AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But his words remained stuck in his throat because what if she rejected him? Or what if she said she liked him a hell of a lot too, but it was really about her being scared to be alone?
Leilani had admitted as much to him already.
He didn’t want to be someone she clung to as her mom died and then rejected him when the grief had passed.
Yet, seeing her with Knox today had made him so damn jealous, it had unsettled him.
Giving away your emotions and power like that was extremely vulnerable. He’d done it once and look how that had turned out.
Plus, he had enough emotional shit to deal with right now. He had to work out what he was going to do about his father when they returned home.
So he kissed her nose and said, “You’re welcome. Thank you for being here with me.”
Then he scooped up their plates and carried them to the trash can by the table. He cursed silently to himself as the image of her disappointed eyes stayed with him.
Jacob poured himself a glass of Macallan and turned to lean against the table and watch his family. He hadn’t noticed Knox heading his way.
“Hey.” He nodded his head, then reached into the ice bucket and added some to his empty glass. “More ice?”
“Thanks,” Jacob said and held out the glass. “So, how long are you staying?”
Knox smirked as he poured vodka over his ice. “Keen to get rid of me?”
Jacob shook his head. “Shit. No. Sorry, that came out wrong. I guess I don’t know how to do this.”
Knox was quiet as he finished making his drink, then he rested on the table next to him.
“I get it. You gained a dad and three more brothers.” Knox shook his head. “That has to be a giant surprise.”
Knox, Bella, and their brothers had also gained a brother they didn’t know about and lost their mom a few years ago. Jacob realized that everyone was dealing with something.
This wasn’t just about him.
Although he needed to do the right thing for him, perhaps he’d been a bit shut off.
“Ditto. You all found out about me the same day.”
“Yeah.” Knox laughed and took a sip. “Listen, while we all want to talk and work this out, we know it's more important that you and Dad deal with it first. So, no pressure from us.”
Jacob turned.
“That’s the thing. I don’t know how to do this.”
“Look, I know there are a million ways to look at this, but losing Mom changed me. Dad could suddenly die and if that happened, you’d never know him. I mean, I fucking hope that doesn’t happen.” Knox added. “You don’t have to love the guy. Or even like him. Do it anyway you want, but don’t wait too long that you have regrets.”
Jesus, that was heavy, but he had a point.
“Shit, man.” Jacob shook his head, then glanced at his new brother. “And what do you want?”
“To be able to stand here like this and talk. To be in my sister’s life without her worrying.”
“You’re very protective of her.”
Knox smirked at him, and he frowned.
“What?”
“Like you are of your little girlfriend?”
