Content Warning

*Mature Content*

I'm in Candyland.

"Let go, Lizzie."

My back arches when Jaylan curls his fingers again and all I see is gummy bears dancing around in my vision and in my head. He's pushing into spots of me I didn't know existed, that lift my body up to a ball of hot, aching confusion but under his simple words, the pressure crashes and a rush of relief and euphoric pleasure follows.

Raspy breaths heave my chest as Jaylan slowly pulls out his two fingers. Wetness drips like a river down the insides of my legs. Jaylan leans down to kiss my thighs, licking softly and collecting every drop of it with his mouth. His darkening eyes focus right on me at the end and he sticks one finger in his mouth.

"Just like honey, baby," he rasps and flutters my eyes closed, catching my breath from the feelings rushing through me. 

I didn't have to say Lettuce. But Jaylan has taken my interest in his hands to a whole new level.

Jaylan leans forward, placing a soft kiss on my lips once more. "You did so good, baby." He softly caresses my head and kisses my flaming hot cheek. 

He rolls off the bed and I gather the blanket and wrap it around me, remembering I'm completely naked... in my birthday suit, sprawled out like a starfish. I'm a happy starfish though, no, more than happy.

Jaylan is standing by his dresser, letting out a boyish, relaxed smile. The sight of it reflecting in the mirror warms my chest at the idea he feels excited about what we just did. I send him a smile so big that my cheeks feel pinched.

I'm excited.

Jaylan pulls out his dresser drawer and ruffles around for a shirt. The muscles in his back seem so relaxed but just as how he made me feel... I wonder if I could do the same. I glance over at the clock, which says it's wayyyy past my bedtime and glance back at him, who's still looking for a perfect shirt for me. 

The gummy bears slow down their happy dance and the butterflies are breathing through their venturi oxygen masks.

"Jaylan," I softly say.

He turns and looks at me with a warm smile and I snuggle up the blanket higher. "Yessss?" he drags, with a smile looking at me in the mirror. His back stays turned to me though, not that I mind the view of his conga drum.

"Umm... are you going to be okay?" I squeak, putting my hands over my mouth.

"What do you mean?" He arches his brow.

I lift my knees up to my chest and cover my face. "I... well. you made me feel goo..d, di-"

"What baby?...No no no, I'll be okay. I'm used to it," he assures with a chuckle, clasping the shirt he has for me in his hand.

Used to it?

My heart sinks a bit at the fact that some of the times he focuses so much on me but he deserves to feel good too. He deserves a true feeling, confidence, and appreciation too. I don't want him to think I don't want to do it and I'm willing to learn without Maxine's... sex advice.

"But I want to make you feel good," I softly say.

He crawls onto the bed like a cat, making the bed dip up to me and shifting his body so his back rests against the headboard. With one tug of his hand around my side, he scoots me closer to him and kisses my forehead. "Baby, I do feel good... just hearing your sweet voice and seeing you made me feel good."

I twist my lips at him and he focuses his gaze into my eyes. His eyes remain dark but are coming back to their normal syrup brown. "I'll be okay," he softly rasps but I place my hand onto his thigh.

Thankfully, Lexi told me the clear version about how to please your man and... I read an article on Cosmopolitan on my way over here about... Hand jobs. If there is one thing I want is that we both feel relieved instead of just one gives and one receives.

I rub my hand softly on his shorts, over the hard, bumpy muscles in his thighs, and his eyes grow dark again. He tucks my hair behind my air and cups my chin. "I don't want you to think you have to, Lizzie."

"But I want to." I shrug my shoulders up. "Please."

After a few moments where his eyes study mine, he lets out a ragged breath and cups my chin. "Alright."

I chew on my lower lip and he absorbs my eyes as if I changed my mind. 

To Jaylan's knowledge, he thinks I never saw a penis before... but when you are a nurse... You see and touch plenty...wrinkly, shivered up ones during clinical. He would have had heart failure if he knew how many I've seen.

He reaches into his Nike shorts and groans at his contact. His penis springs out, touching his abdomen pulsing, so thick, straight but a bit curved, long, and brown..... There is nothing tiny about Jaylan, even the central ridge. Mentally, I add up the inches and... I am not telling him he's above average.....way above average. He slowly rubs his fingers over the glans, as some precum leaks out. He lets out a ragged breath again and rubs his skin until it shines.

I scoot closer to him and he takes my hand, clasping his over mine. It's so much bigger, his large fingers dwarfing mine but the steadiness he holds my hand with relaxes my uncertainty.

Heat ignites again between the both of us as our hands clasp on to his friend, which pulses in my hand, making me let out a soft squeak. I start to laugh and he leans into the shell of my ear, laughing warmly. My hand barely fits around his girth.

I got this.

He swallows hard as my hand connects to friend, gripping the stretched tight skin, and Jaylan's eyes heat up as my fingers explore over the soft, textured skin on the head. He squeezes them closely as I run my fingers down the shaft and then back up, feeling the small dip of his frenulum. My nursing books say that's a sensitive collection of nerves on the underside of the glans, so I rub the warm, soft skin gently with the tips of my fingers. Jaylan shudders and his shaft thickens, beading up more precum out his center slit.

"Fu - crap, Lizzie." He squeezes his eyes shut for a moment.

A strangled sound vibrates his throat and his hand closes mine around his shaft, right below the head. With a tug down, we slowly begin to move up and down together. My first movements are shaky but he waits, then shifts his hips and pumps his hand down on top of mine in synchronization. I slowly move his hand with a soft tap, because I've got this, and he breathes out a chuckle.

We look at each other, our eyes locking and getting lost in each other's souls. I move freely on his magic wand. He tenses but never leaves his eyesight away from me.

With my free hand, I slowly sneak lower to massage his testicles. Reading about foreplay and just from school, this is the most sensitive and sensual part of a man. The dimpled sacs I touch are squishy, hairy, and swell. I knead them gently, rolling in circular movements that I hope are okay because Jaylan hisses at my connection.

My heart beats faster when his lips part to groan out. All of my anatomy memorizations disappear and I just feel... Jaylan. He's hot, temperature-wise and the sight of him almost naked, but he's charging the airspace with how he's looking at me with a mix of desperation and relief. The way I am affecting him sparks flickers of confidence inside me and I grip him tighter.

"Fuck," he breathes out.

His words burn my face so much my mouth parts from gasping at how our motion is in sync. Yet, past my initial embarrassment, another feeling surges up quickly. Jaylan's cheeks are pink, his chest dots with perspiration that highlights the sparse tattoos there, his muscles are clenching hard, and his eyes darken with a raw, fast-building heat. He's bigger than me in all dimensions, but what I am doing to him, no, what we're doing together... makes me feel really happy.

"Does it feel good, Jaylan?" I softly ask.

"Yes." A throaty groan escapes from his lips as we pick up the pace, my hand and his hips.

He swears so many naughty profanities, making my face hot like fire. I pump my hand harder and his abdominal muscles - all eight - flex with his hips moving up. His chest and shoulder muscles tighten with definition, like his body is building up tension but his pupils enlarge so much that I see my reflection in them. The exchange between us flushes warmth through my body but determination rises up in me as tension builds up in him.

His free hand slowly pulls down the blanket around me... and reaches over to my closest mango. Beginning to rub on my nipple with his thumb, he rolls it into a pebble. I slowly shut my eyes and my lips part as he pulls on it, creating another warm sensation again between my legs, pressing my thighs together. Jaylan's hand slowly rubs my thigh, swiping down the middle of my legs.

I continue to massage his jewels, heat radiating into both my hands, and he lets out a deep groan. His shaft flexes in my other hand, then straightens and his hot cum spews out all over our hands and his shorts, thankfully not the blanket. He breathes out in what sounds like a big rush of relief, grabs the back of my neck, and kisses me lazily. His lips move upwards then press into my forehead.

"Thank you, baby." He presses our foreheads together, panting heavily.

Stillness surrounds us but our breaths try to get back to a normal rhythm. He lets out a laugh, which is contagious and I let out a soft one.

"You did so good, baby," he husks, tucking his friend back into his home in his shorts. With a quick but lazy kiss, he rolls out of bed and stands up, stretching. He reaches over and wiggles his fingers at me. "Come here."

"But I'm naked," I squeak and look down at my hands. "And, umm... sticky."

He lets out a soft smile. "I want to clean up with you, if that's okay?"

I arch my brow as he reaches for me. With the sheet still wrapped around me, he scoops me up with one motion and swings me around. I giggle loudly as the room spins and he walks into his bathroom. He sits me on the counter, planting another playfully kiss, goes to the shower, and turns it on.

"Jaylannnn." I arch my brow.

"Lizzieeee.... I thought it be a good idea.. Well?" He rubs the back of his neck.

My eyes travel over his body, which stands taller than me even from sitting on his counter. I've pretty much seen the most private part of him and my hands aren't getting any cleaner sitting here, so I nod.

With a big grin, he motions his head towards the shower. I sink my teeth in my lower lip because I can't believe I'm going to shower with my novio... on not Shower With a Friend Day. However, I do feel stinky between my thighs. And what's the harm in celebrating it early right?

"Only if you tie up my hair," I concede and wiggle my fingers at him.

The steam from the shower heats up the bathroom. Jaylan reaches for my hair tie, winds my hair into an interesting shape on the top of my head, and ties my hair up in a messy bun. He opens his sliding glass door like a gentleman. I can't believe what we are getting ready to do but there are a lot of things we did tonight that I could never believe what we just did.

I slowly step to the shower, slowly letting the sheet slide down, and quickly jump in. I run my hands under the water of the shower and I look over my shoulder to see Jaylan eyes inspecting my whole body. When our eyes meet, he looks away after being caught. He laughs, shaking his head, and slowly pulls down his shorts. It takes everything in me not to drop my jaw as if it is dislocated or broken. I sneak into the corner in the shower and he gets in. I couldn't help but giggle loudly as Jaylan playfully comes over to me, not like he doesn't take up most of the space without moving.

"Jaylann!" I squeal as he bear hugs me naked.

His cackles echo in the shower like there was ten of him in here.

"Happy Early Shower with a Friend Day." He leans over and kisses my cheek.

"Happy Early Shower with a Friend Day." I crane my neck looking up at him.

He gently plants a kiss on my lips and releases me from his bear hug. My heart flutters when he palms my hand over his rose tattoo, then holds his over it. His lips part and eyes turn that golden color like he wants to say something but he just closes his mouth and smiles.

Running my hands over the water and feeling the perfect temperature, I grab my orange slice wash towel I hung up earlier and he grabs his red one. 

"Alexa, play shower music!" Jaylan shouts.

He has shower music too?

If he can't be any cuter, it's becoming sick to my stomach. My chin dips down as I stand there, still in shock how I'm standing naked... in front of my novio as he's humming the beginning to Just the Way You Are.

The lighthearted air around us relaxes my shoulders as he wipes his chest with a circular motion with his towel. The water glistens over his hand, making me focus on the contrast of tattoos under his skin. My cheeks warm when I remember which two were inside me and how he made me feel with them.

He hums and mouth sings to the words, making me giggle. He steps closer to me, grabbing my hand, twirling me around, and making my giggles echo through the shower.

Well, dancing in the shower naked is a new thing.... But I like doing it with my novio.

He hands me his wash towel and takes mine as we don't lose eye contact with each other. The simple exchange feels both domestic and intimate, making both of us smile.

As we wash together, his smile couldn't be any bigger and it's not because I'm naked or maybe it is? I truly believe his smile genuinely reflects his heart towards me and it's pure, kind, and loving, just who Jaylan is. His eyes look at me with that warm, darker brown color, like he's letting me see deeper into a part of him he hadn't shown me before.

This whole experience tonight makes me completely feel stronger emotions towards Jaylan. Despite the yucky fruit game, I wouldn't want any moment we had to change. I hope as we are apart, we can grow more in our relationship and make each special significant time together special.

Warmth spreads across my chest as he takes the towel, wiping soap on my shoulders but my eyebrows crinkle as he lathers up soapy water onto my mangoes. Giving him a Jaylan look, his smile spreads across more and he wipes them, over and over and over. 

I think he just exfoliated them more than my spa milk bath. When I think he's done, he cups them in his palms and gives them a visual inspection that draws my eyebrows together.

I sink my teeth in my lower lip and bend a little to wipe off his thighs, legs, and feet. Each one is bigger than my washcloth, making me giggle. Rubbing softly, I run the cloth over them and he cackles when I thread it between his toes. Guess he's ticklish.

My hand pauses when I get to his ankle. Sadness creeps in at the idea I won't be wrapping it before a game if he needs me to. "How is your ankle feeling? Zero being no pain to ten being the absolute worst." I tap his ankle and move a bit because his big dinosaur feet splash some water in my face.

"Much better now, personal nurse." He widens his grin.

When I stand, he does the same, kissing down my body as he goes. More gently than I expect, he wipes between my thighs and higher, placing a kiss right below my belly button that makes me giggle.

We meet back up and he cups my chin, kissing me softly and his eyes center into mine. The sadness in his voice pulls at my heart. "I'm going to miss you, Doc."

"I'm going to miss you too." I shrug my right shoulder up too.

"So, what takes you so long in the shower anyway?" He laughs, killing that moment, and I furrow my brows.

"I can't share my bathroom secrets with you Jaylan."

"Like, are you doing synchronized swimming or deep diving?" he teases.

I giggle playfully pushing his lower arm and sink my teeth in my lower lip. "I give myself pep talks."

"I do too." He laughs, cutting off the water.

He smiles and leans down softly planting a delicate kiss on my lips.

The steam arises from the shower as he opens the sliding glass door, giving me a full view of his perfect conga drum. Water trailing over his round cheeks is not helping my eyes stay off them.

"Wow," I whisper but not quiet enough for him to turn with a smirk, throwing my orange slice towel in my face.

I wrap my towel around my body and he wraps his around his waist. He comes over and scoops me right up, invoking a squeal out of me and I hug my hands around his neck. We walk into his room and I'm completely going to turn into an ice cube.

"It's not that cold." He smacks his lips.

I furrow my eyebrows and he kisses them as I shiver. He playfully plops me on the bed, making it dip and I watch him go to his dresser.

As he's digging through his drawer, I begin to frown, remembering in just six hours... My big dinosaur is leaving. I hum softly as he puts on some shorts. He turns around, tossing a big white shirt over my head and covering my face.

"Jaylan."

"What?" He laughs and I pull it down and leap because his face is directly in front of mine with a big grin. His arms cage around my sides. "Gotcha. Let me just put you in my extra suitcase."

Furrowing my brows with a smile, I put his big shirt on, which is like a dress but smells... Jaylan-y. I go to my bag and slip on some undies and he chuckles as I swish my hips back and forth. He slips in bed and I guess I'll kick up a notch, just when he is comfy and looks at his phone.

Perfect timing.

I sprint, leaping onto the bed. He juggles his phone and I giggle super loud. 

"Lizzie!" He tries to hold back his laugh.

"Serves you right!" I say, jumping up and down. The way my mangoes tug on my chest, this might not have been a good idea. "You know Jaylan, this bed is really bouncy. Where did you get it anyway?"

"IKEA. You're crazy. Now.... Get.... down," Jaylan grumbles, wrapping his arm around my legs.

"Woah!" I fall down and he scoops me right into his arms. "Heyyyy!" I fold my arms at him, furrowing my brows at the big funsucker.

"Don't hey me. It's time for bed... If you want to celebrate National Pancake Day." He laughs, wrapping his arms around me.

"How did you know that?" I arch my brow.

"How else would I know that?" He says snarky and I furrow my brow now.

"Jaylann."

"Lizzie." He yawns.

He reaches over to the night stand and to unplug the twinkle lights but I stop him. "Wait! We... we...  can't go to bed yet."

He looks at me with an arch brow "Lizzie, it's almost twelve in the morning."

"But... our sleepover is not over." I soften my eyes.

"Don't do that." He sucks his teeth and I giggle, putting my hand up.

"Don't do what?" I soften my eyes more, adding a slight pout.

"What sleepover game do you have in mind now?" He yawns and blinks his eyes a few times.

I slap his thigh and beam. "I'm glad you asked." I throw the blanket over my body and quickly go to the last activity I wanted to do before we got carried away. I dig through my overnight bag and grab my package of Dove dark chocolate.

I read that dark chocolate soothes the heart after being intimate with your partner and also Jaylan is a health freak!  I crawl on to the bed and throw the bag into his chest. He lets out a soft laugh and licks his lower lip as I sit right next to him.

As I get comfy, he opens the bag and opens one chocolate for me. "Open."

I open my mouth and he sticks it right onto my tongue. Moaning, he arches his brow at me and I giggle. "Better than fruit."

"Your teeth are going to fall out."

"So be it!" I point in the air and he tickles at my side, parting my lips as I giggle again.

"So, I know you got something up your sleeve with these chocolates," he accuses me.

"Not really." I pop another chocolate in my mouth.

"Lizzieeee."

"Okay okay okay... How about we play twenty one questions?" I offer because really, I don't have a game.

"How about five?" He yawns, I stick my finger in his mouth, poking his tongue, and his eyes pop open, making me giggle uncontrollably. He furrows his eyebrows like me. I lean in to hug him and he rubs my back. "Is this the torture you been amping up to since I've done it to you?"

"You bet ya." I beam.

"Imma get you back...." He chuckles, moving his eyes up and down my face. I smile and he pecks my lips. "What is one thing you are looking forward to next month?" he begins.

My eyes grow because I completely forgot it's the first of the month and that means planning galore tomorrow but, then again... The day that I've been trying to avoid has already passed but I guess planning days to celebrate will happen. I feel less sad that Jaylan is not here.

"Umm... definitely look forward to Oreo Day."

"How do you celebrate that?" He tries to hold back his laugh but it just comes out.

"Jaylan," I frown at him. "There are so many things you can do with Oreo Day.... Oreo pancakes, dress up like one... play oreo checkers... I have it on your calendar."

"What else is on there?" he teases.

I give him a Jaylan look because I told him to look at it because it has all our scheduled times to talk and spend time with each other. I can't wait for Bubble Bath Day... I'm sure he will be happy about that too. "What about you?" I beam.

"Probably just being able to talk to you," He lets out a smirk and kisses my cheek sloppily, crinkling up my nose.

"I know, I know. Jaylannnn," he mimics me and I playfully push him.

"Okay.... Umm, what superpower do you wish you could have?" I beam.

He yawns and smacks his lips silly, making me giggle. "Definitely speak all languages... because the way you be saying things, I don't know if I should be scared or turned on." He chuckles after finishing.

I giggle playfully, hitting his chest. "Well, I'll be your teacher for Spanish. I got that covered."

"Graceas," he says poorly and I giggle.

"Gracias," I emphasize the 'a.'

"What about you, Raspberry Lover?" he arrogantly sings.

I grunt and graze my teeth on his arm and he flinches and I giggle. "I'm not a raspberry lover."

"Nope, it's proven." He turns his nose at me.

I furrow my eyebrows at him and stick another chocolate in my mouth. "I definitely want to teleport everywhere."

"Hmmm...." he rubs his hand over his chin, drawing my eyes to it. "That's interesting... where would you want to go?"

"Be able to go home..." I softly say, sticking another chocolate in my mouth with my chin down. "And even see you."

Jaylan rubs my back softly and softly kisses my forehead. "Have you talked to any of your family today?"

I sigh because besides the messages from Mamá and Isabela, it's actually best to just rather not speak to them at all. "No... I just need to process."

"And that's good... Nothing wrong with that." He kisses my forehead again.

I don't know how to feel honestly, it's just day one but how will I feel on day five? It's still hard to believe my parents are divorce... even saying it out loud is hard.

"Alright, my turn.... If there is one candy you could only have... What would it be?" He seethes.

Covering my mouth with widening eyes, I chew the chocolate in my mouth. I don't think he understands that each candy has significance on why it helps me.

"Jaylan... That's not really a question"

"Nope, yes it is." He chews on his chocolate, swallowing hard and distracting me with the way his neck bobs.

"Okay okay okay... if there was only one candy..... It would be. Umm..." My heart begins to race and Jaylan chuckles softly at my panic of having to make a decision like that.

"Alright alright alright..." he gives up with a laugh. "It was a cruel question... Alright, since the big wigs haven't taken you anywhere... Where would you like to go before you graduate?"

My heart gets back into a normal rhythm and my pupils go back to normal nursing size. My heart begins to glow warmly at one place I've been dying to go.

"Disney." I squeak.

"Land or World?" he presses.

"World," I confess shyly.

"Alright, bet." He lets out a warming smile. He moves his shoulder side to side in a happy way.

I hope he isn't thinking we are going during school because in Nursing school, there is no such thing as getting away for a weekend, let alone escaping for the best place in the world!

"Jaylan." I furrow my eyebrows at him

"What?"

"It's a hypothetical question," I remind him.

He lets out a sneaky smirk and I clasp on to his wrist furrowing my brows at him. We are now in a full blown staring contest until he lets out a chuckle. "We are not going to Disney World." I furrow my brows.

He licks his lips with a smirk that I do not trust. "Relax," he says, which I also do not trust.

"Where would you like to go?"  I ask.

"I would like to go to the beach with you," his voice rasps.

"We could do that," I reply slowly because his devil horns are making another appearance.

His eyebrows arch. "And not Disney?"

"Jaylan, Disney takes a lot of planning." I frown. "They have travel agents for a reason."

"So does the beach," he points out but there is no comparison.

I wave my hands in the air at his nonsense and he does it too. "What beach do you like the most?"

"Ooooh, tough one, Giggles..." He rubs his chin again and I watch his motion again but shift my eyes away when he catches me.

"Probably Huntington Beach in South Carolina," he says, reaching for his phone and slides it. He goes to his photo album and scrolls through. He stops at a photo of him, Jordy, and Marcus, pointing with sunglasses all cool like, with matching flamingo beach shorts.

I point at Jaylan's and he laughs and I arch my brow at him. "If we go, you have to wear these."

"You wear that orange bathing suit," he tosses back.

I blink at him, wondering if he is color blind. "But it doesn't match if we take photos, Jaylan."

"Oh God, you're right," he teases and I playfully bump into him.

"What about your favorite beach? And don't say Virginia Beach because it's dirty." He points as I am mid-sentence to say that very answer, with my mouth gape open.

I look around for my phone and look back as he hands it to me. I let out a soft smile and he gives me a quick peck. "Mmmmm, my favorite beaches are in Yucatán, México. The body is in the Gulf of Mexico and the water is so pretty... And umm... it's where my family used to go on vacation." I clear my throat at the end.

"Where did you guys go?"

I sigh heavily and swipe open my messages, seeing some from Lexi and a lot from Maxine asking if I'm alive. I giggle and send a thumbs up to her. Going to my photo album, I find more photo bombs of Jaylan, shirtless... really nice I might add.

Over my phone screen, I slant my eyes at him, who has the biggest, tired grin. I scroll up and go to the summer before I came here, with just Papá, Isabela, and Mateo and I because Mamá didn't want to go. Papá took us to so many beaches and we had the best fish tacos down there. We even camped but it didn't feel the same without Mamá giving us orders of all us spontaneously doing things like typical vacation high. I show Jaylan a photo of Isabela and I at the beach, holding each other in our matching bathing suits.

Jaylan focuses in on my conga drum and I giggle. "The water is so pretty here and clear... best one by far."

"I hope I get to go one day," he chimes and looks up at me with a smile. "Will you take me, Giggles?"

Warmth spreads across my chest and I lean on his shoulder, turning off my phone. "I would love that too.. You have your passport?"

"I do, I do." He nods happily and I twist my lips at him, cracking a smile. "We should go."

"I'm down, you know that..." He pauses, rubbing his chin and looking at me. "You think your Pops would like me?"

"Papá is a genuinely friendly person, but when it comes to his girls..... It takes time," I answer honestly.

"He'll like me," he gloats.

Maybe after Papá takes Jaylan to the San Juan River and gives him the 'you hurt my girl and you come here' speech like he did with Isabela's ex-boyfriend... Yeah, poor Tommy, he is fine, just took a swim.

"We will see." I giggle.

I stick another chocolate in my mouth and he presses his lips playfully.  I bat my eyelashes and he playfully touches my face, touching my dimple, which shrugs up my shoulder.

"What are you excited about being at March Madness?"

He pauses for a moment. "Well, it's always nice to have that second chance... and just to play again with teamwork."

"What do you mean?" I pop another chocolate in my mouth.

"Well.... It just now everyone gets along and we don't have to worry about being out of sync... it was rough last year."

"Is that when you got your tattoo?" I point to his brotherhood tattoo. He takes my finger and softly kisses it, making my cheeks warm up quickly.

"Yeah. Actually, it took a toll on all of us because we were so close, you know," he says softly.

"What is it like there?"

"Lizzie, that's another question....." He lets an arrogant, tired smile.

I give him his look and he lets out a chuckle. I sneak another chocolate before he puts the bag by his nightstand. I whine and he kisses my forehead as I chomp down on my chocolate.

"It's.... Interesting, that's for sure.. Imagine thousands of me... all wanting to win the same thing."

Oh boy...  Thousands of Jaylans would give me a third degree heart block. "It's a lot of good players... All for one reason or two." He shimmies us down into the bed, crushing me with his biceps so I stay in place.

"What is your reason?" I yawn, wiggling my body a bit and hoping I am not sleeping in another headlock.

His voice softens. "I could say a lot.... But...my reason is for my mom."

My heart pulls at his words and I look at him shutting his eyes like an old man. I nudge him and he pops open one eye. I let out a lazily smile and he breathes out a chuckle. "Is your mom your main motivation?"

"Yeah.... And to support Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve, they've done so much for me." I nod in agreement and he rubs my back softly. "Plus, you are too..."

My eyes widen but I couldn't bear to look up at him or... we might have a repeat of me pouncing on his lap. "Mm... me?"

"Yy...esss," he mimics me.

I grunt, playfully tapping his chest. "Why me?"

"Because the more we win... the more I get to see you at the end," he shoots me a small smirk.

The sober reality that I may not be able to go and get a confetti kiss brings the heaviness back into my heart. But maybe if I work hard enough, I can buy a ticket just for that moment.

My eyes flutter closed under my heavy eyelids and I press my cheek into his chest. "With my confetti kiss?"

"With your confetti kiss," his chest hums with his words, drawing me into a sleepy state.

Hugging myself into his side, I can't wait for my confetti kiss too.... And for Jaylan to see his championship gift too. After what we've shared tonight, I know it's going to be more special than I can imagine.

Edited by still_just_me