Page 63 of Surrender

Is that your update for Whitney, Bree?

Bree

Yes. Tell her they slept great and are just getting up for breakfast now. You can pick them up any time.

Jack

She’s still sleeping, but I’ll let her know. After ten would work best.

Cortney

Oh good, Jack’s here. Hey Jack, next time you want to announce you stuck your cock somewhere, maybe wait until your sister is out of the vicinity so I don’t have to stick a fork in my eardrums.

Corjan

No way, he did what?

Lee

What did you think the two of them were doing during the blizzard, Cort?

Cortney

I didn’t need to hear a play-by-play. Thanks.

Mom

Good morning, children. Did you forget I’m in here?

Aiden

This is the best wake-up text ever. Lol

“Oh my god.” I squeeze my eyes shut. Embarrassment blazes a pink flush across my cheeks. “Please tell me this isn’t real.”

Jack bites his lip. “Sorry. It’s real. Now answer my question since I answered yours. How are you?”

I place my palm on his chest and study my fingers there. “I’m good, I think. The initial shock has worn off.”

“I can imagine it was quite shocking.” He brushes his thumb along the edge of my jaw, his voice coarse and quiet.

“I have to turn him in,” I state firmly. “I have to do the right thing.”

“Have you used any of the money?” Worry colors his tone. I shake my head quickly to abate his concern.

“Fortunately, no. I’ve been living off our savings and the money from selling our house. I haven’t touched the account with the life insurance money yet.”

“Then you should be okay.”

God, I hope so. I never asked to be tangled up in this mess.

“Thank you for coming last night.” My face burns with gratitude and shame. My throat feels tight. “I don’t normally get physical like that, I swear.”

Jack laughs lightly. “Last night’s circumstances were extreme, and I’d say justified.”

“I was crazy.”

His hand captures the back of my neck. Steel-gray eyes lock on mine. “Maybe I like a little crazy.”

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