“Before we head back, I want to show you one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“You’ll see.”
“I hate surprises.”
“You do?” He grins knowingly. “I couldn’t tell.”
“I prefer to have a moment to wrap my mind around things.”
“You mean, you have to have time to think through the possible scenarios and stress about what could go wrong?”
“No.”Yes.“I like to be prepared.”
“Ryan’s the same. He fucking hates surprises. Wild too, though it’s hard to surprise someone who’s never around.”
I’ve never heard Jackson mention his oldest brother. I’ve only methim a few times, and sometimes I forget he exists. How strange must it be to have a famous singer-songwriter for a sibling?
“Are you close with Wild?”
“Not really. He left when I was still a kid. I mean, I love him. He’s my brother. But I never really knew him.”
It makes sense, what with their age gap spanning more than a decade. “That’s kind of sad.”
“Yeah.” He tries to smile but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes. “I think so, too.”
“You could start to know each other now?”
“Sure. Yeah.” He nods. “I mean, at least he’s made an actual effort to spend time with our family since Will passed. But he’s got a full life. One that’s not here. Seems like he’s either on tour or recording his next album. The last thing he needs is his little brother calling and begging for attention.”
I hate that he plays down his significance. Almost as if he’s a bother to his family, when that’s obviously not true. “Well, I think he would enjoy getting to know you.”
“Oh? Speaking from experience?” He flashes me a grin.
“This isn’t about me. But, if I had a sister or a brother, I think it would be really nice to have that connection.”
“Only child?Hmm. I always wondered what that’s like.”
Lonely.“I always wondered what it would be like to have a big family like yours.”
“It’s loud, mostly. And there are so many opinions. Too many.” He laughs. “But you know that. You’re practically part of ours.”
His comment catches me off guard. Does he really consider me family?
“You think so?”
“Sure. I can’t recall a gathering you’ve missed in the last few years.”
“That’s because your sister is very insistent.”
“That she is.”
“I never know if we’re intruding.”
“Nah, the more the merrier.” He leans to the right and bumps his shoulder against mine. “Besides, I like seeing you, even if you ignore my ass.”
“I don’t ignore you.”
