“I said I was sorry,” she mumbled
“Yeah, you did. And I believe you.” I leaned forward, elbows on the bar.
I sighed, trying to think about how to be a parental figure. I thought about Thane and Reaper, how they had firm boundaries but open doors with every Maverick. It was as close to parenting as I’d received.
“Clearly your mom isn’t in any capacity to make sure you staysafe. So, I want you with me from now on. I’ve already reached out to a lawyer to make it official.”
Her head snapped up. Hope flickered under the hurt. “You still want me to live with you?”
“Damn right.” I held her gaze. “But there are rules. Non-fucking-negotiables. No sneaking out. I want you to join a club or whatever interests you for the summer, at least until school starts. You didn’t get a childhood, but now you do.”
Jessa nodded.
I continued. “Curfew’s eight on weeknights, nine on weekends. No boys in your room. No booze, no drugs. And I’m tracking that phone. Not because I don’t trust you. Because I don’t want you getting hurt, arrested, or knocked up before you’ve had a chance to really start living your life.”
Jessa blinked fast, tears threatening to spill onto her cheeks. “OK,” she said meekly.
I stood and pulled her into a quick, awkward hug. “You’re my blood. We’re family. I’ll take you to your mom’s trailer to pack your shit. Eva said we can move in today.”
“I have to work later,” Jessa said, frowning.
I shook my head. “Quit your job. I’ll give you a weekly allowance. You don’t need to be working at fucking fifteen.”
She swiped at her eyes. “OK. But you still need to see Mom. We need to tell her. They moved her into a nursing home last week.”
My jaw tightened. “You’ve been home alone all week? Why didn’t you tell me?” Guilt coursed through me as I realized I’d been wrapped around Merci while my sister had been by herself.
She shrugged. “I’ve been bouncing around different friends’ houses. I don’t like to stay in the trailer alone.”
“We’ll see your mom today. Fuck.Ourmom. But first, let’s eat. How do you feel about breakfast tacos?”
Jessa’s face lit up.
“You’ve got ten minutes before we leave. Go wash that makeup off and brush your teeth. There are extra brushesin the drawer.”
She bolted upstairs to the suite, Chaos nipping at her heels with excited yips.
Merci sidled beside me at the bar and stole a sip of my Red Bull. “I like the ‘tough love’ and ‘disappointed dad’ vibes. You’re doing a good thing. Stepping up to take her in. The girl needs it.”
I grunted. “Yeah, well, I’d do anything for the kid. Including going to see our mother. It’s the last fucking thing I want.”
Merci offered a soft smile. “But you’ll do it. For her.”
Jessa bounded down the stairs, her eyes brighter than they’d been before. “Are you coming with us?” she asked Merci.
Before Merci could respond, I answered for her. “Yep, Merci can’t say no to breakfast tacos.”
And maybe I’d find the courage to tell her how I really felt. How I couldn’t sleep without her. How my chest ached since she’d ended things.
“Are you sure?” she asked, biting her lip.
I grinned. “I’m sure. Plus, we need afriendwith a truck to move whatever Jessa wants to my new house.”
“Why do I feel like I just got roped into free labor?” Merci asked.
“I’m paying you in tacos. Besides, you owe me. I helped you move.”
Merci grumbled. “Fine. I bet this move won’t be nearly as entertaining as mine, though.”
