Page 84 of Bursting With Love
Jack laughed. Kurt had always been the most evenly keeled of his siblings.
“You didn’t abandon us, Jack. You just couldn’t take it. I get it. Besides, it made great fodder for my upcoming novel, Bonds of Steel.”
“Bonds of Steel? Really? Sounds like a bad bondage porno.” Jack glanced at Sage, his most complex brother. Sage was the epitome of an artist, from his contemplative eyes that were so dark blue they appeared almost black, to his wavy dark hair that usually hung in front of his eyes and always looked windblown. Tattoos climbed his arms, and one could never tell if his brooding stare was meditative, calculating, or ruminating. When he was young, Jack worried that he lived in a constant state of unhappiness, but as he aged and began to share his thoughts, Jack realized that he simply saw life in a completely different way than Jack ever had. To Sage, everything in life, whether it was living or inanimate, held some deeper meaning than what met the eye.
“I hear you had a gallery opening in Washington,” Jack said as he approached Sage. He and Sage had spent many hours together out in the woods around their parents’ house. Sage liked to hike and chill, while Jack was always looking for an adventure. They’d made a great exploration team with Jack pointing out the larger discoveries like animal tracks and paths made by other hikers and Sage teaching Jack to appreciate the sound of the creek or the flight patterns of the hawks. Jack wondered if at twenty-eight Sage still found beauty in all things living, or if life had kicked his ass. He hoped for the former.
Sage nodded. “Good to see you, too, Jack.” He handed him a beer, and when Jack took it, Sage pulled him into a hug and held him longer than the others had. “What took you so long?”
“Lost my compass.”
“Shoulda called me. I would have brought you one.” Sage embraced him again. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Jack’s heart was so full, he felt as if his chest might explode. Could he possibly get this lucky? He’d been so worried about finding his way back and being turned away. Could it really be this easy?
Siena sailed out of the kitchen with a tray of cheese, crackers, and fruit in her hands and an unopened bottle of wine under her arm. Jack took the tray and set it on the long barn wood table. The loft was spacious and bright, with one bar separating the kitchen and just beyond and down a short hallway, a comfortable master bedroom and bathroom. Siena had been modeling for years, and while she’d graduated with a degree in biology, they all knew that was just to appease their father. Every woman needs a career to fall back on. Siena was one of the most sought after models in New York, and as Jack watched her teasing their brothers and gracefully moving from the kitchen to the table as she set out plates and silverware, he could see why. She had a natural beauty that radiated through to her eyes. A sparkle that most women didn’t possess—although he’d seen the same beauty in Savannah, who he wished was by his side at that very moment.
“Mom and Dad are on their way,” Siena said. “They had to stop and pick something up.”
“What can I do to help, sis?” Dex asked. “Napkins? Condiments?”
“I’ll open the wine,” Kurt offered. “Although we all have beer. Do we need the wine?”
“Mom and Dad prefer it,” Siena answered.
“Right, of course.” Kurt retrieved the corkscrew.
Sage sidled up to Jack. “You sure you’re ready for this?”
Jack lifted the right side of his mouth in a half smile. “God only knows, but I want to be.” He felt Sage’s hand on his back.
“I envied you, you know. As much as I hated not seeing you, I was envious of all that time alone, just you and nature. Man, what I wouldn’t give to escape the rat race for a while.”
His voice was so serious that Jack had to turn and look at him. “You okay, Sage?” He searched his eyes for hidden trouble, but they hadn’t changed. They held the same unreadable look as they always had.
“Yeah. Sure. Anyway, I’m glad you’re back. We’ve all missed you.”
Jack leaned in close and said, “Not all of you.”
“Right. Well, you know Rush can be a dick. Give him time. He’s just pissed that you took off. He’ll get over it.” Sage patted him on the back and went to answer a knock at the door.
It can’t be this easy. Jack watched his siblings talking and joking with one another as if one of the biggest defining moments of his life hadn’t just taken place. Was it even possible that his siblings could accept him back that easily without any angst over his not keeping in touch? Could Savannah have been right about family ties?
