“And this was, what, eight years ago?”
He nodded.
“But you’ve been home since?”
“Only a handful of times, and every time I go back I have to deal with the same whispers. Not to mention seeing Tiff and my brother blissfully in love.”
“I can’t believe they ended up together,” Mia grumbled. “They don’t deserve to be happy together after what they did.”
He sighed. “It was a complicated situation. I don’t begrudge them their happiness, but…fuck, but I don’t want to see it flaunted in front of my face, y’know?”
“So Shane really didn’t apologize to you?” Disbelief lingered in her expression.
“Nope. The two of us have barely exchanged ten words in eight years. He does his best to avoid me whenever I’m in town.”
“I can’t believe this has been going on for so long. Why didn’t you ever confront him?”
“I didn’t want to put my folks through another confrontation,” he said gruffly. “They’ve already suffered enough.”
“And you think an eight-year-long rift between their sons isn’t making them suffer?”
She had a point. And she was also spot-on. Jackson’s mother had been pleading with him for years to make things right with his brother, but he couldn’t muster up the desire to do it. Whenever he thought about Shane, he remembered meaty fists smashing into his ribs. He remembered the coppery taste of blood in his mouth, the sticky feel of it pouring out of his nose. And each time he saw his brother in person, he experienced the sickest urge to return the favor. To show Shane what it felt like to have your body ripped to shreds by your own brother.
“Jackson…” Mia bit her lip as she met his eyes. “I can’t believe I’m saying this—it probably makes me the biggest hypocrite on the planet—but I think you should go home for Thanksgiving and air everything out with Shane.”
An ironic smile tickled his lips. “Yep, totally hypocritical.”
“I know, but my situation with my mother is different,” she protested. “I’ve given her a million chances to prove me wrong. You and Shane never even talked about what happened.”
He dragged both hands through his hair before resting them on Mia’s slender hips. “Honestly? The thought of going home makes me want to throw up.”
There was a beat.
And then, “What if I went with you?”
His jaw hit the floor. “Are you serious?”
She nodded, though he didn’t miss the brief flicker of anxiety in her gaze. “I’ve got Thanksgiving weekend off, so I can be your moral support if you want.”
“What about Danny?”
“We don’t usually do anything special. Last year I went with him to Angie’s parents’ house, and I felt totally out of place. He was invited there again this year, so he’ll be all right if I leave town with you. I’m sure Angie’s parents will let him spend the weekend with them.”
Jackson was still floored—but also touched. Very, very touched. Mia’s offer to accompany him to Abbott Creek for the holiday was unexpected but absolutely welcome. He saw it as yet another sign that he was chipping away at her resistance toward a long-term relationship with him. As each day passed, she was acting more and more like a girlfriend than a temporary sexual partner, and as reluctant as he was to go home, he knew he couldn’t pass up this opportunity.
Her gesture was a step in the right direction. A promising omen that she cared about more than having sex with him. That she cared about him as a man, and not just a lover. So much that she was willing to be there for him during what was bound to be an extremely painful visit to Texas.
But if he was finally going to face his demons, he refused to be the only one.
“I’ll make you a deal,” he said quietly. “I’ll go home and talk to Shane—and yes, I would love it if you came along, sugar—but only if you keep an open mind about your mother.”
She frowned.
“She’s already back in your life,” he pointed out. “And Danny clearly wants her here, which means you can’t get rid of her so easily this time. So as long as she’s stickin’ around, would it hurt to hear her out? I’m not saying to completely drop your guard and open your heart to her again. Just give her the benefit of the doubt.”
Several seconds ticked by, and still Mia didn’t utter a word.
“C’mon, darlin’, just promise to keep an open mind,” he coaxed. “Can you do that for me?”
Her shoulders sagged in resignation. “Fine,” she muttered. “I guess it wouldn’t kill me to try.”
17
Two weeks later
“Isn’t this so exciting, Mia?” Brenda bubbled happily as the three of them walked into the apartment.
Mia smiled in spite of herself, then blamed the reaction on the high she was still riding after watching the Warriors clinch a playoff spot. She and Brenda had sat together in the stands, and as her mom cheered for Danny and his teammates with unbridled enthusiasm, Mia had been reminded of the fact that her mother wasn’t all bad.
When she wasn’t chasing after her next husband or drowning her sorrows in a black hole of Häagen-Dazs, Brenda could be a lot of fun. She was like an endearing child, possessing a knack for spontaneity and an unmatched lust for life. Except there was a flipside to that, because children weren’t equipped to handle adult problems, so when faced with the not-so-fun grown-up parts of life, Brenda reacted…poorly, for lack of a better word.
Mia refused to let herself forget that, even as she tried to keep her promise to Jackson and remain open-minded about Brenda’s motives for being here.
And shockingly enough, her mother was here. This was the second weekend in a row that she’d made the long drive from Reno to San Diego, which showed some serious dedication on her part. That alone was enough to make Mia wonder if maybe her mom was sincere about making amends.
“It’ll be even more exciting when they win the state championship,” Mia said.
“Which we will.” Danny’s green eyes glittered with confidence as he followed them inside.
Just like last weekend, he’d decided to skip the Friday-night post-game festivities so he could spend time with their mother, and he was already scrolling through titles on the movie network to pick something for the three of them to watch tonight.
Mia drifted into the kitchen to brew some coffee. Brenda trailed after her and leaned against the counter while Mia clicked on the coffeemaker.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come to Reno with us on Thursday?”
She searched her mom’s eyes and detected nothing false in her earnest expression. Brenda had asked both her kids to spend the holiday with her, but while Danny had jumped at the chance, choosing to be with his mom over his girlfriend, Mia was secretly glad she’d already made other plans. Her mother’s invitation might seem genuine, but she still didn’t entirely trust the woman.
“I promised Jackson I’d spend Thanksgiving with him and his family,” she answered as she grabbed two ceramic mugs from the cupboard.
“The two of you are getting serious, huh?”
Her shoulders instantly stiffened. “Not really,” she said vaguely.
The last thing she wanted to do was talk to her mother about her relationship with Jackson. Brenda asked about it each time they saw each other, but Mia didn’t feel comfortable confiding in her.
Especially when she couldn’t put a label on her own feelings about the subject. She’d been seeing Jackson for three months, which was about, oh, two and a half months longer than she’d anticipated their fling lasting. But it wasn’t a fling anymore—she’d finally forced herself to accept it. But it wasn’t a serious relationship, either.
Bullshit.
As usual, her stupid brain voiced its disagreement. And as usual, she tried to ignore it. But it was getting a lot harder to do that lately.
Over the past few weeks, Jackson stayed over more often than not. He cooked her breakfast and kissed her goodbye before she left for work. Somet
imes he dropped Danny off at school if he didn’t have to report early to the base. Other times he fixed them dinner. He was sweet and attentive. He was patient. He had the uncanny ability to make her laugh even when she was in the foulest of moods.
And the sex… It only seemed to get better. Whether he was kissing her with infinite tenderness or tying her up to his bed with bungee cords, he treated her as if she were the most beautiful, most desirable woman in the world.
Bottom line—Jackson Ramsey was an incredible man.
Yet despite all the wonderful things, Mia couldn’t stop imagining the worst-case scenarios. Like maybe they’d get bored of each other and break up. Or he’d cheat on her, and they’d break up. Or they’d get into a colossal fight—and break up.
Breaking up was always the end result in her pessimistic mind. Either that, or losing Jackson when his chopper crashed down in some godforsaken jungle, or when he got shot on a mission in the “desert”.
Hard as she tried, she couldn’t picture a future with him. With anyone, for that matter. She couldn’t see herself growing old with someone, couldn’t imagine finding a love that lasted forever. In her experience, happiness was fleeting. The bad always crept in to destroy the good. It was inevitable.
“Mia?”
She lifted her head to find her mother’s concerned gaze fixed on her. “Yeah?”
“The coffee’s ready.”
“Oh. Right.” Banishing her disturbing thoughts, she hurriedly prepared two cups, then handed one to her mom.
Before she could take a step to the door, Brenda spoke up uncertainly. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Cue an instant rush of suspicion.
“What is it?”
“Danny and I were talking before the game…” Her mother hesitated for a beat. “We were discussing his chances of getting a college scholarship. He thinks he’s got a good shot.”
“He does,” Mia said with unfailing conviction.
The faint wrinkles around Brenda’s mouth creased as she smiled. “I believe it. But I wanted to ask you about your backup plan, in case the scholarship doesn’t pan out. Do you…are you…?” Embarrassment flashed in her eyes. “Do you need any money?”
Mia’s jaw fell open.
“I mean, I don’t have a lot saved up,” her mom hurried on, “but if you need help paying for Danny’s expenses, I’d be happy to contribute.”
It was impossible to mask her shock. Her mother was offering them money?
God, maybe Jackson was right. Maybe the woman was trying to turn over a new leaf.
“That’s really nice of you to offer,” she managed to say through the lump of emotion clogging her throat, “but we’re fine for now. I’ve got some savings, and so does Danny.”
Brenda blinked in surprise. “He does?”
Mia nodded. “He’s saved every penny he’s made working for that landscaping company. He even has his own bank account. And he’s ridiculously responsible with his money—he doesn’t spend a dime unless it’s for something important.”
Her mom’s expression reflected back the same pride Mia was feeling. “He’s a very smart boy.” Brenda’s voice cracked. “You’ve done a wonderful job with him, baby.”
“I didn’t exactly have a choice, seeing as his mother couldn’t be bothered to raise him.”
The muttered response triggered a wave of tension that crashed over them and efficiently wiped out the emotional moment they’d been sharing. Mia immediately regretted the verbal jab when she saw the hurt look on her mother’s face.
“Sorry,” she mumbled. “I know you’re trying. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“I deserved it,” Brenda said sadly.
They both went quiet for a moment, and then Brenda offered a smile, albeit a forced one.
“Come on, let’s go see what kung-fu movie Danny has decided to torture us with.”
Mia responded with a weak laugh. “I’ll be right there. I’m just going to make a sandwich first. Do you want one?”
“No thank you, baby. I’m still full from the hot dogs we had at the game.”
After her mother left the kitchen, Mia drew in a deep breath. Keep an open mind, she thought, repeating the same mantra she’d been relying on for two weeks now. Brenda did seem to be making a genuine effort, and throwing her past mistakes in her face every two minutes wasn’t at all beneficial to the situation.
As she prepared a ham-and-turkey sandwich, the sound of footsteps came from behind her and she turned to see Danny enter the kitchen. His hair was damp from the shower he’d taken in the locker room, and his black T-shirt and dark-blue jeans emphasized his tall, broad frame and muscular arms. At times like these, she had to blink to make sure this was actually her little brother and not a grown man who’d somehow moved into her apartment.
She had to face the facts, though—Danny wasn’t a kid anymore. He nearly was a man, and maybe it was time for her to stop being so overprotective of him.
“Almost done,” she told him, slapping a piece of lettuce on the bread.
He walked over and stood directly beside her. “Listen, I wanted to…um…I wanted to apologize to you. I said some really shitty things to you the day Mom came back, and I feel really bad about it.”
A soft smile tugged on her lips. Danny hadn’t brought up the argument during these past two weeks, but she’d known he’d been trying to find a way to apologize. She hadn’t wanted to push him, though, so she’d decided to wait until he raised the subject himself.
“I’m sorry I was so rude,” he finished.
“It’s all right. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that Mom stopped by.”
“It’s okay. I know you were just trying to protect me.” He sighed. “But you don’t have to hide things from me. I know you think I’m a stupid kid and that I’m being gullible about the whole thing, but you only have one mom, you know? I don’t want to be one of those messed-up losers you see on some reality show twenty years from now, complaining about his crappy relationship with his mother.”
Mia grinned at him. “Mommy issues are out of style,” she agreed.
“I also wanted to thank you. You know, for making an effort. I know you still don’t trust her, but at least you’re giving her another chance, and I think that’s pretty cool of you.”
“You wanna hug it out?”
“You’re such a loser.” He shifted in embarrassment and grumbled, “Okay, fine.”
He gave her a quick hug that made her laugh again, and then the two of them left the kitchen together to join their mother.
18
Thanksgiving
“For Pete’s sake, can you quit grinning like that? You look like a total goofball.” Mia glared at Jackson as they walked through the automatic doors of Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport and stepped into the early afternoon sunshine.
He lugged their carry-on bags toward the taxi stand, the grin never leaving his face. “I can’t help it. That was the best plane ride of my life.”
Hers too, but Mia refused to give him the satisfaction of admitting it, not after she’d just reprimanded him.
“Uh-huh, Mr. Sex Maniac, I’m sure you’ve never done that before,” she said sarcastically.
“Gotten a handjob under a blanket while on an airplane? Nope, hasn’t happened before.”
She eyed him dubiously.
“I’m serious,” he insisted. “My air travel always involves a bunch of sweaty men on a cramped chopper. You popped my airplane cherry, baby doll.”
She snorted, then turned her attention to the cab that had appeared in front of them.
A few minutes later, they were in the backseat of the taxi and heading away from Dallas. Her gaze stayed glued to the window so she could admire the scenery whizzing past them. Gently rolling land, golden dirt and red clay earth made up the landscape, and when the freeway gradually turned into a winding country road, forested areas started cropping up. Tall oaks, majestic hickories and sweeping elms inhabited the land
, still surprisingly green for November.
The temperature was in the high seventies, and Mia had to roll up the sleeves of her fuzzy blue sweater because the cab didn’t have air conditioning. She and Jackson didn’t say much during the drive, but she didn’t mind. She occupied herself by peering out the window and enjoying the sights.
It took less than an hour to reach Abbott Creek, a dusty western town with a main street that featured dozens of little stores and an honest-to-God saloon. Mia felt Jackson stiffen the second they drove into his hometown. His handsome profile revealed an extremely tense jaw, which only hardened further when the cab driver turned onto the long dirt road that led to the Ramsey Ranch.
A large wooden gate stood at the end of the road, welcoming them to the Double R. Above the gate was an enormous sign with the ranch’s brand carved into it.
Despite Jackson’s obvious agitation, Mia couldn’t help but smile in delight as she examined her surroundings. Beyond the gate was a gorgeous, two-story house with white walls and a dark-red roof. Red was also the color of choice for the front door and the pretty shutters covering the endless amount of windows. To the left of the house was a large paddock, where three graceful brown mares were grazing beneath a shady elm tree. To the right were a series of outbuildings, all painted white and red like the main house, and all around them was land. Lots and lots of land. Hills, valleys and trees, farther than the eye could see.
“It’s beautiful,” she said softly.
Jackson’s voice came out hoarse. “Yeah, it is.”
He met her eyes for a second, then hopped out of the car so he could open the gate for the driver. Rather than get back in the taxi, Jackson jogged the length of the dirt driveway, reaching it at the same time as the cab.
They unloaded their bags and paid the driver. As the taxi sped away, the front door of the ranch house swung open and a tall, willowy brunette in her late teens or early twenties flew onto the wooden porch.
“Jackie!” She bounded down the steps two at a time and threw her arms around Jackson’s broad shoulders. “I’m so glad you’re home!”
Out of Uniform Box Set: Books 4-6 plus 2 Bonus Novellas Page 78