j a i m e e

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The moment we step outside, I certainly regret my choice of a loose sweatshirt as the cold air hits me. My arms wrap around my torso naturally, trying to contain as much heat as possible.

"Are you cold?" Shayden asks, noticing the change in my body language instantly.

I nod my head, shrugging. "You'd think a sweatshirt would be enough. I spent fifty bucks on this thing and it doesn't even do its job right."

Shayden doesn't comment, instead, he tugs his jacket off.

"Put this on."

Looking back over to Shayden, I see him handing me over his jacket. My eyes widen immediately as I shake my head.

"I'm not taking your jacket. You'll get cold-"

"Please just take the damned jacket, Mendoza. You know how my Mom raised me- don't damage my pride." He says without thinking. A small smile tugs at my lips as he mentions Shania. She always used to clip his ear if he ever did something she didn't approve of. But, as far as I was concerned, she never needed to reprimand him because he's always respected everyone around him. Shayden never slutshamed, never spread rumours. He was always the last person out of a door, always the first person to stand if there wasn't a spare seat.

"We can share?" I offer, raising my eyebrows in question. I open my arms and Shayden just laughs as we wrap our arms around each other. Warmth takes over me right away and I let out a sigh of relief as Shayden still manages to put his jacket around my shoulders.

"Thank you." I mutter as I lean my head onto his chest, breathing in his familiar scent that relaxes me immediately.

"Are you still cold?" He asks, amusement present in his joking tone.

"I'm alright now," I assure him, my eyes fluttering shut. I tightened my hold so he didn't attempt to unwind his arms. "Let me just stay here for a minute."

Shayden chuckles but abides with my demands. "Can't be letting my girl get cold now, can I?"

I forgot how to breath.

My girl. Fuck, why did that sound so good? I've missed this, I've missed him.

"And I can't be letting my boy get cold either, can I?" I raised my eyebrow, leaning my chin on his chest as I looked up at him.

He just smiles, cocking one brow before leaning down and connecting our lips for a split second.

"C'mon," He says, tugging me into his car. Apparently, Tory and Shayden decided to go shopping yesterday which automatically means that I'd be getting a fashion show. Not that I was complaining much.

Shayden looked good in anything.

By the time we're inside his apartment, the clothes scattered around already seem as if they've been there for longer than a day.

"You're staying over right?" Shayden asks, picking up everything and undoubtedly moving to dump it in his bedroom.

"Mhm." I hum in agreement, busying myself by making us both green teas.

He stares at me with slightly widened eyes as he leans on the palm of his hand.

So beautiful.

My breathing hitch as I try to control my hormones. My eyes unconsciously travel to his lips and I quickly look away, praying that he didn't spot that

But then, his lips curl into a smirk.

He noticed.

Nonchalantly, I clear my throat.

Shayden seemed to notice my change in mood, sighing as he stirred his tea. "I get it."

"What?" I ask, tilting my head in confusion.

"This is weird, right?"

Looking away from him, my teeth grip the inner skin of my cheek. I inhale deeply, "It's not that. It's not weird us being together. It's just...It's been a while since things have felt normal between us."

Shayden snapped his head up at my confession, discarding his coffee so he could give me his full attention. "I know what you mean, I get it."

I lifted my head to meet his gaze, my eyes were burning with tears. "I'm so sorry, Shay."

"I've accepted your apology, love. Come 'ere." He cupped my cheeks, lifting my head up as he wiped away my tears. I practically collapsed into his arms, clinging onto his torso. "Just please, don't leave me again. Not without us talking about it."

"I wouldn't do that to you again, I swear." My eyes fluttered shut as I nuzzled my head against his chest, "This is on your terms, Shay. I told you that."

"'m not losin' you again." Shayden mumbled, running his fingers through my hair.

This was almost too good to be true.

"Not again." I mutter, kissing his chest.

I feel him lean down and plant a small peck on the top of my head as we separate. But, even as our attention moves back to our drinks, Shayden's hand stays on my thigh, rubbing small circles onto my skin.

"Now go get changed." I hum, grinning up at him. "I was promised a fashion show."

"And a fashion show is what you will receive," He laughs, sneaking another quick kiss before disappearing into the bedroom.

It only takes him a few moments to reappear. Black slacks lined his long legs with a black silk shirt tucked in. His sleeves were pulled up to his elbows, showcasing the intricate designs etched onto his skin and fucking hell.

My ovaries exploded, heat rushing to my stomach as I gnawed at my lip.

Fuck me.

"Gladly." Shayden replies cockily, making me realize that I must've spoken aloud. I almost groan at the realization but force myself to stay silent just in time.

I just shake my head, "I like the shirt."

"I gathered," He smirks, "It's okay, doll. I like it too. Next outfit?"

He laughs as I nod my head a little too enthusiastically before disappearing back into the bedroom.

Around an hour and 7 outfits later, I could kill Tory for forcing my boyfriend to go shopping. Especially because all his clothes make me think of unbiblical things that made me feel like I needed holy water poured on me instantly.

It shouldn't be legal for someone to look that good.

After very little persuasion, Shayden had coaxed me into changing into his sweats and a hoodie due to the fact my sweatshirt was practically useless. His clothes pretty much submerged my 5'3 form but I wasn't complaining- they smelled like home.

"You look good in red, doll." He hums, lips cocking up as I walk out of his room. "But you'd look better without it on."

"Fuck, a red dress? You're practically begging for it, sweetheart." Cameron's voice sounded from that night, and I froze, seeing him and smelling the whiskey in his breath.

I could feel it.

His forced lips against mine.

His hand around my throat.

The pain of him-

I inhaled sharply, digging my nails into the palm of my hand as I pushed those thoughts away. I refocused on Shayden, who was observing me closely.

Plastering a grin onto my face, I try to shrug as nonchalantly as I possibly can as Cameron's words raided through the walls in my mind. "You'll be lucky if you get this one back."

"Keep it, doll. What's mine is yours."

"Yeah?" I raise my eyebrow, "You do realize that I'll happily take all of your hoodies, right?"

"You're more than welcome." He says genuinely, the cockiness no longer apparent on his features. "So did you approve of my choices?"

"Obviously. You look good, Shay. You always look good." My eyes were diverted away from his as I spoke, but that didn't stop the words from tumbling from my lips as if I had no filter.

"Huh." Shayden releases a slow breath, soft and quiet but so powerful in the silence between us. "Good thing there's only one girl I'm trying to impress then."

His blunt words lifted my gaze, my eyes widening at the unexpected but appreciated statement. But he looked completely at ease, a lazy smirk playing on his lips but it didn't stop me from noticing the slight hesitancy in his irises, as if he was unsure of how I'd react.

"I don't think you even need to try."

Shayden's lips tugged up at my words, soft and sweet and completely stealing my breath away. "I'm trying really hard not to kiss you right now."

"Well that's a bit stupid." I whisper, a slow breath escaping me as I tilted my head ever so slightly, inviting him to make do of his offer. "Maybe I want you to kiss me."

Shayden's jaw tightened as he studied me. I kept my gaze levelled with his, not letting it waver despite the fact my heart was pounding so loudly in my ears that it completely drowned out the sound of everything else. My nerves jittery with excitement as his lips parted slightly, taking in my words.

I found myself tilting my chin up, breath hitching in my throat as his warm hands cupped my cheeks. His silver rings were cool as he ran his thumb along my cheekbones, tilting my head up further as our eyes met.

He was so gentle, holding me as if I'd break at any moment, as if he couldn't comprehend what we were doing. That's when I realized that this is the first day we've openly shown affection for one another while he's been sober, with the confirmation of our rekindled relationship. Shayden's gaze dropped from my eyes to my lips before he was leaning down. My eyes fluttered shut naturally as his lips pressed against mine in the softest kiss I think we've ever shared.

Our lips moved as one, but we pulled away too soon. Tiny pants left both of our lips as we stayed close to one another, our bodies flush against the others as his hands remained cupping my face. My eyelids fluttered open, meeting his stare through my eyelashes. The raw adoration pooling within his dark eyes sent shivers down my spine as I saw the question swimming in them. As if he was asking me silently if we could do that again.

I answered him by moving my face forward.

His lips met mine halfway, but this time we were both more firm and confident in the way we embraced one another. He nipped at my lower lip and I let him into my mouth immediately. Electricity ran through my veins, fuelling the fire raging inside of me as Shayden worked his magic. His warmth seeped into me naturally, relaxing any tension that I'd experienced prior to our kiss. One of his hands left my cheek, moving to cup the back of my neck instead and tangle in my hair.

The sound of Shayden's phone ringing broke our kiss earlier than I would've liked. We pulled away, breathing heavy as my tongue swiped over my swollen lips. Shayden sighed, pulling his phone from his pocket and answering it.

"T?" He rasped out, dark eyes meeting mine as my breathing hitched, noticing how bruises his lips were. His gaze softened, his hand leaning over as he caressed my cheek gently. His touch was awfully welcomed as I relaxed into the familiarity. He rolled his eyes at something Tory says, "Right, come over in like 20."

The slight annoyance on his face when he hung up amused me greatly, my smile widened. "Are we going to have a visitor?"

"Fucking Tory." Shayden sighed, the corner of his lips tugging up slightly when his fingers moved to skim over my lips. "I adore the kid but he's going to be a massive cockblock."

"Hey!" I smack him jokingly, "I like him. He's funny."

"He's not funny when you need to carry him home as he sings 'Mr Brightside' at the top of his lungs."

"Weird. That sounds hilarious to me."

"Haha." Shayden deadpans. "No, but seriously. The man can outdrink anyone and still act coherent. It's crazy. Are you okay with him being around though? I know that you've seen him since the first party but you didn't seem that comfortable around him."

"I'm just weird with new people and I've seen and spoken to him since. Or don't you remember the night at the Club?" I point out, "He's nice, I trust him."

"I'm glad." Shayden says, "He's one of my closest friends."

"Is he funnier than Taylor?" I ask, curious to see what he'll answer. Because, in my opinion, Taylor's lack of an IQ makes him like a thousand times more hilarious.

"He's crazier than Tay, but I'd say they're about the same level."

"Damn, really? Taylor won't be happy about that."

Shayden laughs, us both fully aware that Taylor's like a chihuahua and will attack at any sign of competition. "That's why that's stayin' between us, doll."

"Don't worry, Shay, your secrets are safe with me."