Page 38 of Jack

“You don’t have to wear those around anyone in my family unless you want to. I promise. No one will make you feel bad or ask questions.” He slightly tilts my head. “It’s healing nicely. It should be gone in a few days.”

“He didn’t punch me.” I don’t know why I’m telling him. Telling his mother was bad enough. “I don’t know if it happened when I fell out of bed or when I hit the wall just before I left.”

“Either way, I’m sorry it happened to you.”

He leans forward and gently presses his lips to my forehead. It’s the briefest touch, yet I feel it in my soul. No one has ever given me forehead kisses.

Jack slides back and stands seconds before the front door opens. His grandmother rushes in, bringing the bubbly atmosphere back into the house.

“Hey, Jackie Boy.” She hurries to him and throws her arms around his waist.

“Nana,” he scolds.

“Sorry, my dear boy.” She pats his cheek a couple of times. “It’s what you’ll always be to me.”

Jack groans and motions to me. “Nana, this is Lily. Lily, this is my grandmother.” He leans down to where he’s at eye level with her. “Can you behave yourself for one night?”

“Geez, boy.” She swats his arm. “Of course I can.”

“I’m not so sure,” he mumbles.

“Jackie,” she scolds right back.

He holds up both hands. “Okay, Nana, but please be good.”

“Always am.” She walks over and takes both of my hands in hers. “Hello, Lily. Call me Nana. Everyone else does.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I like this woman so much.

She doesn’t flinch at my eye and turns back to Jack. “Now, my dear sweet grandson. Say goodnight to this lovely lady, and go help your dad.”

Jack runs his hand through his hair again. He struggles to fight away something dark. “Yeah, I was afraid Dad would need help.”

“It’s not out of hand yet,” Nana assures him.

This is about Harley. Jack looks torn on what to do. His family needs him. I feel comfortable and safe with Nana.

“Good night, Jack. Go help your dad.” I smile, releasing him of his charge over me tonight.

“Good night, angel. If you need me, Nana will call.”

“Darn right, I will.” Nana pushes him out the door and locks it. She turns to me. “Let’s get some coffee. I smell it, and I knowJack made it.” She grins as she heads toward the kitchen. “And I hear there’s ice cream in this house.”

Thankfully, Jack and I got back before the ice cream melted on the table. I see where Maci gets her love of ice cream from. I follow Nana to the kitchen. We spend hours sitting around the table talking until the ice cream is almost gone. Jack’s grandmother has a knack for storytelling. She had no problem sharing stories of when Jack and his sisters were kids. She even talked about Ariel. Through every story, she found a way to make me laugh. As I said, I really like Nana. I’m glad Jack asked me to stay.

Chapter 17

__________

Jack

I’ve never been so glad to see the sunrise in my life. My sister is getting worse by the month. I would say day or week, but those aren’t accurate. Harley’s drinking isn’t an everyday thing. Well, not that we know of, anyway.

Throughout the week, she works and keeps to herself. She goes out nearly every weekend with her friends. They don’t always go to parties and bars. She acts out more during parties at the clubhouse. We don’t have those every week. Her worst moments are when the brothers from Texas are here. After the night we had, Shep led his guys out here first thing this morning.

The meeting with Dad is off to a rocky start. We should probably postpone this. We’re all functioning on less than two hours of sleep. Lily may be the only one who got more. Mom was home with Everly. After my niece fell asleep, she paced the floor until Dad got home.

“Okay, Miss Harman. We apologize for holding you here for two nights. That’s not common for us. It’s time to discuss your next step and for you to make some decisions.” Dad sits behind his desk with Mom at his side.