The twig snapped under your foot, and Jason’s head whipped toward the noise, shoulders tense.

“Who’s that? Melissa?” he called out, voice edged with suspicion.

Spencer stepped forward quickly. “Uh, no. Hi.”

You followed just behind her, giving Jason a small, easy smile. “It’s just us.”

Jason’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “Hi.”

Spencer narrowed her eyes. “Why would you think I was Melissa? Has she been coming over a lot?”

Jason shifted, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Uh, a couple times. Mailman keeps giving you guys my stuff.”

You caught his eyes for the briefest moment and tilted your head, flashing him a look that said: Want a little alone time? The corner of his mouth twitched like he almost smiled, but he glanced away too quickly.

After a pause, Jason cleared his throat. “I’m gonna grab a drink. You want something, Toby?”

Toby shook his head politely. “I’m okay.”

Jason turned toward Spencer and you. “You two?”

Spencer waved him off. “No, thanks.”

“I’ll grab one myself, let’s go.” You brushed past him, heading inside the house. Jason hesitated only a second before following, the weight of the secret between you two thick in the air.

The door clicked shut behind you both, muffling Spencer and Toby’s conversation outside. You turned toward him, your lips quirking. “So… about that drink you’re so desperate for?”

You smirked, opening the fridge. “Oh, you know. The kind that makes sneaking off worth it.” You grabbed a can of soda and popped it open, the fizz filling the silence.

Jason crossed his arms, watching you. “Pretty sure soda doesn’t count as contraband.”

“Depends who you’re sharing it with,” you teased, leaning closer as you took a sip.

For a moment, his eyes softened, the flirty tension sparking between you like it always did. But then it shifted, heavier, like he was fighting with himself. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing.

“This is getting harder,” he murmured.

Your smirk slipped. “What is?”

He didn’t look away. “Pretending. Every time Spencer’s around. Every time Toby shows up. I have to stand there like you’re not—” He cut himself off, jaw tight.

You set the soda on the counter, stepping closer. “Jason…”

He shook his head, voice low, almost hoarse. “I don’t regret this. Not one second. But if Melissa’s sniffing around, if Spencer keeps asking questions—”

Outside at the backyard, Spencer crossed her arms, glancing back at the door for the third time. “They’ve been in there a while.”

Toby gave her a look, calm as ever. “Spence…”

Spencer narrowed her eyes at the house. “Something’s going on.” She took a few cautious steps toward the porch, heels crunching softly on the gravel.

Toby stayed leaning against the barn, watching her. “Spence…” he called gently, almost warning, but she didn’t slow down.

Inside, you reached out, fingers brushing against his arm. “Jason… we’ll figure it out. We always do.”

His jaw unclenched, and his hand lifted almost hesitantly, fingertips grazing your cheek. His breath hitched, and you felt yours do the same as he leaned in, slower than slow, like he was giving you every chance to stop him.

You didn’t.

When his lips finally met yours, it was slow, deliberate, a kiss that said everything he couldn’t.

The world outside, Spencer’s footsteps crunching faintly against the gravel, Toby’s low voice carrying from the barn, disappeared. It was just you and him, hearts racing, mouths molding together in a kiss that had been threatening to happen every time you’d locked eyes in secret.

Jason pulled back just an inch, his forehead resting against yours, breath uneven. “See what I mean?” he whispered. “Harder every second.”

You and Jason stepped back out onto the porch, sodas in hand, faces carefully unreadable.

Jason cleared his throat, masking the weight of what just happened. “I’d invite you guys inside,” he said lightly, “but the place is kinda crazy.”

Spencer raised an eyebrow, suspicious as ever. Toby just gave a small shrug, unconcerned.