Lost But Found | ✔️ - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Nowhere Else to Be
Ava
She should be cold.
She should be shivering, drenched from the rain, standing in the middle of an empty street with Jaxon Reed's hoodie clinging to him like a second skin.
But she wasn't cold.
Because Jaxon was still holding her.
And that? That was terrifying.
His forehead rested against hers, their breaths mingling in the chilled air, neither of them moving, neither of them wanting to.
The reality of what had just happened was settling in her chest, heavy and unshakable.
She had kissed him.
She had kissed Jaxon Reed.
And the worst part?
She didn't regret it.
Not even a little.
Ava swallowed, forcing herself to step back, just enough to put space between them, just enough to clear her head.
Jaxon let her go, but he didn't step back.
Instead, he just watched her.
Like he was waiting for her to do something, to say something.
Ava licked her lips, tasting rain and something that still felt like him. "That was..."
Jaxon smirked. "Yeah."
She rolled her eyes. "Real articulate, Reed."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're the one struggling for words, Carter."
She hated how much she liked the way her name sounded in his voice.
Jaxon exhaled, running a hand through his wet hair. "You gonna run again?"
The question was casual, but there was something underneath it—something unspoken, something real.
Ava hesitated.
Because was she?
For so long, running had been the safest option. The easiest way to keep herself from getting hurt.
But standing here, soaked and breathless, with Jaxon looking at her like she was something worth staying for—
She wasn't sure she wanted to.
Not this time.
Ava inhaled, meeting his gaze head-on. "No."
Jaxon's smirk faded, something softer taking its place. "Good."
Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't tense. It wasn't thick with unspoken words or lingering doubt.
It was just them.
Ava shivered, finally feeling the weight of the rain, and Jaxon noticed instantly.
His brows furrowed, and before she could argue, he was shrugging off his hoodie and holding it out to her.
She blinked. "Jaxon—"
"Just take it," he muttered, shoving it into her hands.
Ava hesitated, then pulled it over her head. It was too big, the sleeves swallowing her hands, the fabric warm despite the rain.
Jaxon smirked. "Looks better on you."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't push it."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Come on, I'll walk you home."
Ava hesitated for half a second—then nodded.
And as they walked side by side, shoulders brushing every few steps, she realized something.
For the first time in forever, she didn't feel like she was walking alone.