Chapter 18
Jade
Ihaven’t heard from my brother in three days. No calls, no text, and he definitely hasn’t shown up on Locke’s doorstep. I’m frustrated, annoyed, and honestly a little bit disheartened by the whole situation.
It’s wearing me down, and I know Locke can feel my emotions rolling off me in waves. Which is why I’m on the back porch, sitting on the step and placing this phone call while Locke is inside with the physical therapist. I’m just hopeful he’ll actually pick up the phone.
The family trait of icing people out is strong.
Jace is taking a sheet out of the playbook and doing it to not only me but to our mom.
Except he’s answering her texts, albeit with one-word answers, but it’s a response all the same.
My heart hurts not only for myself but for my mom, too.
I’ve really made a mess out of things. Maybe we should have told Jace right away instead of hiding it, but then I think about him blowing up at the hospital and realize that nothing would have been the right way, because it wouldn’t be Jace’s way.
“Yeah.” My brother picks up at what I would consider the last ring before it goes to voicemail.
“Jace, please don’t hang up,” I beg even though I can hear the annoyance in his tone.
“Got five minutes, then I need to be back inside the plant.” He says gruffly. I guess at least he’s giving me this.
“I’m sorry for keeping Locke and me a secret. I’m not sorry for falling in love.” I lay it all out. He’s quiet for a smidge too long, and I take the phone from my ear to see if he hung up on me. At this point, nothing would surprise me with the way he’s been acting lately.
“Jace, I can’t stand us being at odds,” I say with a pleading in my tone.
“You know, any other time, it’s you doing this to me, going quiet, tuning me out.
Now that the tables have turned, you want me to just skate over the fact that this has been going on behind my back for who knows how fucking long.
Sorry, Jade, for needing a few fucking days to get my shit straight. ” He’s not wrong. He’s also not right.
“And I want you to take all the time you need, but can you at least answer my texts? I’ve already had enough scares this week, and you left like a bat out of hell on your bike; I could hear it from the hospital room.
So did Mom.” I tag on the last half because I saw her face pale, her head lifted to the sky, and she muttered a prayer under her breath when she came to check on us.
“Fuck, hitting me right in the heart, baby sis.” Water clouds my eyes.
Attempting to blink them away is impossible.
I think everything is catching up with me—the worrying over Locke between the accident, the emergency surgery, and then making sure physical therapy was lined up.
It’s been a lot. Then there’s my big brother, acting like a jackass, though I know he probably isn’t feeling much better under that tough-guy exterior.
“It’s better than the balls.” I try to bring some laughter to ease the heaviness.
“That’d hurt. Then I’d have to come up with a way of getting you back, and it’s not like we live at home and, fuck me, you’re basically living with Locke.” There’s a gentle teasing to his tone with a smidge of a yuck-that’s-gross undertone.
“I don’t technically live here yet. I will be here for a while, though.
He’s not the best patient. Kind of like somebody else I know.
” Jace is terrible, worse than Locke. He’d be pushing himself to the limits if roles were reversed.
Now that I think of it, I probably should end this call sooner rather than later.
I’ve yet to leave Locke alone with the physical therapist, choosing to be there for the entirety so I can implement the exercises on the days he doesn’t have someone come to the house to walk him through it.
It’s been impossible to keep his hands off me or my hands off him.
My mouth taking care of him and his fingers doing the same to me is only going to last so long.
Locke’s been pushing for more, and while I’d love nothing more than to sink down on his length, the thought of hurting him makes me stop every single time.
“What is this, Pick on Jace Day?” My brother lets out a small laugh.
“Maybe.” The line goes quiet. I have so much to say, but I know our time is coming to an end. Jace might be wild and free when it comes to his motorcycle and his time off work, but when he’s on the clock, he’s a totally different guy—he’s laser-focused.
“Give me a few more days, yeah? I’m at the plant again.
Not sure what’s going on. The head honcho seems have to vanished into thin air.
I’ll cool down more, settle into the idea of my best friend and my baby sister together, and get my ass over there to hang with him.
” He’d also be giving me a slight reprieve to go out, pick up groceries, medicine, and a few more outfits from my place.
True to their word, Ronnie and the girls set up a meal train.
Locke’s parents and my mom have also helped.
Still, when you’re home for three meals a day, having drinks that consist of coffee for me and the occasional soda for Locke, it means groceries dwindle down quickly.
I might not be able to cook, but cleaning, picking things up, and taking care of Locke comes easy.
“Three days, but answer my texts, and if you don’t show up by then, I’ll come knocking,” I threaten.
Not like it’ll do much. Still, it puts my mind at ease.
“Oh, and make time to call Mom. Please, Jace.” You would think I’m the older sibling.
I remind him about birthdays, important dates, what to get Mom for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day—yes, that last one because she stepped into double duty—her birthday, and Christmas.
That’s not all. The man shows up when I have things planned, puts in his portion monetary wise, and then acts surprised when he sees what was purchased for our mother.
His future wife is in for a rude awakening; I can only hope that love makes him fall so hard that he never forgets a single moment when it comes to his person.
“Calling her right after we get off the phone, and I’ve only got two minutes left,” he says, like he’s exasperated when it’s me who should be aggravated. Luckily, this is our brother-sister relationship, and I don’t take it to heart.
“Perfect. Good chat. Love you. Call Mom. And text Locke, too, while you’re at it.”
“Don’t push your luck, brat. Love you, too.” He hangs up first. I put my phone on the ground beside me, choosing to sit on the steps instead of the patio furniture that sits beneath the covered porch. I wanted to feel the sun on my face and have my toes in the grass for a little while.
“Everything good, sugar?” I hear Locke’s voice behind me and tip my head over my shoulder to see him standing outside the door, wearing nothing but a pair of black athletic shorts. There are some perks to Locke being unable to wear his usual T-shirts, and this is one of them.
“Never better. Jace is pulling his head out of his ass, and I’m sure he’ll be over before the week is up,” I say proudly, standing up, dusting my shorts off, and heading in Locke’s direction.
“He never could stay mad at you. Then again, not sure I could, either.” His eyes lock on mine, and he smirks at me in that way of his.
“I hope you never will, either.” His hand curls around my waist, I lift my head up as his lowers, and our lips meet. The kiss is soft and sweet, showing me once again his love and adoration for me.
“Not happening. Love you too damn much not to talk out any problem we might have, Jade.”
“I love you, too, Locke. And that’s a promise I can make right along with you.” Our talking stops, his mouth is back on mine, his hard cock is pressed against my abdomen, and I’m well aware of what’s coming next.