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So did looking at him. The sun was setting, casting a soft orange glow across his skin, making him look warm and sweet and everything she knew she was going to miss.
She pushed that thought down. They still had tonight. Somehow that would have to be enough.
“So she’s going tomorrow.” Lucas handed Jackson a beer. Frank Megassey had finally walked onto the beach to claim his dance from Lydia, and Jackson had gallantly left them to it. He and Lucas were sitting on the edge of the boardwalk, overlooking the ocean, and watching as the sun finally hit the dappled surface. In a few minutes the ball of fire would slide beneath, and the sky would be dark, the beach illuminated only by the shops that lined the boardwalk and the strings of lights that hung from lamppost to lamppost.
“Yep.” Jackson nodded. “She’s catching a flight in the early afternoon.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
Jackson took a mouthful of beer. “I don’t think I get a choice.”
Lucas tipped his head to the side. “There’s always a choice. Have you two thought about long distance dating? She’ll have to come back here at some point, right? You’ll see her again. And maybe you can even dust off your passport and travel to her.”
Jackson ran his finger around the rim of his bottle, considering Lucas’ words. They weren’t anything he hadn’t thought of himself. “I don’t think I can do the long distance thing,” he admitted. “I don’t want to be like my dad, begging her to come
home and waiting at the door every time she might visit. It made him a shadow of the man he used to be.” The thought of her leaving tomorrow was painful enough. Having to go through this every couple of months would probably kill him. “And she hasn’t mentioned it, even if I was interested. She’s leaving. It’s time to let her go.”
Lucas sighed. “Look, I don’t know if you want to hear this or not, but I was in the same position as you. I thought Ember didn’t want anything serious. She’d just gotten out of a long term relationship, and I was supposed to move back to White City. There didn’t seem to be a future for us. But then I realized that nothing – not my career, or my fear of rejection – was worth losing her for. Sometimes you just have to take that leap in the dark.”
“That was different,” Jackson pointed out. “Ember had a steady job, and she loved living here in Angel Sands. All you had to do was get a job and move back here, plus White City isn’t that far. Lydia’s…” He blew out a mouthful of air. “She’s like some kind of exotic bird. She has to use her wings. The same way my dad couldn’t clip my mom’s wings, I can’t clip Lydia’s. Some relationships just aren’t supposed to last long term.” Damn, it hurt to admit it out loud. He inhaled sharply, trying to ignore the constant ache in his chest.
“You’re in love with her.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yeah, I guess I am.” A ghost of a smile passed his lips. “It’s kind of ironic, isn’t it? The player played.”
“Lydia hasn’t played you.”
Jackson looked over to where she was talking with Autumn and the new owner of the ice cream parlor – Meghan or Maggie, or something. The three of them were bathed in moonlight, their faces shining with amusement as Lydia made some kind of joke.
“No, she hasn’t.” She’d woken something inside of him. Something that had been dormant for longer than he could remember. And now he wanted things he’d never imagined could be his. “And yeah, I’ve fallen for her. Who wouldn’t? She’s perfect.”
“So tell her,” Lucas urged. “I don’t want us to be sitting here in a few weeks’ time with you feeling lower than ever because you missed your chance. What’s the worst that can happen?”
Jackson opened his mouth to reply, but his phone started to ring. He pulled it from his pocket, frowning when he saw the unknown number. “I should take this,” he said. “It could be something to do with work.”
“Go ahead. I’ll go check on the food.”
Jackson swiped to accept the call, walking along the beach to where the music wasn’t so loud. “Jackson Lewis,” he said, pressing the phone against his jaw.
“Mr. Lewis? Are you the next of kin for Ms. Jennifer Marks? Date of birth, February third nineteen sixty-four?” a female voice asked.
His stomach clenched. “Yeah I am. Who’s asking?”
“My name is Rita Martin. I work at Saint Agnes hospital in Anaheim. Your mother was admitted an hour ago after a traffic accident. We have you listed as the next of kin.”
He frowned. “Is she okay?”
“She has suspected fractures in her ribs, and multiple contusions to her face from the impact. The doctors also think her nose may be broken. She may need surgery, but the swelling on her face will need to reduce first. Do you know if your mom has any medical insurance?”
“I…ah… don’t know. Sorry.” He looked over at the party. At his friends. They were dancing and laughing. And Lydia was hugging her sister tightly, a huge smile on her face. “I’m in Angel Sands. About an hour and a half away from you. I’ll leave now.”
“That would be great. I’ll let your mom know you’re on your way. She might be moved from the ER by the time you get here, but if you come into reception I’ll be able to direct you.”
“Thank you.” He ended the call, sliding his phone into his back pocket. He closed his eyes, trying to work out what the hell just happened, and why his mom was driving near Anaheim, when she lived in Sacramento.
When he opened them, he turned to seek out the one person who’d understand. Who’d be able to help him when his head was completely messed up, yet again, by the woman who always let him down.
His dad.
