“Just make sure you aren’t alone. Promise me that.”
“I promise. Now, go before one of us says something we can’t take back,” she pleads.
Wanting to wrap her in my arms, but not being able to do so, I squeeze my arms tightly around my stomach. “Good night, my darling firecracker.”
“Good night, Jackass,” I hear her say, and a sad smile touches my lips.
27
JAX
Currently playing: If I Die Tomorrow by Mötley Crüe
I’m left shaking as another recurring nightmare wakes me up. It’s been weeks since the last one, but now that I’m sleeping alone, the darkness of my memories has found me again. My whole body is shivering—my heart is racing, sweat is gathering on my skin, and my head’s pounding. All because my mind can’t stop fucking with me.
In the alternative reality that makes its way to my nightmares, I end up killing my stepfather. I can hear and see everything as if it really happened—how his lifeless body falls at my feet. How Trisha screams and pleads for him to wake up, holding his lifeless body on her lap, blood staining her hands. The next moment the police officers are handcuffing me and escorting me out of the house, which was like a prison to me for months, only for me to end up in a real prison.
To make matters worse, I haven’t heard from Soph since I left her place two days ago. I sent her a ‘good morning’ textyesterday, but nothing. It was expected, but it still hurts like a motherfucker. And I’m all alone for the Thanksgiving weekend, it feels like an extra kick in the gut.
Soph had asked me to join her family for their non-Thanksgiving meal before her da was admitted to the hospital. As both her parents grew up without celebrating the holiday, the family gets together yearly and eats Chinese food instead. But since her da is still at the hospital, the family gathering was postponed until further notice. Soph was supposed to spend the long weekend at my place, since King Tattoo is closed. Then I screwed it up, trying to be the good guy and help her.
I haven’t even told Eli or Ollie what happened because I wanted to be alone for once. Especially now that Eli’s future in-laws are visiting the city. The Summers-Servopoulous clan is keeping him and Rose busy enough over the next two weeks. They don’t need me to crash their plans. I know that they would have insisted if they knew I wasn’t with Soph.
Walking to my living room, still shaken from my bad dreams, I flop down on the couch. I’m about to order comfort food from one of the restaurants open nearby when I hear the doorbell. I check the camera the housing cooperative installed last year and mutter a few curses when I see who it is. I buzz him in, preparing for what’s about to come my way.
Before Ollie has a chance to knock on my door, I open it and glare at him. “Well, if it isn’t the Little Poet Boy. Where’s your key?”
“I thought I would rather give you a twenty second warning. You know why I’m here?” he asks, unfazed.
“Was it Eli or Rose who sent you over?”
He rolls his eyes because the answer is obvious. “It was originally her idea, but he insisted that I bring you to their place for a post-Thanksgiving intervention.”
“But they’re with their family.” I try to reason myself out of leaving my place.
“And you, even when stupid, are a part of that family.”
Nothing like an insult disguised as a compliment to lighten up the mood. “Well, thanks. I guess?”
“Now, get showered and be ready to leave in fifteen. They’re waiting for us.”
“Who’ll be there?”
“Me, Rose, and Eli. And you, of course. Her family is doing some touristy activities today since we need to helpyouget your shit together.”
I scoff. “I don’t need your help.”
“Oh yes, you fucking do. Remember when we all met at Eli’s last year when he was going through his dark night?”
“His what now?”Sometimes, it feels like we speak two different languages.
“Don’t you ever listen to what Soph, Rose and Spade say about romance novels they read?” I shake my head, and he continues. “The dark night is the moment when all hope is lost and where the relationship is at its lowest. Now, you need to make a plan and show Soph that things aren’t as bad as they seem. Think of it as a grand gesture of sorts.”
He’s making this a bigger deal than it is. “But we’re still together?”
“You still need to show her you’re sorry. I know you think what you did wasn’t wrong, but try to see it from her point of view. Try to listen without thinking you’re right for once.”
As much as I hate it, I have to admit that he makes sense right now. I owe Soph an apology and need to make sure she understands that I only wanted to help. I know the way I did it behind her back wasn’t the best way to go, knowing how proud she’s about everything she does for her parents. It could have worked with someone else, but not her—a lesson I have learned.
