CH19

Jackson's grip tightened further on the steering wheel as he stared at the sprawling campus of Princeton in front of him. His jaw clenched, and the silence between them was heavy with unspoken frustration. Megan sat in the passenger seat, her smugness barely concealed, her fingers tapping idly on her thigh as she cast sidelong glances at him.

"You know," she started, breaking the tense quiet, "you're the one that got me pregnant, so I don't know what you're so mad about." Her tone was casual, almost taunting.

Jackson's knuckles whitened as his hands squeezed the wheel. He didn't even bother looking at her when he hissed through gritted teeth, "Shut. Up."

Megan smirked, leaning back in her seat as if his anger amused her. "Is this how you're going to treat the mother of your child?" she challenged, crossing her arms as she shot him a pointed glare.

Jackson finally let out a long, exasperated sigh and leaned back into his seat. His hands left the wheel and raked through his hair as he closed his eyes. For a fleeting moment, he tried to will away the mess he'd found himself in. Of all the people in the world he could've been involved with, it had to be Megan. Quincy should've never happened—that night was nothing but a mistake.

He opened his eyes again, casting her a sidelong glance, his expression a mix of regret and irritation. "Of all the people..." he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. Summer break was just around the corner, and he was now stuck waiting for the results that would decide his fate. Until then, Megan was more than happy to flaunt the title of "mom," even if Jackson could barely stomach the thought.

"Let's just get this over with," he muttered, his voice low and resigned, as he reached for the door handle and stepped out of the car. Megan followed, her smirk never wavering, as if she'd already won.

"Until we get those results I am not that child's father."

"You could say whatever you like, Jackson, but I know for damn sure this baby is your child. She's going to be so beautiful. Blue eyes and blonde hair." She continues. Jackson wanted to strangle himself dead.

"You're not even a real blonde." He mutters.

She scoffs. "And?"

"And that would mean it would be impossible for this child to have blonde hair if it is mine. Your natural hair color is brown and I don't mean to point out the obvious but my hair is fucking black." He motions to his hair.

"And if he or she comes out looking like Ken or Goldie locks, then they're not mine. Which, thank God."

Megan rolled her eyes and put her hand up in his face. Jackson glanced at her palm, finding the action completely childish.

"Please get out of my car, the trip is over." He motions. Megan gave him a look and crossed her arms.

"What now?" His frustration was very evident in his voice.

"I'm hungry, I'm eating for two now and until these results come back you have to take care of me."

He laughed. "My ass."

"Listen to me Jackson, you came to me threatening to ruin my life over your little attention whore seeking friend. All of this could have been avoided if-

"You had just left her alone." He completes. "I don't like you, Megan."

"Yet you fucked me and gave me a baby."

"That's not my fu-!" Jackson couldn't take it anymore. "Get out." He got out of his car and she scowled at him.

"Fuck you Jackson!" He slammed the door shut and made his way over to the passenger side. Megan locked the door and he pulled to open.

"Open the fucking door Megan!" He shouts from the other side. She gave him the finger and he huffed. Megan noticed the keys still in the ignition and smiled. Jackson noticed this and quickly made his way back to the drivers side, but Megan was quicker.

She locked the door, locking the two back doors as well. Jackson pulled at the door handle to get the door open but nothing happened.

He exhaled and calmed down. "Fine, I'll take you for food, just open the door."

Megan thought about it and Jackson exhaled. He really doesn't have time for this. Because of her he's missing out on alone time with Azalea.

Sure she's been avoiding him ever since that but he needs her. And he feels like he's going absolutely insane. But her.

Megan finally opened the door and went scoot back to the passenger seat. He's got to get rid of her.

~

It's quiet. So quiet. Azalea, after leaving the library earlier, didn't go back to the dorm, no, she went and hid herself in one of the computer labs. She finished all the work she had, making sure to go over them five times before sending them in. She wouldn't want to have the same embarrassing approach about it like she had with Thompson.

Thinking of him made her heart jump. She can't believe she kissed him. Her professor of all people. Azalea set her head down and groaned.

Now she's got her professor to face and Jackson. Why is it that this is happening to her? She could only wonder.

And what's worse is that she didn't hate her kiss with Thompson. He's an amazing kisser and she knows the girls in class gawk over him. Who wouldn't, he's good looking.

"I could teach you if your curious."

Exactly why did he mean by that anyways? Teach her what? Azalea sighed, her mind wondering. She then got a text. Azalea raised her head and checked her phone to see a message from Jackson.

'Where are you?'

Azalea read the message over and over again but didn't answer. She got another one a minute later.

'I want to talk about what happened at Ocean's Peak. I know you're probably still overwhelmed but I need to talk to you Azie.'

Again she didn't answer and when she didn't, another text came through.

'Please don't ignore me.'

'Please Azie.'

It's like she could almost hear his soft and begging tone. Just like when he begged for her to kiss him the second time.

"Why'd I have to meet you?" She whispers to herself. Azalea felt her throat close up and her nose flared as fresh tears pricked her eyes.

Maybe if she hadn't seen what she thought she saw earlier then she probably would've caved in three messages ago.

'I miss you, Azalea.'

'Leave me alone, Jackson. Please.'

Jackson wondered for approximately an hour what Azie meant by, leave her alone. He texted her and called her but she didn't answer him. It was killing him slowly.

Jackson sat on her bed waiting for her to return. He wants to know what she meant by that. Does she want nothing to do with him? Did he over do it and possibly scared her off for good?

Jackson exhaled and laid down on her side of the bed. He grabbed her pillow, holding it close to his chest and face.

His heart is pounding in his chest and heat engulfed him almost instantly. His mind went back their kiss, then him getting a taste of her.

He wants more, he needs more. Jackson groaned, feeling his cock harden in his pants.

"Why Azie, why are you letting me suffer like this?" He groans in complaint. Suddenly the door opened and he pitched up. Walking in, is Azie.

Jackson raised up, sitting at the edge of the bed. Azalea gazed at him, staring blankly. Jackson took in her features and it looks like she just woke up.

Her hair is a poufy with a few strands poking out in different directions and her eyes are lidded.

Her eyes met his and she glared. Jackson scrunched his brows in confusion.

And before he could ask her anything she slapped him. The action took him completely by surprise and he held his cheek.

Jackson gazed back at her, massaging his cheek. Tears fell silently from her eyes as she continued to throw daggers at him. He's never seen her this dissociated but also so...angry.

"W-what did I do?"

Her brows furrowed and she went to hit him again, but he was quick, grabbing her by the wrist.

"Woah what the hell is wrong?"

"What's wrong?" She managed a smile and pulled her hand away. "You kissed her!?" She shouts.

Jackson shook his head. "What are you talking about?"

Azalea turned around and tugged at her hair, pacing the room as she tried to suppress her tears.

"Azie, what are you talking about?" He desperately asks again. Jackson reached out to her and she slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me." Her voice is cracked and shaky.

"What did I do?"

"I saw you kissing Megan earlier okay!"

Silence.

Azalea took a seat on his bed and sobbed.

"No, you have it all wrong. I didn't kiss her, she kissed me."

She shook her head, not wanting to hear his excuses. "This is the second time you did this." She states quietly. Jackson sat beside her she stood up.

"Could you just stop it?! You can't kiss me and then-

"She's pregnant." He calmly cuts in. Azalea froze, her sobs coming to a halt. She couldn't fathom what she'd just heard.

"And I didn't kiss her back. She kissed me and stepped away from her. But I was only talking to her today because she told me that she's pregnant and apparently the baby is mine," he explains in one breath.

Azalea didn't know what to say except for stare as she tried to break down everything he just said.

"I hope it's not mine but if it is that doesn't mean anything to what we could have."

She shook her head.

Jackson stood to his feet, closing in on her. Azalea tried to push him away but he ignored it, cupping her cheeks.

Jackson brushed her tears away for her and his expression softened. Things were going so good too, but as always Megan has to ruin it some way.

"I promise I didn't kiss her." He assures her. "And in sure I didn't get her pregnant Azie." She exhaled, sniffling after.

"Azalea I promise."

She would take his word on it but after everything. Knowing that Jackson is a player, and then having Megan say that the two of them should just be friends in case he's using her.

Him having sex with her just to get back at her for talking to Tony and now... Megan's pregnant?

She should just be that. His friend. Jackson leant in, his lips grazing hers. Azalea set her head on his chest and exhaled.

"We should just be friends." She whispers. Jackson was absolutely devastated after hearing that.

"Just friends." She repeats.

Jackson wrapped his arms around her and set his chin on her head. He's going to make Megan pay for ruining his chance with Azalea.

The both of them stayed like that for what felt like forever. He just hugged her, not caring if she didn't hug him back.

"Are we still up for summer?" He finally asks. His tone is low and gentle. Azalea sniffled and shook her head in agreement.

She doesn't want to lose him as a friend since having him as a partner would surely break her. He's already done so twice, whether it was on purpose or not, and she does not want there to be a third time.

Jackson finally pulled away from her and Azie wiped her eyes. She went to her side of the room and got in bed, pulling her pillow close to him.

Jackson took a seat at the edge of his bed and combed his fingers through his hair. The thought of them being together is now gone and he has to deal with that.

But at least he didn't lose her as a friend also.

"So what are you going to do if it's yours?" She asks. Jackson leant back and exhaled.

 "I'm only twenty-two. I haven't even graduated as yet or gotten a job.

 I don't even know what it's like to be a dad."It got quiet. They sat in silence for a bit before he filled the silence.

 "If she

has the baby and it's mine then...I'll take care of it." 

 "I wish you luck."Azie got up and grabbed stuff for a shower. 

Jackson watched her and she left soon after. He laid back and exhaled."I'll need it."