Frost - Jaclyn Osborn Page 0,3

it to begin with.

It was only a dream after all.

However, there are moments when Jack’s so vivid in my mind. I hear his musical laughter and the sweet, honey tones of his voice. Then the memory diminishes and I struggle to remember anything at all.

“You’re safe now, little light.”

I wake the next morning with a crick in my neck. I blink at the sunlight spilling in through the windows, confused at first. Then I recall coming to my office late last night and falling asleep at my desk. I stand up and stretch my arms above my head, yawning as my shoulder joints pop, then my neck.

Noise from the bedroom catches my attention, and I head that way. Colton stands in front of the bed, throwing clothes into a duffel bag.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“You really have to ask?” Colton says, zipping the bag before picking it up and shoving past me out of the room. “I’m leaving.”

I stare after him. “But it’s Christmas.”

“Yeah, it is.” He takes the stairs two at a time.

“What the hell, Colton?” I jog after him, still a bit groggy from sleep. He exits the house and stomps down the front porch toward his car. He unlocks it and throws his bag in the back seat. I walk down the porch steps and stop in front of him, shivering as the winter morning air touches my skin. “Tell me what’s going on.”

He slams the car door and turns to me with a sigh. “I can’t do this anymore, Luka. I love you. I really do. But I’ve had enough.”

“Enough of what?” My heart thumps wildly as I stand in front of him.

Is he seriously dumping me on Christmas?

Colton steps forward, and the hardness in his eyes fades a little. “Being alone.”

“Yesterday was the last interview. I didn’t leave you on purpose. I had to promote my book. I thought you understood that.”

“I do understand.” He squares his jaw. “But that’s not what I’m talking about. I didn’t know being with a writer was going to be like this. You’re always in your head.” He touches my temple as he says the words. “And I can’t compete with your precious Jack Frost.”

“Huh?” Now I’m really confused. “You’re jealous of my character?”

“He’s more than just a character to you, Luka. I know I sound batshit crazy, but you’re obsessed with him. I mean, fuck, you even say his name in your sleep sometimes.” Colton runs a hand through his shaggy brown hair. “I always feel like I’m second best.”

“Don’t be stupid,” I snap, completely fed up with his shit. But deep down, I feel a smidge of truth to his words.

Ever since that day in the woods when I dreamed of Jack, he’s been in my head. In my dreams. Sometimes I can even recall the cold air nipping at my nose as we soared above the trees, as if it’s a memory rather than a figment of my imagination.

“Is it stupid?” Colton asks, pressing closer to me. “When you got home yesterday, you were distant. You barely even kissed me for fuck’s sake. Then right after we fuck, you run off to your office. Like you’d rather bury yourself in your work than sleep beside me for one damn night. I can’t even remember the last time you stayed with me the whole night. I’m alone even when you’re right here in front of me.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“The truth would be nice,” Colton responds. “Do you love me?”

“Colton, I…”

“Answer the damn question, Luka. Do you love me?”

I’ve never said those three words to any of the men I dated. None of them ever gave me that spark.

“No,” I finally answer, hating the sad look in his eyes. “I care about you, though. A lot.”

“That’s not enough for me.” Colton takes a step back, shaking his head. “Bye, Luka.”

“You’re breaking up with me because I don’t love you? It’s only been four months. That’s not fair.”

“I knew I loved you a month in,” he says. “If you don’t love me now, you never will. I’ve given this my all, but it’s not good enough for you. Your head is in the clouds, as if you’re waiting for someone else to come along.”

Hell, maybe he’s right.

When he gets into his car and backs out of the driveway, I stand in place, doing nothing to stop him. What’s truly awful? Other than a bit of disappointment, I’m not upset by us breaking up. Even worse, a part