Page 11 of Ghost Note

“You think I don’t know that—”

Gina was cut off by the door to the pub opening with an almighty bang, causing everyone in the small function room to turn in its direction, only to see Jackson running through, out of breath. His eyes were wild as he came to a stop, panting as he sought out his sister.

She was by his side in a second like a natural-born mother, one hand on the shoulder of his ratty old band T-shirt, while the other came up to the back of his dark, messy hair.

“Jax, what’s wrong?”

“Sis, shit!”

“Jackson!” she scolded, casting everyone a quick glance of apology when the room filled with quiet gasps of disapproval. Gina guided her not-so-little brother back to the pub’s door, turning him away from the crowds. “What has got into you?” Her voice was lower. “This is a funeral. Show some respect.”

Jackson pressed a hand to his chest, as though he just couldn’t get enough air into his lungs, before he offered her an apology.

An apology!

Jax never apologised for anything—his teenage pride usually wouldn’t allow it.

“Gina,” he gasped. His cheeks were rosy red. “Sorry, all right—I really am—but you’re never gonna believe who I’ve just seen.”

“I don’t care if it’s the bloody Pope, Jackson Jones, you do not behave that way in front of half of our—”

“Danny Silver!” he shouted to cut her off. “He’s here. He’s back!”

That chill up my spine spread out into icicles on my skin, my lips parting, and my mind going lightheaded at the mere mention of his name. Gina froze too, staring at her brother like he’d grown two heads as he went on and on saying Danny was back in Hope Cove, and how he couldn’t believe one of his biggest idols was around, and, and, and…

“Shit,” I whispered, loud enough for Gina to turn to me with wide eyes.

She didn’t chastise. She simply stared right at me, thinking the same thing I was thinking…

What the hell was he doing back in the one place he swore he’d never return to? And where the hell had he been during the funeral?

Four

Jackson couldn’t believe his luck.

Even though he’d known Danny before he left, thanks to their parents being close friends, Jackson saw Danny as someone different now. A hero who’d fled this place and made something of himself. He wasn’t just Danny Silver, the older boy he’d known when young and growing up. He was Danny of Front Row Frogs, holding a superhero status Jackson couldn’t stop chasing for himself.

After a minute of me staring blankly at the floor, trying to process my emotions, a hand landed on my arm, pulling me out of my reverie.

“What’s going on?” Ben asked.

I glanced between him and my best friend, my heart beating fast and no words forming in my mouth. I heard Gina telling Ben what Jackson had shared—their voices somewhat muffled as white noise rang in my ears.

“Leave it with me,” Ben finally said, his voice firm with a small growl forming in the back of his throat. He’d managed to take two steps forward when I reached out and grabbed him with all the power I had. My nails bit into his skin, and Ben scowled and winced when he turned to face me, the confusion there when our eyes met.

“Don’t!” It was one word, but I was sure it was the strongest I’d ever spoken.

“Daisy, he can’t be here,” Gina said quietly.

“It’s hisgrandmother’sfuneral,” I reminded her.

She looked at me, confused, but said nothing.

I swallowed all the hate I had for Danny Silver, and I raised my chin, letting go of Ben. “Jackson?”

“Yeah, Aunt Dais?”

“Where is he?”

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