Page 185 of Deacon

Jackson drew himself up in offended innocence. “Why do you assume we did anything?”

“Because your face looks like you won the lottery and Mom’s face looks like she knows exactly why.”

I covered my mouth with my good hand before the laugh could punish my ribs again.

Jade’s eyes widened with immediate understanding. “Oh my God. We’re moving in with him, aren’t we?”

Jackson blinked. “How did you get there that fast?”

“Please. I know your face now.”

Something softened in Jackson before he could hide it. “That is either heartwarming or terrifying.”

“Both,” I said.

Jade studied us another second, then grinned. Actually grinned. “Well,” she said, stretching the word out, “this should be fun.”

Jackson slid an arm carefully around my waist. “That did not sound reassuring.”

She pointed at him. “You wanted the two of us under one roof. This is on you.”

He looked at me for support he absolutely was not getting. “Did she always threaten people this cheerfully?”

“Pretty much.”

Jade headed for the kitchen. “I just think you should both know that if I catch any gross flirting before noon, I’m filing for emancipation.”

Jackson scoffed. “You’re dramatic.”

She stopped and looked back at him. “Says the man who’s been in my life five minutes and is already encouraging it.”

The line caught him for exactly one second. Then he looked at me, and I saw the same thing in his face I had felt when she called him Dad earlier. Five minutes. Seventeen years. Both true, neither big enough for what was happening between them now.

We started laughing at the same time.

Jade pointed between us from the kitchen doorway. “See? You’re already impossible together.”

Jackson shook his head. “You are gonna love living with me.”

“That confidence is embarrassing.” She disappeared into the kitchen, leaving him grinning after her.

I leaned into his side as carefully as my shoulder allowed. He kissed my temple. “Still want in on this life, Princess?”

I looked toward the kitchen, where Jade was rummaging for another donut less than two days after I had thought I might never see her again. Then I looked at Jackson. This apartment had held years of the life Jade and I built together, and leaving it didn’t erase any of that. It only meant we were choosing what came next.

“Yeah,” I said softly. “I do.”

Jade’s voice carried from the kitchen before Jackson could answer. “Can somebody answer their phones? Cage wants to know if he can help us move and says Dad probably should not be in charge of packing delicate things.”

Jackson shouted back without missing a beat. “Tell him I’m offended and he’s right.”

I laughed into his shoulder, and this time the sound didn’t feel borrowed from a better day. It belonged to this one, bruises and all.

Epilogue

Lila

The clubhouse looked different that day.