Chapter 9
JESSI
Iswoon, replaying Jack’s words in my head. You’re never a burden . . . Let’s stop pretending we’re strangers. Did he really say that to me? And what did he mean?
“I bet he’s being nice,” I tell myself as I wander to the kitchen. “He hasn’t said two words to me in forever.”
He told me where his spare key to the house was, though. I’m sure my lonely mind is playing tricks on me. He is just being a helpful neighbor and doing what my dad asked. If he’d wanted more, he would’ve talked to me sooner.
Still, that hasn’t stopped me from interpreting our encounters and searching for any sign that Jack might notice me beyond the neighbor girl next door. Did that night in his garage mean something to him, like it did to me?
Who am I kidding? I’m a child to him. He probably wants me to leave him alone like everyone else.
I stand a bit taller and try to shift my mindset.
I won’t mope around all summer. I need to make a grocery list and meal prep for the week.
Austin is on his own. I’m not his chef. It’s bad enough that I’m the only one who cleans this house when Dad and Shannon are away and every time His Highness has a party.
I open my notes app and peruse the empty shelves. For the next few months my focus is going to be on doing what’s needed to get me out of here for good.
I want to be somewhere that I’m valued and needed. I’m not sure what I will spend my life doing, but I know I won’t find it here.
As I grab my keys and walk outside, I hear loud rumblings from Jack’s driveway.
I wave over at the three men parked on their roaring motorcycles.
All three sport their cuts. I recognize them from the few times I’ve spied them over at Jack’s before.
I give them a sweet neighborly wave that they return as they idle.
Jack walks out to greet them, following their gaze, then locks his eyes on me.
His eyes pierce me and refuse to let me go.
I painfully force the break and climb into my car.
After I buckle, I sneak a peek back up. Jack’s talking with his biker buddies, and his laugh is an infection to my soul.
I reverse my car out of the drive, but when I shoot Jack one more glimpse, he’s watching me drive away.
I can’t help but grin. Maybe the guy does like me after all.