The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

JASON POV:

I definitely don’t like how things are going. First, Ella and I have that argument where she accuses me of kissing her just for show. Then, she turns down the chance to work with my company, which would’ve been a great stepping stone for her. And as if things weren’t confusing enough, Max throws out this wild theory about her possibly having a sugar daddy. At first, I brushed it off. I mean, this is Ella—stubborn, independent Ella. But then we walk into the diner and see her laughing and chatting with some wealthy older guy, someone who’s clearly not just some regular customer.

I tried convincing myself that there was some logical explanation, that things weren’t as they seemed. But when we finally ask her about it, she just smirks and says, "I like mature guys." What the hell is that supposed to mean? Is she messing with us? Or... is this really happening?

Now, on top of my spiraling thoughts, I’ve got two drunk idiots to deal with. Max and Dylan are clearly both drowning in whatever disappointment or jealousy they’re feeling, and I’m the only one sober enough to get them home.

As I help Max to his feet, I glance over at Ella, who’s calmly going about her work at the counter like nothing happened. It’s infuriating. She has this way of getting under my skin, and right now, I’m not sure if it’s anger, frustration, or... something else entirely. All I know is I can’t stand the thought of her being with some old guy.

But what can I even say? How would I even begin to bring it up without sounding like an idiot?

And why are these guys so heartbroken about it? It better not be because they actually like her. It better be about them feeling like they can’t complete the stupid bet we all made, not because they have actual feelings for her. I don’t want to start competing with my own friends over Ella.

I know I have feelings for her. I’ve known for a while now, even if I haven’t been brave enough to say it out loud. Hell, even my mom already likes her. But dealing with Ella’s stubbornness is already enough to keep me on my toes—I don’t need the added complication of Max and Dylan also having feelings for her. That would just make this whole thing a mess.

Seeing her talk to that old man tonight... it messed with my head. And as much as I try to brush it off, it doesn’t sit right with me. I’ve got all these feelings piling up, and it’s like they’re right on the edge of spilling over. I just need to figure out how to handle this—and fast—before it ruins everything with my friends, or worse, with Ella herself.

I had no idea how I became the responsible one tonight, but here I was, dragging Max and Dylan back to my car. They were both wasted beyond belief, and of course, it fell on me to get them to safety. I drove them to Max’s apartment, since it was the closest. But of course, Max was too far gone for me to just leave him alone.

I carried him up the stairs, grumbling under my breath at how heavy he was, and then made my way back down to get Dylan. I wasn’t about to drop him off at his place either—this wasn’t some night to be wandering around with the way they were, so they were both staying together.

Once I got them inside, I dumped Max on the couch, then did the same for Dylan on the other couch. They didn’t need me coddling them, but I did put a glass of water and some hangover pills on the table just in case. If they woke up in the middle of the night, great. If not, well, it wasn’t really my problem. I covered them both with a blanket before locking the door behind me.

I sighed, hoping they didn’t like Ella. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Once I was back in the car, I just sat there for a minute, thinking about everything. My mind kept circling back to Ella—her smile, the way she made me feel, and even that accidental kiss. I didn’t want to overthink it, but damn, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

I drove back toward the dinner, my heart sinking when I realized the place was already closed. Damn it. I cursed under my breath and quickly spun my car around, deciding to track her down. She was always walking home through that alley, and it was the perfect shortcut.

I parked my car at the side of the road, feeling a sense of urgency pulse through me. I didn’t want her to think I was just going to let her slip away after everything that happened tonight. I quickly walked down the alley, my steps echoing in the quiet night.

And then I saw her.

There she was, hoodie pulled up, looking like she was trying to disappear into the shadows. I couldn’t help it—I quickened my pace, desperate to catch up to her, desperate for one more chance to talk. To maybe, just maybe, figure out what this thing was between us.

"Ella," I called softly, my voice catching in the cool night air. I wasn’t sure if she heard me at first, but when she turned around, I knew I had her attention.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual even though my heart was racing. "Can we talk?"

She raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to say something, but I was at a loss for words. I didn’t know where to start. I just blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. "Tell me you were joking about that guy."

Her eyes flickered, but she didn’t say a word looking at me like I just said the most foolish thing I could ever think off. She just turned away from me, as if she was done with the conversation. My heart sank, and panic hit me hard. I couldn’t let her just walk away. I reached out and grabbed her arm, not too tightly, but enough to get her to stop.

"Ella, I... I...," I stammered. The words I wanted to say were stuck in my throat. I wanted to tell her everything—the truth, what I felt, that I liked her, like really really like her but no, I just sounded like an idiot stammering like a fool .

"Jason," she said, her voice flat. "If you don’t have anything important to say, let me go. I’m really tired, and I just want to get home."

She pulled away from me, yanking her arm out of my grasp, and I felt my stomach drop. "Ella, wait..." I began, but she didn’t stop.

I could feel the frustration building inside me, the confusion, the longing I couldn’t put into words. "Let me take you home," I said, my voice softer now, but she shook her head. Her back was already turned, and she was walking away again, faster this time.

I could feel the heat in my chest, the pressure mounting, and then I blurted out what was weighing on my mind. "Why did you back off from the competition? Don’t you want to partner with me, or is it because of that guy? What did he give you, Ella? No matter what it is, I’ll top it up."

She froze. For a second, I thought maybe I’d gotten through to her, but then she spun around, and her eyes were blazing with rage.

"WHAT are you insinuating?" she snapped, her voice sharp. "That I’m that desperate to be bought off by some old guy?"

Shit. I knew it. I could feel the panic rising again, but this time, it was worse. She was furious. I had just completely messed up.

"What. Do. You. Take. Me. For?" she demanded, her finger jabbing at my chest, her face inches from mine. "Some whore you can buy off?"

My heart pounded in my chest. I opened my mouth to apologize, but she didn’t give me a chance. I knew I was making it worse. She was ready to punch me. I could see it in her eyes.

Instinct took over, and I grabbed her hand before she could strike me. My hand was shaking, but I held on tight. "Ella, I—" My voice was strained, but I couldn’t stop myself now. "I like you... I really like you."