He scrubs his hands though his hair, and I study his face. Ever since Cassie found me in his room that morning, he’s been acting a bit ‘off’, distracted. But maybe it has more to do with the incident at the principal’s office. He’s scared of losing his daughter, but if I have anything to do with it, it won’t ever happen.
“You sure?” he asks.
“Positive.”
I set my backpack on the floor, and settle in for the trip to the mall. Jaxon pulls into a spot near the main entrance. We all climb from the car and Jaxon reaches for Cassie’s hand. My heart jumps a little when she grabs mine too and squeals, “Swing me.”
Jaxon looks at me, his eyes questioning. I nod and we both lift her into the air as we hurry across the parking lot. When we reach the front doors the small hairs on the back of my neck stand up straight, and I go still.
“More, more,” Cassie cries out as Jaxon gives me a concerned look.
“What is it?” he asks, and looks past my shoulder.
“I just got a chill,” I say, and try to brush off my unease. “I really do need those mittens.” Jaxon stares at me for a moment longer, and when he finally drops it and opens the door for us, I’m grateful. I really don’t want to drag my demons into the open, or let them interfere with the last few days I have with Jaxon.
“So what do you think we should get for Gina?” I ask, as I lead her to the big toy store.
“A Barbie doll,” she says excitedly. “That’s what I want for my birthday.”
“Okay, easy enough,” I say. We hit the store, and since Cassie knows exactly where the dolls are she grabs my hand and practically drags me through the aisles. We reach the toy section and she squeals. The hollowed-out part of my soul weeps when I see the dolls, the sight taking me back to my childhood with my mom. Every little girl needs a mom, and it breaks my heart that Cassie doesn’t have one. I told the principal I was a positive influence in her life, and dammit, as long as I live next door, that’s exactly what I plan to do—even after the car is done. There is no reason we can’t remain friends.
From behind, Jaxon puts his mouth near my ear. “You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“You want one too?” he teases as we stare at the dolls.
I sniff, and laugh. “It’s not my birthday.”
“When is your birthday?”
I don’t normally give too much information about after I fled New York, but find myself saying, “Tenth of December. When’s yours?”
“Summer baby. Ninth of June.”
“What do you want for your birthday?” he asks quietly as Cassie examines all the dolls and chats endlessly to herself.
Stability. Never have to run again. A happy life. A family of my own—one just like Jaxon’s. I nearly swallow my tongue at that last unexpected thought. Since I don’t see any of those things in my future, I say, “I don’t need anything.”
“I never asked you want you needed. I asked you want you wanted.” He turns me, and lifts my chin until we’re eye to eye. I instantly see want shimmering in the depths of his gorgeous blue eyes and my body reacts.
“Daddy, let’s get this one,” Cassie says, breaking the intimate moment. I step back to examine the doll.
“I think it’s perfect.”
“Me, too,” Jaxon agrees, but when his eyes meet mine I get the sense that our conversation is not over. We walk to the cash register, pay for the doll, and head into one of the less expensive department stores so I can grab a pair of mittens, and a new hat.
“They’re not nearly as nice as the ones at the market,” Jaxon says.
“They were nice, weren’t they?” I say, not bothering to tell him I need all my pennies for the important things like food, school, and a roof over my head. I’m buried in student loans, and need to be very careful.
Cassie looks up at me with those big blue eyes. “I like this hat, Rachel,” she says and it warms my heart. She might have wealthy in-laws, but her father is definitely teaching her money isn’t everything.
Jaxon checks his watch. “We’d better get going. Your Grandma and Grandpa are going to be at the house any minute and we still need to get you packed.”
“Yay,” she says and when we leave the mall we’re once again swinging her until we get to the car. Jaxon takes us back to his place, and we all climb from the car. The music in my house is the first thing that reaches my ears. Another Friday, another party. Ugh, how will I make it to spring? I’m not sure, but I’m going to have to start the search for a new place then. I don’t think I can do another year with all the partying. Then again, maybe they’ll get it out of their system, and straighten up next year.
“Guess you’re sleeping at my place tonight,” Jaxon whispers in my ear as we head inside.
“Oh, you think?”
“Yeah, I think. Music or no music, that was the plan all along.”
I laugh. “Pretty sure of yourself.”
“We got the place to ourselves, Rach, and I’m going to make your moans drown out the music next door.”
My heart leaps, and a little idea forms in the back of my mind. “Maybe I’ll do that to you, instead.”
He grins, unlocks the door, and ushers us all inside just as the in-laws pull up to the curve.
“Grandma and Grandpa are here,” Cassie yells. “I need to pack.”
“Come on, I’ll help you,” I say quickly, not wanting to be left alone with them. The conversation was awkward and stifled last time. No way do I want to go through that again.
I capture Cassie’s hand and she skips
