Page 136 of Into These Eyes
“I’m just wondering where my sister is. Because she never cries. Especially not over aguy.”
Embarrassed, I swipe at the tears. “You’ve got no idea. I’ve cried more in his company than I have since Mum died. And he never once made me feel embarrassed or awkward. When I’m with him, I can just be me. I don’t have to hide what I’m feeling or pretend to be strong. He makes me feel …” I trail off, my heart suddenly announcing itself in my chest.
“Loved?” Anika offers, squeezing my hand.
I swallow, more tears breaching the dam wall. And I nod.
Her face breaks into a huge grin. “Holyfuck. You’re in love with him!”
Then she’s out of her seat and hugging me so hard I can barely breathe.
When she lets go, her eyes shine with tears. Tears she’s usually as good as I am at holding back.
“So, you two haven’t slept together yet?” she asks.
“No.”
“And he’s been locked up for how long?”
“Sixteen years.”
“And you’ve had how many boyfriends in that time?”
I don’t like this line of questioning, but I indulge her. “None.”
She nods, her gaze locking on her almost empty wine glass as she twirls it around and around, deep in thought. Finally, she looks at me. “Well, it’s late. The ghosts of the past aren’t goinganywhere, so let’s get your man back here and figure things out. We’re gonna need some ground rules while I’m here, since this’s my house too, right?”
I nod immediately, not wanting to even give her an inkling of what our father’s will says. “Rules?” I ask.
“Yep. Pretty much the rules you instated when I started getting interested in guys.”
Oh, shit.
Chapter 37
Gavin
From the park bench where I wait, I stare at the empty children’s playground before me. The lone swing sways slightly, as if a child’s ghost can’t quite summon enough energy to really get it moving.
Closing my eyes, I let the warm summer breeze wash over me, feel it ruffle my hair and caress my face and bare forearms. I listen to the gentle creak of the swing’s unoiled chains and the rustle of leaves in the trees above me. How many times did Ilong to be outside at night, in the quiet, with the air in motion all around me? To experience the freedom a prison cell keeps extinguished with its motionless, stale air?
Before I ended up in this park, I’d walked around Jamie’s block once before it felt too much like the night my father told me to get out of his house before his new girlfriend arrived. Jamie’s mother. Now I’ve been kicked out because of Jamie’s sister. I let out a huff. Not true. Jamie didn’t want me to go. But I had to, for her sake. It would be impossible to have the conversation she needs to have with her sister with me in the house.
And I’ve been beating myself up about my miserable failures. Tonight was the first time we’ve both been out of the house at the same time, so protecting Jamie should’ve been at the forefront of my mind. The moment we arrived home I should’ve checked the house and locks for signs of an intruder. But I was so fucking lost in her, she became my entire world. I’d turned us into sitting ducks. Whoever sent that threat could’ve been hiding in wait. Or walked in on us instead of Anika.
Now I’m sitting on a park bench waiting for Jamie to tell me to come home.
Theirhome, I correct myself.
No. It’s my home, too. That’s what Jamie told her sister.This is his home.Even after such a short amount of time, it feels like home, a place where I’ve been made to feel welcome, appreciated, and far more.
Of course, I’d hoped to meet her sister under better circumstances, but it’s hard to blame Jamie. It’s not an easy thing to reveal what their father has done.
When my phone buzzes in my hand, I stare at the screen.
Jamie: Please come home. She knows. She’s fine.
Me: See you in 10.
