“This is amazing,” I moan, slightly dizzy from the effort. “I bet you are getting one serious workout.” A dull laugh bounces through me. “Faster.”
Lawson complies without complaint, bouncing me over him with the ease of that ball he wrestles down the court. A deep groan comes from him, and my lids split just wide enough to catch that stern look on his face, the way he holds the look of aching pain and pleasure all at once.
Lawson presses his fingers into my hips, securing me with herculean strength before spiking me hard over his body one last time. His head pitches back as he lets out a thunderous roar, and my body lights up with an internal quake as he pulsates deep inside of me.
“Lucky.” He pulls me in against his hot sticky flesh, the perspiration on his body quickly cooling off. “Damn, I love you,” he pants so hard next to my temple it’s deafening. His heart races over mine with a matching rhythm, pumping over one another like an echo.
“I love you, too, Lawson Kent. Thank you for showing me that I’m worth the trouble.”
“You’re worth it.” He gives my bottom a light tap. “You’ll always be worth it.”
Lawson and I spend the weekend making that cabin live up to its cheery name by loving one another over every happy square inch.
But by far, Lawson’s big heart is my favorite room to live in.
I never want to leave.
Monday at ThinkInk the shop is slow. The crews have left, and it’s just Jet, Daisy, and I staring one another down.
“I’m locking up,” Jet announces before bolting the front door and flipping around the open sign.
“Cool. I get to go home and get some real work done.” I close my books and pile them back into my bag. I’m basically a bump on a log here. I think all these months my brother has employed me, I’ve helped two people make the life-altering decision between a butterfly and a rose tattoo for their ankle and foot respectively.
Jet comes over and pulls my arm toward him. “I’ve got the time if you can grin and bear it. I know how much you love needles.”
“Really? You think you can improve on my duck riding a bicycle?” It’s so botched I hardly remember what it was supposed to be to begin with.
Daisy smirks at the melted, disastrous monochromatic design as if it were a dead spider, and believe me, a dead spider done right would have been miles better.
“If Jet can’t fix that, then I suggest an amputation.” She gives one of my curls a tug. “And trust me, nobody hates needles more than I do. I’m ink-free despite the fact I’m in love with this guy. That should tell you something.”
I glare down at what amounts to third grade scribble over the inside of my arm. What a stupid, stupid move. I should have never kept something like this from Jet. I should have been patient and had it done right to begin with. There’s something else I shouldn’t keep from him either.
“I’m in.” I try shrugging it off like it were no big deal. “But I need some time to really think about what I want. I mean it’s sort of a forever kind of a deal.” I glance to Daisy and offer a little smile. “Like you two.”
Daisy practically leaps over the counter in an effort to wrap her arms around me. “You’re like the sister I never had.”
“Thank you.” I can feel my face grow hot again because an ancient truth I’ve held from my brother for so long is about to bubble right up my throat. “You’re like a sister to me, too.” I shoot a nervous glance to Jet. “A second sister.”
Jet frowns at my word choice. “Are you throwing a barb at me? I thought we were good.”
“No, I’m being serious. You had another sister, Jet— and I want to tell you all about her—at least as much as I know.” I step around the counter, and the three of us take a seat right here in the heart of Think Ink with its rock music and harsh lighting, and I spill everything I know about Jade and her short, sweet existence. “She’s the reason I’ve always felt I was cursed. You can’t deny it. Dad tripped over my toys and broke his neck. I begged Mom to slice an apple for me, and she ended up in a coffin. I’m toxic. Lawson says the only reason you survived is because you’re stubborn. Okay, so I may have been the first to suggest that.”
Daisy’s mouth falls open. “Oh my word. You’ve been keeping all that wrapped up inside? It’s no wonder you were nothing but piss and vinegar.”
Jet wipes the silent tears off his face. “I have no doubt Mom would have told me about Jade when she thought the time was right. I think it’s very sweet that she let you in on your special angel, especially since she went so quickly. There wasn’t a lot of time for goodbye or the spilling of family secrets. And—you didn’t kill our father, Lucky.” He drops his face into his hands a moment before coming up for air. “I did. When I told you he tripped over some toys...”—his chest bucks with grief—“it never occurred to me that you would blame yourself. Those were my things he fell over. And they weren’t left out absentmindedly. I planted them there hoping he would take a tumble. I didn’t think he’d die. I thought he might twist an ankle at best.”
Daisy wraps her arms around him and nods as if she’s heard these horrific facts. For a moment a ripe anger burns inside me. Why would Jet tell something so personal to Daisy of all people before me? I’m his flesh and blood. I’m his sister. And then it hits me. I just did the same with Jade and Lawson.
“You didn’t kill him.” I shake the thought far out of my head. “You were protecting us. I know all about his dark side.” A dull laugh pumps through me. “I still loved him through it. Isn’t that insane?”
“That’s because he cared for you. The alcohol was the real monster. So, do you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive. Are you upset that I told Lawson about Jade before I told you?” My heart pinches with grief thinking this might be so. Jet has been my father, my mother all rolled into one for so long I couldn’t bear another rift between us. The truth is, I missed him as much as I missed Lawson while I was away. Jet has always been and will always be the other side of me.
“Yes.” He winces into the admission. “But I get it. You felt safe enough with him to share it. And I’m glad you felt ready and safe to share it with me, too. You’re not a killer, Lucky. You’re my sweet baby girl.” Jet pulls me into his big, strong arms and sniffs back tears. “I will always protect you, listen to whatever you have to say, and love you no matter what. That’s what family is for.” He presses a tight kiss to my forehead while Daisy embraces us both from behind.
“You two are the most beautiful family I know,” she coos.
