Lost But Found | ✔️ - Chapter 15: Chapter 15

One Drink, One Dance, One Moment
Jaxon wasn't usually the type to care about school parties.
Sure, he went—he had to, considering half the football team would never let him live it down if he didn't. But most of the time, it was the same scene. Loud music, too many bodies packed into a house that was way too small, and enough bad decisions waiting to happen to make Monday's gossip worth listening to.
But tonight?
Tonight was different
He leaned against the kitchen counter, drink in hand, scanning the crowded room. The bass from the speakers rattled the floor, people were dancing, drinking, and shouting over the music, but his attention was locked on only one thing.
Ava Carter.
She stood near the back of the living room, her arms crossed as she talked to Claire. She looked... hesitant. Like she wasn't sure she even wanted to be here.
That made two of them.
Before he could think better of it, Jaxon pushed off the counter and made his way through the crowd.
Claire spotted him first. She grinned before whispering something to Ava and disappearing into the throng of people, leaving her alone.
Smart move.
Jaxon smirked as he stopped in front of her. "Didn't expect to see you here, Carter."
Ava arched a brow. "Yeah, well, Claire insisted."
Jaxon chuckled. "And you just do whatever she tells you?"
She sighed, taking a sip from her drink. "Not usually."
Jaxon watched her, noting the way her fingers curled around the cup a little too tightly.
"Not your scene?" he asked.
Ava glanced around, the flickering lights reflecting in her green eyes. "Not really."
Jaxon leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough that only she could hear. "Then why are you still here?"
Ava hesitated. For the first time, he saw something unsure in her expression—like she didn't have an answer.
She shook her head. "I don't know."
Jaxon took that as a win.
He glanced toward the makeshift dance floor in the living room. The music had shifted to something slower, the kind of song that pulled people closer, that made bad decisions easier.
And before he could think better of it, he held out a hand.
"Dance with me."
Ava blinked, startled. "What?"
Jaxon smirked. "Come on, Carter. One dance."
She stared at him, clearly torn between telling him to get lost and actually considering it.
For a second, he thought she might walk away.
But then—
She sighed, setting her drink down on a nearby table. "One dance," she muttered. "That's it."
Jaxon grinned. "That's all I need."
He took her hand, leading her toward the dance floor. The second they stepped into the crowd, the space around them seemed to shrink.
Ava was tense at first, her hands stiff against his shoulders, her body reluctant.
But Jaxon just moved slowly, easily, waiting for her to relax.
And after a few beats... she did.
Her fingers loosened, her posture eased, and just for a moment, it felt like she wasn't thinking so hard.
Jaxon felt something shift in his chest.
He wasn't sure what it was.
But he liked it.
Ava tilted her head, looking up at him. "You're a better dancer than I expected."
Jaxon smirked. "I've got layers, Carter."
She rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile there, too.
The song was still playing, but Jaxon barely heard it.
Because right now?
Right now, all he could focus on was the girl in front of him.
And the way, for the first time, she wasn't running.