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Jackson watched me carefully.
    “Sorry.” I faked a yawn. “I just suddenly feel really tired.” I slid down the bed and pulled the blanket over my chest.
    “Oh okay.” He sounded disappointed. “I hope I didn’t upset you earlier with your hair. I was just so happy that you woke up that I think I just got carried away with my teasing.”
    “You didn’t upset me, Jax.” I fought back the tears as I felt his eyes glued on me. “I’m just tired.”
    “Okay. I’ll let you rest, Clo. But if you need me, I’ll be right here, okay?”
    I nodded and turned my face away from him, just before tears started rolling down my face. I knew then that there would be no way for me to be with him without wanting more than I could have. As I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep, the ache in my chest had become unbearable to take.
    Will this pain I currently feel ever go away? How can I tell Jackson the truth if it means I would be inflicting this kind of pain on him?
     
    I was just about to drift off to sleep when I heard Aunt Betty’s hushed voice from the doorway.
    “Is she…?” she question trailed off and I heard the fear in her voice.
    “She’s just resting,” Jackson reassured her.
    There was a sigh of relief. “Sorry it took us so long to get here, Jackson. We got stuck in rush hour traffic.”
    “Did the doctor say anything?” Uncle Tom asked.
    “Yeah, she said her vitals are strong and the tests all look good. She wants to keep her here overnight for observations but said we can take her home tomorrow.”
    “That’s such a relief, Jackson,” Aunt Betty said.
    “Aunt Betty?” I shifted in the bed and turned to face them standing at the doorway.
    “Oh, honey.” She rushed to my side.
    I smiled up at her and Uncle Tom, who was leaning over her shoulder.
    “How are you feeling, dear?” She leaned over and gave me a hug. Before she pulled away, she whispered in my ear, “Did you let Jackson braid your hair?”
    “I feel okay,” I answered, choosing to ignore her question about my hair. “It’s so good to see you guys.”
    “We’re so glad you’re okay,” Uncle Tom said as he hugged me. “I don’t know what we would have done if…”
    “Don’t worry.” I flashed them a reassuring smile. “I’m okay now.” But as my words echoed in my mind, I wondered if I actually meant it. Was I really okay?
     

CHAPTE R FIVE
    Chloe
    Since I’d gotten back home from the hospital yesterday morning, I’d spent most of my time in my bed, trying to shut the rest of the world out. It felt safe there, free from Jackson, free from facing the truth and the pain.
    Jackson had called and texted a few times. I never answered the calls or returned them. I’d texted him back once and simply told him that I was tired and wanted some time to myself. I knew he was worried and didn’t want to leave me alone. He’d stopped by a few times to check up on me when I stopped responding to his follow-up text messages. But each time he asked to see me, either Aunt Betty or Uncle Tom would turn him away because I wasn’t willing to see him. I told Aunt Betty and Uncle Tom that I was too tired and didn’t want to see anyone. To my relief, they accepted my request without asking too many questions.
    But I knew they were worried. I knew that there was an expiration date on how long they’d let me go on avoiding everything. And the harder I’d tried to not think about him, the stronger Jackson seemed to consume my mind. I knew I had to face reality, and soon.
    It was early afternoon when I finally made up my mind on what I was going to do. I wasn’t going to tell anyone about what I’d discovered. I was too ashamed and disgusted with myself to say it aloud—to make it feel more real than it was inside. This was going to be a secret I was going to take to my grave.
    I also made up my mind that I was going to face Jackson today. I was going to make him forget about me and move on with his life.
    So when Jackson stopped by