Page 110 of Collect the Pieces

“No shit. Good for her.” I shiver at the thought of being trapped on a boat for that long.

“Don’t be mad. But she asks about you all the time. If you’re doing okay. I told her you’re seeing a really nice woman.”

I roll my eyes and finish chewing. “I’m not mad. What’d she say?”

Jezzie glances away. “Just wanted to know if you’re nice to her.”

Motherfucker.The words and their implication slam into me harder than expected.

I lean in close, lowering my voice. “Why? She think I’m a monster like our father?”

She meets my stare head-on. “Yeah, probably.” She holds up her hands in surrender. “Iknow you’re not. I’ve told her that dozens of times.”

Gee, I’m almost convinced.

Wait, dozens of times? So Angela harps on this a lot?

Fucking great.

My stomach’s turned sour.Damn.We were having such a good conversation and actually bonding like adults instead of snipping at each other like teenagers.

I don’t even know why I’m so annoyed.

I’ve spent my whole life making sure I don’t become anything like my father.

And sometimes I think I’m even worse.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Jigsaw

I ridestraight to Margot’s place after my afternoon with my sister.

She meets me in the parking lot, looking adorable in a long sweater she has wrapped around her like a bathrobe.

“So, how’d it go?” she asks as soon as I get off my bike.

I set my helmet on the seat and run through a couple different answers, then go with the worst one.

“Well, I guess my aunt, and probably my sister, are worried I’ll turn into a violent monster like my father, so that was a nice kick in the balls.”

The words taste bitter on my tongue. I can’t believe the first thing I’m doing is whining to Margot about my wittle hurtfeeeelings.

But it gnawed at me the whole ride here.

“What?” Her eyes widen. “Why?”

“I don’t know. Runs in the family?”

I move closer, reaching for her, needing to feel her warmth against me.

But she stops me with a hand against my chest.

My heart stutters. But as I stare into her determined eyes, I don’t see rejection.

“Jensen, I realize I never met your father but from what you’ve told me and everything I know about you, you’re the opposite of him in every way that matters.” She cups my cheeks with her soft warm hands and leans up, brushing a kiss against my lips.

Such a sweet, simple gesture but it eases all the rage and shame that simmered inside me the whole way here.

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