Page 19 of Kissing Chaos
“Why?” he asks, his eyes alight with curiosity.
“Because you saved me from a tin can death trap, and now you’re calming me down by calling me chaotic. And something about that sentence is very, very wrong.”
He laughs a deep guttural laugh, startling Sadie, who had dozed off between us.
“First of all, you were never in any danger in that elevator. The power just went out. Like I told you then, the generator didn’t do its job. But you were safe.” He nudges my shoulder with his. “Maybe I just see you, Jett Taylor. Even though you try your best to hide.” He goes to stand, triggeringSadie to do the same, and says, “The next time we run into each other—and there will be a next time—I plan to convince you that you are worth my time. See ya later, Chaos.”
And with that, he and Sadie resume their walk down the sidewalk toward town.
***
I don’t know how long I remain on the bench, but at some point, my phone vibrates. I answer without checking, assuming it is my brother. “No need to worry. I’m still alive.”
“I’m glad to hear that, but I’ll always worry about my daughter.” The voice on the other end has me pulling the phone away to check the caller ID.
The emotions swell up, clogging my throat. I bite my lip hard to silence the sob that wants to escape before responding. “Daddy.”
“Everything okay, sweetheart? Trouble with your brother?”
“Nothing out of the norm. I stormed out on him when he said something I didn’t agree with.”
“Now, Jetpack, how are we supposed to address big feelings?” he asks, using my nickname and one of the first tactics he’d taught me growing up when I couldn’t handle my emotions.
My shoulders slump as his worry seeps through the phone. “I should’ve talked to him. And I will. Too many big feelings this month.”
“I get that, sweetheart. I do. But if you keep shutting everyone out when you’re hurting, who is going to be there to take care of you?”
That’s the problem, I mutter to myself. To my dad I say, “Reece and McKenna won’t get along, and it makes it difficult to tell them anything. I don’t have anyone else.”
“You have your old man. Tell me what’s going on. Is this still about Joey? We have plenty of land. No one would ever findthe body. And since we used Lyme on the field this year, no one would question another purchase.”
I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of my daddy murdering my ex. “I don’t hate him, Daddy. I’m just still hurting.”
“You’re always welcome to come up to Kentucky for a bit if you need to get away. No heads up needed.”
“Thanks, Dad.” My voice cracks, so I clear my throat before continuing. “I’m just trying to convince everyone that I’m capable of taking care of myself.” Even if it isn’t true.
“I’m always here for you, baby girl. But I think you should go talk to your brother and make him see your side of whatever is eating at you. He’s stubborn, but you’re strong.”
“Thanks, Dad. Were you calling for anything specific? I kind of snapped at you, thinking you were Reece and all.”
“No, Jetpack. I just wanted to check in since I hadn’t talked to you in a few days.”
“Love you, Daddy.”
“Love you, too. Call me soon, yeah?”
“Yes, sir.”
8
Noah
“You look like shit, man.”
I laugh, bringing the beer Jace placed in front of me to my lips. “Exactly what every man wants to hear. Thanks, bud.”
Jace shakes his head as he dries glasses, his massive frame taking up the majority of space behind the bar. “You know what I mean. You look like you haven’t slept in a week.”
