Paxton made his way through the crowd with a drink in his hand. I looked up at James and back to where Paxton was only a few feet away. When he made it to us, he wrapped an arm around Meredith's waist and kissed her cheek.

My stomach turned.

Paxton let go of Meredith and turned to all of us, "Guys, this is Paxton. Paxton, this is my brother, James—"

"We've met." He reached out and offered his hand to James. James hesitated and shook his hand, "Good to see you again."

James just nodded, probably too shocked to speak.

"You've met?" Meredith asked.

"Yeah, he was picking up Juliet from the diner. He's a good boyfriend."

No he didn't.

Paxton looked at me and smiled, "Good to see you, Juliet."

Meredith looked at both of us with wide eyes, "Boyfriend? I thought nothing was going on, Juliet. You lied to me."

It was Paxton I lied to, not Meredith. We've been in his presence for five minutes and he's already causing trouble. And he knows it. "We weren't going to tell anyone yet." James answered, wrapping an arm around my waist.

This is a disaster.

Meredith's lips turned into a frown, "I can't believe you guys would keep this from me." She looked from me to her brother, "Especially you. We tell each other everything."

"I'm sorry, Mere. We just weren't ready to say anything."

I looked at Paxton and he was already looking at me with a vicious smile on his face. I was ready to bolt for the door. "How'd you know Juliet?" Meredith asked Paxton.

Paxton looked away from me and to Meredith.

Here it goes. Everything I've tried to keep a secret is coming out now and there's no way I can get out of this—"Old friend of the family's."

I turned to Meredith to gauge her reaction. She seemed to buy it. "Oh, well what a small world." She smiled.

Meredith proceeded to introduce Paxton and Lindy. I know Lindy was going to want to know details that I can't give her because there's nothing to tell. James and I aren't together, it was just a horrible cover up. And now I've dragged harmless James into this mess.

I grabbed James's hand and tugged him towards the dance floor, "Come dance with me." I pushed a smile and dragged him to the middle. He returned my smile with less force.

His arm went back around my waist and he pulled me forward until I was pressed up against his chest. I looked around us, hoping Paxton and Meredith weren't close before I looked up at him. My smile fell, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know—"

"It's okay." He interrupted, "I didn't expect you to know."

"She can't be around him, James. We have to tell her."

James turned me around and pulled my back against his chest, "I know." I felt his breath against my ear. "We'll tell her when he's not around."

"Keep an eye on her."

I felt James nod, "He's watching."

I lifted my eyes, looking across the dance floor. Paxton stood at the bar with Meredith standing to him. She was leaning over the bar, probably ordering a drink. But he was just staring at us with an evil smirk on his face.

Grade A creep.

James moved his hands to my hips and my heart started beating faster. I turned us around so James's back was facing Paxton and I turned to face James, "Watch your hands."

He held them up in defense, "Sorry. Won't happen again."

I wasn't mad about it, just slightly uncomfortable, "It's fine. Just...hands don't go below the waist." I swallowed, "Only when Paxton is looking. It's going to be hard to explain this to Jack as it is." It could've been worse than a simple touch to my bare skin. He could've kissed me and that would've earned him a slap in the face.

I took a step back and brushed my hand through my hair. I glanced around his shoulder and Paxton and Meredith were gone. "Where'd they go?" I looked back to James and he nudged his head to our right. I looked in that direction and they were dancing. Paxton's back was to us.

I let out a sigh of relief and looked up to James, "I really want to get out of here."

James smiled a little, "As soon as I can get her alone, we're out of here."

I was looking at them when James touched my cheek, "I'm gonna go get a drink, will you be okay?"

I nodded and he slowly disappeared in the crowd.

The song changed and I felt weird standing by myself. I looked around at all the dancing bodies that surrounded me. There was a group of girls laughing, dancing, and having a good time. There were more couples than anything. Some making out, some basically going at it like rabbits. Or they looked like they were about to. It was a bit...much.

I kept my eye on the bar while James was getting his drink. A girl came up to him and tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. A smile spread wide across his lips when he looked at her. She was gorgeous, of course, from what I could tell by her profile.

Yep, looks like I'm on my own.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around. Expecting to see Paxton, I see someone I've never even met. The guy was tall and lanky, had dark hair, and wore glasses. He was completely adorable. "What are you doing all alone?" He asked, a big smile spreading across his lips.

I couldn't help the smile that spread across your own, "My friend went to go get a drink."

He put his hand in my direction, "I'm Oliver."

I wrapped my hand around his and shook it, "Juliet."

"Beautiful name." He dropped my hand, "Want to dance?"

I looked behind me and James was now up close and personal with the girl that came up to him. I turned back around to Oliver and nodded my head. He took my hand and led me further into the dancing crowd until I was cut off from James's view. He wasn't paying attention to me anyway.

I danced with Oliver until I felt like I was about to faint. But I did find out it was his 21st birthday tonight and he's a college student. Yep, completely off limits. But he was fun to dance with.

Lindy approached us, wiggling her eyebrows in my direction, "Can I dance with my best friend?" She smiled up at Oliver.

He glanced at Lindy and back to me, "If you absolutely have to." He teased, "It was nice meeting you, Juliet. Hope to see you around." He sent a nod in my direction and disappeared.

Lindy watched him walk away until he was gone. She turned to me, a smile spreading on her face, "How does James feel about that?"

At first I was confused as to why she would ask that, until I remembered, "He's not the jealous type."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me!" She playfully smacked my arm, "I thought you liked Jack, and now I find out this?"

I laughed, even though she could hear it, "I'm sorry! It was his idea to keep it a secret because of his sister and my grandparents." Yeah, let's lie some more. It's not like I'm already trying to dig myself out.

"He better treat you right or I'll kick his ass!"

"Believe me, he's nothing but a gentleman."

Her eyes widened, "Did you—"

"Lindy!" I stepped closer to her, "I'm still..."

Her face visibly relaxed, "Oh, thank god." She put a hand to her chest, "I almost had a heart attack."

I laughed again, "I'm not that crazy!"

That was a complete lie. I wanted to give myself to Jack completely, but she doesn't know that. She doesn't really need to know that. In fact, no one does. It's between Jack and I.

James popped up on my side looking a bit flustered. Lindy and I exchanged a look before she took off. "You okay?" I asked.

He nodded, running a hand over his face, "Yeah, I'm fine. Meredith said we're leaving in fifteen minutes."

I don't think we could get out of here fast enough, "Then dance with me for fifteen more minutes."

James smiled, took a step towards me, and lowered his head next to mine, "I want to take you somewhere after we drop the girls off."

"Have you been drinking?"

"Just a lot of caffeine." He breathed a laugh.

I tilted my head back to look at him, "Depends on what you have in mind."

"You'll see."

With that, we danced for another ten minutes. James took my hand and led me to the exit. We walked into the cool air and it felt amazing. Meredith, Lindy, and of course, Paxton, were waiting for us outside the club. Paxton had his hands all over Meredith and James's hand tightened around mine. James would kill Paxton before I could.

While we were telling everyone goodnight, Paxton decided he would give me a hug. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me close to him. I felt his mouth close to my ear when he spoke, "I know you're still talking to Jack." He whispered so quietly, I almost missed it.

I fought the urge to shove him, so I took a step back and smiled at him, "Good to see you too, Pax." I wanted to gag.

He smiled at me and went to Meredith. He hugged and kissed her right on the lips in front of James. Oh, no. Paxton really does have a death sentence tonight. Paxton left and James finally relaxed beside me. Meredith and Lindy were already making their way across the street when I grabbed James's hand.

We didn't say anything as we walked. It was probably best we didn't. I know Meredith is going to get an earful, I mean I don't blame him. It's his sister and he knows what a creep Paxton is.

I got into the passenger seat once again and James drove us home.

When we got to my house, Lindy left. Meredith was already ahead of us, walking inside without saying a word to James. She knows it's coming probably. She just doesn't know how bad it's coming.

James didn't follow.

"He knows I'm still talking to Jack."

James leaned back against his car and looked at me, "I knew there was something up with that hug."

"I don't know what his problem is. I don't even know him." I never told James about that night I saw him standing under my window. And now I really have to. "I caught him standing outside my window a few weeks ago." I spoke softly, scared James was going to explode.

I waited for the explosion that didn't come. "Are you serious?" He stood up straight, "Has he been following you?"

"Not that I know of now."

"Do you think he's stalking my sister?" He dropped his voice down to a whisper.

"I don't think so." I said truthfully, but I honestly had no idea what Paxton is capable of. "I feel like he's only doing this to get to me because of something to do with Jack."

James walked to the passenger side of his car and opened the door for me. I got inside and waited for him to get in on the other side. He started the car back up and we left again. "I know you're going to get mad at me if I say this."

"Say what?"

"Maybe being around Jack isn't really...safe. Clearly, because he has a stalker cousin who won't leave you alone."

Forgot to mention that he's not really Jack's cousin, "I'm not leaving Jack."

"I don't want you to get hurt, Juliet."

"I won't." I looked ahead, "But thank you for looking out for me."

James let out a sigh. He's probably getting annoyed, but it wouldn't surprise me at all, "It's not just looking out for you. Its...never mind. Just be careful, please."

"I will." I looked down at my hands and nervously picked at my fingers, "Jack...he's worth all of it."

James sighed again, but he didn't answer me.

We drove in silence until we reached our destination. We were at the lake. I was curious as to why he would bring me here. We've been here a couple of time already, so it wasn't anything new. But being here alone with James felt different. I felt like he had a different motive for this trip and I tainted it by my confession.

Jack is worth all of it.

We got out of the car and I followed James towards the dock. "Why are we here?"

I followed him to the end of the dock and he sat down with his legs hanging over the ledge. He patted the spot next to him and I sat down as well. "Look over there." He pointed the patch of woods to my right.

I faced where he had pointed, but saw nothing, "What am I looking for exactly?"

"Come on." He quickly stood up.

I hesitated, but followed his actions. I followed him off the dock, and into the woods he had previously pointed to. We stopped in the middle and James told me to look around again.

Small yellow lights surrounded us. They flashed as they swarmed in and out of the trees branches, "Fireflies." I lifted a hand in an attempt to capture one, but it flew it away. I spun in a circle to take in all the ones that still surrounded us. There were probably hundreds of them.

I've never been here at night, so I've never noticed them before.

"I knew you'd like it."

"I love it." I raised my hand around them again because I just wanted to touch one. I'm actually a child. I soon dropped my hand and walked back over to James. I found him perched on a tree stump, taking all of it in. "How'd you know I would like this?"

"Because you like the little things."

My face was hurting from so much smiling but I couldn't help it, "Seriously, this is amazing. But I thought this night was all about corrupting." I teased and sat down next to him.

He laughed and leaned back on his hands, "I'm keeping you out late. I think that's all the corrupting you can handle."

"How'd you know about this?"

"I'd come here a lot when my parents would fight." He paused, "And when they got divorced, this was basically my safe place. Still is. While my parents thought I was being more rebellious than usual, I was just here. I don't know why their divorce hit me as hard as it did. I saw it coming. I wasn't prepared, but you can't really prepare for something like that."

"I'm sorry." I said softly and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I know it must've been hard for you and Meredith both."

"It's getting easier." He smiled weakly.

"Thank you for showing me this. It really does mean a lot."

James was breaking my heart into pieces. I can't imagine going through my parents divorcing. It's bad enough I've had to bear what I've had already, but he has to suffer through it. I felt bad for him. He really is a great person and you can tell he's still hurting.

Meredith seems to be handling it better than James. Maybe she was prepared. Maybe she saw it coming too and she couldn't care less. Or maybe she was just better at hiding her feelings.

I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and hugged him. We sat in silence like we did in the car. It wasn't an awkward silence. It was comfortable. Sometimes that's all you need. Just a little bit of quiet to let yourself think. But then sometimes you need the distractions.

I think this trip was a bit of both.

We stayed for about an hour before making our way home. The mood was lighter in the car now. We laughed a bit and listened to loud music. It could be because we were both tired. It was almost two in the morning. And it'll be way past that when we get home.

The time was 2:37 A.M. when we pulled into my driveway. James turned off the car, but didn't move. "Are you going to Jack's?"

"Yeah. They think I'm spending the night at Lindy's."

"Well I guess I'll see you in the morning."

"Thank you for tonight. It was really amazing."

He nodded his head, "You're welcome."

I got out of the car before he did. When I made it to Jack's front door, I looked to my house to see James finally walking inside without a glance in my direction. I probably should've followed him and made sure he was okay. I really did feel bad for James.

I took a deep breath and unlocked Jack's door. I locked it back behind me and started for his room. Light seeped through the crack in his door so he must still be awake. I pushed it opened all the way and stepped inside. Jack was sat up against his pillows with a book in his hands.

He looked up and dropped the book in his lap.

I probably should've changed before I came over, "Hey." I smiled and kicked off my shoes before crawling on the bed.

"Hey."

I lay down next to him and closed my eyes, "I missed you tonight." I breathed and opened my eyes back up to meet his, "You didn't have to wait up."

"You forget who I am."

"True." Now's the time to mention Paxton. "You'll never believe who was Meredith's date."

Jack's smile slowly fell, "Are you kidding me?"

I shook my head while I picked at the hem of my shirt, "I don't know what he's trying to do, Jack. And when we were all saying bye, he hugged me and whispered that he still knows that you and I are talking." I took my chances and looked at Jack again.

He wasn't looking at me. He ran his hands roughly through his hair and leaned his head back against the headboard, "I don't know what he's doing either or why the hell he decided to bother you."

"He wouldn't hurt me, would he?"

He didn't answer me.

"Jack."

"No." He said firmly, "I won't let that happen."

James won't either, but he's leaving soon. I want to believe Paxton won't hurt Meredith or me. I know James will see to it that Meredith doesn't see Paxton again. "You can't be with me all the time."

"Don't worry, Juliet. He won't come near you again."

I feel like he's say this just to pacify me, "Okay. I believe you."

I wanted to cry for the millionth time today, but what's crying going to help with? Nothing. So I took another deep breath and closed my eyes again. "I'm gonna go home I guess."

"But you just go here."

"I'm like five seconds away from falling asleep."

"You can spend the night. It's not like you haven't before."

I opened my eyes and turned on my side. I moved the book from his lap and maneuvered myself until my head was resting in his lap. "Good. I didn't really plan on leaving."

He brushed his fingers along my cheek and down my neck to move away any stray strands of hair. I sighed with contentment. He ran his fingers through my hair continuously and it eased me into sleep.

I woke up on the other side of his bed a few hours later. The sun was up and shining through his window. Jack was still fast asleep next to me. He lay on his stomach with his hands tucked under the sides of his pillow.

I quietly got out of bed and removed my jacket before walking across the hall to the guest bathroom. I found my toothbrush where I had hidden it in the medicine cabinet and brushed my teeth. I used a cloth to clean my face and ran my fingers through my hair but it was still a mess of course.

I walked back to Jack's room and he wasn't in his bed. I heard the water running behind his closed bathroom door. I flopped back on his bed and waited for him to come back.

Jack came strolling out of his bathroom wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants. His hair was a mess, but it looked natural. Stupid cute boys, with their stupid messy hair that makes them even more attractive.

He stood beside the bed, his eyes trained on the floor while one of his hands got lost in his hair. I sat up on my knees, now worried, "What's wrong?"

Jack dropped his hand but didn't lift his head, "I remembered something else...something really important."

"You remember the guy? The one from your first memory?"

He finally lifted his gaze to meet mine and he shook his head, "No, unfortunately. But I think I know why you're triggering my memories. Or helping triggering them."

"How am I triggering them, Jack? It's not possible—"

"I don't think it was because I talked about you with Matt and Ethan..."

"You're kind of freaking me out. What are you talking about?"

"I talked about you again when I saw you."

I got off the bed and walked up to him, "What are you talking about when you saw me? I never saw you that night."

Jack had a blank expression, "No, I know. I saw you, you didn't see me."

I'm way past freaked out right now, "Who were you talking to about me?"

"I was at the diner, you were working a late shift."

"Jack, who were you talking to?" I pushed.

His gaze met mine and I felt my insides just shatter, "It was Paxton. But he was talking about you to me." 

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Real shocker there, lol. But of course, there's a lot more to it. Next chapter will be in Jack's point of view! :)

And I guess wattpad doesn't let you indent anymore and that's going to drive me crazy omg. Can they stop changing things please :)))))

Don't forget to vote and comment with your thoughts. :)