AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And who’ll watch out for you?” Skinner questioned.
“I can take care of myself,” Jackson reminded his friend.
Skinner stepped forward to hover over him. “You don’t have to anymore. That’s what we all found here. A partner to help carry the load.”
“You all found that,” Jackson pointed out. “Not me.”
“I think you have found that and that’s why you’re running,” Skinner said.
How dare he! Jackson climbed carefully off the bike and took several steps away. With the fury rolling through him, Jackson didn’t want to wreck his new ride. “Don’t say that to me!”
Skinner stomped around the bike and into Jackson’s personal space. “Then stop running!”
“I’m leaving for them!” Jackson shouted. The truth pouring out of him. The hurt and heartache. “They won’t be able to be together, not fully, with me here! I’ll ruin them just like I ruin everything. I care too much about them to let that happen. I’m leaving so they have a chance to be together the way they should be.”
He flinched when Skinner’s large hand landed on his shoulder, but Skinner gave him a reassuring squeeze. “It’s hard doing what’s best for the people you care about.”
Jackson glared. He didn’t need Skinner going all knowing on him.
“It’s even worse going against your instincts.”
“What are you even talking about?”
“Don’t leave before you talk to Finn and Michael.”
Jackson shook his head. He was not strong enough to do that.
“At least come by and say goodbye to the boys. They’ll be devastated if you don’t.”
Jackson almost caved. He had real friends there. Marco and Jayme were two he spoke to almost every day. Even Hayley and Sammy were great friends of his. The other boys Avery, Caleb, and Mitch were fun to be around when their Daddies allowed it. The group that Jackson had fallen into was close and he would miss them.
“It’s not like they don’t have phones where I’m going.”
“Where are you going? The note you left at Lance’s didn’t say.”
Jackson shrugged. “I figured I’d take my new bike and travel. I can jump on a flight if I’m needed for a job.”
Skinner scowled at Jackson’s new baby. “Do you even know how to ride one of those?”
“Could you be any more of a snob?” Jackson said with a laugh. “And yes, I know how to ride. I hotwired my first bike when I was ten.”
“That doesn’t mean—”
“I know how to ride,” Jackson repeated. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. You should stay here.”
They were going around and around and not getting anywhere. “What happened to none of us ever being in the same place at the same time? If we’re ever discovered—”
Skinner snorted. “No one would dare come after us. Not with all of us being in the same town. We never should have stayed away from one another. We’re stronger together and a better team.”
Maybe Jackson could find a town close enough that he wouldn’t be totally cut off from his friends. It was worth a look into. “I’ll call you.”
Skinner dropped his hand as he shook his head. “You’re making a mistake.”
Maybe. Jackson didn’t have any other choice.
“I’ll be in touch.”
