Every day I dream of escaping this place to somewhere that I never have to see Austin or Shannon again. Where no oneknows my name, and the rumors created by Austin and David are distant memories. Where people aren’t nervous to be my friend or date me. Small towns are strange like that—after you graduate, it’s the same cliques talking about the same things.
“I added money to Austin and your accounts,” Dad says. “I’m a phone call or a text away. Shannon too.”
“Okay.”
Dad heaves a sigh as he watches me. “I hate to leave when you look so sad. Don’t make this harder on me than it already is.” He zips his bag.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I know you need to go. I just miss you when you’re gone. It’ll be fine. I have plenty to keep me busy while I investigate what I’m going to do next. Maybe time alone will help.” I force out the words, wishing he would clue in on my body language and ask me what’s wrong.
“Ah, that’s the spirit.” He brightens while giving me a squeeze and a peck on the head. “Oh, hey. I forgot. I told Jack to watch you kids while we’re away.”
My heart picks up at the mention of Jack’s name. “Really? Why?”
“I’m not oblivious, Jess. I know you’ve had a party or two while I’ve been on business trips. But if that keeps up, Austin could lose his scholarship, and then Shannon will demand that I pay for that too. Speaking of, you have her number to the Cabo condo, right? Since she always seems to have trouble with her service there, I demanded she stay where there is a landline. She should be gone at most a few weeks.”
I hug him. “Dad, are you even happy with Shannon?” I don’t get it. My dad is good-looking—for a dad. He dresses nicely, stays in shape, and gets his hair cut and shaved regularly. He could easily find someone else who cares about him more than the witch he married.
He hugs me back. “I can’t get into that now. If you need anything while we’re away and your brother isn’t around, find Jack. I’ll see you in a few months.” He gives one last wave before he slams the door shut, leaving me in the living room.
Great. Jack, my neighbor, who happens to be the one guy I’ve obsessed over since we moved in, has been tasked with babysitting me.Perfect!
After the night in his garage, I haven’t stopped thinking about him. I’ve tried to avoid him, but my head keeps reeling about how he acted and the heat that warmed my core when I looked at him. I’m unsure what came over me, being so bold and flirty.
And now he’s going to babysit me.
I groan as I stomp out the door to the front yard to wave goodbye. But Dad’s car is already gone. All I see are his taillights in the distance before he veers onto the main road. It stings that he couldn’t wait for me to wave goodbye. It used to be our thing. He would wait to leave the drive until he saw me wave from the window.How times have changed.
I jump at the slap of a screen door and cut my gaze over to Jack’s house. He’s standing on his stoop, looking sexy as sin. “Hey, Jessi! Did your dad and Shannon take off already?”
I inwardly cringe and force the corners of my mouth to upturn. We haven’t spoken aside from a wave here or there since that night a few months ago. It’s not like we have a reason to hang out all the time. He doesn’t act any differently than he did before that night, so maybe I didn’t embarrass myself as much as I thought. I can only hope. He has ruined me for any of the men around here. I love the way he was so quick to stand up for me, and something about that hint of a bad boy struck me as sexy. It’s not like anything will ever happen, or he will ever look at me that way, but a girl can dream.
“Hey, Jack,” I say. “Yeah. My dad just left. Shannon too, I assume. I think this trip will be his longest one so far—four months. I’m happy for him. He’s worked hard, and it’s finally paying off.” I give a half-smile, trying to be as convincing as possible.
“Jessi, I know it’s probably tough being home alone with Austin, especially when he has his fuckboy friends over. I know he likes to party with them when your folks are gone.” His jaw tenses. Is he remembering the night I came over, and why? “Your dad asked me to keep an eye on things.”
“I know,” I say. “But honestly, we don’t need a babysitter. Austin and I are fine. I appreciate you making my dad feel better, but there is no reason for us to burden you while he’s gone.”
Jack cuts in, “I was going to say. I work a lot, spend time at the club, and when I’m home, I work too much in the garage, as you probably know.” He gives me a grin and runs his fingers through his hair. “I keep a key under the potted plant. Feel free to use it if you need to get away from any parties or fuckboys. Let’s stop pretending we’re strangers.”
My stomach flips, and I stutter, “Oh, well, thanks, Jack. I appreciate it, but it won’t be necessary. We’re all good here, thanks!”
I twirl to head back inside when Jack yells, “Jessi!” I whirl around, my eyes easily finding his again. “You’re never a burden.”
“Thanks.”
Back inside, I freeze, thinking about what it would be like to have Jack really care about me, to spend one more night with him like we did on my birthday. He listened to me and was interested in what I had to say. He was ready to stand up for me, validating me.
For the first time in a long time, someone had my back, rather than scrutinize my every word.
CHAPTER 8
JACK
Ilet the screen door slam behind me. What was I thinking, offering my teenage neighbor free entry to my house? I spent the last few months staying away from her and with one sentence I blew it all to shit.
I went out there to let her know I was next door if she or Austin needed anything—well, her, really. Austin is a little shit who doesn’t deserve anything. But when I saw Jessi’s red, watery eyes, I couldn’t resist comforting her. Something inside me wanted to ease her pain. Make her smile again.
The same spark that jolted my body the night in the garage hit me back there. But maybe there’s a reason we haven’t talked in months. Did I scare her? Could she see what was happening to me right in front of her? Does she think I’m a sick old man?
