Page 138 of My Cowboy Freedom
“What kind of file?” he asked. “Is it inside a cake? Shouldn’t I be sending you one of those?”
Even now, he had the power to make me laugh.
“It’s a music file, dumbass.”
“Now, how am I going to bust you out with a music file?” Finally, I could hear the smile in his voice.
Jackson unlocked the car again. He opened his door. “C’mon.”
“I have to go. I’ll just send a link for now, okay?”
“Okay?” he repeated. “What do you think? Of course it’s not--”
“I know it’s not okay. But... for now.”
“Okay. Be... well. Good. Strong. Whatever.”
He hung up.
I sent him a link to me and my brothers singing a hymn. I thought he’d get the message. That he’d appreciate it.
I might not have been a believer anymore, but I understood Skyler’s desire to find something outside himself to lean on.
When I climbed back into the car, Jackson’s hand was out. “I’m going to need your phone.”
My mouth must have fallen open. “You’re joking.”
“Your mom feels—”
“No.”
He sighed deeply before snatching it from me, quick as a snake striking. “We need to go.”
My hand stung where he’d yanked the phone away.
Normally I’d make conversation, if only to keep the peace between us.
Normally, I’d give up. Give in. Let them win, because it was easier than fighting and I didn’t have anything to lose.
Normally, I can find something positive about any situation.
But the whole time I was thinking,I’m six feet, eight inches tall. I’m twenty-three years old. I have survived electrocution by lightning.
I’ve died twice and come back.
“I’m sorry about the phone. I really am.” Jackson pawed at his short scruff of salt and pepper hair before holding his hand out again and giving it back to me, powered off. “But it will be easier to accept the reality of your situation if you don’t have outside distractions. Your parents—”
“Like friends? Is that what you mean by ‘outside distractions’?”
“Boyfriend,” he said simply. “Your folks will go ballistic when they find out about your boyfriend.”
My blood is boiling now. “Can you hear yourself? What century is this?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way. Your parents are only trying to help you.”
“By taking away everything and everyone I care about. Thanks for clarifying things for me.”
I flexed my hands uselessly around the phone in my lap.
