Page 58 of Until Forever

“Dad,” JJ’s voice cuts through the tension, his tone full of concern.

When I look at him, he frowns and attempts to rush toward me, but I hold up a hand to stop him.

“Let him go,” Scar says to the other.

He does, but the snarl he sports tells me he does so begrudgingly.

“We’ll be seeing you?” Scar saunters past me, pushing his partner down the aisle, but not before glancing at JJ. “Cool shirt, kid.” He points.

Once they disappear from the aisle, I pull JJ to my side, tucking him under my arm. It takes a moment for my breathing to even out, and when it does, I ruffle his head.

“Who were those guys?” JJ quizzes.

“Nobody,” I answer with my attention still focused on the men.

From where we stand, all that’s visible is a glimpse of their backs as they weave through the store and approach the exit. They may have left without a fight, but something tells me I’ll see them again.

I grip JJ by the hand, keeping him close, not caring that he steps on my foot. As we load the belt with our items, I crane my neck to see if I can spot the two men, but it’s useless from this angle.

“Thank you,” I say to the clerk when she hands me my receipt.

Scooping everything up with one hand, I grab hold of JJ again and exit the store. I scan the parking lot, my sights landing on an old man struggling to park his car and a family of four exiting their van. But I don’t see Scar and his friend. My nerves settle for a bit, a small wave of comfort returning to me. I walk JJ to his side of the truck, ignoring the weird expression he gives me. He usually handles buckling himself in on his own, but today, I need to be sure he’s secure. I round the front of my Chevy, locking the doors the moment I’m behind the wheel.

I check my rearview mirror, noticing that JJ seems to have already forgotten everything, his attention glued to the tablet. I breathe a sigh of relief and start my engine, giving the lot one more check before heading home.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

LATOYA

“JJ, they’re here,”I yell over my shoulder.

“Really?” He comes running down the hall so fast he trips and nearly falls on his face.

I flinch, releasing a breath when he doesn’t go sprawling. “Boy, be careful.”

“Sorry, I’m just excited.”

“I can see that. Go on out back, I’ll send them to you.”

“Okay.” He’s off, racing through the kitchen as if I didn’t just warn him to be careful.

I shake my head and open the door, immediately greeted by Harmony’s smiling face. She’s holding baby Ava who’s staring at me with her large doe eyes and a stuffed animal in her hand.

“Hey there, sweetie.” I reach out and touch her cheek.

Ava smiles as I step aside for Harmony and Harlen to enter. Behind them are the others: June and Evan, July and Wes, Cobi and his girl, and Harmony’s sister, Willow. I take turns hugging everyone, directing the ladies to place the dishes they brought with them in the kitchen.

“Jasper set the projector screen up out back, fellas.”

Harlen nods and pats my shoulder before leading the way to the back door. After I secure us all inside, I meet the girls in the kitchen.

“Hey, girl,” Harmony says while handing her two-year-old off to her husband. “The others couldn’t make it. Bax stopped to get ice, and Sage may show up, but that’s up in the air.”

I nod. “That’s okay.”

“Do you need help with anything?” July asks.

“Um. No actually, I’m almost done, just finishing up the seafood salad and seven-layer dip. If you want, you can put the things you brought on the table outside next to the meat.”

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