Dad dropped his head and laughed. “I’d tell you I was kidding, but at the time I—”
“Wasn’t. Yeah, I picked up on that,” I huffed, still not able to hold his gaze for long.
“But even though I don’t like it,” he began before he covered my small hand with his large one. “I can’t lose you. And if I don’t budge, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. But, there have to be rules.”
“Rules?” I squinted at my father.
“Rules.” He nodded. “You’re old enough to stay in the house alone overnight, but that’s not an invitation for Dylan to—”
“I know. And for that, I’m really sorry. Please believe that.” A tear snaked down my cheek.
“I do believe that.” He swiped the second tear away with his thumb. “You’re always going to be my baby. You … growing up, it’s hard for me sometimes. I wouldn’t have gotten Dylan in trouble. It was an idle threat that kinda blew up in my face.”
I laughed and swiped my cheeks with the back of my hands.
Dad let out a long sigh before shaking his head. “You used to tell me everything. When did that change?”
“Dad, I …” I stammered, trying to figure out when that had shifted, too. When I realized my feelings for Dylan, I hadn’t done a very good job of hiding it. Everyone had brushed it off as a crush, but it was so much more than that. No one believed it. Not Dylan, at least at first. Not my brother or my father who’d laugh at how skittish I became when Dylan stepped into a room. When I spilled my guts to my mother, she told me “crushes happen, and they hurt.” I kept the turmoil to myself, not even confiding in many friends other than Riley, and even she would constantly remind me of how my feelings were simply the typical cliché of falling for your brother’s hot friend. Dad always made me feel better whenever I was upset, but not only couldn’t he help me, he wouldn’t take it seriously. Planning on going to school so far away had been my own method of self-preservation. “You wouldn’t have under—”
“But before you make any decisions about moving in with him, I want you to finish school first. Talent like you’ve been blessed with shouldn’t be wasted. Okay?”
“Okay,” I choked out.
“I’m sorry you thought you couldn’t talk to me. Promise me, whatever it is, no matter how bad you believe it is, you’ll talk to me.”
I gave him a quick nod, the sobs trapped in my throat blocking my voice.
He stood and held out his hand.
“Well, then … let’s go home, Peanut.”
I popped off the chair and collapsed against his chest, sobbing.
“Shh,” he crooned as he rocked me back and forth. “Don’t cry.” He kissed the top of my head. “Your brother is on his way home. I made dinner for all of us, and we can eat outside.” Dad pulled back and quirked an eyebrow. “Pernil and yuca.”
“Really?” My nose crinkled when I lifted my gaze back to his. “During the week you made that?”
“It’s my little girl’s favorite, and I was hopeful she’d come home for dinner. So, yes, let’s go.” He pulled me into his side and led me out of the studio. I still didn’t know where I stood with Dylan, but I walked out a hundred pounds lighter than I’d been when I’d come in, knowing one thing with total certainty.
I never wanted to be without my father again.
When we arrived back home, Mom sighed with a huge smile as she looked between us. “I’m glad you’re back, baby girl.” She kissed my cheek before I fell on her with a hug.
“I’m so sorry, Mom.”
She laughed before pulling back. “I told you. I was there, too, once. I wasn’t always an old lady.” I lifted my gaze to her gentle smile and shook my head.
“You aren’t old. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.” Mom was the only adult I could look in the eye without standing on my tippy toes.
Dad kissed her temple before snaking his arm around her waist. “Absolutely.”
My parents were still head over heels for each other, and instead of thinking of how sickeningly cute they were, it made me sad. I really thought I had that with Dylan. That timeless, soul-crushing love that would last a lifetime. I shrugged to myself before turning to leave the kitchen.
“Oh, PJ, would you mind setting the table outside for me?” She handed me the plates and silverware. “They should be here any minute.”
“Sure, Mom.” I forced a smile and grabbed everything out of her hands.
I trudged outside, dropping the plates on the glass table with a huff. Dad was going to let us see each other, I should have been happy. And I would have been, if I was sure Dylan still wanted to see me. A three-day separation shouldn’t have screwed with my head like this. What I had with Dylan felt like a giant bubble. When I was a kid I’d slowly blow into the hole in my wand, my eyes widening as the bubble grew bigger and bigger, excitement fluttering through me that maybe I could keep going forever—until it popped. Maybe I’d secretly expected Dylan and me to … pop.
I separated the plates and counted out five. Mom had given me an extra one by mistake. I put it aside and continued with other place settings.
“I don’t get a plate, sweet girl?”
The plates clattered onto the table after they fell from my arms. My head whipped toward Dylan’s voice. He was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, wearing a black T-shirt and khaki shorts, and a wide smile lifting his cheeks as he inched toward me.
He grabbed my face before pressing a light kiss to my lips. “Did you get even more gorgeous the past few days?”
“What …” Couldn’t I make it through one sentence without blubbering today?
“I went to see your dad today. I’d had enough of this separation or whatever it was. I told him I’d play by his rules, but I wouldn’t leave. I told you, I’m not going anywhere. Ever.”
I flung my arms around his neck before he lifted me off the ground. He swung me around as if I were a rag doll in his arms.
“I missed you.” I wanted to devour his lips, but didn’t want to push our luck. He was here with me, for me, and it wasn’t a secret we had to hide. That was enough.
“I missed you, sweet girl.” He set me down and kissed my forehead. “I asked if I could take you to a movie after dinner.” I squinted at his sneaky grin.
“What movie?” I couldn’t care less where Dylan took me, as long as we were together and didn’t have to lie about it anymore.
“No movie,” he whispered before pulling me closer. “You’re coming home with me. I haven’t seen you in three days, and I’ve hardly even spoken to you.” His lips brushed mine. “I may have to park around the corner, but I’m going out of my mind. I won’t be able to touch you here. In fact, not touching you here is a pretty big rule.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as my eyes darted from Dylan to the back door to our kitchen. “Well, didn’t you say you told my father you’d play by all the rules.”
“I did.” He nodded, his lips curling in a slow grin. “But I never said I’d be a saint.”
He winked and kissed my cheek, lingering for a minute before my father cleared his throat behind us.
Maybe we had that soul crushing love after all, because neither of us would ever stop fighting for it.
38
Jack
I stood at my parents’ back gate and lingered for a minute before making my presence known. Things were a lot different now than when I’d left. Three months felt like a lifetime ago. The entire time I stayed at my parents’ house after the accident, I’d spent every second pissed off at the universe because of the painful curveball it had thrown me. Now, gratitude washed over me at the second chance I’d received. Maybe I wouldn’t get my old life back, but I had a life.
I scanned the backyard; the tiki lights my sister made draped the fence, the table full of food, Dylan perched next to my sister as she leaned into him. I guessed it all worked out or Dad figured out a way to tolerate it, as there was no question whether they appeared to be “together.”
/>
“Deciding on whether or not to stay?” Uncle Evan said from behind me. “We can leave and hit the bar before they see us.”
“True,” I said without looking back at him. “Do you think Mom would let you get away with that?”
“Hell, no.” He laughed. “Hey guys, look who’s home?” Four heads whipped in our direction at the sound of Uncle Evan’s voice. My mother was the first to pummel me in a bear hug, followed shortly by my sister. My chest rumbled with a laugh as I spotted Dad over their heads chuckling along with me.
“Aren’t you staying, Evan?” My mom kept her hold on me and craned her head to my uncle.
“The girls are all home tonight for a change, and I figured you’d want your boy to yourself for now.” He came over and slapped my back with a wink. “Just a hunch.”
I smiled as Uncle Evan made his way out of the backyard, leaving me in my mother’s and sister’s death grip.
Dylan stood and made his way over to us, smiling at the hold these tiny women had around my waist. I wrapped my arms around them both and let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Not that a big welcome isn’t appreciated, but I just saw you both. I’m not returning from war.”
Mom swatted my chest before lifting her head to kiss my cheek.
“I’m glad to see my son home and back on his feet.” As she scowled at me with tears flooding her eyes, shame flooded my veins at all I’d put her through. I kissed her forehead and dropped my head on her shoulder.
“It’s good to be home, Mom. I’m sorry,” I whispered in her ear. “I’m sorry for—”
“Stop that!” She raised her finger at me. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. I’m so proud of you.” Her lip quivered as she cupped my cheek. “My baby boy is back.”
My petite mother came up to my chest but still called me her baby boy. I knew better than to tell her to ever stop.
PJ stepped back before lunging at me and threw her arms around my neck so tightly I sputtered out a cough. My smile faded when I caught Dylan’s gaze over her shoulder. We hadn’t spoken much since that one tense phone call.
Although PJ and Dylan together would probably always weird me out a bit, I wasn’t mad anymore. I wasn’t overjoyed, but I took a tiny bit of solace knowing the kind of guy he was and that he’d never hurt her.
I walked up to Dylan after PJ let go. He studied me with wary eyes before I smiled and held my hand out. “Good to see you.” He took my hand, his shoulders relaxing when I pulled him into a hug.
“Good to see you, too, man.” He slapped my arm. “You look good. See, this doesn’t have to be weird.” He slid his arm around PJ’s waist and pulled her into his side.
I looked between them with a grimace. “Oh, it’s weird, all right.” I held up my hand at my sister’s sneer. “But it’s good. I’m happy for you both. Honestly.”
My concession didn’t stop PJ’s icy glare. “Stop saying it’s weird—”
“It’s fine, sweet girl. Pick your battles,” he whispered before kissing the top of her head. She shrugged at both of us before leading him back to the table. It was the first time I’d ever seen my sister calm down with such little effort. I had to admit I was impressed, if not a little nauseated when he’d called her sweet girl.
“Welcome home, son.” Dad slapped my back and pulled me into a hug.
“Good to be home, Dad.” I jutted my chin to PJ and Dylan at the table. “I have to say, you’re handing this pretty well.”
“You say that like I have a choice,” he huffed. “Things could be worse, I suppose. I still don’t like it, but your sister is happy, and he’s willing to play by my rules. That has to say something. And, at least, it’s someone we know, and I can scare a little more easily if I have to.” He smirked around his beer bottle before taking a long pull.
I’d been afraid coming home would require a little time for reentry before it felt right, but it didn’t. As I sat at the table bickering with my sister, teasing my mother, holding in a laugh at Dad’s growl whenever Dylan would put his hands on my sister for too long, things seemed back to normal. Whatever my new normal would be after I went back to my apartment, I’d find a way to deal.
“I’m sorry for not knocking; the gate was open.”
My head turned toward Danielle’s tentative voice, and my eyes widened at the sight of Danielle in a dress. The gauzy material clung to her body just enough to highlight every inch of lean curves, and seeing her bare legs for the first time made any coherent words still in the back of my throat. I was already counting the seconds until I could leave and get her alone.
“Jack,” Dad whispered, nudging my elbow and pulling me out of my trance.
“Right, sorry.” I popped off my chair and rushed over to her. “Dad, this is Danielle, although I think you probably remember her.”
“Sure, I do.” He stood and reached out his hand. “Nice to see you.”
“You too, Mr. Garcia.” Danielle’s smile was bright as she shook his hand. She was relaxed and gorgeous, and took my fucking breath away.
“Danielle Marsh! Didn’t you grow up beautiful?” My mother beamed at the both of us. “Thank you for all you did for Jack. Are you going to eat with us?”
“Yes, she is,” I replied before Danielle could. “I invited her to the house right before I left but didn’t get a chance to mention it before you and PJ tackled me.”
“He’s so dramatic.” PJ rolled her eyes and came up to Danielle. “I’m PJ, Jack’s sister. I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about you.” She shook Danielle’s hand before casting a quick glance at me.
“Well, that’s good to hear.” Danielle’s brow crinkled as she shot me a puzzled glance. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Hi, Danielle.” Dylan stood from the table and waved. “It’s been—how long—since high school, right? What’s Kyle up to these days?”
“Hi, Dylan. He’s the same pain in the ass as you remember. He’s married, has a business in Harrison. You guys should get together for old time’s sake.” She arched an eyebrow at me. I liked Kyle, but the only Marsh I was interested in spending time with at the moment was the hot brunette in my parents’ yard.
“I’m a little early,” she whispered in my ear and wrapped her hand around my arm. “I took the afternoon off so I could change before I got here.” She motioned down her body.
“Good choice,” I rasped and leaned in and pecked her lips. “We’re eating dinner and getting the hell out of here. When they ask if you want dessert, say no.”
“Jack, we can’t do that. They waited for you.” She slid her palm against mine and laced our fingers together.
“I waited for you, and I promised you new memories.” I pulled her flush to my body and planted a kiss on her cheek, lingering long enough for a sharp gasp to escape her.
“And they start tonight.”
39
Dylan
My eyes were heavy but I couldn’t let myself drift off to sleep, no matter how perfect it felt to have PJ on top of me and back in my bed. I’d even set my alarm on my phone to go off in ten minutes and shoved it under my pillow, just in case. Nick had given us an inch, but that inch didn’t cover keeping his daughter out all night. For him, and for her, I would work around the rules. I doubted they actually thought we were going to a movie. For the moment, everyone seemed happy to reside in denial, but there was no way I could push it. Parking my truck around the corner wouldn’t work past tonight.
Maybe we’d have to still sneak around a little bit, but this little bit we could handle. Denying us to her family and not be able to be with her out in the open, that was all over, and I’d never been happier.
“Hey,” I whispered and tapped PJ’s shoulder. She was naked and on top of me, looping both her arm and her leg around my body. My cock thickened at the feel of her silky skin against mine, and even though it was all too ready for round three, it couldn’t happen tonight. The last thing I wanted was to take her home, but as the minutes ticked by, I didn’t ha
ve a choice. Not if I wanted to keep this semblance of peace we arrived at.
“Hmm.” She pressed a kiss to my chest, followed by another before she began painting a wet trail down to where I now tented the sheet.
“Patricia,” I let out a tortured growl as I pulled her up. “You have to go home. Movies don’t last this long, baby.”
A sneaky smile danced across her lips before she pressed them to mine. “Maybe it was a long movie.” Her mouth grazed my jaw, my heart now racing at the wicked gleam in her eye. This girl would be the death of me in every single way. “Maybe there was that extra part after the credits they show sometimes.” Her hand slid under the sheets and palmed my length. My hips bucked off the bed as her hand drifted up and down.
“Come on, babe. I have time for a taste before I go home, don’t I?” she pleaded before nipping at my jaw and trailing her warm, wet lips down my neck. I glanced over her shoulder at the clock on my nightstand and clenched my eyes shut, wanting to weep. Nope. No, she did not.
“No, baby. You don’t. Believe me, I want to be in your mouth more than I want to breathe right now, but we can’t mess this up. Not this early.” I pulled her back toward me and drifted my hand down her cheek. “Next time. I need to think with my big head, so stop trying to seduce my little head.” I tapped her nose and traced the freckles on her cheeks. “I still wish I could take you somewhere.”
“Where would we go?” She sat up on the bed, gathering the sheet around her before crossing her legs under her.
“My stepdad took us to Turks and Caicos for my high school graduation.” I sifted my fingers into her hair. “I’ve always wanted to go back without my parents watching me like a hawk at the swim up bar.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her back on top of me. “You, in a bikini all day, that body glistening in the sun and naked with me all night. We’ll get there. We just have to play it smart for now.”
“That sounds amazing,” she sighed before cupping my cheek. “Know where I’d take you?”
Think Twice Page 20