Page 176 of Eight Years Gone

Jagger picked up, moving his only piece toward Grace’s territory. “I’m coming for you, Evans.”

Colton laughed again. “I guess love’s a fickle thing in this house.”

Grace smiled as she looked at her grinning brother while Jagger chuckled. Their first snowfall game afternoon was a success. All three of them were having fun. She’d yearned for moments just like this for such a long time, with the love of her life and her brother. Not Logan, but it was wonderful to have Colton in their lives.

“How was school today?” she asked.

Colton shrugged. “Not too bad. I got an A on that English paper.”

Grace smiled. “That’s great, Colton. Your hard work is paying off.”

He jerked his shoulders again. “It wasn’t that hard.”

“You’re settling in and getting your shit done,” Jagger added. “You’re turning things around. Keep it up.”

Colton nodded as he took another bite of his cookie. “That’s the plan.”

Grace picked up her mug now that most of the marshmallows had melted into her drink. “You know, you’re allowed to invite your friends over. You study at the library a lot, but this is your home, too.”

“Yeah, maybe I will sometime.” Colton adjusted his butt on the pillow he sat on. “I guess I should tell you I’m taking Amanda to the movies Friday night.”

Jagger raised his brow. “The same Amanda who’s just your friend?”

Colton’s shoulders moved again. “I guess it’s more than that.”

Jagger broke his cookie in half. “You guys are together a lot. Do we need to talk about sex?”

Colton stared at him with horror in his eyes. “No, we absolutely don’t.”

Jagger bit into the cookie. “The only ones allowed to make babies around here are me and Grace.”

Colton sat farther up. “You guys want a baby?”

Grace looked at Jagger. “It’s been a topic of conversation.”

“Whenever it happens, it happens,” Jagger added. “But we have jobs, insurance, a house. Security and stability.”

“I’m not interested in making a kid. Not anytime soon. Plus, Amanda’s never been with anyone. I’m not pressuring her into doing anything she’s not ready for. We’re taking things slow.”

Jagger nodded. “Those are good answers. But if that’s a step you two end up taking, you can talk to us.”

“We just want you both to be safe,” Grace added, impressed at how accurately Jagger had pegged things during their conversation the other night.

Colton picked up his half-empty mug. “Got it. Now, can we please talk about something else?”

Jagger opened his mouth to say something as his phone rang. He picked it up, glancing at the screen. “It’s Jason.”

Grace wrinkled her nose. “I guess you’re leaving.”

“You’re probably right. But I’m not leaving tonight.” He winked at her as he stood up. “I’ll be right back.”

* * *

Jagger put his phone on silent as he walked back to the living room, where Colton and Grace had abandoned the floor to sit on the couch while they chatted.

He stared at Colton as the kid grinned when Grace said something that amused him. Even after two weeks of living together, it still took him by surprise to see Logan so clearly in Colton’s face.

Grace stopped talking as she looked his way, smiling as she reached for his hand. “So, when do you head out?”

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