28. Temptation

Dex is understandably upset when you fill him in on everything that happened while he was gone. He insists that he and Jack immediately head to the forest to search for the man. You convince him to at least take the night to rest and go first thing in the morning instead. You’re glad he finally agreed because he falls asleep as soon as he lays down. You’re slightly disappointed but understand. You’re still used to getting the majority of your sleep during the day and find that even with Dex’s arms wrapped around your waist you still can’t seem to relax.

After a while you slip out of his embrace and walk to the window. You see Jack leaned up against his shed staring up at the sky. You squint as he puts something in his mouth then you see a small flame illuminate his face. You quickly slip on your boots and head outside. You’re so distracted you forget you're just wearing an over-sized flannel. When you reach Jack your suspicions are confirmed.

“You found cigarettes?” You ask causing him to lean up and face you. “Yeah, want one?” he says as he pulls a beat up pack from his pocket. “I stopped a long time ago, but who knows when I’ll get another chance” you shrug and pull a cigarette out of the open pack. Jack holds a lighter up and you lean forward so he can light the tip. It’s old and stale but the buzz that hits you makes you slowly lean back against the shed next to Jack. You stare dreamily ahead enjoying the head rush.

You smoke silently together enjoying the warm night breeze. The stars have been especially bright since the meteor shower and you can make out most of the constellations clearly. As you take another drag you feel the fabric of Jack’s shirts brush against your arm as he leans closers to you. When you don’t pull away he leans closer and you feel his muscular bicep press against you. You finally break the silence by saying, “Dex fell asleep pretty early, so, I didn’t really find out much about your trip”. Jack pulls away from you slightly at the sound of Dex’s name and crosses his arms over his chest.

After he takes a long drag from his cigarette you learn that the city was completely wiped out. The only supplies they found along the way were in a few half destroyed farm houses outside the city. That’s where Jack had found the cigarettes and your book. You chuckle when he tells you this and Jack looks down at you raising an eyebrow. “Sorry, I just didn’t expect a farmer to be reading that book” you giggle. Jack smiles and lays his head back again. You’ve learned to appreciate what little humor is left in this world when everything else seems so bleak.

You take a last inhale from the cigarette before tossing it down and crushing it under your boot. Jack had already put his out a few moments ago. You straighten back up and lean back up against the shed this time a little closer to Jack. After a few minutes he stands up straight and turns to face you. You turn your head slightly to face him but avoid eye contact for now. Your body is tense and heavy as you feel his gaze on you.

You wait for him to say something but after a while you just hear him sigh. You straighten again up when he walks past you and heads to the entrance of the shed. Reaching a hand out you try to grab his arm but your finger miss him. You bite your lip as he walks inside the shed. Your heart speed up when he doesn’t shut the door behind him. Running your fingers through your hair you push it back nervously. You hesitate for a second before slowly walking towards the open door.