Jack grimaces, covering his mouth as if he’s going to be sick.
“She should have said something to me,” he says, choking back tears. “I would have been there for her. I would have hunted that guy down and made sure he never hurt her, or any other woman again.”
I like this guy.
“I mean, I’m definitely planning on doing that now that I know what happened,” he continues.
“Oh?” I ask, intrigued.
He huffs a laugh. “Don’t go thinking I’m some vigilante. I’m not the violent type. But I work for the state police as a data analyst. I’m a computer guy. I analyze data and equipment of potential suspects. I’m a decent hacker, too. So, all I need is the guy’s name and I can track him down pretty easily. I’ve already helped the local police get hisinformation. It will be up to Margeaux if she wants to press charges. If not, I’ll just ruin his life from behind my keyboard.”
Jack’s an evil genius, and I’m liking his vibe. “You won’t hear me stopping you. Destroy that fucker and everything he has.”
“Which makes me curious about something else,” Jack says, leaning back in his chair, more comfortable with me now. I lean back against the pillows, too. “Not much of a digital footprint on you,Jon Jacob.”
My eyes widen and my throat tightens to the point that swallowing is near impossible.
“Well, I’ve had a pretty boring life until I met your sister. No complaints about that,” I joke, trying to change the subject.
“Yea. I saw that. Pretty straight edge kind of guy. But, you didn’t exist until you turned eighteen. I couldn’t findanything. I’m not saying I’m the best hacker, but I’m pretty good. Want to tell me who you really are? You know, since my sister’s in love with you and all.”
My jaw drops. Margeauxlovesme? I mean, I know how I feel about her, but she hasn’t led me to believe her feelings were just as strong. I suppose she wouldn’t risk her life and face-off against that crazy woman, if she didn’t have some degree of love for me. I feel my entire face heat up, reveling in the fact that that beautiful, one-of-a-kind badass lovesme.
Jack clears his throat, reminding me he’s waiting for an explanation about my past life.
I sit up a little straighter and clear my throat as well. “I ran away from home when I was sixteen. My family lived off the grid. We farmed our own food and lived amongst a small community of other people who lived similarly. Children were homeschooled. The common thread in our community was everyone’s love and belief in God’s power.”
Jack doesn’t say anything, just nods for me to continue.
“God was the driving force behind everyone’s decisions and actions. If our crops had a low yield, it was because God was testing us. If we accomplished something, it was God’s will that made it happen. And when we experienced any challenge, we had to trust in God’s ability to help us through it. And if we fail, then it was God’swill for us to fail. Same logic applies to when people get sick or hurt. If you believe in God enough, he will cure you of any ailment.”
I notice his eyebrows lift in surprise.
“Yea. Pretty intense,” I admit, trying to release some of the tension I’m feeling. “Anyway. When I was fourteen, my older brother got really sick. Thinking about his symptoms, it was probably something like pneumonia, or some other viral infection. He could have been helped if my parents agreed to bring him to a hospital. They didn’t. My mother’s words surrounding that horrible month of watching my brother slowly die were,it’s the right thing to do. Meaning, it’s the right thing to do to just watch an innocent kid die because if God truly loved him, he would save him. He didn’t. My brother, Jacob, died. I swore to him, and myself, that I wouldn’t let the same thing happen to me. So, once I was old enough to get away, I ran. I started a new life, and once I turned eighteen, I changed my name so my parents couldn’t find me. That’s all you need to know.”
Jack lets out a heavy breath. “Fuck, dude. So, Jon Jacob?”
“I didn’t have anything of my brother’s to remember him by.”
Another stretch of silence swells between us. I’m done talking.
“I like you, Jon. Margeaux picked a good one.”
Even if he told me he didn’t like me, it wouldn’t matter. I’d still date his sister. I’m hers until she decides she’s done with me—which I hope is never.
“You two done talking about me?” she chimes in from the hall, smiling big and bright.
“Yup. He passed the Jackground check,” Jack says, giving a goofy smile. Okay, yea. I can see the computer nerd side of him more now. He and I are probably a lot alike in a lot of ways.
“Good. Because it’s time for you to leave us alone,” Margeaux says, shooing Jack away.
“Mags…” Jack says in a warning tone. “You’re in a hospital.”
“Gross, Jacky! We’re not gonna bang in the hospital. I want Jon to be able to sleep. He’s been through a lot.We’vebeen through a lot. I just want us to have some quiet time with my man before you, Mom and Dad swarm us again.”
Her man.You hear that, World? Margeaux Wild, wrestling phenom, has claimed me!
“Fair enough,” Jack says, holding his hands up and getting out of the chair. “See you, Jon.”
