these days, you’ll see yourself the way I do.” He smiles, wrapping his arms around me. “You’re beautifully broken, not damaged.”
I suck in a breath. Beautifully broken? It’s poetic and so very Jason at the same time.
“There’s one more thing,” I say.
He tips his head back and with questions in his eyes, but waits for me to continue.
“It wasn’t an intestinal virus I had last year. He got me pregnant. My follow up appointment was really an abortion.”
He slumps against the picnic table at the news. “You came to school after an abortion? My God. I—I—I…” He appears lost, and I know this is the moment when the hammer drops. This is when he decides I was right all along.
His hands slide up my back and into my hair, guiding my head to him. His mouth meets mine with heated fury, our tongues dancing for a moment.
He breaks away, hands still in my hair. “I love you so damn much, Parker. I wish I could wash your past away and send it out into the depths of the ocean with the tide.”
His declaration warms me inside and I nestle into his shoulder.
My father took everything and took it by force. But he was never able to take away the Jerichos. Or Jason. They are standing by me, proving him wrong. Someone as damaged as me can be loved.
Jason follows me into the house and I stop in my tracks, then edge behind him. Rose is waiting, stiff and without her customary smile.
“Where have you been?” she asks.
“Please don’t be mad,” I say, peeking out from behind Jason.
She relaxes her posture. “Sweetie, I’m not mad. I was afraid something happened to you. The school called because you weren’t in class after lunch. You didn’t call to say you were feeling ill or anything and it’s not like you to ditch school.”
“I’m sorry, Rose,” Jason speaks up. “We went to Moonlight because Sara wanted to talk. Away from everyone at school.”
A perplexed look forms on Rose’s face.
“I finally told him,” I announce.
She enfolds me in her arms, forcing Jason to let go of my hand. “I’m so glad. Just don’t do that again. Let me know when you skip class so I don’t worry. Please.”
She tightens her grip and I squeak out, “Okay.”
“And don’t think that this is permission for you to leave school whenever you want.”
“I know.”
She releases me and spins around, heading for the kitchen. I glance at Jason and he shrugs.
Arissa bursts through the front door with Damian on her heels. “Where were you guys?” she demands.
“Moonlight.”
“What? Miss Goody Two-Shoes ditched?”
“There’s a first time for everything,” I answer, smirking.
“Does Mom know?”
“Yeah, she already lectured me.”
“Good,” she says triumphantly before they run up to her room.
Jason laughs. “She sure knows how to lighten the mood even if she didn’t know. Homework?”
“You’re missing practice!”
“Coach won’t let me practice since I ditched anyway. I’ll call him later.”
The fact that he could be in more trouble for ditching than me sinks in. “J—”
“Shhh.” His lips press into mine. “You’re more important than basketball.”
We’re working on homework in the dining room when the phone rings. Our gazes flicker up when Andrew and Rose sit across from us.
I stare at them blankly. “What is it?” I ask, since they aren’t telling.
Rose slips an arm around Andrew and he does the same with her. I sit up and put my pen down. Jason takes my hand into his under the table.
“Detectives want to interview you tomorrow,” Andrew says, breaking the silence. “They’re coming in the morning. We’ll have Arissa bring your schoolwork home for you.”
I tense and Jason releases my hand to slide his arm around me. My eyes dart around, searching for any sign of Arissa and Damian.
“They’re in her room,” Rose says. “We made sure before we came in here.”
I let out an audible exhale and sit back in my chair.
“Are you ready to tell Arissa?” Andrew asks, moving his arms to the table with his hands clasped.
“Not yet.”
“Are you sure?” Rose asks.
I nod. “It was hard enough telling Jason.”
Jason squeezes my shoulder and kisses my temple.
“Then we’ll support you, then,” Andrew says. “I’m proud of you for telling Jason, even if you did skip school to do it.” My cheeks burn and Andrew lets out a small laugh, then looks at me straight-faced. “No more skipping school.”
“Yes, Andrew,” I say, contrite.
“Jason, are you staying for dinner?” Rose asks.
He lifts an eyebrow at me.
“If you want,” I answer.
“No, if you want,” he corrects.
“Yes.”
Rose presses