Freeing Destiny (Fate #2) (26 page)

“Okay,” I conceded. What more was there to say? I didn’t want to argue, and I knew she had my best interest at heart.

We chatted a little longer about how she was adjusting to the move and what Mom and Aunt Gina were up to now that they’d been reunited. I was happy to hear that everyone was getting on so well and things were falling into place. With each day that passed with Jack, the dread of leaving grew deeper, but there was a profound part of me that felt I was being called home every time I spoke to my family.

My brain was on overload. I needed a hug. Or coffee. Or a shot of vodka.
I’m finally in love and my life is a mess of confusion
! I missed my family, but didn’t want to leave. I loved Jack, but didn’t want to screw it up. I hated Aubrey, but didn’t want to be responsible for keeping her from her brother. Even though I believed everything my sister said over the phone, doubt about the whole situation burrowed dense roots within my entire body. I had to let Jack know that I was uncomfortable being the wedge between him and his family. I didn’t want to rock a boat that was sailing smoothly, but I also didn’t want to hold anything back from him. We needed to talk.

Our talk over dinner turned into a screaming match. It was impossible to get my point across because Jack was so stubborn. It was time to pull out the big guns. My biggest fear.

“Maybe we’re moving too fast. We changed everything on a whim. It’s reckless and scary. Maybe I should go to New York now. I just feel like—”

“Like you’re overreacting?” Jack grabbed my face in his strong hands and stared into my tear brimmed eyes. “First of all, don’t talk like that. I won’t let you second guess any of this. Second of all, why are you doing this to yourself? I told you I’m not mad or upset. I’m just happy you’re here, so please don’t suggest leaving earlier than
we
decided ever again.”

Only once in the last month—after a sappy phone call from Mom—had I mentioned moving back early. Jack lost his shit. It was his trigger, his soft spot. Time was of the essence for us and he was adamant about me staying put as long as I could. But it still didn’t quell my uncertainty over the Aubrey situation.

“But she’s your sister, Jack. She needs you, especially now that she’s come to her senses. She’ll need all the love and support she can get, and from what I know, there aren’t many people willing to give that to her. She should be able to rely on you.”Jack’s eyes roamed my face. His gaze painted soft strokes of admiration and worship over my worried features. “My sweet, sweet Sunshine. Why are you so good? My sister did nothing but fuck around with you and your family like checker pieces.”

“Don’t you mean chess?” I tried to smile through the tears.

His lips curled up in a defeated but adorable grin. “Yes, wiseass, I meant chess, and my point is that you guys were her little pawns. Powerless. Vulnerable. She screwed with you and now you’re worried about
her
? God, woman, I didn’t think I could love you any more than I already do, but you are incredible.” He kissed the tip of my nose and then traveled lower to my lips to lick away the tears that coated my frown.

“It still doesn’t make me feel any better about making you choose.”

Pulling back, he held my hands and rubbed reassuring circles over my flesh with his thumbs. “Would you listen to yourself? You are too selfless. Be a spoiled brat for a change and just enjoy that you, my wonderful girl, are the only choice I will ever make over anyone and anything. I love you, Stella. I’ve never been happier, and I have enough room in my heart for you
and
my crazy sister. But her character is flawed. She’s done a lot over the years to taint her credibility—not just with your family. You, on the other hand, are nothing but pure, innocent, perfection. There was no choice to make, Sunshine. It was a no brainer. Stop worrying about it. Please, baby.”

His words quieted the turmoil that ran amuck through my head. I was comforted by his genuine feelings and relieved by his assurance that he chose
me
out of love. It was time to put the Aubrey thing to rest and just let it go. Jack didn’t seem to think she’d be an issue so why should I? Nina was right—out of sight, out of mind. “Thank you for putting up with me,” I moaned, collapsing into Jack’s arms and melting into his soothing touch.

“I’m not putting up with anything. I’m doing exactly what I
want
to do. Nothing and no one is going to change that. Okay?” He kissed the ends of my fingers, nipping the plump pad of flesh at the tip of my pinky.

I cupped his bristly cheek with my free hand and lost myself in his mesmerizing blue eyes. “Okay. I’m done overthinking. Promise.”

“Good. Now, dinner was delicious, but I’m in the mood for dessert.”

“Ice cream?” I asked, starting for the freezer to get the tub of mint chocolate chip.

Before I could fully stand, Jack pulled me onto his lap and toyed with the waistline of my pants. “No ice cream. You. Here. Now.”

I succumbed to his request and let my worry fade away. I didn’t know why I let Aubrey’s return scare me, or why I allowed Nina to get in my head. Nothing else mattered as long as I had Jack. From the first moment I accepted him as a part of my life, I was safe. He was my protector of worry. My mind easer. My sanity.

Jack

If that fucking doorbell rings one more time!
Where was Stella anyway? She was supposed to be the one handing out the candy to all these grubby, sugar-high monsters.

“Trick or Treat!” An overzealous, jumpy kid dressed up as Chucky from
Child’s Play
thrust his candy-filled pillow case within my reach. He pushed past the smaller girl standing next to him and she nearly toppled over.

“Whoa, cool it. There’s enough for everyone.”

The kid remained stoic as he awaited his Halloween treat. I raised my brow and shook my head, then appraised the tiny girl dressed in a sparkly unicorn costume. “This your brother?” I asked, my thumb trained on the red headed fucker.

“Yes,” she answered shyly.

I dumped a handful of chocolate into each of their sacks and eyeballed Chucky. “Be nice to your sister, kid. Punks are a dime a dozen, but unicorns are special. One in a million.” I gave the adorable little girl a wink and an extra helping of candy. “Don’t let him steal all your Reese’s.”

“I won’t.” She smiled as she walked away, her brother already ten steps ahead.

I closed the door behind me and chuckled. That used to be me, Emma, and Aubrey. I was such a prick of an older brother. Always tormenting and teasing them. I hoped my roughhousing didn’t have anything to do with the way Aubrey turned out. But then again, before I could assume guilt, I thought about Emma. She turned out just fine—a sweetie—and we all lived under the same roof as kids. Aubrey’s issues weren’t my fault. They were hers and she was trying to get them straightened out. At least that’s what she had me believing.

We’d been in touch a few times since she showed up for breakfast that morning. Things had remained oddly quiet since. She was respecting my boundaries and keeping her distance the best way she knew how.

She’d tried to reach out to Stella with a text here and there to let her know she was accepting of our relationship, staying away out of respect, and hopeful that they could one day move forward. Stella remained indifferent. It was better than the alternative. At least she wasn’t spewing hatred or refusing to see her side of things. I had hope that there would be peace on the Davis/Edwards front one day.

I jogged back to the phone that I’d put on hold to answer the door for the trick or treaters.

“You still there?”

Caleb sounded out of breath when he answered. “Yup. Had a line of kids at my door, too. Hate this stupid day.”

“Me, too. I liked it better when we were on the receiving end of the goods.”

“I hear ya. So, anyway . . . continue. You were talking about booking a flight for Thanksgiving.” Caleb put me back on track. The one track train that my mind had been on for the last two days.

Stella was leaving in three weeks. I hated the idea of it. Everything about it. I would miss the energy she brought to my home and the warmth she filled my life with. It wouldn’t be the same without her
physically
here. I’d have to find a way to get used to it once it happened, but the idea of letting her go and spending Thanksgiving without the
one
person I was most grateful for made my chest ache with heartbreak.

“I want to surprise her. She leaves the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I think she has an afternoon flight. I was hoping to book something for late that evening or early Wednesday morning. What do you think?” It didn’t really matter what he thought. My mind was already made up. As long as there was as seat available on a plane—no matter how expensive—I was flying out to New York to spend our first holiday together.

“I think you’ve become a hopeless fucking romantic, that’s what I think.” Caleb found pleasure in fucking with me over how lovesick I was. I’d done it to him with Gabriella so I had it coming. Didn’t matter, though. I had nothing to hide. I’d spray paint it on a billboard to let the world know my feelings for Stella.

“Yup. And proud of it. Are you sure Gabriella won’t mind me crashing her family’s feast?” I didn’t want to come on too strong and I was desperate for Gabriella’s approval.

Caleb was quick to remind me of how understanding and welcoming his new wife was. “Not at all. She got wind of your plan and hasn’t stopped talking about it. Consider your place already set at the table.”

That was a relief. I didn’t really think it would be a problem, but I wasn’t one to assume. “Okay, well, then that’s one battle won.”

“What are the others?” He seemed genuinely concerned, as if marking off the list of to-dos with me.

I scanned the apartment. A vase with fresh roses sat on one of the end tables in the living room. Stella had planted decorative frames with pictures of the two of us from the last few months all around. Her slippers sat on the floor next to the seat at the kitchen table that she’d claimed as hers. She’d managed to make herself at home in this short amount of time and I loved every single detail that reminded me of her presence. The thought of having to rip my walls bare of her existence when she packed up and moved out created a pit of dread in my stomach. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe just something called what the hell will I do when I have to come back home
without
her? I don’t know, man. It’s not gonna be so easy. I’m attached. I thought we could do the long distance thing, but now that I have her here every day—
Fuck!
Missing her is going to be painful.”

Caleb sucked in a long breath. “So, what are you saying?”

I shook my head as I got up from the table to pace. “I’m saying, once I’m out there, I might have to talk to a few contacts. Make some plans.”

My best friend’s voice spiked with excitement. “You’re thinking of moving here? Really?
Shit!
Having you here would be great, but—are you sure?”

“Were
you
sure when you picked up and left it all behind?” There was no reason to be defensive, but it came out that way anyhow.

“I had nothing to leave behind—besides you, of course.”

“Now who’s the hopeless romantic? You saying you miss me?” I mocked him, but truth was, we were more like brothers than best friends. Stella occupied the space Caleb vacated when he left, but as much as I loved her, I missed watching the game with my buddy and tossing back beers with someone who looked the other way when I scratched my balls.