Page 89 of Protect

He nods. “True.”

I wait as Jack thinks for a moment.

“Twins have a bond and losing him was like losing a part of her, she’s never really been the same since, but she won’t let herself recognize it. She was getting panic attacks before she left, she says they stopped when she moved home but now that she’s back and spending time with you…it might trigger some old, deep wounds.”

His words tug on my heart.

“I understand,” I tell him.

“I know you, King.”

“You do,” I affirm, taking another sip of my coffee.

“I just wanted to talk to you. Man to man. You care about her.”

I nod. “More than I think I’ve ever cared about anyone.”

“Then be patient with her, yeah?” He sighs. “She has walls around her, but she needs someone like you in her life, someone who will bring her out of her shell.”

I smirk at his words. I keep referring to her in the same way. Hiding in her shell.

“Violette has a way of keeping people at arm’s length since he passed.”

I nod because I’ve noticed it too. I watch Jack’s brow knot as he talks about his only son. I take another sip, swallowing the lump in my throat. I can’t even imagine the kind of pain he felt losing Jacob.

“Mae doesn’t think she was even in love with Troy, but he was safe, predictable,” he adds. “So, getting to the nitty gritty, I believe that you do really care about her, and I know that there’s no way if you’re spending time with her that you don’t care about Hols too.”

I grin and focus on the mug before meeting his gaze.

“It’s impossible not to care about Hols.” I set my mug down, just wanting to have an honest conversation with him. “If I can be as straight as possible, Jack, even after having her home for this short time, I know I’d wait as long as it takes where Violette is concerned. Vi, Hollie, the three of us together, it’s just comfortable and right. There’s no other way to explain it, aside from that. And Hollie’s definitely the coolest kid I’ve ever met,” I tell him, meaning every word.

“I’m sure you understand that being a hotshot brings up a lot of bad memories for Vivi. I always came home, just make sure you do too.” He nods.

“I’ll do my best,” I say. “Not planning on landing myself in the hospital again anytime soon.” I pick my mug up and take my last sip.

Jack takes the final swallow of his coffee and chuckles as he gazes out to the yard.

“Fucking prick!” Mae hollers so loud it makes both me and Jack turn toward the house where she’s coming through the back door, phone still in hand.

Jack makes a move to stand but Mae is outside before he has a chance, her eyes blazing not unlike the way Violette’s do when she’s angry.

“Troy canceled on Hollie. I have half a mind to call the asshole myself.”

I set my mug down on the table beside me and rub my temples with one hand as Mae starts to rant having just got off the phone with Violette. She fills us in. Troy isn’t coming to take Hollie toSuperPets. The poor kid has been looking forward to it since before I met her. I don’t think a day has gone by where she hasn’t talked about it.

I pull my phone out and text Opp. Fucking Christ, letting down Violette is one thing but letting down Hollie?

That’s just a hard fucking no.

Troy

She’s 3, Violette.

This was YOUR idea!

She knows it’s today, Troy. She’s been looking forward to this for weeks.

Can you transfer the tickets into my name?

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