5. The Morning After

Due to the bright morning sun, I was forced to open my eyes. This time I didn't have to think about my whereabouts. I was in Jayden's bed.

I stroke my finger across his hard chest, expecting him to be still asleep. This was bad. I knew it was bad—but how could I possibly stay away from him?

"Good morning." Jayden opened his eyes, throwing me off guard. I removed my hand from his chest and created a small distance between us as a smirk appeared on Jayden's lips.

"Hi," I spoke awkwardly. He nearly snorted at my reaction and stroked his hand through my hair. "I can't remember the last time I woke up next to the same person twice in a row." He praised himself as if it was supposed to be some kind of achievement.

"Yes, your coaches' daughter."

A sigh escaped from between his lips. "Thanks for making it awkward."

"You're welcome." I giggled. The worst thing would be that being around Jayden made me feel comfortable. He was outgoing and fun to be around—but unfortunately, he was out of my reach, and that was something I had to accept.

"So, last night," Jayden spoke seductively. He tilted his head and reached for my hand, but I pulled away in an instant. "What about last night?"

Last night was a mistake. It was a mistake that shouldn't have happened in the first place. I would not ruin Jayden's career, as well as Mason's.

"I'm sorry about your dad at dinner." I gulped, hoping he would back down. Jayden frowned. "I wasn't talking about the dinner."

"I know…I'm just sorry about your dad."

"Don't waste your time feeling sorry for me," Jayden stated. "I'm used to it."

"Used to what?"

Jayden shook his head in disapproval as the smile on his lips had vanished. "Do you always have to know everything?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"I'm just kidding." He playfully pushed my shoulder as I took a relieved breath. Since we both seemed to have issues with our families, I thought I could be like a shoulder to rely on, but perhaps I should never have crossed the line. I was not his therapist.

"It's okay, don't worry about it," Jayden reassured me.

"O-okay."

He pulled me back on his chest and let his finger slide across my cheek. I was forced to look into his eyes, but this time I didn't mind. "There's something about you, Myah," Jayden whispered.

Was it my smell?

"What is it?"

"I haven't figured it out yet, but maybe you can help me with that." Jayden looked down at my lips. Before he could do something we would both regret, I covered my mouth.

"No, stop!" I spoke. "M-my breath probably smells!"

Jayden shot me a judgmental look before he got up from the bed, wearing nothing but his boxers. "Cute." He pointed out.

"W-what are you doing?"

"I'm going to take a shower. Do you want to join me?" Jayden asked, confused. "N-no." I cleared my throat.

"I should probably go before my brother gets back or one of the other guys sees me."

Jayden nodded. "I'm glad you have brains." He complimented me. "That means I don't have to kick you out this time."

"Kick me out?" I laughed, offended. While I had expected things to become awkward between us, he made a joke out of the situation.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that." Jayden acknowledged his past mistake.

"So when do we see each other again?" I blurted as I got up from the bed. I dressed while Jayden furrowed his brows in confusion, leaving me to panic. I didn't want him to get the wrong idea, and I didn't even know why I asked him that question. I had to stay away from him.

"I-I mean, you know—as friends?"

"Of course." Jayden chuckled. "What else would you mean?"

Ouch.

"Right, it's not as if I want a relationship or anything." I played it off. His comment was painful, but I could absolutely not have another repeat of what happened between Noah and my family. Not again.

"Me neither. I have a dating ban." Jayden granted me some new information.

"A d-dating ban?"

"Yes, coaches orders," Jayden told me. "He says we aren't allowed to date teammate's family members."

Okay, so good to know. After messing things up with Noah, I ruined things for the entire team.

"Hey!" Jayden called out. "Do you have my number?"

Do you have my number? Who the hell did he think he was?

"No, of course not!" I spoke. "I don't go around asking people for your number."

Jayden stepped closer with an unreadable expression on his face. "You liked my picture yesterday." He exposed me. "A picture from four years ago. If that's not stalking—then I don't know anymore."

Yes, this was embarrassing.

"I-I was just doing my research." I tried defending myself.

"And what did you find?"

I rested my hand on his chest. "I don't know—I might need to do some research again."

Jayden forced a smile on his lips, showing me his sweet dimples. "Can you give me your number?" He asked. "You know, so we can schedule your research."

Shocked, I grabbed my phone and pushed it in his hands so he could give me his number. Who would've thought he would be the one going after me?

Jayden handed me my phone. "Thank you." He smirked. I broke our eye contact and stepped back.

"I-I should head back." I stuttered. "Y-you know before my brother gets back?"

A chuckle escaped from Jayden's lips. "Right, your brother." He spoke almost mockingly. He placed his hand behind my back and led me to the front door.

"Are you kicking me out again?" I teased as he leaned over me to turn the doorknob. Jayden shook his head. "No, not this time." He winked.

"See you around, Myah."

See you around, Myah? Unable to get those words out of my head, I stomped back towards the dorms. Here I was, doing the second walk of shame—while I promised myself that I wouldn't do that anymore.

Jayden was someone I should stay away from, as simple as that—but I couldn't. What was I even doing?

"Sorry, forbidden for hoes," Mitsuki called out as I entered our dorm.

"W-what?" I blinked, confused. How did she know?

"Just kidding, come in." She threw back her head in laughter. "What's with the look on your face, and how was dinner with your parents?"

I shook my head, not even wanting to answer that question. "I need to take a shower, trust me—it's necessary."

"Okay, don't let me hold you back." Mitsuki went back to her business. If there was one thing I admired about my friend, it was that she knew when enough was enough.

"We also might have to go to church sometime this week, but I'll save it for later!" I grabbed some clean clothes.

Mitsuki eyed me strangely. "You're acting a bit strange this year." She commented. "Nothing unusual for you, but still."

Exactly, it was nothing unusual for me.

So why couldn't I stop thinking about Jayden?