Her expression fell. “I know you worry about me, Nix, about this life… but I’m okay, sweetheart. I need you to know that. I choose this, I choose your father. Even when things get tough.”
Jessa didn’t have family; she didn’t have parents, or brothers and sisters, or aunts and uncles. We were it. Me and my old man. So it didn’t surprise me that she clung onto the hope of her happily ever after with him. But guys like Joe Wilder didn’t mellow with age. They didn’t have a sudden epiphany where they realized all their flaws and strived to do better. To be better. They grew old and even more bitter and twisted.
I didn’t want that for her, not when she had such a good soul. But she was a grown woman who could make her own choices, and as hard as it was, I had to accept that.
I wouldn’t have much choice anyhow come graduation when my old man kicked me out.
If we even lasted that long.
Because now I had Birdie to think about.
My cell phone vibrated and I dug it out of my pocket.
B: Good morning, Nix.
I smiled, all the weight evaporating from my chest. Fuck, how did she do that? How did she make everything seem better with a single text message?
“Harleigh, I take it?” Jessa fought a grin. “Tell her I said hi.”
I quickly typed a reply.
Me: Morning you. I missed you.
B: You can’t miss me when you’re asleep.
Me: Wanna bet?
I typed out another message before she could reply.
Me: Three more days at school until I get you all to myself.
My dick twitched behind my sweats, so on board with my Friday night plans.
B: I have to get ready for school.
Me: Do I make you nervous, B?
She’d told me before I did. When I’d asked her what she wanted. Her innocence was cute. It was one of the things I’d always loved about her.
But I had no problem corrupting her either, making her want me the way I wanted her.
B: You know you do, you always have…
Me: I can’t wait to get between your pretty little thighs again, B.
B: I’m going now. Have a good day, Nix.
Quiet laughter rumbled in my chest as I texted her back.
Me: Yeah, you too. xo
“You know, it’s nice to see you like this, Nix.” Jessa’s voice pulled me back into the kitchen.
“Like what?”
“Smiling. Happy. She always did bring out the best in you.”
But that was the thing. If something made you happy, it also had the power to make you sad. If something lifted you up and made you soar, it also had the power to drag you down and ruin you.