Page 87 of Jig's Last Dance
Rain rolls her eyes but rises, approaching him with a warm smile that he returns, his game face sliding in the face of her greeting. My heart clenches painfully in my chest, and rather than witness what will only send me spiraling, I slide from the bed and slip into the bathroom.
“Alice?”
Pausing with my hand on the door, I swallow only to sag when Rain says, “We brought your car back from the cabin.”
“Thanks,” I rasp, before locking myself inside.
Their voices fade behind the door, and I turn on the water, stepping into the fancy-ass shower where multiple shower heads spray me from every angle. Unable to suppress a moan, I lean into the warmth and relax.
I’ve got one goal only, and it doesn’t include Jig Blackstone. The dude is a man whore. I’d be stupid to think otherwise. Sure, we’re enjoying ourselves, but eventually, he’s going to move on. That’s what dicks like him do.
Besides, for all I know, he’s still using me for information, which I should be doing as well, but I forget every time he turns his baby blues my way.
Foolish.
∞∞∞
When I emerge, I’m alone. I sit on the bed with a sigh. Although my life before wasn’t glamorous, it was mine, and it was safe, and now it’s gone. I miss my brother. I miss Shawn.
I miss going out with only the repercussions of my pissed-off brother to worry about.
What did you do, Dad? And how could you leave us behind to face the music?
On impulse, I grab my phone, typing out a text before I pause. Maybe it’s better if he’s left in the dark. I miss you.
Staring at the message, I slowly delete the words and look away from Ben’s picture. I can’t afford to bring him into this, but I want my gruff, grumpy ass brother back.
I hope if I live through this, we can mend what’s broken between us because knowing I could die makes me that much more thankful for what I do have.
“Sunshine?”
Jig fills the room with his smile, and I exhale at the sight. He’s so . . . everything, and the longer I’m around him, the harder it is to leave. But we can’t be friends or lovers because if I manage to see my way clear of this, I don’t want to be a part of it for life.
Whatever Jig and his friends have going doesn’t seem to be a temporary gig. The thought hurts my heart, so I push it away and smile. As I do, his silly grin fades, and I sigh, averting my gaze.
I don’t want him to know how I feel, and I’m not sure I want to know if he returns the sentiment. If it’s nothing, it will gut me, but if it’s something, well, that might be worse.
My throat closes, and I cover my face. Jig’s warmth surrounds me before he pulls me into his arms. I snuggle against his abdomen, ignoring the erection that practically pokes me in the face.
“We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry. That fucker won’t come near you,” he says gruffly, and I shudder.
I wasn’t thinking about John, but I should have been. It’s another reminder of why Jig is bad for my mental health. “Jig?”
“Hm?” He tips my head back and runs his fingers through my hair.
The gentle caress feels so good that I have to bite my tongue to keep the moan from escaping. With a shaky breath, I ask what’s been hovering over my heart for a while now.
Where does Jig go when he hides behind the mask? And is it because of his sister?
“When you said Mandy was at the wrong place at the wrong time, what did you mean?”
Jig’s entire body stiffens, and he steps back, his arms falling away. I’m instantly cold, but I ignore the sensation, knowing it’s what my future holds anyway—a lifetime without Jig.
His eyes lose their focus, and he stares into the distance. With every awkward moment that passes, I regret my question that much more. I’m about to backtrack when he speaks.
“She was hanging out with thugs, partying and getting high. All we know is one day, she didn’t come home. Whatever she got caught up in was something she couldn’t escape. She’s been missing ever since.”
Oh, fuck me. My heart free falls in my chest. I reach out for his hand, but he steps back, his bright eyes icy. Flinching, I bow my head and whisper, “I’m sorry.”