He believed Dylan liked him, but coming to live with him was abigstep, and after everything he’d been through, it may be a step Dylan was unwilling to take, but Jack hoped he would. Not only did he want Charlie in his life, but he wanted Dylan there too.
“I’d like that,” Dylan murmured and smiled at him.
Jack hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath until it exploded out of him. He grinned at Dylan and hugged him and Charlie closer.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Charlie barely remembered gettingoff the boat and driving to the motel. She was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open, but a shower lay ahead of her, and even as tired as she was, nothing would keep her from the tantalizing prospect of hot water.
When they pulled up outside the motel, a door flew open and a woman raced out to throw herself into Mike’s arms. Mollie, Charlie assumed and watched as a human and two vamps exited the room behind her. She believed they were Aida, Willow, and Julian, and her assumption was confirmed when Willow and Julian ran to embrace Jack before being introduced to her and Dylan.
“We were worried about you,” Willow said as she stepped from Jack’s arms.
“I’m like a cat; I’ve got nine lives,” Jack assured her as he ruffled her hair.
Willow glowered at him as she smoothed her dark blonde hair. “I thought you were going to say you’re like a cat because you hate baths.” Willow waved her hand in front of her face and wrinkled her nose, but her violet eyes twinkled with amusement. “You stink.”
Jack laughed, and before Willow could stop him, he crushed her against him. “And now you stink too,” he said as he ran his hands over her arms before releasing her.
“Ass,” she muttered and danced away before he could grab her again. “But I’m glad you’re back.”
“So am I.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Dylan,” Willow said as she bent so she was eye level with him. “I can’t wait to show you all the cool stuff we have at home. There are games, boats, a tree house, playground, and a lot of other fun stuff.”
Dylan smiled tentatively at her. “That sounds like fun.”
“It is,” Willow assured him.
Charlie smiled at Willow when the beautiful young woman rose and extended her hand to Charlie. “And it’s nice to meet you, Charlie. Good luck with Oscar over there.”
“Oscar?” Charlie asked in surprise.
“Yeah, as in Oscar the Grouch. And now he even smells like he lives in a trash can.”
When Jack growled and took a menacing step toward her, Willow laughed and ran over to hug her father.
“We helped raise a bunch of assholes,” Jack muttered, and Charlie laughed.
“Wereallydid,” Mike agreed.
“We got you a room,” Julian said as he handed Jack a key. “When you’re up to it, Dylan, come down to room ten. Willow and I have got some games we can play.”
Dylan’s face lit up and a lump formed in Charlie’s throat. They didn’t know these vampires, yet they were greeting her son with such warmth and already making him feel welcome. “Can I go, Mom?” Dylan asked eagerly.
“Let’s see how you feel after you take a shower,” Charlie told him.
“I’ll go buy clothes for you and Dylan,” Julian said to her. “We weren’t expecting you, but we’re glad you’re here.”
“Thank you,” Charlie whispered; she was afraid she might cry.
Julian smiled at her before walking away.
Jack rested his hand on her shoulder and steered her to their room. He unlocked the door and stepped back to let her and Dylan enter the room with the double beds. Dylan ran into the bathroom, and Charlie heard him laughing as he turned on the shower.
“He really will be happy again,” she said.
She’d been so scared Dylan would never find happiness again, but they’d only been off the island for a short time, and already he was blossoming.
