"Emilie"

"Jackson."

Jackson Brooks stood up and walked over to give me a hug. I push my hand out to stop him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Surprise! I am your new neighbor."

My heart dropped to my ass.

Backstory on Jackson Brooks: Before I moved here, I lived in North Carolina and went to Salvador Academy that was just a few minutes off base. I lived there for four years, and dated Jackson Brooks. His dad was in the army as well, and he had grown up in the same style as me. We connected instantly. We went on dates, explored the state, snuck out at night, and shared a lot of firsts. A very important first. Jackson Brooks was the very first guy I ever slept with. When my parents told me that we were moving, Jackson and I began to argue a lot and worry about our relationship. I broke up with him the day before we left, and we haven't spoken since.

I coughed, "You're my what?"

My mom smiled and put her hands on my shoulders, "Jackson's parents bought the house across the street! Isn't that exciting! You two should catch up!," she handed me the keys to her car, "You can even take my car! Go show him around town!"

Jackson smirked, "That sounds perfect."

I death glared at my mother, "I thought Dad wanted to spend some time together before he left?"

She waved dismissively, "He is resting. We will have dinner when you get back."

Sigh. This ought to be so much fun.

"So, where are we going?" Jackson took his place in the passenger seat of my moms car.

"I need to make a phone call."

I stepped around the back of the car and called Sarah.

"What's up?"

"Are you busy?"

I could hear her crunching on food, "No not really."

"I'm on my way to pick you up. I have a situation."

The crunching ceased immediately, "Elaborate."

"My ex is in town. I'm on my way."

The line ended and I jumped into the drivers seat, "We are picking someone up first."

I could tell he wasn't thrilled, but he didn't say anything. My foot was heavy on the gas pedal all the way to Sarah's house. I turned so quickly into their driveway that I almost hit Liam who was sprinting the pavement... shirtless. He threw his hands up, jumping out of the way. He ran up to my window and pulled his headphones out.

"What the hell? I threaten to beat someone up for you, take you to get food, and try to be your shower buddy all for you to just kill me?" He talked super fast and then he noticed Jackson in the passenger seat. He slowly shook his head, "Sorry, I thought you were alone."

"Did you really bring me to come pick up a guy?" Jackson was pissed, but I didn't really care.

"No, I'm not picking him up." I lay on the horn of the car a few times letting Sarah know I was here.

"So, who is the fratboy?" Liam eyes Jackson's choice of clothing. Jackson was dressed in a clean button up, slacks, and loafers. His hair was styled perfect, as always.

"IM COMING, IM COMING!"

Thank God Sarah ran outside before I had to answer any further questions.

"Ew, you are sweaty and gross. Move." Sarah pushed Liam out of the way with her finger and opened the door to get in.

"We were taught stranger danger..." Liam pointed back and forth between his chest and Sarah, "So who-"

I waved goodbye and rolled up my window as he kept speaking. I put the car in reverse and left Liam standing in his driveway glistening like a God.

Jackson turned around and looked Sarah up and down, "Do you have a name?"

She tilted her head and gave him a mild smirk, "Sarah. You?"

"Jackson, but I go by Jack."

I laugh, "Since when?"

"A lot has transpired since you just ran off and left me."

Sarah flipped her hair behind her shoulder, "I'm sensing some awkward vibes, maybe we should go do something. The dock should still be open!"

I meet her eyes in the rear view and telepathically thank her, "The dock sounds cool."

We drive across town to the docks and park the car by the cabins, "Are you sure we are allowed over here?"

"My mom is friends with the guy who owns the marina. It's totally fine." Sarah led the way down to the water. We all three took a seat at the edge.

"So what's your story, Jack?" Sarah was trying to keep the focus off of me which I appreciated, but I hadn't talked about Jackson much. I'm sure she was interested and curious as to why I never talked about him.

"I take it that Em hasn't talked about me much?," He looked over at me, but I kept my eyes to the ground, "If that's the case, I will just let her tell you what she wants you to know."

"Fine then.... why are you here?" Sarah wasn't satisfied with his answer to let me call the shots.

"My parents just bought a house in the same neighborhood as Emilie."

Sarah's eyes because golf balls, she looked over at me and I had my hands in my hair. Still looking at the ground, "Wait... you are moving here?"

He nodded his head up and down, "Yeah, we should have all of our stuff moved by next weekend."

"And you will be going to our school?"

My heart dropped to my ass again. I hadn't even had the time to let the news sink in let alone process what all it would bring. I wasn't ready for this... I had just gotten settled, and I am happy.

"I guess so."

We all three sat in awkward silence for several minutes. Finally Jackson broke it, "So who has the sweaty guy in the driveway?"

For the first time throughout this whole conversation, I looked up. I remembered what all he had heard Liam say in the driveway, things that Sarah was unaware of.

"Sarah's brother."

They both looked at me, those were the first two words I had said since we sat down. Jackson's eyes narrowed at mine, and I could sense what he was thinking.

Thankfully, he kept his thoughts to himself.

"Well, are y'all ready to go? It's getting dark. We can go back to my house." Sarah stood up and held her hand out to help me.

"Back to your place it is."

It all started to sink it. Jackson was here, and he was here to stay.... all I could hear in my head was Disturbed singing Sound of Silence. It was quite an ironic moment when it played on the stereo as well.

"Maybe we should pick up Justin on the way." Jackson pulled his phone out to send a text.

Sarah leaned up to the front of the car, "Who is Justin?"

Jackson smirked at Sarah, "I have a hot brother too."