Page 29 of Prey Tell
Smiling, I’m about to respond when my first student walks in through the door.
All thoughts of Chase leave my mind for a blissful three hours.
* * *
“So, he just left?” Jackson asks, taking a gigantic bite of his burrito. I have no idea where he packs it all away, either. I, on the other hand, was not blessed with the same metabolism.
I nod as I eat my burrito bowl as quickly as possible. This is how our lunches go—me rushing across town to spend twenty minutes with the brother I see nearly everyday. We’re probably closer than most siblings, and most definitely co-dependent.
“Yup. He was gone by the time I got back.”
“And heactuallywoke you up to tell you that he wasn’t in love with you?”
Okay, so I might’ve embellished what happened this morning.
“He said maybe. That he wasmaybenot in love with me. There was no confirming nor denying.”
“Fuck that,” Jackson mutters. “If I wasn’t such a pacifist, I’d go over to his apartment and kick his ass.”
“Jax, it was mutual.” I look over at him. “And really? You kicking someone’s ass? I’ve seen you moveantsoutside so you don’t have to kill them.”
He huffs a laugh and a piece of rice flies from his mouth and over his desk. “Just because they’re small doesn’t mean they’re not important.” He swallows and looks over at me. “Can I be honest?” he asks.
My mouth is stuffed with charbroiled chicken, so I only nod.
“I never really understood why you guys stayed together.”
I stop chewing. “What? Really?” I ask, my mouth full. I finish chewing quickly. “Why didn’t you say something?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess I thought that maybe you’d be ready to admit it in your own time.”
I study my brother as he picks at his burrito. The same could be said for him, I suppose.
“Well, it was bound to happen. He could never get me off.”
Jackson chokes on his food and sets his burrito down, making a disgusted noise. “Jesus, Jules. There is such a thing as too much information,” he adds, grimacing.
I smirk. “It’s true.”
Scraping the last of the delicious rice from the cardboard bowl, I stand. “You have about thirty seconds before the bell rings,” I warn him, looking at the clock. “Thanks for having lunch with me. And for understanding.”
“Of course. I’ll think about the offer to move back in. I kind of like living at Chase’s apartment.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Really?”
Jackson laughs. “Yes. But I’ll think about it, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Don’t be late tonight. Show starts at five.”
Fuck.I’d completely forgotten. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”
“I’d gotten Dylan a ticket, but I’ve since rescinded my offer. Oh, and I invited Chase,” he adds casually.
I freeze, but before I can fully take in what he said, the bell rings, indicating the end of Jackson’s lunch break.
“Okay. See you tonight. Love you.”
