Page 27 of Jet

“Sorry, I have to go,” I say to four bewildered faces.

I walk as swiftly as I can to my bedroom.

He sees me as family. I’m just fucking kidding myself. Nothing is going to happen between us. The flirting and looks he gives me do not mean a thing because he sees me as a fucking relation. I hear footsteps behind me just as I get to my door.

“Fucking hell, Booker, you know how to run,” Nicky says. I close my eyes, not wanting to look at him when I’m feeling this raw.

“What do you want?” Nicky closes the distance in front of me.

“Why did you run off like that? That guy was before I met you. I haven’t been with anyone since you.”

“Yeah, I get that, Nicky.” I look up at his beautiful eyes. “Why didn’t you say it was me who you kissed last? You lumped me in with my mom.”

His brows knit together in confusion. ”No, that’s not what I meant.”

“You can’t have it both ways, Nicky,” I say, really wanting to be done with this conversation. “You either see me as someone you want to be with, or you see me as family. It can’t be both.”

He just stands there looking at me.

I guess that’s my answer.

“Goodnight, Nicky,”

“Will I see you tomorrow?” he says, and I hate that I can hear the hope in his voice.

“No, I’m busy tomorrow.” I go into my room and shut the door. It’s a few minutes before I hear him open and shut his door.

I am such a fucking idiot.

Have I just been seeing what I want to see this whole time?

Chapter thirteen

Nicky

This day is getting shittier by the minute.

It’s my fucking fault that Booker isn’t here having a meal with his family. All because I can’t keep my hands to myself. He is irresistible. I want to sink into his hold as he sinks into me.

But I’m hurting him.

I saw the flash of hurt in his eyes as I pulled away from him when Kenny came into the room. I saw the annoyed flare of his nostrils when I didn’t take his hand.

I fucked up. The fear of losing another family has my heart in a vice grip.

And sitting here eating dinner with an oblivious Stella, a worried Kenny, and a hostile Reed is not making my day any fucking better.

Just worse.

I know Reed is only fifteen and has feelings about having me suddenly being forced on their family, but I am so over all the snide, hurtful comments. I’m twenty-three. I shouldn’t be letting a teen get to me.

So many thinly veiled comments about Mom and Brian. Stella and Kenny don’t even notice it. Booker is the only one who did.

Another pang hits me right in the heart.

“So, Nicky,” Reed says. Here we go again. “I’m really interested in how your parents celebrated your birthday growing up. I bet they showered you with presents, right?”

He smirks at me.

---