Page 52 of Face Off
“OLLIEEEE!”
I stagger back a step as she launches herself at my legs. I scoop her up without hesitation, spinning her in a circle until she squeals like she’s just been set loose on a carnival ride.
“Oi, careful!” Jacko calls from somewhere behind her, but there’s no heat in it.
I grin as I set her on my hip. “There she is. My number one girl. Have you been causing trouble?”
Her eyes sparkle, mischievous as ever. “Maybe.”
“That’s a yes,” Jacko mutters, appearing in the hallway with that eternal mix of fondness and exasperation that only a kid like Lila can summon.
“Bear made pancakes,” Lila announces proudly, pointing toward the kitchen. “With chocolate chips.”
“And strawberries,” Jacko adds. “Don’t make me the villain here.”
I laugh, carrying Lila into the kitchen. Maya is at the counter, tying her apron, and she gives me that soft smile she always does, like I’m already part of this weird little family they’ve stitched together.
“Coffee’s on,” she says.
“You’re a saint.” I plop into the chair with Lila still perched on my lap, and she immediately starts chattering at me about school and her friends and some elaborate plan to build a castle in the garden with cardboard boxes.
I listen like every word is gospel, nodding solemnly when she tells me the castle needs a moat, gasping in horror when she explains the dragons might escape otherwise. Jacko rolls his eyes at me, but I see the smirk tugging at his mouth.
“Don’t encourage her,” he mutters, but it’s too late. Lila’s already plotting how to recruit me as her knight.
By the time breakfast winds down, Lila’s sticky with syrup and Maya’s ushering her toward the sink. Jacko jerks his head toward the back garden, and I follow him out into the cool air.
He grabs two beers from the outdoor fridge, because of course Jacko has an outdoor fridge, and hands me one. It’s barely noon, but who’s counting? We sink into the deck chairs, watching Lila bounce on the trampoline.
For a while, we just sit. Comfortable. The kind of quiet that doesn’t itch at your skin.
Then Jacko clears his throat. “You’ve been different lately.”
I take a swig, keeping my gaze on Lila. “Different how?”
He shrugs. “Not in a bad way. Just lighter. Happier. Like you’ve got something going on that you’re not telling the guys.”
My pulse stutters, but I force a smirk. “Maybe I’ve just been sleeping better. New pillow. Memory foam. Changed my life.”
“Uh-huh.” Jacko gives me the look, the one that says he’s calling my bullshit without actually saying the words. “Look, I’m not Murphy. I’m not gonna take the piss or give you grief. I just…if you’re seeing someone, I’d like to know you’re not getting in over your head.”
The words stick to my tongue. I want to tell him everything. About Chloe. About how she’s more than I expected, more than I deserve. But the fear knots my stomach. The fear of the team finding out, Murphy exploding, tabloids sniffing around.
So, I hedge. “There’s someone. Kind of.”
Jacko’s brows lift, but he doesn’t press. “Serious?”
I hesitate, then nod once. “Feels like it could be.”
For a moment, silence stretches between us. Then Jacko leans back, taking a long drink. “Follow your heart, mate. You deserve that. And don’t worry, I’m not saying a word. Not my business to spread.”
Relief unfurls in my chest. “Thanks.”
“Just don’t be a dick about it,” he adds, smirking now. “If she’s making you grin like that, she’s worth keeping.”
I laugh, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah. She really is.”
We lapse back into silence, watching Lila’s curls bounce as she flings herself into the air on the trampoline. I can’t help the thought that sneaks in. This, this little slice of chaos and warmth, is what it might feel like to build something real with someone.
