This doesn’t fix anything.
But I don’t want him to let go.
He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t ask if I’m okay or what happened.
He just holds me.
His hand stays firm against my back. Like he’s decided I’m not moving anywhere without him. Like he’s claiming me in the only way he can right now.
I close my eyes, breathing him in. I let myself have this moment even though I know I’ll pay for it later.
His hand stays firm against my back—like he’s decided I’m not moving anywhere without him—I know I’ve already crossed the line I was told not to.
My phone buzzes in my hand. When I glance down, I see that my dad texted me.
Dad: Did you find the book you needed?
My blood runs cold. I inhale, feeling my fingertips tingle. I turn to Jax, who’s reading my face like a book. I storm out of theaisle, glancing around the store. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. And then I walk to the checkout.
“Find everything okay?” the cashier asks.
I nod, handing over the twenty-dollar bill. Jax walks out, and my heart keeps racing. I watch him for a moment.
“Having a good day so far?” the cashier asks.
I nod, reaching for the change. “Thank you.”
I grab the book and leave the store. Jax and Zephyr are talking to each other, ignoring me. I get into my car and drive away, checking my mirrors for them. I hope they don’t follow me home.
Taco Bell is along the way, so I sit in the drive-through, waiting for my turn to order. I can still smell Jax, feel his strong arms around me. An ache starts low in my belly.
“Welcome to Taco Bell. How can I help you?”
“Can I get a Mexican Pizza, Crunch wrap Supreme, and Nachos, please?”
“Yeah… Does the screen look correct?”
“Yes.”
“Pull forward.”
I drive to the window and hand over the other twenty-dollar bill. She hands me the food along with my change.
On the drive home, I’m looking in my mirrors constantly to look for Jax and Zephyr. Luckily, they’re not following me.
When I get home, I close the garage door and walk into the living room. I place the Taco Bell bag on the table and call out, “I’m home.”
Zinnia comes out of her room after I set up the table.
I walk over to my dad’s bedroom door and knock. No response.
“Where’s dad?” I ask Zinnia as she starts to eat her nachos.
She shrugs as I look around the house, confused.
Then my dad walks in the front door. I notice he’s a little breathless, but he corrects himself immediately.
“Where were you?” I ask, looking back at the door.
