. Now his friends on the other hand, I knew gave me that fear I usually just shove to the side. They only think that I'm weak because that's what I allow them to believe. While they eye me, I'm already three steps ahead. If they are the ones I need to watch I will find out soon.

I towel dried my hair and combed out my semi drenched hair. I walked back into my room and slipped my black tank top and shorts on.

I turned on Dom's phone as I listen to him talk to a friend. It sounded like Dom has a girlfriend:

"why her? Is it because she's new?"

"Grace, we aren't together! We never were!"

"Obviously you know what this means!"

"You won't win Grace!" I listen until someone walked away.

I walked downstairs to see Jackson spreading out the takeout. The smells of the sweet and sour chicken hit my nose and my stomach rumbled. Jackson's laugh filled the room.

In embarrassment, I yelled "Not funny Jax!" That laughter continued until I shot him a very upset look. Tonight would be the night I decided to ask him why he never looks at me or maybe I should just ask him if he hated me. Like really...

He looked at me but really not at me, "Indie, didn't you eat the lunch I packed?" he questioned.

"Jax, why don't you ever look at me?" I spilled out before responding to his question.

He stopped what he was doing, "Indie you know why I can't look at you. We have talked about this once before. AND YOU ARE AVOIDING THE QUESTION!"

I let out a sigh. "Jackson I would never use whatever you and the government think I could do. Especially on you. Plus after 8 years together you would think I would have used it a little sooner when I tried to get you to let me go to that book reading" I said with a huff. "And for your information, I did eat your lunch, okay not really ate but picked, I was too busy making flirty eyes with some dope in that "friends" group." I said.

"Indiana! Do I need to come to that school and make sure you eat your lunch?" he questioned.

"Um no, but also did you hate me when we were kids...or do you hate me now?" I asked back.

He put down his fork and look at me, "Indiana, do you really think I hate you or hated you?" he asked.

I shrugged, "I mean its not crazy to think about and like I said earlier I was thinking about the past. Also I mean its like Nolan brought home a complete stranger and told you, you have to change your whole life for." I said.

"Indie, my life did change but its not like it didn't change for the better. I feel if I have purpose now." he said with a smile.

I rolled my eyes and shrugged, "Okay if you say so."

Dinner went on, we ate and talked, mostly about school and the case. We joked about the kiss on the cheek and loss of words. I told him about Dom arguing with someone named "Grace" and how she isn't too pleased that Dom's attention was no longer focused on her.

"Indie, tomorrow you find out who Grace is. Maybe she's a part of this case," he said, determining the new information.

I nodded as I finished my egg rolls. "Jax, don't worry. If she's a part of this I will know. The way Dom looked at me I thought he was going to fall over and I would have to give him CPR."I said as we both broke out in laughter.

I yawned and hugged Jackson. "Goodnight Jax!" He never hugged me long enough. I think it was always his precaution to my whatever.

In his stern voice "Night Indie."

I was able to settle in my bed, I turned on Dom's phone. He must be sleeping. I browsed his text messages. Mostly from Grace about how she's going to make my life a living hell. This I was not worried about. The next text was from someone named Alex who called me the state chick and asked Dom if he was going to get my panties. Grace is no threat even if she was I would just have to talk to her. Now this "Alex" guy sounds like a tool. He wouldn't know how to handle me even if was standing there fully naked in front of him. I turned off the phone. I took a deep breath and fell myself drift to sleep.