My gut clenches at Deacon’s obvious distress. Fuck, I hate talking about this shit. And knowing Deacon, he’s going to wantallthe details. “It probably sounds a lot worse than it was, hearing it all at once.”
He sends me a skeptical look. “I doubt that. I think it’s more likely you’re toning shit down to protect my poor, sheltered mind with all its unicorns and rainbows dancing around.”
“Dancing rainbows sound fun,” I say with a smirk.
“Come on, finish the story,” he prods, gently nudging my ankle with the toe of his boot.
I sigh. “Fine. Like I said, they were next door to us, and Jackson’s bedroom was right opposite mine. I’d been a total creeper earlier and watched Steph reading to him—I was so fucking jealous—so I knew his bed was right next to the window. And my dad’s truck was parked in the space between the trailers, so it was pretty easy to slip out of my window, scamper across the roof of the truck, and then knock on Jackson’s window.” I give a wry shake of my head. “I remember being so scared of my dad catching me on that truck… But obviously, he was occupied elsewhere, and once I was in Jackson’s room I was fine.”
“So, he just opened the window and let you into his room, no questions asked?”
I smile. “Well, questions weren’t really necessary because when he opened the window I said something along the lines of, “Hi, I’m Skyler. I climbed out my window because my parents are fighting and then they’re going to have sex and I don’t want to listen. Also is Ramona from a book? Because I like books.””
Deacon lets out a rumbling chuckle. “Not exactly the smooth-talker I met in freshman year.”
I let out a breath of laughter. “Understatement. Although I don’t think Jackson would have let the smooth-talking guy from college in.”
Deacon arches an eyebrow. “I would hope eighteen-year-old you wouldn’t be knocking on children’s bedroom windows…”
I roll my eyes. “Funny.”
“But obviously Jackson did let you in,” he prompts.
I nod. “He said I could hang out in his room, but it was after bedtime so we had to sleep. I didn’t even know what a “bedtime” was. I knew to make myself scarce of an evening, but it’s not like my parents would have cared, or even noticed if I’d stayed up all night in my room, or even if I crept out to watch TV at three in the morning as long as I didn’t wake them.”
“They sound amazing,” Deacon deadpans.
I shrug. “They were assholes who never gave a shit about me. Steph’s my real parent. She saved me.”
Deacon is eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and concern, but before he can another question out, my attention is stolen by a figure striding towards our table through the crowded bar.
I feel myself light up at Jackson’s approach. Everything’s going to be okay now. Everything’s always better when Jackson’s here.
ChapterTwenty
Jackson
My insides light upwhen I see the way Skyler is smiling at me as I approach the table he’s currently sharing with Deacon.
This week has been…amazing. There’s not really any other word for it. I don’t think Skyler has been able to chase those niggling doubts from his head completely—he wouldn’t be Skyler if he wasn’t taking his time to assess the situation from every possible angle. But he’s decided to put his faith and trust in me despite those lingering fears, and I’ve been walking on a cloud ever since.
And seeing that beautiful smile directed at me now It’s impossible not to burn with happiness.
As I reach the table, Skyler slides off his stool and throws his arms around me, clinging tight as he nuzzles his head into my neck. I instinctively return the embrace, pulling him closer against me and running a hand through his hair.
“Not that I’m complaining, but is everything okay?” Sometimes Skyler just wants a cuddle, but sometimes it’s more than that. And although our friends are pretty used to this kind of thing, it’s not something we generally do when we’re out at bars. But I guess Skyler doesn’t need to worry about sending out single vibes now, does he? Because he’s not.We’renot.
I have a split second to contemplate that reality before Deacon answers my question. “He was telling me how you guys met.”
My eyes widen in shock. “Hewas?”
Skyler lifts his head and loosens his hold on me, claiming a little space. “I’m right here. You don’t have to third person me,” he says with a scowl.
I stroke his hair and press a kiss to his forehead before lowering my hands to rest at his waist. “I missed you today.”
He continues to pout for a moment, and then his face rearranges into a soft smile. “Same.” Moving in closer again, he nuzzles his temple against mine. “I always miss you.”
I hold him close for a moment, ignoring Deacon’s look of concern as I wait patiently for Skyler to gather himself.
