“It was two a.m. and I was woken out of a dead sleep.”
Mike’s mouth hangs open. I can see the gears turning in his head. He and I give each other shit, but we both know when we need to be serious.
Mike takes a pull of his beer. “I’m going to be straight with you, Jack.”
“That’s all I have ever asked for.”
“I think it’s great that you got that girl out of trouble, and she felt safe enough to come to you. However, you are a hell of a lotolder than her. What are you doing? What are people going to think you are doing?”
“Wait a damn minute. I’m not fucking her. I’m giving her a place to stay.”
Mike averts his gaze. “I understand, but what will people assume if you have some girl staying with you day and night? I’ve seen the way your attention doesn’t leave her whenever she’s outside and we’re in the garage. She’s way too young. If anything goes down, it’s going to end very badly. Why don’t you spend time with someone your age? Plenty of ladies here will let you spin them around a dance floor or go for a ride on your bike.”
“I’m not interested in some fling. That’s not what this is. I don’t want to settle down with any of these women. You know as well as I do that anytime I go out with someone, it always ends up a dumpster fire, because they all think they can change me. Well, I’m done with it.” Frustration and anger radiates through me, but not because I don’t agree. Because I know there is some truth to what he is saying.
“Jack, you’re a great guy. I don’t want to see you hurt. I love ya, brother, but I promise this doesn’t end well. You need to put a stop to it. Call her parents. This isn’t your problem to fix.” Mike finishes his beer, stands up, slaps my shoulder, and walks away.
He’s right. This can’t work. Even if age wasn’t an issue, do I want to risk bringing her into this life? Maybe I did make a massive mistake. I’ll go home and give her dad a call and see if she has any girlfriends she can stay with. Fuck. How did I get myself into this situation? I need to ride to clear my head and figure out how I can backtrack on this. I know she’ll be hurt after I practically made her move in.
When I head out, Natasha, my go-to booty call who never gets the hint that that’s all she is, waves goodbye to me. I sense her eyes following me as I walk past her.
Double fuck. When will she learn I’m not interested? I’ve told her multiple times that it’s just sex and it isn’t going anywhere. I need to put an end to that as well.
One crisis at a time.
CHAPTER 20
JESSI
Jack
Good girl.
My cheeks blaze as I go to my room to settle in. Jack’s text shouldn’t turn me on so much, but it’s all I can think about as I make my bed. (He ordered same-day deliveryandprofessional installation, which must have cost a fortune.) I top off everything with purple bedding then set my sights on the walls. I’m handy enough to hang a picture or two by myself.
After hanging up a few pieces of wall art, I relax. This slice of me brings me more comfort than my real home does. It has a cozy warmth to it and is a far cry from the stark and cold gray palette that Shannon shoved down our throats.
For the first time in so long, I can breathe. Adjusting to life in my neighbor’s house shouldn’t be so easy, right? And yet, I think I could grow to love it.
I check the clock—8:30. Even though I can barely keep my eyes open, I want to see Jack get home safely, so I go to the living room and turn on the TV, hoping to find something interesting to keep me awake. The distressed, cozy leather of Jack’s sofa invites me to snuggle in. I can’t even tell that thecouch was blood covered less than twenty-four hours ago. But unfortunately, I find nothing of interest on TV. I take out my phone and begin to scroll my newsfeed. Rachel posted that she and David went to the movies tonight.Well, isn’t that fabulous?I shoot her a text.
Me
I hope you enjoy dating a sex offender.
Rachel
Grow up.
I don’t care if I’m petty. Rachel is a shitty friend, but I put up with her. Well, not anymore. Screw David and her. I hit Block Contact and move on to the next unopened text.
Dad
Checking in. I told Shannon to text you, but she decided to extend her trip. I wanted to make you aware. I assume all is well there.
Me
Yes, she texted me. I wasn’t really surprised. She is never home when you are gone anymore. Do you think you’ll be gone as long as you planned? I miss you. Maybe I could come out and hang there for a while?
