Page 16 of Jester

“They look down on us. I’m often insecure around them.”

Papa Bear chuckles at how she doesn’t even pretend to sell that lie. Talon turns around to look at me.

“Who would you rather stand on the street drinking beers with? The young, fun guys like surly Apex, asshole Ghost, mute Penthouse, or grumpy Blunt or the old, Depends-wearing founding members like pissy Flagg, clueless Buzzsaw, and whiny Dropout?”

“Good God, do you like any of them?” Papa Bear scolds while grinning.

Talon glances over her shoulder and explains, “I adore each and every single one, but I’ve got to keep it real.”

When her gaze returns to me, she’s regained her old fire. This is the woman who’s been teasing me on the phone for years. She talks about us like we’re a couple. The sane part of this woman fears me. Yet, I’m not currently looking at the sensible version of Talon. This one is making promises with the way she holds my gaze.

“Talon, sit back before you give me a stroke,” Papa Bear says, forcing his daughter to stop teasing the beast.

Obeying her father, Talon returns to her seat. That only lasts about twenty minutes before she’s leaning forward to show me pictures of people. I learn the names of everyone who arrived after I went away.

Looking through her phone filled with photos, I realize many of the men and women I grew up around have gotten older, changed their hair, and just look different. I don’t even recognize a few old ladies who I’ve known for twenty-plus years. And their kids all got big and unfamiliar.

Talon has to explain who everyone is until I find myself getting pissed at how those kids were Lando’s age. They’re hitting their teens while he’ll always be that tiny thing with the goofy laugh.

“Give Jester a chance to breathe,” Papa Bear says, sensing my mood better than his daughter does.

Talon tosses her phone in the back seat but remains stuck between the front seats. She watches me with a tender expression, reminding me of her mom.

“Life is so busy. Everyone is into their own shit. No one will expect you to remember everything. They’re just happy you’re free.”

Despite my bad mood, I feel a smile on my face. If Talon and I were alone right night, I’d kiss her until she was mine.

But we’re not alone. And we won’t be for a while. The Sanctuary is welcoming me home with a party and lots of happy faces. I don’t mind people missing me. Even a guy like me wants to feel appreciated.

However, all this celebration crap is keeping me from the prize I really want.

SISTER SASS

Jester looks even betterthan expect, and I assumed he’d be hotter than hell. Talking over the phone, even with video, just couldn’t do justice to the insane masculinity he exudes.

I fight the urge to crawl into the front seat and finally enjoy a real taste of the only man I’ve ever wanted. If my father wasn’t around, I might do something reckless.

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