Kennedy wrote Friends forever, and I knew it was true.
Forever and ever.
As we were standing by her car, laughing with Kennedy’s family, my Dad’s truck pulled up to the campsite.
The moment he saw me, he began beeping his horn, and hollering at me. “Jax! Get your ass over here so we can go.”
My stomach started hurting because I was embarrassed. Where was Mom? Why wasn’t she picking me up? I made the stupid mistake of asking Dad that question, which forced him to get out of his car. He was cussing under his breath as he walked over toward me.
“She’s sick, does it matter? I told you to get the fuck into the car. Let’s go,” he barked.
Kennedy’s dad stepped forward with a smile. “Now, come on. That level of anger isn’t really necessary. The kids were just saying goodbye, that’s all.”
Dad eyed him up and down. “How about you mind your own fucking business?”
“Okay, Dad,” I said, my body shaking. “Let’s go. I’m coming.”
I could see the look of shock on all of Kennedy’s family from the way Dad was acting. How didn’t he see it? How didn’t he see how he was embarrassing me? How didn’t he see how mean he was being?
He grabbed my luggage and dragged it away before tossing it into the back of the bed of the truck.
I turned and gave Kennedy’s family a weak smile. “It was nice meeting you all. Have a good day,” I said.
Kennedy’s dad tasseled my head and gave me a grin as he lowered himself to me. “You okay, Jax? Are you okay with your dad? I’m sure we can get you a ride home if you need or—”
“Jax! Get your ass over here!” Dad hollered, making me jump out of my skin. I knew the more I upset him, the worse it would be for me.
“I’m okay, Mr. Lost. Thank you. I h-have to go,” I stuttered. At that moment I wished he could’ve been my dad. Kennedy didn’t know how lucky she was to have someone nice like him. Someone who didn’t yell at her and call her names.
Kennedy ambushed me in a tight hug and squeezed me. She smashed our cheeks together, and I felt her tears against my skin. “I’m sorry that he’s so mean, Jax.”
“It’s okay,” I whispered. “I’m okay.”
She held me tighter before softly speaking. “If you need to run away, run away to me.”
20
Jax
Present day
There was a knocking on my front door, and I got up quickly to answer it. Standing in the pouring rain was Kennedy with the most intense stare in her eyes. She was soaking wet from head to toe, wearing only a white tank top and shorts.
“Hi,” she said breathlessly, shaking the water from her loose curls. “Are you okay?”
I raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“I heard about your dad. People were talking in town. I just wanted to check on you and make sure you were doing okay. I can only imagine what you’re dealing with.”
I scratched at my beard. When had it begun to rain? When I’d gone to bed, it had been nice and warm outside. “Uh, yeah. I just saw him. He’s fine. You came over to check on me?”
“Of course I did, Jax. I wanted to make sure you were okay. Can I come in?”
What the hell is going on? I wanted to ask her that, but truthfully a bigger part of me wanted her in my house with me. I’d been alone in it for way too long; some company would be nice.
I stepped to the side and she came in, shivering from being soaked.
“I can get you some—” Before I could finish my thought, Kennedy crashed her body into mine. Her hard nipples pressed through her tank top as she pulled me into a hug, and I tried my best to ignore the sensation having her wet body flush with mine was sending to me—or, more so, sending straight to my throbbing cock.
“I’m so sorry, Moon,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around my neck, pulling me tighter against her. “I’m so sorry.”
Before I could respond, her lips pressed to my neck, and she gave me small kisses. “I’m sorry, I just…Jax, I missed you.” She kissed the base of my neck again, this time rolling her tongue across my skin. “Did you miss me, too? Did you miss me, Jax?”
Her words dripped with care and wonder as I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her up against me. I pressed her