Page 41 of Until Tomorrow Comes
There is a part of me that is silently grateful for her insistence, since I was already brainstorming different ways of chickening out.
Since being here, I haven’t gone out in public. Walking the beach, going to therapy, being around Thea and Jackson, or occasionally Linda, was as close as I’ve come.
Outside of Doctor Davis, who’s literal job is to ask about everything with Zack, neither Thea or Linda had questioned why I was here, even when it was likely more than obvious someone had abused me.
At first, I told myself that anyone who saw me would take one glance at me andknowwhat happened. I chose not to go out because I wasn’t ready to face the potential gossips or nosey town ladies that Linda talked about. Once the bruises faded and my ribs began to ache less and less, I found other excuses, and of course Jackson and Thea were more than happy to just hang out on the back deck with some food and drinks.
The only one who knows how truly significant tonight is for me, is Jackson, and him tagging along tonight lessens some of the doubt and uneasiness that is bouncing around in my mind.
“Addison just texted me, her and Stella are on their way to Divine,” Thea says, pulling me from my thoughts. I hum in acknowledgement, moving to the entryway table to get my wallet and Thea heads to get Jackson from the kitchen.
While she did my hair and make-up, Thea told me about her friends, Addison and Stella, that are in town.
Apparently, the three of them and one other girl named Eva, were roommates in college and have remained friends since then. Thea rambled off stories from school, about how they still text and talk weekly and try to meet up once a year. Normally favoring spending a week here at Thea’s grandmother’s house. If not for the fact that Eva’s mom passed away a few months ago, leaving her responsible for her infant sister, she would have tagged along on this trip.
Thea comes skipping down the hallway, her heels clacking loudly against the hardwood floors. When she comes to a screeching halt in front of me and looks me over, her wide, excited smile softens. She reaches out and grabs my hand in hers, squeezing gently.
“Thank you for going out tonight.”
I wave my free hand dismissively, but she continues on.
“I mean it Kat. I can tell that this is a big step for you, and if at any point it becomes too much, I will take no offense to you and Jack leaving early. The girls are staying at a hotel in town, I can just crash with them.”
My brows furrow and I’m left speechless. While Thea and I have gotten close, she’s never once asked about my past.
I shake my head, glancing down the hall to make sure we’re still alone before staring down at my toes.
“I-I haven’t—” I stumble, but Thea wraps an arm around my shoulder and leads us to the door. I turn my head to look at her, wanting to apologize for not being ready to talk about my past yet.
“Nope, that’s not why I said anything. You’re healing from something, and you don’t have to tell anyone, including me, until you’re ready.” She squeezes me to her side, stopping us next to Jackson’s truck. “If you never want to share with me, that’s fine. But like it or not, I consider you a friend so…you’re stuck with me and I’m here to listen if you want.”
Swallowing hard, I tilt my head back and blink rapidly, refusing to let the tears that are lining my eyes fall.
“Thank you, Thea.” My voice cracks on the whisper.
“No! You’re not allowed to mess up the make-up!” She dabs her fingers under my eye before ripping the truck’s back door open and hopping up onto the runner. Her head peeks over the door as she faces the house and yells, “You coming old man Jack?”
“I’m only three years older than you, Thea,” he grumbles from behind me.
“Yeah, but you’re currently moving as if you’re thirty years older,” she retorts back, before dropping into the back seat and shoots me a wink. “You can sit up front with him.”
I roll my eyes, turning to catch Jackson shutting and locking the front door. It takes all my effort to not let my jaw drop.
Shirtless Snack Jack pales in comparison to Jackson dressed in an unbuttoned blue flannel with a light gray t-shirt underneath, the sleeves rolled up halfway and showing off his tattooed forearms. His dark pants and boots, paired with his already perfectly trimmed beard, and green eyes tie the whole outfit together.
It’s an effort not to drool at the sight of him.
Spinning his keys around his finger, Jackson walks toward me only to freeze mid-step when he makes it to the hood of his truck and spots me.
I’m pinned in place while his darkened gaze slowly canvases my body. His jaw clenches and his fist tightens around his keys. Thoughts of him in the shower a few hours ago play through my mind. Again.
Shifting my weight from one foot to the other, I fidget with the strap of my dress. Needing to break the heavy silence that’s forming around us, I clear my throat.
“Sorry you got roped into girls’ night.”
That seems to snap him out of his daze. Running his free hand along his jaw, he glances behind me toward the truck.
“Thea doesn’t really give the option to say no,” his eyes cut back to me. “Plus, I’ve seen Thea on girls’ nights, someone’s gotta make sure you’re not completely thrown in with the wolves.”
