Page 98 of Flash Fire (The Extraordinaries 2)

Finally, Jazz said, “We need to go. Our reservation is at six, and I don’t want our war against Ireland to be in vain.”

“War?” Bob asked, brow furrowing.

“She’s kidding,” Miles said. “Sort of. A diplomatic issue, but I’ve taken care of it. We’re all good. Get appetizers. Get all the appetizers you want.”

The adults gathered on the porch, calling out to them, waving and saying they’d see them all soon. Jo continued to take photo after photo. Nick made to follow his friends down the stairs but stopped when Aysha grabbed Dad by the arm.

“We’re trusting you with our daughter,” Aysha said in a low voice, the warning clear. “We care about you, Aaron, but please don’t mistake our affection for forgiveness. We’re not happy with what you kept from us, or what you represent. It’s going to take us time.”

Nick bristled, and at one point, he might’ve come to Dad’s defense, but he shoved his irritation away. She and Trey were rightto say what they did. Dad had messed up, and not only because of what he’d kept from Jazz’s and Gibby’s parents. It went much further than that. Nick couldn’t defend his father against their words, not when they spoke the truth.

Dad nodded. “I understand, Aysha. I have to work to earn back your trust, if I ever do. I know it may not seem like much, but you have my word that I’ll protect them as much as I would Nick.”

Aysha paused a beat before nodding and dropping her hand. “All right. We’ll hold you to that promise.” She sighed when Trey took her hand. “We can worry about the rest later. Get our kids where they need to go. Don’t want a war with Ireland. We’d probably lose.”

Dad nodded before descending the stairs, nudging Nick along.

“She’s right, you know,” Nick muttered as they walked toward the SUV where Gibby had opened the door for Jazz, bowing low, much to her delight. “Both of them are.”

“I know,” Dad said quietly. “They’re absolutely allowed to be angry with me, same as you. I messed up. The best thing I can do now is own it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“Can you do that?”

Dad stopped and glanced at Nick. Nick didn’t look away. “I’m gonna tell you the same thing I told them at our meeting.”

“Support group meeting,” Nick said with disdain.

“Do you want to hear this or not?” He waited a moment as Nick closed his mouth. “I told them that I—okay. Notunderstandwhere they’re coming from, because that isn’t fair to them, but that I was listening. It’s not up to Aysha and Trey to teach me anything because that takes the weight of it off me and puts it on them, and they don’t deserve that. I have to be the one to make things right as best I can.”

“What does that mean?” Nick asked.

“I don’t know yet,” Dad said. “But when I do, I’ll let you know. I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Nick said, nudging his shoe against Dad’s.

Dad laid an arm around Nick’s shoulders as he chuckled. “I’mcounting on it, Nicky. Let’s get you where you need to be. And remember what I told you: no one in their right mind pays twenty bucks for a glass of water. But if you really have to, I’ve put money in your account.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Dad pulled him close. “Anytime, kid.”

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