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"I'm going to take a shower, Er. Chill on the couch, my room, the kitchen, wherever. You know where the food is and how to work the tv. Holler if you need anything." She nodded as he disappeared down the hall, and she adventures into the kitchen, scouring the fridge until her eyes landed on a cup of frozen yogurt. She ripped the cup open, fetching a fork from the drawer, and allowing her taste buds to take in the blueberry goodness.
"Do I know you?" She froze at the sound of the gruff voice.
She spun around, smiling as she came face to face with a man, a little younger than Hank. "I'm Erin. Jay's friend, from police explorers. He's in the shower, and he told me to find something to eat, so I took some yogurt. I hope that's okay." The figure had black hair, and was wearing khakis and a polo shirt, signaling he most lightly worked in the management branch of a company.
The man nodded, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, Erin. I'm Chris. His mother's boyfriend. I was just stopping by to grab some paperwork for work," The man shuffles past Erin, snatching a few pieces of folded paper. "So, are you and Jay..."
"No, no, just friends," She laughed. "That's it. Very close. He understands me."
"Ahh, I see. He talks about you a lot. I think Jen said you both used to go to the library and study a lot."
"Yeah, I would've failed algebra without him. He's really smart." Erin smiled, taking a seat on one of the stools.
"That he is. So smart he was accepted into boarding school in Indiana next semester. I wish my kids were that smart. They have more of the athletic abilities."
His words caught her off guard, and the limbs in her body froze. Her world disappeared underneath her. He was moving... to boarding school? Away from her? "Right, right. He is," She played it off as if she knew all about it. But in her mind, she wanted to do nothing more than to run off and sob. "At least he can have his phone, right?" She joked, laughing as she threw away her cup, and held the spoon.
"They can't have phones there, sweetheart," He seemed to feel Erin's uneasiness. It all clicked into his mind as he saw her face turn white, and she gripped the counter. She didn't know. Jay didn't tell her- yet. "You didn't know." His voice fell with realization. He ruined it.
Erin shook her head, sitting on one of the stools again. She could feel her limbs tighten, her lips quiver, her hands shake. Her brain was still trying to process it all. He was leaving her. He's leaving her. This is the end. "When does he go?"
"August," He replied, looking down with shame. Why didn't Jay tell her? After all, he talks about her nonstop, and the least he could do was tell her he was leaving. "I'm sorry. I thought he would have told you."
Erin waved him off, cupping her mouth to muffle the sobs that began to take place. She shook her head, and felt the tears slap against her palm. "I don't know if I should stay here, or go home."
The man sighed, running his hand through his hair. He really messed up. But, he thought Jay would have told her. It was almost July, and they'd known he was leaving since April. "Erin, as a parent, I would suggest you stay here and talk it out. If you go home, that will cause conflict, then you get your parents involved. If you want, I'll take you home, but I truly think you two need to talk this out."
She sat their, in front of the tv, curled up on the couch in blankets and pillows. The words echoed through her mind. He was leaving. And he didn't tell her. They have two months left. She glanced out the bay-view window, looking at the rain splattering against the pond in his backyard. It was soothing. It helped calmed her. She looked back at the drama show she was watching on tv, Jane the Virgin. She didn't think out of everything that could happen, it'd be boarding school. Why was he even going? She wanted to be friends for the longest time, and maybe even strive for more. But now, it washed down the drain. All of it.
"Erin, I'm going to throw in some food. Do you want anything?" He walked behind the couch, and stopped in his tracks when he saw her state. "What's wrong?" He sat down next to her, and when he saw the look in her eyes, he felt himself tighten his grip on her. She knew. "Er,"
"Stop," She shook her head for what seemed to be the hundredth time, tears already falling. "Why didn't you tell me? Tell me you were leaving? I'm your- I'm supposed to be your best friend. I shouldn't hear it from your step father." Her heart hurt. Her body ached. All she wanted to do was break down and cry.
"Erin, I didn't tell you because, I wasn't ready. I don't want to go-"
"Then why are you?" She pushes herself off of him, and stood in front of the tv, her tears of sadness now a mixture of sadness and anger. "You don't have to! Stay here, with me! Please, Jay, please." She pleaded. He stood up, yanking her down to curl up in his lap, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, crying into his chest for the second time of the day. He had been here for her when she needed someone most, and now she grew attached to him. It was an emotional attachment. He was one of the select people she let would ever let in, one of the few people who cared for her.
"Er, I can't. I've already signed," He but back a sob as he held this girl he had grown to love and care for in his arms. He needed her to be okay. They would be. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"Jay, don't leave." Her fingers balled into his shirt as she sobbed, finding comfort in the closeness of their embrace. His warmth is what provided her her strength, and her tears provided her to slip into a sleep, Jay not far behind, nuzzled behind her, running his fingers through her hair.
"Jay," His eyes blink open into a blurry view, then focus on the loving voice. "Hun, it's almost six and dinner is almost ready. Is Erin eating with us, I'm assuming?" He glances down and he unwraps his arm from Erin's torso.
His mom is smiling genuinely, and as much as he is mad at her, he can't stay mad when she's looking at him with a look that is screaming I want to meet her. She is staying here. I'm so happy for you. Then again, he hears Chris in the kitchen and that motion of rage pumps through his body, and to his fists, but he looks down and is reminded of the girl in his arms. He had to remain his cool. For her. So, he grins down at her and nods, "Yeah, she's staying. I'm taking her to Explorers with me."
His mom nods with approvingly, and motions for him to help set the table. His eyes follow her as she steps out of sight, and as he crawls over her, he pecks her warm cheek, and his heart lunges with love as he sees a smile upon her face, as if she knew what he did. Jay stumbled into the kitchen, and reached for four plates, being all of his siblings were doing who knows what. When he closed the cabinet door, Chris was standing in front of him, smirking.
"What?"
Chris laughed, squeezing Jay's shoulder. "And she says you're both only friends."
Jay felt the heat rising in his cheeks as a smile rugged upwards on his lips. "I'm not sure where we are... we are, it's complicated."
"Did you talk to her?"
Jay knew what this man was inquiring. "Yes, we did. It was a roller coaster of emotions for us both. But, it wouldn't work. Not with me away. She needs someone here and now with her."
"Jay, if you like the girl, and it's obvious you both do, then just have fun with her. Enjoy your time for the next two months. Just embrace what it's like to have someone you love." His mother piped in, pulling out the chicken alfredo dish, setting it on the island.
"Your mother doesn't mean to go out and have sex, but just, be a boy. Be a teenager who's in love." Jay gagged at hearing those words leave Chris' mouth. Don't get him wrong, he'd love to, but now was not the time.
"Chris, okay, just, stop," Jay shook his head laughing as he set out plates. "I'm going to go wake her up." He didn't wait for a response, instead he walked into the living room, and sat next to her body, stroking her shoulder.
She looked so innocent, so peaceful, sleeping. Her face was settle, a small smile tugging at her lips. Her locks of hair swept over her face, and he brushed them behind her ear. "Er," He shook her shoulder. She groaned and rubbed her eyes, smiling when she saw him looking down at her. "Hey. Did you sleep well?"
Erin nodded groggily, "Yeah... is that food?" Jay followed her gaze to the kitchen.
He laughed. "Yes it is, my little foodie. Mom made alfredo," He smiled at her as she still shook her head from sleep. "We gotta eat, then Explorers."
The two got up, walking into the kitchen. Jay's parents greeted the two as they all settled at the table. The four said a quick prayer, then started digging in. So, Erin," Jennifer smiled as she finished the bite of alfredo. "Jay tells me you want to be a cop? What sparked that interest?"
She felt her hands tense and her feet glued to the floor. My mom and dad were drug dealers and then Voight saved me. Not the best way to answer. "I had a past event that I experienced, and I just want to make s difference in the world as much as I can."
"That's wonderful, dear," Jen replied, her eyes landing on Jay. "What's going on at Explorers tonight?"
"Narc Task Force."
"Wonderful. That should be a blast. Isn't the team retreat in a few weeks? I need to know because Trevor has a baseball tournament in St. Louis that weekend." Chris looked between the two teenagers.
"Yeah. It's the last weekend in July. Indianapolis this year. It should be a blast." Erin answered.
"Are you going dear?"
"Yeah. I wouldn't miss it. The last week I'll have with Jay." She smiled sadly, looking into his eyes. God, she would give her right leg for him to stay.
"That's true. He leaves, when? August eighth?" He looked to Jay's mother who nodded. "That means less kids to worry about. But don't worry, he could never forget you."
Jay felt his blood rise. Why would Chris make a comment about that. What the hell. He stood up, dropping his plate into the sink. "Explorers starts in fifteen," He replied coldly, grabbing his rain coat. "Thanks for dinner, guys. I'll be back later." Erin followed behind him, thanking his parents before following him out of the truck.
"What's your deal?" She asked, resting her hand on his knee. "Why did you walk out? Talk to me, please."
He looked at her. She was concerned. But not upset. "What Chris said," He shook his head. Chris was so wrong. He's never forget Erin. He couldn't. Not the girl that stole his heart. "He's wrong. I could never forget you. Not the way I feel about you."
She saw the want and desire in his eyes as he spoke. She was scared to ask this. Did he feel the same about her? Surely he did. They almost kissed today as they dueled it out. The words fell from her as a whisper. "How do you feel about me?"