that makes sense, sorta.
He walks to my car and runs his hands over my tires. “Another time. You need to replace these as soon as possible, you know.”
“I know. I had the car inspected. It’s fine for now.” My plan is to do the tires after my first paycheck from Alliance, which will be another two weeks.
“I’ll pick you up in the morning and follow you to the tire shop. I’ll take you to work.” He walks back toward me and lifts up his helmet, tossing it in the air so it does one flip before catching it.
“You’re staying in town? Want to crash here?”
Will buckles the chinstrap and gives a small shake. “Nah, my publisher put me up. I’ll see you tomorrow. Seven-thirty work?” He straddles the bike, messes with a few switches, then stands it upright before using his heel to push back the kickstand.
“That’s perfect.”
“It’s great seeing you again, Jo-Jo.” He doesn’t wait for a reply but fires up the loud machine. After a quick wave, he pushes the bike back a few feet then turns it around and slowly drives away.
For the first time in two years, I consider calling my mother. I have more questions now than ever, I’m certain she’ll be able to fill in the void. But to call her will be mistaken as me waving a white flag, confusing my need for answers with my need for her, and I’ve no intention of that happening. I stare out toward where my brother once was and try to process everything that has happened in the last action packed eighteen hours.
Finally.
Finally, I found my brother.
Except I know nothing about this person I was just with, and I’m even less certain there’s a place for me in his life. This Will is new and closed off, holding everything tightly to him.
Mosquitos and the need for food force me inside, where I take comfort with frozen lasagna, after which I lounge on my couch, wrapped in my green McRae blanket, and hold Will’s book. Through searches on the internet, I find the bookstore where Will is doing his signing and consider popping in to see him in action, to further learn about this familiar stranger. But the vibe I got tells me I’m better off giving him some space. Instead, I investigate the book. There’s no author bio or acknowledgment. Only a simple dedication: To Daanya. Who not only gave me the courage to live again but also showed me how to do it.
Why would Will need courage to live?
Chapter 9
When Will circles the gravel lot outside the hangar, McRae and Zach are standing beside the large hangar opening, talking. McRae gives me a puzzled look and crosses his arms over his chest.
Will comes to a stop several feet away from the pair and leaves the bike idling. After sliding the helmet from my head, I strap it to the backrest.
“Thanks. We should get together soon.” Though he showed up at seven-thirty sharp, he’s made no attempt at further plans.
“I’ll be in touch. It was good to see you.”
Panicked that this might be my last time to see him again for another seven years, I take a chance and hug him. He pats my back and pulls away after the shortest moment time has ever created.
I wave and watch as he rides slowly away, a quick flip of his hand goodbye before he turns the corner out of sight.
I will not cry. I will not cry.
Instead, I swing my backpack over my shoulder and focus on the day before me.
“Morning, Josie.” Zach says and favors me with a broad smile. “That bike is badass.”
“Yes, Zach. It is bad ass.” I meet his raised hand, slapping a high five, before switching my attention to tall and delicious. “Morning, McRae. How’s your day going so far? Anything interesting planned?” I wink, follow it with a raised brow invitation, before I head toward my desk.
He follows me through the hangar and down the hallway.
“Are you staring at my ass?” I say over my shoulder.
“No.”
When I turn to look his eyes are focused on the ceiling. I stop short and brace myself for the collision, but his
He walks to my car and runs his hands over my tires. “Another time. You need to replace these as soon as possible, you know.”
“I know. I had the car inspected. It’s fine for now.” My plan is to do the tires after my first paycheck from Alliance, which will be another two weeks.
“I’ll pick you up in the morning and follow you to the tire shop. I’ll take you to work.” He walks back toward me and lifts up his helmet, tossing it in the air so it does one flip before catching it.
“You’re staying in town? Want to crash here?”
Will buckles the chinstrap and gives a small shake. “Nah, my publisher put me up. I’ll see you tomorrow. Seven-thirty work?” He straddles the bike, messes with a few switches, then stands it upright before using his heel to push back the kickstand.
“That’s perfect.”
“It’s great seeing you again, Jo-Jo.” He doesn’t wait for a reply but fires up the loud machine. After a quick wave, he pushes the bike back a few feet then turns it around and slowly drives away.
For the first time in two years, I consider calling my mother. I have more questions now than ever, I’m certain she’ll be able to fill in the void. But to call her will be mistaken as me waving a white flag, confusing my need for answers with my need for her, and I’ve no intention of that happening. I stare out toward where my brother once was and try to process everything that has happened in the last action packed eighteen hours.
Finally.
Finally, I found my brother.
Except I know nothing about this person I was just with, and I’m even less certain there’s a place for me in his life. This Will is new and closed off, holding everything tightly to him.
Mosquitos and the need for food force me inside, where I take comfort with frozen lasagna, after which I lounge on my couch, wrapped in my green McRae blanket, and hold Will’s book. Through searches on the internet, I find the bookstore where Will is doing his signing and consider popping in to see him in action, to further learn about this familiar stranger. But the vibe I got tells me I’m better off giving him some space. Instead, I investigate the book. There’s no author bio or acknowledgment. Only a simple dedication: To Daanya. Who not only gave me the courage to live again but also showed me how to do it.
Why would Will need courage to live?
Chapter 9
When Will circles the gravel lot outside the hangar, McRae and Zach are standing beside the large hangar opening, talking. McRae gives me a puzzled look and crosses his arms over his chest.
Will comes to a stop several feet away from the pair and leaves the bike idling. After sliding the helmet from my head, I strap it to the backrest.
“Thanks. We should get together soon.” Though he showed up at seven-thirty sharp, he’s made no attempt at further plans.
“I’ll be in touch. It was good to see you.”
Panicked that this might be my last time to see him again for another seven years, I take a chance and hug him. He pats my back and pulls away after the shortest moment time has ever created.
I wave and watch as he rides slowly away, a quick flip of his hand goodbye before he turns the corner out of sight.
I will not cry. I will not cry.
Instead, I swing my backpack over my shoulder and focus on the day before me.
“Morning, Josie.” Zach says and favors me with a broad smile. “That bike is badass.”
“Yes, Zach. It is bad ass.” I meet his raised hand, slapping a high five, before switching my attention to tall and delicious. “Morning, McRae. How’s your day going so far? Anything interesting planned?” I wink, follow it with a raised brow invitation, before I head toward my desk.
He follows me through the hangar and down the hallway.
“Are you staring at my ass?” I say over my shoulder.
“No.”
When I turn to look his eyes are focused on the ceiling. I stop short and brace myself for the collision, but his
Similar Books
