Page 69 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

My theory was that Jackson expected people to abandon him.

People had disappeared from his life, one after another. As far as I knew, he didn’t know his father. His mother was . . . well, I didn’t have nice words to say about her. The same was true for his aunt.

And I wasn’t sure how many foster siblings he’d watched come in the door and go right back out.

Jackson didn’t have a constant. He didn’t have a person dedicated to always being by his side, someone who would choose him first. He didn’t have a champion.

Until now.

Since my confession about our actual first kiss, I’d let go of all my fears and doubts. I was holding nothing back when it came to our relationship. Because maybe if I let him in completely, he’d do the same with me.

Maybe he’d trust me with his heart.

“Willa?” Mom called from the kitchen. “Do you want popcorn?”

“Sure.” I wasn’t really hungry but undoubtedly I’d eat a bowl or two. Popcorn was a requirement for movies in this house.

I tucked my phone into the pocket of my hoodie and stood from the table, taking the remaining silverware to the kitchen. The evenings were cooling down quickly now that it was almost September. I’d worn jeans tonight for dinner but had pulled on a pink, hooded pullover since I knew I’d be walking down to the bar. My days of wearing sundresses and sandals would soon come to an end for the six-plus long months of winter.

Jackson would be trading out the T-shirts he wore under his plaid shirts for long-sleeved thermals soon. I’d always loved watching his transition to warmer clothes and this year would be even better than most.

Instead of drooling over his broad chest under those thermals and wondering what his biceps looked like underneath his thick flannels, I’d already know.

Jackson hadn’t been fully naked in front of me yet, but things were progressing. I was becoming addicted to his hands and mouth on my body. Since that first time he’d made me orgasm, I’d been in a constant state of desperation, needing him just a little bit more and more.

As I walked into the kitchen with the dirty utensils, Mom smirked. “Thinking about him again?”

“Yeah.” I smiled.

“I remember those days.” She looked longingly down the hall where Dad had disappeared into the living room to get the movie started. “Oh heck, I still have days like that.”

“I’m glad.”

Their marriage was the one I wanted.

Mom and Dad hadn’t been able to have more kids because of Mom’s blood pressure during her pregnancy with me. She’d been willing to try, but Dad had refused. He hadn’t been willing to gamble with her life, because they were a pair. Two pieces to a whole. They didn’t just love each other, they were best friends.

I wanted that kind of devotion.

“I’m happy for you, sweetie.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I finished helping her with the dishes as she made the popcorn, then we joined Dad in the living room for a repeat viewing of his favorite Marvel movie.

By the time the Avengers were battling alien invaders, the popcorn bowl was empty except for some kernels, and I was stretched out on the chaise lounge, nearly asleep.

Between the chaos of the summer camp and the long nights with Jackson, I was worn out. So close to dreamland, I barely felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I shook myself awake on the third ring, scrambling to answer it before it stopped.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?” Jackson asked in a panic.

“At home. What’s wrong?”

“Have you seen Thea?”

I sat up, a chill creeping up my neck. “No. Why?”

“Fuck,” he spat. In the background, beer bottles crashed as he threw them in the garbage. “We need to find her.”