Chapter 28

The morning sun had just begun to creep through the blinds, casting long shadows across the room. Erin woke slowly, the haze of the previous night still lingering in the air like the warmth of a dream. She felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in a while, the chaos of her life on hold for a brief, fleeting moment.

Her body ached in the best way—reminders of the night they'd shared. As she shifted, the blanket fell away, exposing the quiet aftermath of their passion. Jay was still asleep beside her, his chest rising and falling in a rhythmic motion, his arm draped lazily over her waist, holding her close. She smiled softly, just watching him for a moment, before letting her gaze wander to the empty space beside the bed where their clothes had been discarded, a reminder of the night they'd surrendered to each other.

She felt lighter, as though the weight of everything—work, the paparazzi, the expectations—had momentarily melted away. She almost didn't want to move, to stay in this bubble where everything felt simple and real.

But as much as she wanted to linger in the quiet, a soft buzzing sound pulled her out of the haze—the familiar ring of her phone.

Erin sighed, reaching over to grab it from the nightstand, careful not to wake Jay. She glanced at the screen, the name flashing in bold letters causing a small knot to form in her stomach.

It was from her editor. The message was short and to the point.

"We need to talk. It's about the movie adaptation."

A cold rush of anxiety washed over her, the fleeting peace from the night slipping away like sand through her fingers. She glanced back at Jay, his face peaceful, unaware of the storm brewing just outside their little world. Her finger hovered over the reply button, uncertain whether to face the inevitable conversation now or let it wait until later.

But she knew she couldn't wait.

Her thumb pressed down, typing a quick response, "I'll call you in a bit."

Setting the phone back on the nightstand, she took a breath, trying to center herself. The reality of the situation had a way of creeping in when she least expected it. The chaos that was always just beneath the surface was never too far away, no matter how badly she wanted to escape it.

She rolled over to face Jay, his deep breaths telling her he was still lost in sleep. She watched him for a moment, letting the moment of calm linger just a bit longer.

As Jay stirred, beginning to wake up, his arm shifting from around her waist, she opened her mouth to say something, but before she could speak, the doorbell rang.

The sharp, insistent ring of the doorbell seemed to reverberate in Erin's chest, amplifying the tension that had already taken hold. Her heart rate spiked as she glanced at Jay, who was now fully awake, sitting up with a frown tugging at his brows. The confusion in his eyes mirrored her own.

"Who could that be?" he muttered, his voice low, laced with concern. He was still half-asleep, but the sudden shift in the atmosphere was enough to jolt him awake fully.

Erin didn't have the chance to answer. The doorbell rang again, more forceful now, followed by a couple of sharp knocks. She felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't want to acknowledge it, but the situation was spiraling out of control—fast.

"I'll get it," she said, her voice trembling slightly, though she tried to sound composed. She stood up, her legs shaky beneath her as she moved toward the door. Jay watched her, an unreadable expression on his face.

Before she could reach the door, Jay was up as well, moving to her side. "No, let me," he said firmly, his hand brushing against hers as he stepped forward, his protective instincts kicking in.

Erin hesitated for a moment, her eyes scanning his face, but she could see the determination there. He was going to handle this, no matter what. She nodded slowly, stepping back, but the weight of the situation was heavy on both of them. Whatever was about to happen on the other side of that door, they knew it wasn't going to be good.

Jay opened the door with a firm grip, the creak of the hinges punctuating the tension in the room.The door opened to reveal no one,but a small package over the welcome mat of his penthouse.

Jay's frown deepened as he stepped forward, glancing around to see if anyone was lingering in the hallway. There was no one. Just the quiet hum of the city outside, the only thing marking the moment was the small, unassuming package sitting on the welcome mat.

Erin's gaze flickered to it, confusion crossing her features. "What's that?" she asked softly, her voice tense, still unsettled by the earlier encounter.

Jay's hand hovered over the package, his eyes scanning it cautiously before he bent down to pick it up. It was small, wrapped in plain brown paper with no markings, no return address. Just a simple string tied around it.

"I don't know," Jay muttered, his instincts telling him this wasn't just some random delivery. His hand shook slightly as he brought it inside, the door clicking shut behind him. "Weird. Doesn't feel like one of those fan gifts or anything."

Erin watched him carefully as he placed the package down on the counter, trying to keep her own unease at bay. Whatever this was, it felt wrong. The timing. The secrecy. It all pointed to something much more than a random package.

"Look,I'll give this to the guardian downstairs to avoid anything strange.Okay?"

Erin nodded, but the unease in her stomach only seemed to grow as Jay spoke.

"Yeah, okay," she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just… be careful, Jay."

He gave her a tight smile, the kind that didn't quite reach his eyes, before grabbing the package again and heading toward the door. Erin watched him go, her heart heavy with a sense of impending danger.

As Jay stepped into the hallway, she heard his footsteps fade as he descended the stairs to the lobby, the sound of the building's quietness swallowing his presence. Erin stood still in the kitchen, her gaze flicking from the package to the door, waiting. Waiting for something to break.

She moved to sit on the couch, her thoughts spiraling.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from the dark thoughts. It was a message from Jay.

"All good. I'm giving it to my securty guard to be safe. I'll be right back, babe."

She let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding, but it did little to calm the churn in her stomach. Something about this felt off. Too much attention, too fast. And she had a feeling this wasn't going to be the last time.

She stood, pacing slowly, her thoughts running through every angle. Jay was right to be cautious, but Erin couldn't shake the sense of dread. She didn't even hear him return at first, so lost in her thoughts that his presence startled her when he appeared in the doorway, his face unreadable.

Erin immediately moved toward him, her breath shallow. "What did he say? Is everything okay?"

Jay's eyes met hers, a storm of emotions behind them, but he was doing his best to keep it together. "It's fine. The guard said it's just some weird package… Maybe a crazy fan or something,he'll look up to it better and tey to find who send it."

Erin's pulse quickened as she watched him, trying to read between the lines of his words. She could tell he was trying to downplay it, trying to shield her from the worry gnawing at him. But she could see it in his eyes. He was just as unsettled as she was.

"That doesn't sound reassuring," Erin said quietly, crossing her arms, her mind already spinning. She hated that she couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just some harmless fan sending a package.

Jay took a deep breath, walking over to the counter, and gently moved the package aside. "Look, I'll handle it. I'm having it properly checked out, alright? Just… don't stress. We're good. But it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Yeah,"She nodded,"you're right."

Jay could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers were gripping the edge of the counter like she was bracing for something worse. He hated seeing her like this—worried, uneasy, stuck in her own head. So, he did the only thing he knew how to do in moments like this.

He cracked a smile. "Alright, babe, let's look at the bright side here. Maybe it's just a care package. Could be a fan sending us a couples' matching hoodie set. You know, like 'His Queen' and 'Her King' or something equally cringey."

Erin let out a breath, finally looking at him, arching a brow. "Yeah? And you'd actually wear that in public?"

Jay shrugged, tilting his head playfully. "Well, if it gets us a discount at coffee shops, I might be convinced."

She rolled her eyes, but he could see the faintest trace of amusement on her face, the kind that made his chest feel lighter. Progress.

"Or maybe," he continued, stepping closer, "it's a box full of fan mail just for me. Love letters, marriage proposals… You know, the usual."

Erin scoffed, finally letting her arms drop from her chest. "Oh, absolutely. And let me guess—you'd consider at least reading them, right?"

He grinned, reaching for her waist, pulling her closer. "Depends. Would it make my girlfriend jealous?"

Erin placed her hands on his chest, her fingers curling slightly against his shirt. "I don't get jealous."

Jay chuckled, leaning down, his lips brushing her temple. "Sure you don't."

She let out a soft laugh, her shoulders finally relaxing. And that was what he wanted. To get her out of that spiral, even if just for a minute.

"But," he added, pulling back slightly, "since we're talking about big appearances and major statements, we've got Kevin's charity party tonight. So, uh… you ready to make this official-official?"

Erin blinked up at him. "You mean, like real public?"

Jay smirked. "I mean, we've been spotted together before, but nothing like this. This is full-on, red-carpet, paparazzi-screaming-our-names kind of public."

Erin exhaled, but she wasn't nervous. Not really. This was inevitable, and part of her was even excited for it. "I guess there's no backing out now."

"Not unless you wanna leave me hanging in front of the cameras," Jay teased. "Could be fun, though. Give the gossip sites something dramatic."

Erin narrowed her eyes playfully. "Tempting."

Jay shook his head, leaning down until his lips were just a breath away from hers. "Don't even joke about that, babe."

She grinned, finally, and Jay felt the weight in his chest ease even more. Whatever weirdness was going on with the package, they'd deal with it. Right now, they had a night to prepare for.

And if he had his way, Erin Lindsay was going to be the only thing people talked about tomorrow.

The atmosphere at Jay's apartment was different tonight. There was an energy between them, an unspoken anticipation that made every little action feel charged with significance. Erin was just finishing up her makeup at the vanity, but Jay—well, he was doing everything in his power to resist walking into the bedroom just to see her again. But this time, it was about more than just the excitement of a night out; it was the first time they were getting ready together for something big—something that the world would see.

Erin's dress—her Benee dress—was draped over the back of the chair, and she caught Jay eyeing it every now and then. She grinned, knowing exactly what was running through his mind. "You want to see it, don't you?"

Jay smirked, glancing away for a moment before shrugging. "I mean, yeah, but it's not like you're gonna let me peek until the last second, huh?"

"I like making you wait." Erin said it with a playful glint in her eyes. She continued applying the finishing touches to her makeup, taking her time. As much as she loved the quiet moments with Jay, there was something exciting about the anticipation—especially knowing how he was going to react when he saw her in it.

Jay stood by the door of the bedroom, casually leaning against the frame, his arms folded as he watched her. He was almost unbearably proud of the way she looked, even now. Erin was always stunning, but there was something different about the way she carried herself tonight. Confident. Beautiful. She was his, and the thought made his chest swell.

"Babe, you're killing me," Jay said, his voice teasing but laced with sincerity. "Hurry up."

Erin turned to him then, her eyes glimmering with amusement. She was almost done, just adding a final layer of gloss to her lips. She'd taken extra care tonight—everything from her makeup to her hair was done to perfection. And as much as she wanted to hurry and show Jay, she was savoring the moment. This wasn't just about how she looked; it was about how she felt. For the first time in a while, she felt like herself—strong, confident, and more than just the woman behind the books or the headlines. She felt like Erin Lindsay, and Jay was a huge part of that.

Finally, she stood and turned toward him, letting her eyes sweep over him before giving him the satisfaction. "Alright, Jay. You ready?"

With a slow grin, Erin reached for the zipper of her dress. She could practically feel the tension radiating off him as she slid the dress up her body, her back to him.

When she turned around, Jay's jaw went slack. His eyes widened, scanning her from head to toe. The dress hugged her curves perfectly, the sleek fabric catching the light just right. It was a deep maroon, with subtle bronze detailing that shimmered as she moved. The neckline was elegant, plunging just enough to be daring, but not too much. The split at the side added a touch of allure, and the back was tastefully open, drawing attention to the elegant arch of her shoulders.

Jay's voice was almost a whisper when he spoke, his eyes locked on hers, hungry with admiration. "You look… incredible."

Erin's lips curled into a smile, enjoying his reaction, but also feeling a little self-conscious at the same time. "I wasn't sure about this one," she admitted, smoothing the dress down. "But you know, I wanted to feel different tonight. Something for me, and yeah, for you too."

Jay stepped toward her, his expression softening as he reached out to touch the side of her arm, as if he was still trying to process how stunning she looked. "You've got no idea how much this is making me want to keep you here. Forget about that stupid charity event. I'll be your bodyguard. I'll lock the door and—"

"Jay," Erin interrupted with a laugh, but she couldn't help the way her heart skipped a beat. "We're going. We've got to make an entrance."

Jay sighed, his hand lingering on her arm for a moment longer before he finally let go. His eyes flicked to her lips before meeting her eyes again. "I'm really trying to be good. I promise. But damn, you look like that, and I'm not sure how much longer I can stay cool."

Erin smirked, already feeling the heat rising between them. "You're gonna have to stay cool, Jay. We both are."

She stepped toward the closet and pulled out the heels she'd picked out to match the dress. Tall, black, with a hint of gold at the strap. She slipped them on carefully, trying not to stumble. Jay watched, mesmerized, as she stood up again, looking even taller and more confident.

"Okay, you're officially breaking my willpower," Jay muttered under his breath, and she couldn't help but laugh.

Erin turned back to face him, grinning. "I think it's cute that you're struggling to keep it together. But you've got to keep your head on straight tonight."

Jay raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a sly smile.

She stepped forward, giving him a playful push as she grabbed her clutch from the table. "You're impossible," Erin teased, looking over her shoulder as she headed toward the door.

Jay followed behind, shaking his head but not hiding the pride in his eyes. "Can't help it. I'm a sucker for you."

Erin looked back at him one last time, holding his gaze. "And you too look handsomely hot."

As they stepped into the hallway, ready to leave the comfort of Jay's penthouse, they both knew that tonight was going to be their night. The night when they stepped into the public eye as a couple for the first time. And though there was still a lingering weight from the mysterious package and the uncertainty it brought, Erin felt lighter in that moment. She felt ready.

Together, they walked out into the night.

As they stepped out of the sleek black SUV, the bright flash of cameras hit them like a wave. The crowd of paparazzi outside the venue surged forward, shouting their names, snapping pictures with relentless intensity. Erin's heart skipped a beat, the excitement of the evening mixing with a rush of nerves. Jay's hand brushed against hers, a silent reassurance that they were in this together.

"Erin! Jay! Over here!" The shouts came from every direction, and Erin instinctively grabbed Jay's hand a little tighter as they began to make their way down the red carpet.

She had been in the public eye before, but nothing like this. Nothing with Jay by her side, their relationship still a delicate secret only a few knew. The magnitude of the moment didn't hit her until they were walking down the carpet, the eyes of the world on them.

"Jay, Erin! How's the night going? What brings you here tonight?" One reporter yelled over the noise.

"Jay, is there anything we should know about your upcoming game? Any big news?" another voice shouted, followed by the familiar click of a camera.

Erin did her best to keep her composure, flashing a polite smile, but her attention was split. She noticed Jay stiffen slightly next to her, his posture shifting to one of protection—always on alert. As they posed for a couple of pictures together, Erin's stomach fluttered, but she could tell Jay was trying to stay cool, too. He wasn't used to this much attention, and while he didn't shy away from it, the weight of it was still clear on his face.

A reporter finally directed a question straight to them, catching Erin's attention: "You two are getting pretty close lately. Care to share what's next for this power couple?"

Jay chuckled, his arm instinctively finding its way around Erin's waist, pulling her closer as if to shield her from the questions. "Just enjoying the moment," he said smoothly. "We're here to support Kevin tonight, and we're glad to be a part of it."

Erin nodded, her gaze meeting Jay's for a brief moment before she addressed the reporter. "We're definitely enjoying the night. And we're here for a good cause. That's the most important thing tonight," she said, her voice steady, despite the surge of adrenaline rushing through her veins.

"Any plans to collaborate?" the reporter continued, eyes flicking between them. "A couple of you might be thinking about a project, perhaps?"

Erin raised an eyebrow at the question, a slight smile curling at the corners of her lips. "Well, we're not exactly thinking about projects at the moment," she said, leaning into Jay's side for emphasis, "but we're both pretty passionate about what we do, so who knows?"

Jay threw a casual wink toward the camera. "I'm just trying to keep up with her, you know?"

The interviewer laughed, clearly enjoying the light-hearted energy between them. "We'll keep an eye out for that. Thanks for taking a moment with us."

Erin and Jay both nodded, flashing one last smile before they moved on toward the entrance of the venue.

Once they were inside, the atmosphere shifted from the bright lights of the red carpet to the softer, more intimate vibe of the charity event. The hum of chatter filled the room as people mingled around—guests, philanthropists, athletes, and celebrities—each one here for the same reason: to support Kevin's cause.

They walked in together, and Erin immediately spotted Kevin near the bar, his signature grin plastered on his face as he waved them over.

"Look who's here! The power couple," Kevin joked as they approached, a little playful wink in his direction. He was dressed to impress, in a sharp suit that matched the sophistication of the event.

"Hey, Kev. Thanks for having us," Jay said, his voice light but genuine as they shook hands. Erin could tell he was comfortable with Kevin, which made her relax even more.

Kevin raised an eyebrow at Erin, as though he could sense she was still a little on edge. "You two handling all the spotlight okay?" he asked, chuckling.

Erin smirked, glancing at Jay before replying, "I'm getting used to it, I think. Jay's been my rock through it all."

Jay looked down at her with a small smile, squeezing her hand. "Only because I've got no choice."

Kevin grinned, pulling them into a quick group photo for the event. He handed them both a drink after, and the trio made their way through the crowd, talking about everything from Kevin's charity efforts to Jay's upcoming season and Erin's latest projects.

At that moment, Erin felt the adrenaline of the night seep into her bones. Despite all the flashing lights and questions, she was here for something bigger than the spectacle—something meaningful. And in this moment, surrounded by the people she cared about, with Jay beside her, she felt ready for whatever came next.

Jay spotted Will and Natalie across the room, standing near a high-top table with champagne flutes in hand. Natalie was laughing at something Will had just said, her hand resting lightly on his arm. The sight made Jay smirk—his brother might be a doctor, but he had that effortless charm when it came to Natalie.

"C'mon," Jay murmured to Erin, guiding her toward them with a gentle hand on her back.

Will noticed first, his face lighting up. "Well, well, look who decided to be fashionably late," he teased, giving Jay a brotherly clap on the shoulder before turning to Erin. "And Erin, as always, looking way too good to be hanging around this guy."

Erin grinned. "I keep him around for entertainment purposes."

"Unbelievable," Jay muttered, shaking his head as Natalie leaned in to give Erin a quick hug.

"I love this dress," Natalie said with a knowing smile, her eyes flicking to Jay for a second like she already knew the effect it had on him. "Was he even functional when he saw you in it?"

Erin smirked, throwing Jay a look. "Define functional."

Jay rolled his eyes. "I was just fine, thanks."

Will laughed. "That why you were thirty minutes late?"

"Okay, you all need to stop ganging up on me," Jay said, but his smirk betrayed his amusement. He took a sip of his drink, glancing around the venue before his eyes landed on someone walking in.

Ruzek.

And he was alone.

Erin noticed too, her brows slightly furrowing. Normally, Adam arrived with Wendy, the two of them always a whirlwind of laughter and bickering. But tonight, his usual energy was off—his shoulders were a little stiffer, his expression more closed off than usual.

Jay's instincts kicked in immediately. "Give me a second," he murmured to Erin before making his way toward Ruzek.

Erin, Will, and Natalie exchanged glances, but no one said anything yet.

When Jay reached him, Adam was already pouring himself a drink at the bar. "Where's Wendy?" Jay asked, keeping his tone casual but pointed.

Adam let out a small breath, not meeting his gaze right away. "Not here."

Jay frowned. "So you really gave up?"

Adam hesitated for just a fraction of a second too long. "We both did,I guess.She gave me back the ring."

"You wanna talk about it?"

Adam gave a small, humorless chuckle. "Maybe after a couple more of these." He lifted his glass before downing a sip."Or ten more."

Jay didn't push. He just nodded, leaning against the bar next to him. "Alright. Just let me know."

Adam exhaled, nodding. "Yeah,thanks man."

Jay clapped him on the back, lingering for a second before heading back to Erin. When he reached her, she was already watching him carefully.

Will looked at him with a knowing expression, his brows slightly raised. "That didn't look like a 'yeah, everything's great' kind of conversation."

Jay exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Because it wasn't." He glanced back toward Adam, who was still at the bar, swirling the drink in his glass as if deep in thought.

Erin frowned. "He's not saying much, is he?"

"Nope," Jay muttered, shifting his weight. "But it's written all over him."

Will nodded. "He looked off the second he walked in."

Natalie sighed. "Should we—"

Before she could finish, Kevin made his way over, his usual easygoing energy slightly dimmed by the same concern they all shared. "Hey, is it just me, or does Ruzek look like he's carrying the weight of the world tonight?"

Jay shook his head. "It's not just you."

Kevin sighed, glancing over at their friend. "Damn. Maybe I should try to get him to talk."

Jay nodded. "Might be a good idea."

Erin touched Jay's arm lightly, her voice quiet but firm. "And you? You okay?"

Jay looked at her, his expression softening just slightly. "Yeah. Just… hate seeing him like this."

She squeezed his hand gently, offering him the kind of grounding presence only she could. "He'll talk when he's ready."

Jay exhaled. "Yeah. Hope so."

Kevin clapped his hands together, pushing some energy back into the moment. "Alright, enough with the brooding for now. This is still a party. And you two—" He pointed between Jay and Erin. "You guys are like the couple of the night. Might as well own it."

Erin laughed. "No pressure or anything."

Jay smirked, his mood lifting slightly. "Yeah, none at all."

Kevin grinned. "Good. Now, come on—let's enjoy this damn party."

The music pulsed through the venue, a deep, steady rhythm that vibrated beneath their feet. Jay had one hand on Erin's waist, the other clutching a drink he probably didn't need at this point. His eyes were crinkled at the corners, a lazy, lopsided grin plastered on his face as he twirled her into him.

Erin laughed, her head falling back for a second before she caught his gaze again. "You're having fun, huh?"

Jay leaned in, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear as he spoke over the music. "Damn right I am. My girl looks hot, we've got good music, and—" He lifted his drink slightly, "—this is hitting just right."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her own grin. He was definitely feeling it now. Not wasted, not sloppy, but loose. Playful. Reckless in the way that made him all charm and no filter.

"Jay, babe," she started, smoothing her hands down his chest, "maybe slow it down a little?"

He scoffed, pulling her in closer, his grip firm on her hips. "You don't want me to slow down," he murmured against her ear, his voice dripping with mischief.

Erin's lips twitched. "Oh? And what exactly do I want?"

Jay's fingers skimmed the bare skin at the base of her spine, his touch featherlight. "You love this." His eyes burned into hers, a teasing glint dancing behind them. "Admit it."

She bit her lip, tilting her head as if considering. "I love not having to carry you home because you're too drunk to function."

Jay laughed, full and unrestrained. "Fair." But then he pulled her flush against him, swaying in time with the beat. "One more song," he bargained, voice low, coaxing.

Erin sighed, pretending to consider it before looping her arms around his neck. "Fine. One more song."

He grinned like he'd won something, spinning her dramatically before bringing her back into him. "Knew you couldn't resist me."

Erin shook her head but let herself fall into the moment, into him. Because despite everything—the chaos, the noise, the weight of the outside world pressing in on them—right here, right now, with his hands on her and that carefree look on his face, it was easy to forget all of it.

As the song pulsed through the speakers, Jay was fully in his element. His hands never left her body, his fingers tracing circles on her hips, his grip firm yet teasing. His forehead brushed against hers as they moved in sync, lost in the music, in each other. His eyes were dark, hooded, his smirk lazy and full of mischief.

Erin knew this look. Knew exactly what was running through his mind.

"You're trouble," she murmured against his lips, her hands settling on his shoulders.

Jay chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "And you love it."

She rolled her eyes, but the way her fingers curled into his suit jacket betrayed her. She did love it—the way he let loose with her, the way he made her feel like they were the only two people in the room, even with a hundred flashing cameras outside waiting for them to slip up.

But Jay was pushing it now. His grip tightened, his lips ghosting over her jawline as he pulled her in, one hand splaying at the small of her back, pressing her closer. Erin could feel the heat radiating off him, the tension in his muscles as he practically devoured her with his eyes.

She exhaled sharply, placing a hand on his chest. "Jay," she warned, trying not to smile.

"What?" he asked innocently, though his eyes gleamed with anything but.

She shook her head, biting back a laugh. "You're that guy right now."

Jay smirked, unfazed. "That guy?"

"The one who's two drinks away from making a scene."

He scoffed. "Oh, please. This is me behaving."

Erin arched a brow. "This is you behaving?"

Jay leaned in again, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "If we weren't in the middle of a charity event, babe, you'd really see me misbehaving."

A rush of heat spread through her, but she ignored it, placing both hands on his chest to steady him. "Okay, Halstead, let's get you a glass of water before you start testing your luck."

He groaned but let her lead him off the dance floor, his arm still lazily slung around her waist. "You're no fun," he teased.

She shot him a knowing look. "Oh, I'm plenty fun."

Jay hummed, eyes flickering over her with that same heat from earlier. "Yeah, you are."

Erin rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the small smile playing on her lips as they made their way toward the bar.

He was impossible.

And hers.

As Erin guided Jay toward the bar, Will and Natalie caught sight of them, amusement flickering across their faces. Will leaned in slightly, watching as Jay kept his hand firmly on Erin's waist, his smirk lazy, eyes never leaving her.

"Yeah, he's completely gone," Will muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Natalie laughed softly, taking a sip of her drink. "You're just now realizing this?"

"No, I knew," Will admitted, still watching them. Jay was looking at Erin like she was the only person in the room, like she was something rare, something irreplaceable. "But this? This is next-level. My brother is one hundred percent in love with her."

Natalie nudged him playfully. "And you're happy about it."

Will scoffed, though there was no real heat behind it. "I mean, someone has to keep him in check."

Natalie grinned. "Pretty sure Erin's got that covered."

They watched as Erin reached up, brushing a strand of hair from Jay's forehead, saying something that made him chuckle, his whole face softening in a way that was rare for him. Will exhaled, shaking his head with a small smirk.

"Yeah," he said, taking a sip of his drink. "She definitely does."

As the night began to wind down, Erin and Jay made their way back toward Will, Natalie, and Kevin, who were still chatting near the bar.

Kevin grinned when he saw them approaching. "Y'all had a good time?"

Jay smirked, his arm still draped over Erin's waist. "Oh yeah. Always a good time when you're throwing the party, man."

Erin smiled at Kevin. "Seriously, everything was incredible. We're so glad we came."

Kevin gave her a nod. "Means a lot. And, you know, good luck dealing with that one." He jerked his chin toward Jay, who just rolled his eyes.

"I'm standing right here," Jay muttered.

"And yet," Kevin teased.

Will and Natalie were getting ready to leave as well. Will clapped Jay on the shoulder. "Try not to be an idiot, alright?"

Jay scoffed. "What does that even mean?"

Natalie laughed, pulling Will toward the exit. "It means don't do anything too stupid."

Jay just shook his head as Erin turned, scanning the crowd. Her brows furrowed. "Where's Adam?"

Kevin glanced around, then shrugged. "Haven't seen him in a while. He was here earlier, but…"

Jay frowned slightly but nodded. "He probably just left early. You know how he is."

Kevin didn't look entirely convinced but let it slide. "I'll check in with him later."

With that, they exchanged goodbyes, Erin hugging Natalie before slipping her hand into Jay's as they headed toward the exit.

The night was winding down, and Erin found herself tucked into bed beside Jay, his arm draped lazily over her waist. The soft hum of the city outside filtered through the windows, but in the warmth of the bed, the world felt distant. They were both still buzzing from the night's events, but Jay's playful energy was starting to slow, his tipsiness finally catching up with him.

Erin smiled as she snuggled closer to him, her head resting on his chest, the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. Jay's fingers gently traced patterns on her skin, his voice light, almost slurring as he spoke.

"You know," he began, his words stretching out in his typical teasing manner, "I can't believe you actually danced tonight. You… you've got moves, babe. I mean, I knew you were hot, but that was something else."

Erin laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're drunk."

"No, seriously, like… I was so impressed," he continued, his words tumbling out. "You're like… all graceful and everything. Me? I'm just—" He paused for a second, before breaking into a grin. "A big guy who just shakes it around and hopes for the best."

She couldn't help but laugh again, the sound bubbling up as she turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. "You're the worst."

Jay grinned mischievously. "I'm your worst, though. And you love it."

Erin rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile that tugged at her lips. His charm was effortless, even in this tipsy state, and there was something endearing about the way he rambled, his thoughts spinning in every direction.

He didn't seem to notice the way Erin's heart fluttered at his teasing, and for a moment, the world seemed simple again—just the two of them, cozy in bed, laughing over the smallest of things.

But then Jay's tone shifted, a softness creeping into his words. He paused, his hand moving to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Erin's ear. His voice was lower now, almost too quiet for her to catch at first.

"You know," he murmured, "it's just… the little things about you, Erin. I don't know how to explain it, but you have this way of just… being you. The way you laugh at my terrible jokes. Or how you always know when I need space, but you're there when I need you. And the way you just… light up when you talk about your books. You're like… you're kind of perfect. You don't even realize it, but you are."

Erin's breath caught in her throat, and for a second, she didn't know how to respond. He was so honest, so genuine in his drunken rambling, and it made her feel a warmth she didn't expect.

And then, almost too casually, Jay added, "I love you, you know."

He scratched the back of his neck."I just… yeah. You make me feel like I'm not just some football player with a crazy life. You make me feel like me, like… more than just the guy people see in the spotlight."

Erin's heart skipped. She turned to face him fully, her eyes searching his for any sign of doubt, but he was already half asleep, his breath evening out, his words slurring slightly as he drifted.

Erin lay there, her mind whirling. The words were there. Unspoken, but clear as day. And somehow, even in his tipsy state, Jay had managed to say exactly what she had been too scared to admit to herself. It wasn't just the fun, the nights out, or the attraction. It was all of it—her quirks, her heart, everything.

She closed her eyes, a soft smile curling on her lips. Whatever this was, it felt real. So real that she almost didn't want to think about it. She just wanted to stay in this moment, with Jay's arm around her, his soft breathing, and the quiet confession he hadn't even fully realized he made.

As her thoughts began to fade into the haze of sleep, the last thing she heard was Jay mumbling, "Yeah… you're my favorite person… ever."

And just like that, they fell asleep, the weight of his words settling in the quiet space between them.

The morning light filtered in through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. Erin stirred first, her head nestled into the pillow as the warmth of Jay's arm still lingered against her waist. For a moment, everything was quiet, peaceful—just the soft rhythm of his breathing and the faint hum of the city waking up beyond the windows.

And then, reality settled in.

Her mind replayed last night's confession on a loop, over and over again. I love you, you know. The words had tumbled from his lips so easily, so naturally, as if they'd always been there, waiting to be spoken. And he had meant them—she could feel it, even through his drunken haze.

Erin turned slightly, her eyes drifting to Jay. He was still asleep, his face relaxed in a way it rarely was, lips parted slightly, his hair a mess from sleep. He looked so soft like this, a stark contrast to the confident, sharp-edged quarterback the world saw. It made her heart clench.

But then, as if the universe wasn't going to let her dwell in that moment for too long, Jay let out a low groan, shifting slightly before cracking one eye open. His arm flexed slightly around her waist before he rolled onto his back, rubbing a hand over his face.

"Oh, my God," he muttered, voice thick with sleep and regret. "I think my brain is trying to escape my skull."

Erin bit back a laugh, propping herself up on her elbow. "Good morning, sunshine."

Jay cracked a look at her, squinting against the light. "If you're this cheerful before coffee, I might have to rethink everything."

She smirked. "That bad, huh?"

"I feel like I got tackled by an entire defensive line," he groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. "How much did I even drink last night?"

Erin hesitated for a second, her fingers tracing over the sheets. You told me you love me. But instead of saying that, she just arched a brow. "Enough that you thought your dance moves were elite."

Jay groaned again. "God. I'm never drinking that much again."

Erin smiled, but she couldn't shake the weight in her chest. Because he didn't remember. Not even a flicker of recognition crossed his face. No teasing comment, no follow-up, nothing. Just a regular, hungover morning.

Jay let out another long exhale before forcing himself to sit up, his muscles flexing as he stretched. "As much as I'd love to stay in bed all day," he started, voice still rough, "I have practice in an hour. And if I don't show up, Atwater is gonna have a field day."

Erin watched as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, rubbing at his temples like he was trying to will the headache away. The sight of him—barely awake, hungover, but still dragging himself to practice—was so him. Always pushing forward, always handling whatever was thrown his way.

She sat up too, pulling her knees to her chest. "You sure you're gonna survive practice?"

Jay turned to look at her, offering a lazy smirk. "I've played through worse."

It was such a simple exchange, so normal, but Erin felt like she was in a completely different world from him this morning. Because for her, everything had shifted. She couldn't stop hearing his voice in her head. I love you, you know. And yet, he had no idea what he'd said.

She forced a small smile. "Go get your ass kicked, then."

Jay chuckled, leaning in to press a quick kiss to her temple. "Don't miss me too much."

As he moved to grab his clothes, Erin watched him carefully, still stuck in the weight of what only she remembered from last night.