***
After my tiny little outburst toward my sister I went for a run around the neighborhood. I needed to clear my head, and I needed to get out of the house. I’d texted Jacks to let him know, and he said he was going to take Landry and Dagger to the park after the beach. See? Quality time with his daughter. Dylan was so far off base with everything that had to do with Jacks and me it was ridiculous. My feet pounded the pavement up the driveway. I was dripping with sweat by this point and needed hydration. I ran in the front door and straight to the kitchen, throwing open the refrigerator and downing a bottle of water.
“You were right.”
I jumped about a foot in the air when Luke spoke from his seat at the island. “Holy shit, Luke! You scared the crap out of me! I didn’t see you there.”
He grinned. “Sorry.” He was so pretty. I knew that was an odd word to use to describe a guy, but he was. “You were right, earlier when you were talking to Lex and Dil about Jacks.”
I sat my water down. “So you weren’t sleeping?”
“Well, I was until you and your sister started going at it.” He shrugged. “This band, this group of people…we look out for each other. I didn’t think Dash was good enough for Lex. And Lex didn’t think Smith was good enough for Dylan. And now Dylan doesn’t think you and Jacks are good for each other. The first instinct around here is to protect. It has to be. There are always people trying to hurt us, bring us down. It’s even more so with you and your sister. I’m sure she’s been looking out for you your whole life.”
I didn’t think I’d ever heard Luke say this many words at one time. “And were you right? About Dash? Was Lexi right about Smith?”
“No. We were all wrong. Dash worships the ground Lexi walks on. And Smith works hard, every damn day, to be the man Dylan deserves.”
I leaned forward, resting my arms on the cool countertop. “And Jacks and I?”
He bit his lip for a minute, obviously thinking about his answer. “Like I said before, everything you said about Jacks was right. He’s the best of us.” Luke reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “You and Landry? Two of the luckiest girls in the world.” He cocked his head, studying me. “As far as you being good for him? I don’t think you’d ever intentionally hurt him, and I can see that you would walk through fire before you ever hurt Landry. Time will tell what that means for your future.”
“You’re a good friend, Luke.” I squeezed his hand.
He smiled, his eyes sad. “Be happy, take care of each other. Your sister will see, she’ll realize how perfect you are together. Just give her some time.” He got up and left.
I wanted him to stay. I wanted to ask him more about Dash and Lexi. I wanted to ask him if that’s what made him go out every night. I wanted to ask him if he was in love with her.
Landry
I had the best day with Jacks and Dagger. We went to the beach and ran in and out of the waves. Then Jacks took us to the park and we played on everything. We got lunch and ice cream. I’d never had this much fun in my whole life. My mom never really even seemed like she wanted to play with me. There was a rusted-out playground near our trailer. But it wasn’t all that fun, and there usually weren’t any other kids around.
When we finally came home, we ate pizza on the back porch with Bryan and Uncle Luke. And then I got to go down to the studio and practice my drums some more. Uncle Luke said I was a quick study. All my teachers said I was smart, but I missed a lot of school. Sometimes my mom wouldn’t feel good enough to take me.
I didn’t miss her. I tried not to wonder where she was or what she was doing. I was afraid if I thought about her, she would come find me. I didn’t want to be found. I wanted to stay here with Jacks and Bryan forever. Jacks said I could. He said it was me and him no matter what. I was afraid him and B would be mad at me for what I said this morning, about the way B looks at him. But he said it was sweet and exactly what everyone needed to hear. When we got back to the house, B didn’t seem mad at me either. She gave me a hug and a kiss as soon as we walked in. She did seem upset at Jacks though; he didn’t put enough sunscreen on me, I guess. I had tan skin, even in the winter. I’d never been sunburned before. It was nice to have someone worry about me like that.
I really hoped my mom stayed gone. I hoped she didn’t look for me. I hoped that one day Jacks would ask me to call him Dad. Maybe him and B would get married, and then I could have two parents. Like the kids on TV.
Chapter Twenty-one
Jacks
“I lucked out, big time. Landry loves bedtime.” I looked out into the hall before shutting my bedroom door. Bryan had read with Landry and then came to shower while I tucked her in. Now she was sitting cross-legged on my bed, my computer balanced on her bare legs. “Whatcha lookin’ at? Porn? Trying to brush up on your skills before I get to third base?”