Page 54 of Shattered

Searching the diner, I spotted Koen immediately. He had one arm thrown over Jett’s shoulder while they both chuckled at something Phoebe said. Without taking my eyes off my boys, I sighed.

“Something feels off.”

“It’s probably gas. Even if it’s not”—she slid a small container between my fingers—“moonshine will cure whatever ails you.”

She excused herself and left to join the crowd. When we arrived at the courthouse early, I’d been absolutely floored at the sheer volume of people who’d shown up. It had literally brought me to tears.

“Okay, Sis.” I was so lost in my thoughts; I started when Jett slid in next to me. “I’ve given you time to digest whatwent down today. Now what was the judge talking about when he said Post-it note?”

“It was something Dad left attached to the bogus guardianship papers.”

“Why keep it all these years?”

Good question. The smart thing would’ve been to immediately crumble it up and throw it away, maybe even burn the stupid thing. It was hurtful and cruel, two things my parents excelled at with little to no effort. Yet, I didn’t and my reasons were something I never thought I’d have to explain. I guess I thought wrong.

“For about two seconds, it was a reminder.” I hadn’t realized I was tapping my fingers against the table until Jett’s large hand covered mine. Peering into eyes which matched mine, I hurried out, “Not that I needed one, considering I had plenty of bruises left over from their last tirade.”

“What did it say, Jade?”

Honestly, I didn’t have the first clue why my nerves had kicked in all of a sudden. They’d said much worse to us over the years. They’ddonemuch worse.

“Then I saw it for what it truly was. A declaration; one I was so proud of. Still am.”

“Tell me.”

“I never wanted you to know.”

“Why?”

Shifting in my seat, I steeled my spine.

“Because it was a lie. ‘He’s your problem now,’” I blurted. “Four stupid words scratched out on a yellow sticky note, but you were never a problem to me, Jett. Not ever. You were just…mine.”

“I see.” His eyes flitted off to the side, a myriad of emotions crossing his face. Then he chuckled.It wasn’t exactly the reaction I thought he’d have. Pissed off? Sure. But this? I was so confused.

“Holy crap,” he snorted, not even trying to hide his amusement. “That’s it? You keptthatfrom me for four years?”

I nodded.

“I would’ve shouted that shit from the rooftops.”

“Language.”

“Although, I probably would’ve fallen through the roof of our shitty little house?—”

“Seriously? Language.”

“Still, it would’ve been a nice big fuck you to dear ole Mom and Dad when I screamed thank you at the top of my lungs to the assholes.”

“Jett!”

“What?”

“You can get your point across without all the curse words.”

“I could, but it’s a lot more fun to watch you get riled up.”

Little jerk.

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