Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“Were you really worried Cain was a threat?” The words are muffled against my shirt, but I make them out. She tips her head back. “He used to hide under my bed when it rained.”
I rumble with laughter and squeeze her tighter. “Like I said, he’s not a kid, anymore. He’s still kinda shy. A little mouthy. Resourceful.”
“Can we go see him?”
“Yeah, let me see if he’s around.” I release her and pull out my phone.
“Wait, you didn’t tell him I was coming today?”
I hesitate. “No. I didn’t want to…get his hopes up if you didn’t want to see him.”
“So…you were trying to protect both of us?”
“I guess.”
“I love you, Jensen. You’re a good brother. Even if you’re a pain in my ass sometimes.”
“Right back atcha.”
Instead of wasting time texting, I dial Cain’s number.
While the phone rings, Jezzie approaches Margot and gives her a hug. “Was this your doing?” she whispers.
Margot shakes her head.
Cain answers. “Bro, who still calls people, like ever?”
“I do,” I growl. “Are you home?”
“No, but I’m headed there in like ten minutes.”
“Great, you mind if I meet you there?”
“Yeah,” he answers cautiously, like he’s hopeful. Fuck, I really have been neglecting this kid. “Sure.”
“I’m bringing someone with me who really wants to see you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Margot
I almost splatter into a thousand tears when Jezzie hugs me.
“Was this your doing?” she asks.
No, he would’ve done it weeks and weeks ago if I’d had my way.
I shake my head. “No.”
She pulls back, eyes narrowing slightly. “You sure? You’re probably one of the only people he listens to about this kinda stuff.”
A shaky laugh slips out of me. “Yes, but it takes him a while to realize I’m right.”
She chuckles.
“All right.” Jigsaw tucks his phone away in his pocket. “He’s heading home now. Let’s go.”
Jezzie hurries ahead of us, out the door and into the parking lot.
“I guess she’s eager to see him,” I whisper.
He stops me with a hand on my shoulder. “Thank you. You sure you don’t mind coming with us? I shouldn’t—”
“I want to finally meet him.” I lean up on tiptoes. “My future brother-in-law and all.”
His eyes widen like he hadn’t thought of it. Cain doesn’t quite fit into those pockets of his life yet.
He will.
I’ll help him make space.
Jezzie’s quiet on the way to Cain’s.
I don’t think she’s nervous. Just thoughtful. Processing. Or maybe it’s bringing up memories she’d rather leave buried.
She’s in the back seat, staring out of the window again. Remembering more of that long drive she took across the country to start a new life?
Jigsaw reaches over and laces his fingers through mine, his grip firmer than usual. Like he needs the contact.
I’m proud of him for facing those shadowy parts of his past. For trying to protect both siblings the best way he can.
We pull into the parking lot of a boxy building. A tall, lanky guy is out front, leaning against a motorcycle that looks like it was built for speed and danger. Neon green with streaks of white and black—sleek, and flashy. Much different than Jigsaw’s bigger, heavier, darker Harley.
The guy’s arms are crossed over his chest, head bowed, the hood of his sweatshirt pulled up, covering his face.
He tips his head up as we slide into a parking space, the hood falling back, revealing his features. His hair’s darker than Jigsaw’s and he’s a bit skinnier, but the resemblance is strong.
This has to be Cain.
JIGSAW
It feels like my past has come full circle as Cain lifts his head and watches me pull into the lot. I kill the engine, the silence anything but peaceful. Margot gives my hand one last squeeze, then lets go.
I step out first. The door shuts behind me with a clean, solid thunk that cracks through the still afternoon like a warning not to wake old ghosts.
“I thought that was you.” Cain pushes away from his bike and takes a few steps closer. “Sweet ride. When’d you get that?”
“Yesterday.” I hesitate. “Actually wanted to talk to you about—” I wave it off. “Never mind. That can wait.”
He frowns, clearly confused.
The back door opens with a soft, airtight whoosh.
I step back. I’ve already stood in their way for too long.
Cain’s throat bobs as he swallows hard, eyes locked on the sister he hasn’t seen in what probably feels like a lifetime.
“Jezzie?”
“Cain?” She laughs and rushes toward him. “Holy crap. You’re so tall!”
He blinks at her. “You have colorful stripes in your hair.”
She touches the top of her head and nods. “I do.”
Cain’s hands stay jammed deep in his pockets. Jezzie inches closer, arms slightly outstretched but not quite committing.
“Can I hug you?” she asks softly, like she knows she needs to give him the option to say no but hopes he won’t.
The corners of his mouth lift, dimples popping on his cheeks. “Yeah.”
They shuffle toward each other—stiff, tentative—arms out, shoulders hunched, like they’re abandoned ducklings awkwardly waddling out of their nest for the first time.