22. Jack

22

JACK

“Jack, can you give me a hand?”

“Sure thing.” I set down my beer and head toward the grill. We’re out back at the Witching Hour, along with all of Aqua Vista, it seems. And maybe after narrowly escaping another tragedy, that’s exactly how it is. The whole town coming out to see that Cain is all right, and he’s getting plenty of backslaps and good wishes. June too, who has stuck close to his side. I haven’t heard Cain tease or complain even once, not after he gave us all a good scare.

Johnny runs this event annually, and it’s always a good time, but this year, it feels like there’s more to celebrate and be lighthearted about. Even if those emotions are warring inside me with Aaron leaving. I thought we got our goodbyes over with earlier in the day, but I should’ve known I wouldn’t get off that easy.

The fact that he’s the one who found Cain makes it all the more bittersweet. Like he belongs to this town—to us—and it does nothing to help me swallow down the boulder in my throat as I watch him make his rounds.

He’s been keeping Beth company for a while now—not that I’m counting the minutes—and though I snapped at her earlier, I still can’t find it in me to make nice. Civil will have to do for now. Besides, June is a good buffer for us all.

Rocco must have been filled in on the gravity of the situation because he doesn’t try any funny business. In fact, he’s busy shooting the shit with Frank and Becca.

Maybe the business partner isn’t so bad if Frank likes him.

Or more likely, it’s because they have cars in common, as well as their Italian heritage. It was hard to miss their conversation on the way to where I’m seated at the picnic table. Gushing over their nonnas’ lasagnas, then segueing into Lamborghinis, as if their families had a stake in the company or something. Becca looks positively bored, and I don’t blame her.

I can’t help thinking Rocco is trying to butter me up through Frank, but the man hasn’t said anything to me since he arrived.

Why the hell isn’t he in the automotive business, then? Now I’m being ridiculous. Who the fuck cares about this guy? Well, Aaron does, but it’s not like I’m going to have many more opportunities to run into Rocco again. He only came to Aqua Vista for one reason—and will be leaving empty-handed.

I take a swig of water, hoping it helps my low-grade headache, not only from lack of sleep but all the adrenaline and anxiety from Cain going missing. Watching turtles seemed like a dream after all that excitement, but it’d be hard to forget how warm Aaron felt against me, even if the sand was uncomfortable. His lips were parted, his brow softened, and I found myself simply watching him sleep.

Done socializing for the moment, Aaron plops down next to me with a plate of ribs and a buttered roll. “So good, I had to get another helping.”

“Johnny will be thrilled to hear that but don’t give him a big head. It’s already the size of a ballon.”

Aaron snickers as he digs in.

I motion toward our two friends across the patio. “I see Rocco’s love of cars only rivals my best friend’s.”

“He’s a connoisseur.” He smirks. “Goes to all kinds of auto shows, owns a few hot rods, likes to fuss over them and make them shine. But knows nothing about engines.”

I think of his fancy suits and have a hard time imagining him with grease stains on his hands or clothes.

Frank’s head is bent over something Rocco is showing him on his phone while Becca chats with Aunt Dina. “Fascinating…”

“What is?” Aaron asks.

“Given his interest, I assumed he would own a car dealership or something like that.” I snort. “He has that slick salesman thing going for him.”

“Oh, come on, he’s not that bad.”

I throw him a pointed look.

He motions toward me with a rib bone. “Besides, cars are a hobby for him, not a career.”

“Oh, I see.” I scoff. “Weren’t you the one who told me I should do photography instead of running a service station?”

“Okay, you got me there.” He wipes his face with a napkin. “Or maybe people are just good at a few different things.”

“Thus the name of my shop.”

Aaron looks off into the distance. “Is that true for you?”

“Nah, I’m just Jack.”

“Hey, stop selling yourself short. Besides, I’m very fond of just Jack.”

I feel his leg slide against mine beneath the table and shiver from the contact.

My face heats, and I avert my eyes. “But the name was true of my dad. He would do all sorts of stuff around town. Was always lending a helping hand.”

He leans his elbows against the table. “Like what?”

“Anything from painting to installing flower boxes for the local businesses. Got to be a nickname for him.”

“Makes sense.” He smirks. “How did he get such a cranky son?”

“Hey now,” I protest, and his grin widens. “Careful, or I’ll drag you off to have my way with you one last time.”

“I won’t protest, but it would make it harder to leave.”

My heart gives a little jolt, and just as I’m about to respond, Cain and June head over to say their goodbyes, both looking exhausted.

“Thank you again,” June says. “For finding my boy.”

Aaron fist-bumps Cain. “No problem.”

“You shouldn’t go out solo so early in the morning,” I scold him.

Cain smirks. “Yes, Dad .”

“You better believe your dad would tan your hide.”

A smile forms on both of their faces, and it feels good that we can joke about it. Maybe we need to do more of that. Maybe we’re finally coming out of the woods.

“It’s been an interesting couple of weeks in Aqua Vista,” Aaron muses as we watch them leave hand in hand. “Speaking of which, do you think the turtles made it wherever they needed to go?”

“Most probably did, Mr. Sensitive.”

“Can’t help it.” He shrugs. “I also can’t help feeling sorry for Beth. The way she wanted to help today but held herself back. Second-guessed herself. You’ve got to know she means?—”

“I know. I’ve been thinking about what you said. Maybe I am holding on too tight to my anger.” I most definitely am, and it’s hard to admit.

He nods. “She’s only human.”

“Really? I thought she was a vampire.”

He winks. “She very well might be.”

Our eyes connect and hold, and I’m rendered momentarily speechless. I want to kiss him so badly, to pull him toward me and claim him as mine, that I ache with it.

He thumps the table. “My work here is done just as I’m leaving town.”

I can feel the color drain from my face as Aaron looks away.

“Promise to stay in touch?” he mutters.

I swallow roughly. “Sure, I’ll try my best.”

“Not a phone talker?” he quips.

“How did you guess?”

He winks. “That’s okay, I’ll just bug you until you talk to me.”

“I look forward to it,” I reply, my gut churning.

Rocco makes his way over. “Gonna head back to the hotel, especially since I’m hitting the road in the morning.”

“Well, that’s my cue to leave,” Aaron says reluctantly.

“We’ll drop Rocco at the hotel on our way home,” Frank says, producing his keys. “You should stay a bit longer.”

“Are you sure?” Aaron asks Rocco, and he nods. Becca offers a bland smile, likely glad the night is coming to an end. That settled, Rocco and Frank share matching toothy smiles, and in that moment, they look like they could be long-lost Italian cousins.

Rocco’s gaze steadies on me. “Despite what you may think of me, you’re a stand-up guy.”

“Thanks. I’m sure you are too.” I look over his shoulder. “Careful, Frank will drag you to auto shows.”

“I won’t say no. San Jose has a good one.” Rocco claps me on the shoulder. “Maybe you two should do a road trip.”

“Maybe. Hard to get away from the shop, though,” I mutter, and Aaron frowns. It’s sort of true, but mostly, I’m just trying to protect my heart.

Frank shakes his head at me, knowing full well I’m bullshitting. He’ll be sure to talk my ear off about it later. Though it’s not like he travels much either.

Aaron throws away his empty plate, then grabs another drink. We sit talking and enjoying the pleasant night temperature for another hour. Too soon, Aaron is standing to leave.

“I’ll walk you out,” I say. “I have something to show you.”

His eyebrows draw together. “Okay.”

While Aaron says his goodbyes to Beth, Aunt Dina, and Uncle Chuck, I tell Johnny I’ll be back to help him close up shop, and he puffs out a breath of relief. It’s a lot of work, even if he enjoys it and has part-time staff to lend a hand. June and Cain would normally stay as well, but they get a pass this year.

I meet Aaron in the parking lot and pull down the bed of my truck. I hop up to sit, and he does the same. “What’s this about?”

I reach toward the back and lift a wrapped package. “Something to remember us by.”

Aaron takes the package and begins gingerly unwrapping the brown butcher paper and bubble wrap. “Us?”

“Aqua Vista,” I reply, though I mean more than this town.

“This is gorgeous!” he exclaims, studying the framed photo of an eagle swooping down from the cliff. “This was my favorite.”

I smile, the ache returning to my chest. “I remember.”

“Thank you.” He sets down the frame and pulls me into a tight embrace. “Gift or not, no way I can forget you that easily.”

“Fuck, I want to kiss you so bad,” I murmur against his neck.

“Tell me about it.” His voice is rough as he pulls back to look at me.

I don’t know who moves first, but our lips meet in a slow kiss that turns into a frenzy of mouths and tongues and hands. He tastes sweet and spicy, like Johnny’s barbecue sauce. We lie down in the bed of the truck and make out for what seems like hours, when really, it’s only minutes.

“I want… I need…”

Our hands reach into each other’s pants as we throw caution to the wind. Aaron’s cock is warm and throbbing in my palm as I jerk him off, squirming as he does the same to me. It takes us about two point five seconds to come.

We break apart when we hear voices close to us. We stay silent and wait for the patrons to get in their cars and leave before we sit up and straighten ourselves.

Then Uncle Chuck calls out, “Johnny wants to know if you can do an ice run. Looks like the machine isn’t working.”

“On it,” I shout back.

We’re quiet as Aaron takes his framed photo and heads to his car.

I want him to stay. I need him to leave. It will only prolong this feeling in my chest that’s tight like a fist, making it hard to breathe.

“Let me know you got home safe?” I call after him.

His smile is sad as he looks over his shoulder. “Will do.”

I linger for a moment more in the parking lot, but it only extends the torture, so I turn away and head out to get the ice.