“I love my music. It will always be part of me and will always be there. But, after meeting the guys and feeling helpless when it came to protecting you, it got me thinking. I know the military isn’t watching over you or the same as being a cop like Lyric, but maybe it is something I can do to make a difference.”
I laid my hand on top of his. “Jett, you’re only eighteen. It wasn’t your job to protect me, it was my job to take care of you.”
“I’m not a little boy anymore. Besides my music, nothing before has ever sparked my attention or made me feel driven. I know it will scare you, but I need your support.”
My mind and my heart were both playing a game of tug-of-war. One part of me was so proud of Jett and wanted to do as he asked and be his biggest supporter. And the other part of me wanted to lock him up and keep him safe because that was what I’d been trying to do since he was eight.
But my brother was right, he wasn’t a child anymore and he had to do what made him happy. I just hoped he was doing the right thing.
“Of course I will support you in whatever you decide. I’m proud of you.”
He flashed me a dazzling smile. It was the first time I truly realized that my baby brother had grown up. So much had been going on but I should have noticed. Since Lyric had come into our lives, Jett had been coming into his own. Becoming a man.
“Thank you, Sis. That means a lot to me.” He said the right words, but his tone suggested that something was still bothering him.
“Why don’t you sound happier?”
He pulled his hand away and ran it through his thick, black hair. “I said I wanted to join and needed your support, but I feel guilty leaving Autumn even though I know you guys will take good care of her.”
“You know we will. She’ll be okay and it’s not forever. Plus you can come home from time to time.” I tried giving him a positive smile even if my heart lurched at the thought of something happening to him.
“It’s not just her,” he said softly. “I don’t know if I can leave Patience and Griffin. If I do, what will happen to them?”
My rough around the edges, hide your emotions, brother, had changed when it came to those two. It was another thing to be proud of him for. He’d taken a girl under his wing when she had no other friends. But I didn’t want him to give up his hopes and dreams at his age. I think there was room for everyone to spread their wings.
“They have me. And with that comes, Gramps, Lyric, and all our other friends. Do you see my point?”
He slowly nodded his head.
“Patience and Griffin are part of us now. We all will take care of them, you don’t have to worry about that. But have you told her about what you want?”
“Yeah. She also said she was proud of me and that she wouldn’t be the reason that I didn’t do what I wanted to in life. She also said I could do anything and be anything I wanted, and that she’d always be my biggest fan.”
Patience was a beautiful soul. I could feel that from the moment I met her, but after hearing what she’d said to Jett it was confirmed.
“She’s pretty amazing. And It sounds like you’ve got both our blessings to fly, baby brother.”
“Where is he flying to?”
Lyric’s deep voice sent a wave of desire rushing through me. I had to shake it off, the moment wasn’t about me.
I looked at Jett. “Do you want to tell him?”
Jett swiveled the stool around to face Lyric. “Yeah.”
I did not doubt that Lyric would be as proud of Jett as I was.
And I was right.
ChapterTwenty-Five
LYRIC
She took my breath away.
Ruby walked toward me wearing a long, fitted red dress that hugged all her fabulous curves and showcased her taller frame. As she walked, her long legs played peekaboo as they slipped in and out of the slits that ran up both sides of the material.
My heart hammered in my chest.
