“And you’re good with that?”
AJ stared at Jillian’s feet with a pensive expression. “I loved her. The things I did to her were unforgivable and she hated me … still does. But I don’t begrudge her anything—not the house, not the relationship she’s kept with my parents, and definitely not her new family. So if it helps her to flaunt everything she has as a reminder of everything I did and everything I don’t have, then I’ll gladly accept it. It’s the least I can do.”
Jillian held out her hand. AJ looked at it with confusion.
“Come on, they’re waiting.”
He stood and took her hand.
“For the record … you, Aric James Monaghan, are a good guy. In spite of all your grumpiness and efforts to act otherwise. I see it and it’s amazing.”
He squeezed her hand and she felt the silent desperation in his grip. AJ needed her and that too was amazing.
*
“The twins will be staying with us when Rob and Brooke go to Mexico next month,” Char announced as they walked up the street, passing the house where AJ used to live.
AJ had always found it odd that Brooke’s new husband, Rob, would agree to move into a house where she used to live with her first husband—next door to his parents. In a small way he was proud of Brooke for taking charge, something he never allowed her to do. It was clear that Rob had tiny balls, but he adored Brooke so AJ found it easy to overlook his lack of a true man card.
“Beautiful house,” Jillian commented.
“Jim and AJ built it.”
He could feel Jillian’s eyes on him, wide with surprise. It was easier and safer to let her see the monster inside. AJ prayed his parents wouldn’t humanize him too much before they got the hell out of there.
“The boy has always been good with his hands,” Jim added.
Jillian released AJ’s hand and hugged his arm, begging for him to look at her, but it wasn’t going to happen. He knew how her mind worked and it was headed in the definite direction of everything he’d done to her with his hands and fingers. His dick was growing hard just thinking about it. He didn’t need to look at her fuck-me eyes to confirm it.
“I’ll second that.”
Too late.
“We’re all flying out for Cage’s pre-season game,” Char said.
“All?” AJ asked.
“Your father and I, Brooke, Rob, and the girls. We’ll stay with you of course, but they’ll find a hotel closer to campus.”
“They’re more than welcome to stay with me and my brother. We have two extra bedrooms and a bathroom in the garden level.”
AJ gasped the word “What?” at the same time his mom squealed “Really?” in complete delight. How could she make such an offer?
“Absolutely. I adore Cage, so of course his family is welcome to stay with us.”
“No way, that’s … you can’t make that offer.” AJ’s attempt to talk sense into a woman who, by all normal standards, was completely senseless.
“Why not?”
“You haven’t even asked Jackson.”
“Pfft, he won’t mind. He’ll probably make himself scarce anyhow.” She waved a dismissive hand.
“I like her, AJ. I like her a lot.” Char winked at Jillian, who looked like she just got accepted into the popular group at school. “I think she and Brooke will hit it off when they come over for dessert tonight.”
Jillian rolled her eyes to his with an I-told-you-so smirk stuck to her face. He refused to admit he lied because he didn’t … it wasn’t dinner. It was dessert.
They continued their walk and revealing conversation that included Jillian’s nighttime job. At first AJ was surprised that his parents took it so well, until his dad admitted that Dodge had already told them. Gossip wasn’t always bad.
“Dodge speaks so highly of you,” Jim said to Jillian as they sat on the deck waiting for dinner.
AJ grunted which earned him an elbow jab in the ribs.
“I love Dodge and Lilith. He’s completely obnoxious, though. I’m sure being deaf doesn’t seem like a blessing to Lilith, but with all his little digs I think she should feel grateful for the silence.”
“Oh, I’m sure she hears him since she’s only deaf in one ear, but I know what you mean. I’d imagine she pretends to not hear him most of the time.” Char rolled her eyes and took a sip of wine.
All the color drained from Jillian’s tan face.
“You okay?” AJ leaned over and whispered.
“F-fine,” she answered with a stiff nod and quivering voice. “I-I just remembered I forgot to call Jackson when we landed. He’s … uh … going to be worried.” She stood as though her legs were having trouble holding her.
“Okay … want me to come with you?”
She shook her head. “No … I’ve … I’ve got it. Be right … back.”
*
Not since the death of her parents had Jillian felt her heart struggle so hard for its next beat, her lungs deflate to the point of near asphyxia, or her stomach knot into a hard, brutal fist … until Char revealed that Lilith could in fact hear.