Page 113 of Broken

“Three, two, one…Happy New Year!” Everyone yelled out, and Jet pulled me to him, sweeping me up in a kiss. His fingers threaded under my ponytail, and he tipped my head back, nipping gently at my bottom lip for me to open. I threw my arms around his neck, my back arching with the way he delved into me, his tongue brushing tenderly with mine, slowly urging and begging for more.

I moaned, leaning in, the world around us fading to nothing, but instead of holding me closer, Jet pulled back, pressing a couple of gentle kisses to my lips. He brushed his nose against mine, my heart fluttering at the touch, and then our eyes flickered open.

I pouted.

“What?” He grinned.

“It was a good kiss. You stopped.”

“I had to. If I didn’t, I couldn’t tell you happy birthday.”

His eyes glinted playfully in the light of the bonfire nearby, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you.”

“Always.” He pecked my lips again, and we sat back against the log we’d claimed since early on in the party. With Tucker and Izzy staying in, Jet and I were able to slip out from the family thing and ended up at the blowout Corey had put together down at the beach. It wasn’t as crowded as usual, which suited me just fine. I just needed out of the house. I needed a distraction. And Jet had laid down the law with our friends since we first got here, no Izzy talk. She and Tucker were healing, and that was all they were getting for now.

I seriously loved him.

As much as I loved and worried about my sister, being asked a million questions about her and Tucker wasnotgoing to help me unwind.

“Another beer?” Jet asked after downing the last of his cup.

“Please.” I plucked mine up from where I had it propped in the sand, and Jet took it, disappearing into the crowd. We’d done the social thing for the first part of the party. Now, I just needed space to decompress. Which wasn’t normally like me, but life wasa lotright now.

I closed my eyes, letting the heat from the bonfire wash over my face in the cold breeze. I didn’t know how people were standing it out closer to the water. It was freaking cold tonight, only getting colder with the front, but the air was fresh in my lungs, the bite of the cold welcome on my skin as it cleared my thoughts.

If only it would clear the constant ache I felt inside, knowing how much my sister was hurting. It killed me that I couldn’t fix it. It wasn’t even that I didn’t know how, but that I doubted there even was a way. It was a grief I didn’t even know how to touch.I’d dropped the ball when we’d lost Daddy, and I didn’t want to drop it now. But that ball was free falling, ready to plummet and shatter to earth. If only I knew how to reach her.

No. It’s just that what she needs is out of my control.

“Hey, no dwelling tonight,” Jet’s voice came from above me, and I smiled, though it really came out more like a grimace.

“Sorry. It’s hard not to.”

He handed me my cup before settling back down at my side, and I sucked most of it down in one go. Jet’s brow raised.

“So, I guess that answers my question.” My brow furrowed, asking, and he added, “If it’s a good birthday so far.”

My chest deflated with a sigh. “It’s good. Fine really considering everything. I just…it’s just weird without Izzy here.”

Jet’s mouth pulled in a sympathetic smile. “I know, but she wouldn’t be having a good time if she was.”

“No, I know, but it’s still weird. We’ve always celebrated together. She’s sowithdrawn, babe. I don’t like it. I don’t know how to help her.”

“Same with Tucker. He just looks tortured when I go to see him. I think he blames himself.”

“Well, that’s stupid.”

“I know, but that doesn’t change it.”

“Well, he needs to get over it. It’s not helping anything, and Izzy needs him.”

“And he needs her.” Jet leveled me with a look.

I shook my head. “Don’t get me wrong. I worry about Tucker, too. I’ve seen how he is now. But Izzy’s mysister.”

“I know sweetheart, and Tucker’s like my brother.” He squeezed my thigh before taking my hand, running his thumb in soothing circles along my palm so my nerves would ease. I downed the rest of my beer, needing the temporary relief from everything it would bring, and Jet handed me his cup. I smiled down at it.

“I’m glad he has you. I’m just frustrated. It feels like we’re back to square one before they were together. All the tension and denial…”

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