He stood stiff for several beats, but then he softened in my embrace and hugged me back. His hold wasn’t as tight as Trent’s, but I didn’t want it to be. This was a friendly hug. Nothing more.
“Thank you for checking on them,” I whispered.
“Of course.” Jax buried his face against my neck and inhaled, eliciting a shudder from me.
I had no idea how long we stood there like that, but neither of us made any attempt to pull away. A simple hug didn’t seem like enough to show the depth of my gratitude. As the days passed, my anger toward him had lessened. I still didn’t trust him, but I missed the friendship we’d started building all those afternoons we’d spent in the bookstore.
Eventually, Jax released me, and his signature cocky smile was back in place. “You’re a hazy red again.”
And I’d bet anything my face was just as red, too.
“That keeps happening when you’re around me. I’m starting to think you like me a lot more than you’re willing to admit.” He winked, then walked out of the house, leaving me staring after him.
I was worried he might be right. Blowing out a breath, I ran my hands over my hair. Hesitantly, I turned to face Sean. He’d moved to sit on the floor in front of the coffee table, and he was setting up a game of checkers.
“Care to play?” he asked.
“Sure.” I sat cross-legged on the floor opposite him, thankful we had something to do so we weren’t just sitting around awkwardly.
When he finished setting up the board, he nodded at me to go first. I slid a red piece forward. He moved a black piece diagonally. We were silent for a few moments, each of us concentrating on the game.
“We haven’t really had a chance to talk much, have we?” Sean asked, his gaze on the board.
“No, not really,” I said. “So, how’s the research going? Have you found anything useful?” I hoped my voice sounded calm and not like I was trying to interrogate him.
“Not really. At least, not on your mother’s side. I haven’t had a chance to really dig into your father’s side of the family.” Sean cleared one of my pieces from the board, then glanced up, his expression friendly. “Do you know much about your family history?”
“No,” I said a little too quickly. “I mean, I know about my mom’s family because I lived with her most of my life, but father took off when I was seven, so I really don’t know anything about him or his family.”
I swallowed around the lump in my throat. Trent never mentioned if Sean had any sort of “gift” or “special power,” and I hadn’t specifically asked. What if he could somehow tell I was lying?
“Right. Sorry.” He smiled apologetically. “I didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories.”
“Oh, no, it’s okay,” I said and moved another piece. “I’m coping with things a lot better than I used to.” I laughed nervously.
“Well, one way or another, we’re going to figure out why the Rose Coven is after you.” He cleared another one of my pieces from the board, and I frowned. “I made a promise to Trent that I’d do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
I slouched. Even though I was grateful to have their protection, I felt bad that they were essentially uprooting their lives for me. They were stuck here just as much as I was.
“Your turn,” Sean said.
I moved my piece and jumped two of his. I swiped them from the board, and he chuckled.
“Nice move,” he said, and then took his turn. “For some reason, this game always helps me think clearer.”
“Whenever I had too much on my mind, Mom would take me to the beach. We’d just lay in the sand and stare up at the clouds,” I said. “Most of the time, we wouldn’t even talk.”
The memories made me smile, which was a welcome change from wanting to cry whenever I thought of her and all the things we used to do together.
“I need to thank you, Chloe,” Sean said. He gently moved the board to the side and folded his arms on the coffee table.
“Thank me? For what?” I asked, confused.
“For loving my son the way you do,” he said. His eyes, a much softer shade of blue than Trent’s, held more gratitude than I’d ever seen in my life. “For accepting him—all of us—for what we are.”
I took a deep breath and leaned back against the couch. What was I supposed to say to that? I’d never had a parent thank me for something like this before.
“I’ve never seen Trent this happy before,” Sean continued, his gaze unflinching. “And I know you’re the reason.”
“I love him, too,” I said softly. “More than anything.”
“I know.” He smiled. “I can see that in how you look at him.”
I held my hands in my lap and picked at my cuticles, unsure what else to say. I wanted to ask him if Trent would be okay if the curse was never broken, if I never changed. If I died. Jax insisted Trent would never be all right if he lost me. Maybe Sean had a different outlook on the situation.
“May I give you a piece of fatherly advice?” he asked, head titled as if he were trying to figure out what I was thinking.
“Sure.” I nodded.
“No matter what happens, please trust in Trent. Despite the life he’s lived, he’s a good man. He’s honest and loyal, and he’s devoted to you in a way I’ve never seen before. A way I never was with Annmarie.” He smiled sadly and shook his head.
My breath hitched, and the sting of tears burned my throat. “Trent told me what happened with Annmarie. I’m sorry,” I said.
“I should be the one apologizing. If I hadn’t let my emotions get the best of me…” He moved the checkerboard back between us and took his
