Chapter 24 Georgia by. Phoebe Bridgers
Jackie
I smiled listening to Theo’s not-so-dulcet tones as she sang to the radio. Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Go Your Own Way’ was playing. Violet knew many of the words, showing just how often Theo listened to this song. Even Will was singing along.
We were getting close to Eugene. I would estimate maybe two hours away at this point. I woke up in Boise, confused about how I slept so long. But I guess yelling at your parents all of your frustrations really tuckers a person out.
It felt like an entire weight was lifted off of my shoulders.
I had listened to their crap for fourteen years.
I knew they didn’t care for me, that they didn’t love me.
I knew they blamed me for Nate’s death. But for the first time, I also knew they were wrong.
I wasn’t responsible for his death, I was cared for, and damn if I wasn't loved.
I looked at Will who was jamming out, his tattooed arms on display but barely visible in the night light. His eyes shined bright when he looked at me as he continued to sing, holding my hand and using it as a microphone.
This incredible, gorgeous, kind, brilliant man loved me. And damn did I love him, with everything I had. I couldn’t help but join in on the tiny concert we were having.
We could have taken a flight back home, but we were all anxious to get out of Utah as soon as possible and I think we all needed the break the drive gave us. It felt like a pause in our reality. I didn’t have to worry about my parents, about the case, about Griffin, or about Fai.
We slowly winded down and the radio was turned down as Vi slipped into a deep sleep. I chuckled to myself at her snoring.
Will kissed the back of my hand that was still clasped in his. I wasn’t ready to let go, but I did theorize his fingers were completely numb.
“You okay?” he asked as he glanced between me and the road.
“Yeah, I really am,” I responded with a smile. I turned to Theo in the backseat. “What about you? Are you okay?”
She shrugged. “Mostly confused. They kept rambling on about a plan and roles we need to fulfill. Do you know what they were talking about?”
I shook my head. “I’ve never heard them talk about stuff like that before. Maybe Kai does, we can give him a call and ask when we’re home.”
That was the only sad part about leaving. I already missed Kai. We had all let our grief get in the way of our relationships, but I wouldn’t allow that anymore. He was my big brother. I needed him. We had promised to do better at staying in touch and I was going to fulfill that promise.
“Yeah, speaking of home,” Theo began. “I think I want to move to Oregon. Eugene, specifically.”
I screamed.
Like actually screamed.
Well, at least before Theo clamped a hand over my mouth while pointing to a sleeping Violet in the seat next to her.
“Sorry,” I whispered.
“I guess that means you’re okay if I do?” she asked.
“Of course!” I exclaimed. “Right, Will? We’re okay with it?”
He chuckled and kissed my hand again. “Yeah, we’re okay with it.”
Theo smiled longingly at the two of us. “God, you two are adorable.”
“Yeah, we are,” Will responded, sounding very happy about it. He was right, we were adorable.
I did feel for my sister. Theo had always wanted a great love story.
She was a romantic, there was no denying that.
Since we were barely teenagers, she would daydream about her crushes and their love stories.
They were unnecessarily dramatic, but we were teenagers.
She had given up on the notion of this great love when she had Violet.
Her daughter was her entire world now, and she was an incredible mother.
“Will her dad be okay with you moving?” I asked while motioning with my chin towards Vi.
“Probably not. But I have sole custody, so Jason will have to accept it,” she responded while looking at her daughter.
I was so grateful she had full custody. Jason was an absolute tool who always blamed Theo for baby trapping him.
Which is ironic because they were never together, it was a one night stand, and she wanted nothing to do with him.
He was also a crazy conservative and tried to push that on Theo, which was not happening.
“Good. When do you move? Like now?” I asked, excited about living near my sister and niece again.
Theo chuckled at my enthusiasm. “As soon as I can. I do need to sit down and discuss the house with you.”
I tilted my head in confusion, urging her to continue as I wasn’t sure what there was to discuss.
“I want to sell it,” she rushed out. “Staying is so hard. There are too many memories in those walls and I want a fresh start. Nate put all of our names on the title so I wanted to talk about it wi-”
I cut her off.
I didn’t need to hear anymore. “Sell it.”
“Really?”
“I love that house. It was our home for so long. But it’s painful to be in there. It’s why I left. So sell it,” I responded emphatically.
She smiled softly. “Thank you, Jack.”
I smiled and turned forward. I loved the nickname Jack. Only my siblings and Violet called me by that name. And the voice…
Oh my god.
My nightmares had someone who called me Jack. Who was it? I couldn’t remember anything else, but the voice. It was familiar. Why was it familiar? Why couldn’t I piece it together?
“Jackie?” Will asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“What?” I responded. “Yeah, sorry, lost in thought.”
“Where did you go?” he asked.
I contemplated what to tell them. The truth would have to do. “I remembered a part of my nightmare I keep having.”
“What?” Theo and Will asked in unison.
“Someone is there and they call me Jack. That’s it.”
Will nodded, contemplating my words.
“Who is it?” Theo asked.
I shrugged because I didn’t know. It felt important for me to know. To remember. Almost like someone in them wanted me to remember. I wracked my brain, hoping another piece of the puzzle would fall out of my thoughts. But there was nothing.
The revelation of that piece of my nightmare brought back all of the thoughts of what was facing me back in Eugene. I had to figure out more about the Cult and if there are any more ties between the Cult and Griffin.
I also needed to be careful, because what if his warnings were true? What if I did go missing? Could I prevent it?
Maybe the nightmares were connected to it as well.
I pressed the heels of my hands to my temples. It was all so overwhelming. How was this all real? How was I actually contemplating if I was going to go missing or be kidnapped?
“It’s going to be okay, Sunshine,” Will began, as if reading my thoughts. “I’m going to keep you safe.”
I smiled in response. I knew he would try, but I wasn’t sure he could.