Shades of Resolution (Distortion #3)
Page 25
“Jackson, look at me.” Lexie grabbed his arm and turned him toward her. “Those deaths are on Black. If you weren’t there that night, he would have sent someone else. It was a horrible thing that happened, but you didn’t know. You didn’t knowingly hurt them.”
“I might as well have,” Jackson confessed.
“No, you can’t think like that. It will destroy you,” Lexie insisted. “We need to learn from our mistakes and make better decisions. You’re not that person anymore.”
“When Stodden was still alive it was easy to convince myself to stay, but ever since we walked out of that club, the reasons that I should go are piling up,” Jackson admitted. “If I walk away you can have a fresh start without the reminders of the terrible things that have happened. With me you will never truly be safe. My job puts me in danger every day.”
“Stop it, Jackson. Don’t you dare say another word,” Lexie demanded. “I was stuck in the past before all this happened. I didn’t really have a future because I couldn’t stop looking behind me.” Lexie held up the nail polish. “Alex bought this color for me. He painted it on my toes the morning before he was killed.” Lexie looked into Jackson’s eyes. He was quiet as he waited for her to continue. “After it happened, I would paint my toes whenever the color would begin to chip away, because in some way that made it seem like he was still with me. I lived in this bubble, surviving one day to the next until the bottle ran out. I was terrified what it meant. I just wanted to stay close to him the only way I knew how. I searched everywhere for that color until I found it that day with you.” Lexie paused to take a deep, calming breath. “But I haven’t been able to bring myself to put it on because I know I don’t want to live in the past anymore. I want to remember, but now I want a future. You made me realize there is more for me in the world than what I have already lived. I’m not scared of danger, Jackson. I’m not scared of what you’ve done. The only thing I’m scared of was the girl I was. You are part of my life now whether you agree with it or not. I will not let you walk away from me. I’ll take you however you come because I’m in love with you.”
“Remember when you asked me if beautiful things can come from horrible beginnings?” Jackson asked.
“Yeah.”
“They can,” Jackson said. His smile felt so warm and bright it melted away all the sadness.
Lexie set the nail polish on the mantle and ran her fingers over it. “To remembering those we have loved and lost, and also to remind us that we owe it to them to live.”
Jackson reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out the Walkman he still carried with him. He looked at it for a moment thoughtfully before placing it beside the nail polish.
“Your father would be proud of you, Jackson.”
“He would’ve loved you,” Jackson confessed. She could feel the tension draining from him as he placed his hands on either side of her face and leaned in close. “God, I know I do,” Jackson whispered against her mouth before claiming it.
Lexie moaned in appreciation “Mmm…I’m looking forward to the future because it tastes absolutely delicious,” Lexie said delightfully.
Jackson pulled away with a devious glimmer in his eye. “Delicious, you say?”
Lexie screamed as he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder. “Be careful! You’re injured.”
“You’re not the only one that likes a little pain with their pleasure, baby.”
To be continued…
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A huge thank you to:
My family, who are always my biggest fans.
Limitless Publishing, for giving me the opportunity to share this series with the world.
Toni Rakestraw, my fabulous editor, who has to fix all of my annoying writing habits.
Dawn Canfield, Hot Pressed Books, for her great advice.
My reader group, Aimee’s Amazing Aces, who are endlessly lovely and supportive!
Readers, these were only words upon the pages until you brought them to life.
About the Author
Aimee McNeil was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, where she continues to live today with her husband and three children. She is a stay-at-home mother that loves every colorful moment with her family.
Aimee spends most of her free time indulging in her love of writing. You can also find her lost in the pages of a good book, or making a mess with her paints. Aimee loves to explore anything that promotes creativity. It is one of the many reason she enjoys writing.
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