I'll Try It Ch. 26

Before I knew, we pulled into the car wash's parking area. He looked at me and we both knew it was too late to turn back but he gave my hand a squeeze as a way of saying 'I'm here for you' and we got out trying our best to act normal. That didn't last long because as soon as Hartley saw me, she ran over to me and hugged me hard.

"Oh baby girl - I heard about all that stuff on the news and that it was you in that storage unit. I'm so sorry that stuff happened to you. We were all shocked when the cops came by asking about Micah. I mean who would have thought??" she said rapidly as if she'd been holding it in for days needing to spill it all out.

"I'm okay." I said as we walked in together.

A part of me wanted to ignore everything that had happened but my presence quickly became a spectacle as everyone gathered around to talk and hear the dirty details. Even Barb came out and her smile told me how happy she was to see me again. I was overwhelmed by how caring everyone seemed because the last time I was here, they were all too happy to treat me like some slut and ignore my warnings even though I warned them about the wrong person.

As Hartley was telling the story of the cops showing up to talk to everyone and how they all felt interrogated, I noticed Brewster standing over by the detail bay. He looked SO different. Not physically but emotionally. He didn't look at me with a sneer. He honestly looked like he was going to cry. No sooner did our eyes meet then he quickly dodged back into the bay. Seeing him caused a tightness in my chest but not like last time. I wasn't scared of him anymore. I didn't want to see him pay for his transgressions like I used to. I had nothing but pity for him. He was a jerk and a creep but he honestly didn't know the things Micah was doing. That one look was enough to tell me he was trying to repent of his old ways.

An alarm went off on Barb's phone and it brought us back to the moment realizing it was time to open. Barb opened the gates and within minutes, cars flowed in. In many ways, I welcomed the relief from the barrage of questions they had about Micah, the storage unit, and what happened. Honestly, since I didn't remember much of it, I could escape with a simple 'I don't know'.

By lunch, the sun was getting high and Barb asked if I wanted to move to detailing where I could work in the shade with some fans. I was a little lightheaded so I took the offer not realizing she told Brewster to come out on the line. As I turned the corner, there he was and I stopped even gasping slightly as he startled me.

"Oh um. Jaycee. I'm s....... I'm sorry. I didn't mean...." Brewster said suddenly acting much more caring than I thought he was capable.

"It's okay. I didn't see you there." I said giving him a smile as he looked down at the ground not wanting, or able, to make eye contact with me.

"NO.... I mean.... no... I'm sorry.... I'm really..... sss.... sorry. You know.... I really had NO idea he was... " and for the first time, I saw Brewster tearing up. He couldn't even look at me.

"Hey... " I said moving closer. He pulled back from me. "Hey... he fooled all of us."

He shook his head sniffing trying to hide the fact his eyes were watering.

"Really. I should apologize to you too. I assumed you were doing more than you were doing. That wasn't fair." I said thinking to how his beating was likely because of me too suspecting Lucas of sending his 'fixers' to take care of Brewster for me.

"No.... I was horrible to you. I realize that now. The things I did put you in danger and even got Ki...." he paused suddenly.

"What?" I asked softly.

"Kimberly. She was the first one Mi.... he killed - back in high school. I had no idea. Nobody seemed to have an idea of what really happened. She'd still be alive if I hadn't...." he said literally gulping down hard.

"Hey... that is not your fault. Don't blame yourself for what Micah did. You should know... I don't blame you... not anymore. Micah is the only one we should blame." and I lightly touched his shoulder.

"Thank you..." and he quickly scurried inside almost pushing Mark over as they passed in the doorway.

Mark looked at me and then back where Brewster went and back to me pointing and looking confused.

"We made some peace. I can tell he feels terrible about what happened." I said as Mark walked up to me.

"Well he should." Mark said.

"No... it wasn't his fault. He was a jerk yes, but I think he honestly feels miserable about what happened and I think he blames himself for it even though Micah is really the one doing it all." I said.

"Well... only a few weeks ago you were ready to post Brewster's head on a pike in front of the car wash. Now, you feel sorry for him?" Mark said.

I shrugged and said, "What can I say.... I'm complicated."

We got back to work and I didn't see Brewster again that day.

As the day ended, I took a few minutes to go to each person at work and say a proper goodbye giving the excuse that I was 'going back home'.

We finally got into Mark's car and it took me a minute to wipe my eyes genuinely sad I wasn't going to see them again - at least Jaycee wasn't going to see them again. Even if Jason is willing, I likely wasn't going to go back to work.

"You okay?" Mark asked starting the car.

"Yeah, I'll miss them." I said.

"Miss them? You'll see them again."

"No... Jason will see them again. I'm not sure I'll.... " and I choked on the lump in my throat.

"You'll what?" Mark asked softly.

"Honestly I don't think Jason will ever take the pill again. I'm scared Mark. I'm scared I'm.... never... coming back." I said doing my best to keep it together.

"Hey you are definitely coming back. I have no problem with Marcee. I still take the pills." He said putting his arms around me.

"Yeah but I can tell there is a hesitation sometimes. For both of you. You aren't always thrilled to change into Marcee and I can tell Marcee isn't always ready when the time is up. After the month I've had, I'd be surprised Jason ever wants me to come back." I said holding it in.

"Well if he doesn't, he's going to have to answer to me." He said poking my arm making me smile.

At that moment, my phone buzzed seeing a text from my Mom. She said they were cooking up a big dinner and wanted to know if I'd be there. She finished her text with a simple - miss u and I wanted to be there with them.

"Want to come over for dinner?" I asked Mark.

He nodded and we were on our way. Opening the front door, we both smelled BBQ ribs which is something my Dad loved making. Mom was in the kitchen and Dad was bringing in a big tray of ribs out of the smoker. Jayla was on the couch staring at her phone. They all looked up in sync and their smiles gave me filled me with a family warmth.

"Hi J-bug! Hi Mark! We're almost all ready!" My mom announced as we closed the door.

Being around my favorite people filled me in a way I wasn't expecting. At the same time I felt I was walking the road to my execution. Before I knew it, we finished dinner and were all sitting around the table. Dad insisted on a few beers and in some ways, it felt like they were saying goodbye to me as well.

Mark migrated to the living room as Dad talked to him about college. I picked up a few platters and helped mom clear as Jayla conveniently disappeared to her room to avoid cleaning.

"You and Mark are getting along really well." Mom said as she started rinsing off the dishes.

I knew what she meant. I smirked not wanting to indulge her attempts at matchmaking.

"I'm just saying. He cares for you. It's pretty obvious." she said softly as she scrubbed.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about." I said stacking up a few more plates.

"Well... not everyone has my perfectly tuned sense of connection." She said.

I smirked and we cleaned up a bit more before she interrupted, "Go be with Mark honey. I got this. Rescue him from Dad." We smirked and I gave her a hug making my way to the living room hearing my Dad's routine lectures about a business major like he has along with others I've mentioned in the past.

"Dad.... can you give him a break? I'm not sure Mark is ready to declare his entire future yet." I said as I sat on the arm of the couch next to Mark sliding my hand behind his back making sure to run my fingers through his hair.

Mark looked up at me giving me his smile and my heart fluttered again for the first time in a long time.

"Okay fine... but you can't wait forever. You both need to figure out your majors." Dad said as he got up and slowly walked out touching my shoulder as he passed by.

I slinked down into Mark's lap saying, "I'm sorry he gave you the 3rd degree again."

"I don't mind. It is nice to know people are looking out for me." He said cradling me in his arms.

HIs comment was loaded meaning more than my Dad but I didn't want to acknowledge it. A part of me was afraid he was ignoring the fact I'm going to be gone soon - possibly forever. It was hard to confront - for both of us. Maybe he is there for me but he can't stop what is coming.

We sat on the couch chatting for a while as Mom finished in the kitchen. She wandered in saying goodnight as we realized the time. The house was quiet but we weren't done for the night as we kept talking about our last few weeks. Soon, our conversation turned to kissing, then our kissing turned to making out, and our making out turned into our hands groping at each other. I pulled his shirt off and he pulled mine off.

Still hearing noises from others in the house, we migrated to my room and I noticed him pause as he walked in but I wasn't ready to stop. I threw a towel on the bed and then took off my bra wanting his attention on me. I rubbed my breasts tugging at my hard nipples and he quickly came to me embracing me tight. His hand pushed into my shorts grabbing my butt and I quickly opened his pants reaching in finding his hard cock. I felt nervous but more prepared as he pushed my shorts and panties down. His eyes were on me and not how much of a mess there might be and he pushed me back on my bed, pushing his pants down climbing on top of me. His weight pushed down and he pinned my arms up and over my head as I laid there naked under him. His hard cock was impossible to miss as he kissed me and his cock rooted around trying to find my wet tingly hole.

With a deep grunt, he pushed inside me and I arched my back and writhed on the bed taking it deep. My legs wrapped tightly around his waist as his hips gyrated and thrust in and out hearing how wet I was. My hands cupped his face pulling it closer kissing him passionately as we both lost control. I likely moaned louder than I should have but I couldn't help it feeling every hard inch stretching me pushing in deep.

"You feel... amazing... " Mark said coming to a boil.

Our bodies took over and we pressed together as much as we could as the bed started rocking. His arms undulated around my upper body and held me tight as he started grunting thrusting harder and faster.

"I'm sorry, I'm so close... I can't stop." He mumbled in my ear. I smiled loving that feeling of being so sexy he can't control himself and in that second, he came. He grunted and pushed his cock in hard pressing against my tender cervix making me wince as he emptied his balls inside me. All I could do was hold him and stroked his hair as he collapsed on top of me breathing hard.

I tingled all over and, while I didn't cum, smiled enjoying a sense of satisfaction. We laid there for several minutes and I could feel his cock relaxing reassuring me more of how satisfied he was as if his limp body wasn't already a clue. He slowly rolled off me laying on his back and I took the moment to stand up and use the towel to clean us both up as best I could. I was getting more used to it but still wasn't a fan of leaving a mess all over. I found some wipes and cleaned things up more properly and rolled up the towel. I glanced back at him and he was fast asleep and it made me smile.

I took the towel, some fresh panties, and a nightshirt and slipped out turning the light off making my way to the bathroom. Jayla's light was on so I was sure she heard what we were doing. Luckily mom and dad's room is a bit farther so hopefully that spared them the sound.

I cleaned up a bit more in the bathroom and came out wearing fresh panties, pad, and nightshirt. Standing there in the hall was Jayla.

"So... you two a thing now?" She asked as I jumped almost running into her.

Her comment caught me off guard. I didn't have an answer.

"Isn't all... this... " she said waving to my body "... almost over? What's going to happen when Jason comes back."

"I um..." I smiled from embarrassment because she was right. Here I was starting a relationship with the wrong guy at the wrong time.

"Do you think this is all funny?" She asked defiantly. I was afraid she was going to wake everyone up again.

Sensing her attitude, I pulled her into the bathroom and closed the door saying, "No it isn't funny. It's messed up. I'll admit, I don't really know what I'm doing and... it's... embarrassing how I keep messing things up. You are right. This is wrong. Jason is coming back at any time."

"Hey.... chill... I get it." and she hugged me like we shared what wasn't spoken.

"What's all this?" She asked seeing the towel.

"Just um... cleaning up." I said looking away.

She smirked and gave me an "eww". I rolled my eyes and left I made it to the laundry room without making a huge noise this time and started the load of laundry.

Back in my room, Mark was curled on his side snoring and I slid in next to him. I wasn't sleepy though. I stared at the ceiling thinking about what has happened the last several weeks and what is going to happen after Jason comes back. Is he ever going to be willing to take the pill again - to let me come back? What is going to happen with me and Mark? Jayla was right. I got all swept up in the moment again and didn't think about what this will mean. For all I know, Jason could come back right now and he'll be laying next to a naked Mark. I'll admit, the thought did make me giggle.

And what about Marcee? Is she still going to get along with Jason? Will she miss me? Mark said he'd want me to come back but who knows if he could actually make Jason do something he didn't want to do.

I had to admit how scared I was. if Jason comes back - it meant I was dead. That made things worse and the sound in the room died away. My heart beat faster in my chest and I found it hard to take a breath. I slipped out of bed feeling dizzy and found the stone Dr Thorne gave me as I sat on the floor rubbing it doing what she taught me and it worked.

It took a moment but once I restored normalcy, the clock had the nerve to tell me it was 2:15 in the morning. Everything was quiet and peaceful. Mark laid there drooling on my pillow with a dopey but sweet look to him. My heart told me how much he cared about me. This all started with us messing around but when things went wrong, he was there for me at every step, often at his own expense like when he constantly changed with Marcee while at Rosewood. I knew how painful that is and to go through it every day had to be torture.

My mind wandered and before I knew it, the sky outside brighted with cool early morning light. The world was waking up. I slid into bed with Mark wanting to make the most of the time we had left. He stirred and without conscious thought, pulled me close to him wrapping his arms around me. His arms weren't as big as Lucas' but still felt safe.

A small groan escaped his lips and then I felt it. That reliable morning wood pressing against me. I squirmed a bit pretending to be asleep as his hands started roaming more and more sliding up under my shirt. I smiled biting my lip pretending to come out of a deep sleep as his hand clutched at my breast and my hard nipple pressed into his palm. He quickly brought his fingers together pinching it softly making me moan and breathe faster. He nuzzled into my neck and his hand slid down massaging my vulva through my panties. His cock pressed against the back of my thigh and I gyrated my hips against him knowing he can't resist.

I looked back at him asking, "can you be quiet?" as we heard my mom in the kitchen making coffee.

He nodded and pulled my panties down behind me. We both laid on our right sides and he started pushing his cock between my legs from behind. Acting on instinct alone wasn't enough to get things to line up so I turned onto my knees pushing my hips up. He quickly got the idea sliding up onto his knees behind me. I pushed my panites down around my knees noticing my pad wasn't very full. He guided his cock and once again, slid it inside me. Part of me was amazed how insatiable he was. Even though we literally had sex hours earlier, he was ready for more.

My face planted into my pillow as he pushed in holding my hips and quickly started rocking us back and forth. He didn't waste time. He was ready. His cock once again hit my cervix and mostly it all felt good but had to admit I wished he didn't go as deep. I bit the pillow case not wanting to stop it.

My insides moved as he took me thrusting in again and again. I felt wet but wasn't completely sure from what. He never seemed to care so I let it happen. He held my hips tight and for several minutes pounded me slapping our bodies together. Even though we held our moans in, it was pretty clear to anyone at my door what we were doing.

"Oh baby.... I love your thick cock." I mumbled into the pillow. My eyes rolled around feeling him deep inside me. We were one.

"Oh... fffffuck!" he grumbled softly and it happened. After only a few minutes of thrusting he came and his cock pulsed. Although not the normal warmth this time which I understood. I'm sure it still felt good for him and I let him slow down and calm immediately feeling his cock relaxing inside me. He reached up pulling my face towards him and we kissed as I twisted my upper body around to him.

We collapsed onto the bed together and I quickly pulled my panties and pad up hoping to contain everything from him and me. He had a huge dumb grin on his face making me giggle as I laid next to him propping my head up with my arm lightly touching his bare chest.

"Good morning." I said with an ear to ear smile.

"You are amazing." He said slowly closing and opening his eyes watching him search for reality.

"Well you aren't so bad yourself." I said leaning in holding him. Part of me ached to vomit all the worries I had all night. But I stopped. A bigger part of me didn't want to burden him and ruin a happy morning.

He smiled at me, After a short pause, he said, "I should probably get up and get going."

Our eyes lingered and for a moment. I wasn't sure if he knew this may be our last time together as he climbed over me and out of bed. Today is day 30. There is some variation to the pill because even the short term pills are designed to last 8 hours but sometimes end at 6 and can sometimes go as long as 12. There is no precision to it. Dr Teigen tried explaining it once, but when he dug to get into metabolism and other variables, I rapidly lost track.

"Yeah.... I guess so. Sounds like my mom is making coffee. Want some breakfast before you go?" I asked feeling an urge to make sure my man was ready to take on the day.

"Sounds amazing. Would anyone mind if I showered?"

I smiled and shook my head no. I laid on my side as he pulled his shorts on over his musulcar butt. He smiled at me and awkwardly made his way out of my room. I laid there willing to pay thousands for what was going through his head at that moment.

After laying there longer than I should, I finallly slid out of bed stretching long and tall feeling my muscles coming back to life. I walked out wearing nothing more than an oversized shirt and panties.

"Morning Mom" I said as I walked past her to the coffee maker and poured two cups of coffee.

She gave me a sideways look saying, "Does Mark want some breakfast?"

It was her subtle way of saying 'I know what you two were up to last night' and I smiled and nodded sipping my coffee needing the help to wake up.

"Are you going into work today?" She asked.

I shook my head no saying, "No. Yesterday was my 'last day'." I said in quotes as I hopped up and sat on the counter

"What does that mean?" She asked flipping an egg in the pan.

"Well.... today is day 30." I said with a solemn note already feeling a lump in my throat.

"Oh honey... I didn't even realize. It's hard to believe it's been a month already." She said coming closer taking my hands in hers.

"I know. In some ways, it feels like it all sped by so fast, but in other ways, it feels like I've been like this for years." I said trying to make sense of what it was like in my head.

She hugged me and it seemed like she was trying to hold it in as well. "Are you scared?" she asked softly.

I nodded yes, "Yeah but, it's more than just it may hurt, I know it is going to hurt. It hurts every time we change."

"What else is there honey?" She asked.

"Well I'm not sure if Jason is ever going to take the pill again. I feel like I'm dying in a way. Like, I'll never be me, be Jaycee again." I said quickly wiping a tear off my cheek.

"Oh honey... I'm so sorry. I didn't think of that. Why do you think Jason will never take one again?"

"You've seen how this month went. All that drama was all because of that pill. I put you all through so much. I guess I simply can't think of a reason he'd want to."

"Well, I know it seems like you are two different people but you are Jaycee and Jason. Would you take it again?" she asked dipping down into my eye line.

I shrugged and thought about it, "Yeah, I would. It was hard being Jaycee but it wasn't impossible. There were a lot of really good parts too."

"Well, sounds like this isn't the last time we'll see you Jaycee. I know I'm going to miss you. I've missed Jason and I'll be happy to have my boy back but it doesn't mean that I don't want to see you again. You are my J-bug like Jason is. She said giving me a hug as Mark came out, his hair still a little wet from the shower.

Mark sat at the counter as Mom doted on him giving him some eggs and bacon. I slid a cup of coffee to him with a smile still feeling the lump in my throat but he smiled and ate seemingly oblivious to what could happen today. He finished and got up and I walked out with him to his car. I fixed his collar and we shared a deep kiss as his hand slid down to get a handful of my butt making me giggle knowing he'd rather spend the day with me in bed.

"Call you later?" he said.

I nodded wondering who was going to talk to Mark next and then watched him get into his car, start it up, and drive off to work.

Walking back to the house, Mom was getting her purse and said, "I have to go take care of a few things at work. Are you okay alone? I could stay if you need me to."

"It's fine Mom. I'm not even sure it'll happen today. I'm going to go take a shower. I'll be okay." I said reassuring her in spite of my own trepidation.

She smiled and left and I made my way to the shower feeling a little nauseous but dismissed it as part of my period. My body ached like I finished a bit workout at the gym and it made me look forward to that hot shower even more.

No sooner did the door to the bathroom click when I felt a sharp pain through my hips and my ribs. I let out a groan and doubled-over feeling my insides moving. I turned falling to my knees as my body wretched from pain all over. I gasped for air doing my best to keep breathing and stay in control but the pain moved up to my head. I felt my jaw almost dislocate and I groaned louder.

"No.... I'm not ready. I don't want to go." I muttered to myself as I curled up on the floor. I heard pops and cracks all over my joints as my body grew in size. My nightshirt got tight around me and my panties shifted on my hips. My chest and hips shrank while my shoulders grew. I felt my insides crawling around as I felt a bulge grow in my panites. I wanted to look but could barely move. It was too much to take and I passed out on the bathroom floor.

I woke up not knowing how long I had been out. I was sweating and out of breath. The aches subsided and I managed to slide up onto my elbow feeling my nightshirt constricting me. I pulled it off over my head and gasped seeing my body. I was Jason again. My boobs were gone. I had muscles again. My cock pushed out the side of my panties and freaked me out covered in blood as the last of my period came out of me as I transformed. Grunting and groaning, I managed to get to my feet, stripped off my panties, and looked in the mirror. It was me. I was back. I was finally me again.

I smiled and let out a laugh feeling things restored to 'normal' again. Things felt so different than just a little while ago. The world seems different. The room is smaller. I was starving but wanted to clean up first getting into the shower. I noticed that I was ready to reach for the pink Dove soap I shared with Jayla but instead corrected my course getting the Irish Spring. I got out, dried off, and wrapped a towel around me heading to the kitchen.

It was 10:30am. Mom left over an hour and a half ago realizing I was passed out for well over an hour on the bathroom floor. In the kitchen, I finished up all of the leftovers from breakfast including all the eggs, bacon, toast, fruit salad, and coffee we had left. I spilled a few things feeling a strength I haven't had in weeks. Everything felt so light and it just made me laugh lifting my coffee cup feeling my brain trying to recalibrate how my body moves.

Wanting to get dressed, I headed to my room and was shocked to see what it looked like. I hadn't realized how much Jaycee changed things around here.

"Ohh wow." I said noticing how much of my room was now almost all pink and purple. Girl's clothes were all over the floor and the bed. Jewlery and make up covered about every flat surface I had in there. Three wig heads sat on my desk holding different hair styles depending on how Jaycee felt that day. I took a few minutes just looking through it all as if I was in someone else's room. I knew what everything was but looked at it all so differently. I opened a lipstick Jaycee loved and even remembered how excited she was when she found that right color. Now, it is just a random piece of make up and stirs about zero reaction in me other than being in my way.

I plucked a few pictures Jaycee hung up of her and Mark together off the mirror. Only a few weeks ago there were pictures of Lucas. I remembered taking this picture with Mark but it is like looking at it from the outside now.

My closet was full of Jaycee's dresses, tops, pants, and shorts. I remembered she put all my clothes in a bag on the floor of the closet so I picked it up and dumped it out on the bed finding my basketball shorts, tank tops, shirts, and boxers. I picked out a few things and pulled them on feeling them hang loosely on my body. Nothing was form fitting any more. This was comfortable and relaxing. I didn't even bother to look in the mirror to see how I looked like Jaycee was obsessed with before going anywhere.

I spent the morning cleaning up my room a bit and putting away all of Jaycee's stuff wanting to feel normal again. I didn't get it all but enough to feel like me again and then went to the living room and watched some TV while I texted Mark and Mom.

"What's up dipshit?" I said to Mark and then "I'm back Mom" to Mom to see what they both say.

Mark responded first, "Jason? tht u?"

We chatted and it felt like old times. I didn't think of him staring at me with that look. He was just Mark - my best friend Mark. We made plans to go out to the bar tonight.

Mom replied and she seemed really happy and she mostly asked if I was okay or if it was painful. It was but that is gone now. I mostly just feel stiff and a little off balance but it's all coming back to me. I hit the kitchen again and made a huge sandwich, potato chips, and two beers. I plopped down in front of the TV for a few hours and then Mom got home. She had some groceries and she almost dropped the bag to come and give me a big hug.

"There's my other J-bug!" She yelled a she reached up hugging my neck making me stoop over again.

"Are you doing okay? How are you feeling?" and she touched my face and forehead like I was home from school with a cold.

"Mom I told you I'm fine." I said with a smile taking her hands in mine.

"Are you hungry?" She asked in her usual concerned tone.

"I"m good mom I just had a big lunch." I said pointing to my empty plate, potato chip bag, and two empty beer cans.

She smirked and picked up her groceries starting to put them away as I gave her a hand. I almost dropped the grocery bag as it was so much lighter than I anticipated. It was full of melons but felt like it was full of bread. I took a second and smiled curling the bag a few times before following her into the kitchen.

I plopped back down on the couch watching TV for a few more hours until Mark texted that he was done with work. He went home and showered and then came by just as Dad and Jayla were getting home.

"Jason?" My dad said as he came in. He gave me a big smile and we hugged. It felt so normal again. I thought of us sitting down to watch a game but nothing was on.

"I'm glad to see you. How are you feeling? Everything back to normal?" He asked with a hand on my shoulder. I explained how it was and then he parted to go say hi to mom. As he walked away, Jayla was standing behind him but she didn't look as thrilled.

"I"m not ready to give back the car." She said definantly.

I smiled and shook my head saying, "Well fine. One more day but then I need it back."

She put her hands up saying "yay" as she walked closer giving me a hug.

"Mark are you staying for dinner?" My mom asked as she pulled hamburger and bacon out of the fridge holding it up for him.

"Is your mom making the bacon burgers? Oh man, let's stay and we'll hit the bar after - okay?" He said as more of a statement than a question. He always loved my mom's cooking and growing up, Mark attended our dinner quite often as his dad had to work and was more of a connoisseur of frozen meals.

We sat and ate and laughed as we caught up with each other. Even though I just saw them all, it feels like I hadn't seen them all month.

"You ready?" Mark asked as we wrapped up and in minutes, we were on the road to the bar, listening to music, and Mark was telling me about the day at the car wash. He told me that Barb called them all into a big meeting and said the owners were going to upgrade and replace all the equipment which is something we've all wanted for a while. But then he said the new equipment is going to do all the drying and the car wash is going to turn into more of a self-serve wash with a detail bay. Customers will just drive their car through the wash and the only thing the regular staff will do is help people run their cards. They'll have a detail team but, for the most part, they aren't going to need as much help anymore and they may let some people go.

"Oh wow... I didn't think the new equipment would just do our jobs." I said. "Did Barb say who's going?"

"No, she didn't even fully admit it but just said something vauge like 'less staff' but didn't say how it was going to happen or who." Mark said.

We felt pretty confident since Mark and I were two of the main detailers. Then I paused thinking Brewster is as well along with Jensen and Josiah sometimes come in when we're short handed. That means the others like Hartley, Dex, Byron, Will, Zuri, and Rae were potentially gone.

The car bumped as we pulled into the lot and soon we were inside the bar. It wasn't a packed party being an average Tuesday. It was more people getting off work, stopping off for a drink before heading home. There was a guy in a suit at the bar next to an emo girl who looked half his age wearing at least five shades of gray and black. We picked out a table and the waitress quickly filled our order of two drafts giving Mark a wink as she walked away.

"Hey I think she likes you man." I said taking a drink.

Mark was already tasting his beer as he just shook his head like he didn't care. I thought she was pretty hot but he wasn't into her I guess so I shrugged and chugged more beer. We spent the next few hours connecting back to where we were a month ago. It was like time didn't really pass for us. We were laughing at our usual inside jokes, movie references, and sports updates.

The hot server came back a few times to give us more beers and each time she got a bit more flirty. She was really into Mark and only gave me a few glances but Mark wanted nothing to do with her. I couldn't understand because more than once, I pictured her lips on my cock in the back room.

"Let's get out of here." Mark said putting some cash on the table. We were too drunk to drive so we walked around the area for another couple hours talking and catching up.

Then he finally said it, "So, do you miss being Jaycee?"

It was the first time I heard her name since changing back. I was so back in being me that I didn't give her much thought beyond trying to reclaim my bedroom from an explosion of pinks and purples. I simply shrugged not sure how to answer. Did I miss being her? Being I haven't thought about her much I had to think that I didn't. She was a memory and in the rear view mirror now. As I thought about it, I remembered being so happy but what made her happy didn't make me happy. Times with Lucas and Mark were still in my memory but, thinking of it as me turned my stomach a little. I glanced at Mark knowing he and Jaycee were together just this morning. But now, he's nothing like that to me. He's just Mark - my best friend.

"You know? I'm really not sure."

And Mark gave me a look that he understood. Not just understood as my friend but as someone who had changed between Mark and Marcee more times than we could count. He knew how disorienting it is to think about the things you did when you were in your 'other form'.

"Will she ever come back?" He asked and this time it came out differently. It wasn't a casual question. It was a question he'd been aching to ask me for hours and now just finally had the courage to ask it.

"Yeah for sure man. I mean it's not that I hated being her but..." and I lost focus for a minute as all the heartache of the last month hit me. While I didn't feel the same about it all, it still hurt and becoming Jaycee again is an invitation to that heartache all over again.

"Hey, it's okay to take your time. I get it. Just don't write her off yet." he said as we headed back to his car with a clear enough head to drive.

He dropped me off and when I walked in the house was pretty dead and everyone was in bed. I went to my half girly room, pulled off my shirt, dropped my shorts, and climbed into bed taking some time to scroll social media and watch a few videos before passing out still thinking of the hot server at the bar. Thinking about her got to me and before I realized it, I was stroking my semi-hard cock. There was a craving in me and I couldn't resist stroking it slowly as I got harder and harder thinking of her sucking on me. My cock got fully hard and there was no stopping things now. I looked up a few of my usual videos online and an involuntary moan came out as I wanted to cum. I reached down and grabbed a shirt and shot a load into it as my body pulsed and I grunted. It radiated through me but was very different than the last time I came. This was more sudden and like sliding off a mountain. Before, it was like waves crashing through me carrying me with them. This was an explosion where it used to feel like a burst. It was impossible to say which was better but they were different.

I laid back on my bed relaxing and wiped up the mess balling up the shirt and tossing it towards my laundry basket. Every muscle relaxed and before I knew it, I passed out naked on my bed.

The next morning came and the house was quiet. Everyone was gone and part of me thought I should have gone into work but didn't want to yet. I pulled on some boxers, hit the bathroom, and then raided the kitchen again feeling famished. I got back to my room and cleaned up more of Jaycee's things. At first I considered throwing some of it out but I knew how much she likes some of these things so I packed her things up in a box. I changed my sheets back to gray and hung my clothes back up in the closet. My desk was a desk again rather than a make up counter. I did my laundry putting away her clothes, cleaning the cum off my shirts, and getting things back to 'Jason's room'.

Mark and I hung out again and he came over and we watched a few movies, drank some beer, and talked again. I could tell there was more he wanted to say about Jaycee but I wasn't in the mood to talk about her. I'm Jason and I'm the one who is here - not her. She had a month - it's my turn now.

Back in bed that night, I thought about how it would be nice to date again. Maybe Mark and I can hit that bar again and if he didn't want that server, I'd make a few moves. I stripped again laying there slowly stroking my cock watching videos as the urges grew and grew inside me.

"Fuck I want to fuck you so bad." I mumbled to the woman in the video as I stroked faster. She was sucking a cock and I could almost feel her all over me. After a few minutes, I was grunting and using another shirt to clean up.

Laying there I sent one last text to Mark saying, "Hey, I think I'm ready to go into work tomorrow."

"rly? ok, cu in the mrning" he replied.

I got up and got ready and knocked on Jayla's door to get my keys but to my surprise, she was already gone. I grumbled because she knew I needed my car back. I lent it to her, I didn't give it to her.

"Where did Jayla go?" I asked my mom as she made some eggs.

"Oh I think she had something early at her job today." she said. "Didn't she tell you, she got a promotion. She's not on the register anymore and is now the shift lead!"

I smirked thinking of all the times she complained taking orders at that fast food place but I had to admit some of her customer stories were pretty funny. "Well she took my car again. I need it back." I said to Mom pouring some coffee.

She paused, "Are you going back to work j-bug? You feel up to it?" She asked.

"Yeah, I think it is time to get back to normal." I said as she handed me some eggs.

She paused again and said, "So... I guess you'll..." but she trailed off before finishing it. I knew what she was going to say. She wants Jaycee back. I've only been back a few days and people area already wondering when I'll leave again so they can have their precious Jaycee.

"I gotta go." and before Mom could say anything, I was out the door and just started walking towards work. I texted Mark and he picked me up on the way.

Luckily for me he wasn't into small talk this morning but as we pulled into the car wash he did say, "Hey um... I was wondering... if you wanted to go out with Marcee tonight."

I smiled and it was nice to think that for once, someone wanted to see me, not Jaycee.

"Yeah I think that'll be fun! Jayla still has my car but I can get it back tonight." I said. "Can I pick y..... " as I caught it in my mouth, "... Marcee around 7?"

He rolled his eyes and nodded. We climbed out and I was back. I was back at work and it was going to feel good to just put all that behind me.

"Jason? What are you doing back sugar?" and I turned to see Hartley talking to me. It was a little surprising because she rarely gave me the time of day. She honestly seemed happy to see me.

"Oh well you know, hard to stay away from all this fun." I said somewhat awkwardly as Hartley's girl-next-door look captivated me for more than a second.

She stepped in closer, "don't worry, your secret is safe with me." And she winked as she stepped away to help bring out towels.

I paused and watched her walk away wondering what she meant. Part of me wanted to simply ask but then part of me didn't want to reveal anything she may not know. I walked in to clock in and Barb was already in her office. I stepped to the doorway knocking lightly.

"Hey Barb. How's it going?" I said.

She looked up and smiled. "Oh Jason. It is nice to have you back. I hope you are feeling better!" She glanced around to see if anyone was in earshot and smiled.

I stepped in and said softly, "You know Hartley said something about keeping my secret? Did you tell her anything?"

Barb suddenly got quiet and had a huge interest in the training manual she was reading.

I stepped in more closing the door saying, "Look Barb, I understand if you had to say something but I just want to know what you said and who knows."

"Well... let me explain." Barb said.