28. Jack

28

JACK

“It feels likes ages since I’ve been back here.” Johnny steps inside my studio, where June and I are already rummaging through my photos and deciding what to sell at the fair this weekend.

“I appreciate the help.” I look up from the newest batch I’ve developed. “It’s been a while since I took this many shots or even had the motivation.”

June smirks. “Hmmm, I wonder what caused that motivation.”

“Shut it.” Even if it is true that Aaron lit a fire under my ass.

“Is the muse coming to the fair?” she asks.

I frown. “No, I guess he’s busy with work.”

At least, that’s the reason he gave me. I can’t help wondering if things have changed since I visited him a couple of weeks ago. Not that the daily texts reflect that. But it’s a stark reminder of how it all went down with Theo. First the visits stopped, then the calls. I found out he was with someone new on social media. It wasn’t outright, only a photo, but I knew that admiring look in his eyes that used to only be for me.

And here I am, leaving the same scenario to chance.

Not exactly the same, just the logistics of the whole thing. Aaron is way more compassionate and interesting. And trustworthy. I’m starting to have more faith in whatever this is between us. Plus, it’s not like he moved here and then decided to leave because he was restless and bored.

“I suppose you’ll just have to plan another visit to see him.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Definitely. The video calls help, but they’re just not enough. In fact, I’ve considered asking him if I can stay a while longer. Maybe Aqua Vista isn’t the only place to live. Maybe it wouldn’t kill me to leave for the man I adore.

“So far, I’ve pulled all the more recent photos you took with the eagles and the turtles. Tourists will love those.” June motions to a stack she compiled for me to look through. “The sunsets and the coast are always popular. Maybe the ones you don’t plan on parting with, you can use as displays.”

“Good idea.” There’s one in particular of Aaron in the moonlight that I’m considering.

“Looks like you got a good head start,” Johnny says, setting the pizza box on the coffee table. “I’ll look back here.”

I show June some mountain shots from last week.

“Wait a minute.” Johnny pauses as he lifts the lid of a photo storage box sitting on a shelf. “What are these?”

They must be older, given the dust storm that kicks up around him when he opens it wider and begins combing through the photos inside. He looks stricken, and when I glance over his shoulder, I am too. Fuck, I should’ve packed them away better, but I was feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of piles I’d collected over the years. So when June offered to help and Johnny said he’d bring dinner, I was glad to have my siblings over. Besides, like Johnny said, it’s been a while.

Johnny brings the stack over to the couch.

“Those are from that week…” I still can’t say the words capsized , missing , or dead . They throb like a painful thorn in my stomach.

June sits beside him, mesmerized by the images as he flips through them methodically.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Johnny’s gaze never leaves the photos. “That you took these?”

“It seemed morose at the time.”

June’s eyebrows merge in frustration. “Then why’d you do it?”

“I…couldn’t seem to stop myself.” I pace in front of them, pelted with bewildering and heart-wrenching emotions. “I was stir-crazy, waiting on any news. One day at the beach, I had this urge to document everything. It was cathartic. For me. I never intended to show you. We all grieve differently.”

She narrows her eyes. “You could’ve asked us.”

“You would’ve wanted to see them?”

She looks at Johnny, and when he nods, she says, “All I have are my memories, and even those are sketchy because of the haze of grief. These photos remind me that the whole community was there, offering support. Yeah, it hurts, and after what happened with Cain…”

I sit on the coffee table in front of her. “Hey, I know that was scary as fuck, but I don’t think the universe has plans to make us more miserable.”

“Oh, I don’t know…” She screws her eyes shut and shakes her head.

“We are not cursed, for God’s sake. It was a tragedy, and we still have each other. Maybe we just need reminding every now and again.”

“Okay, Beth Junior,” Johnny teases.

“I don’t begrudge her for caring,” June says. “She was there for us as much as anyone else.”

“I don’t fault her either.” Not anymore. My shoulders slump.

“Is that what your conversation with her was about that night at the bar?” Johnny asks, setting the photos aside. Maybe looking through them any further would be too much. It’s likely the reason I haven’t given them so much as a glance in years.

“Yeah.” I sigh. “It was time.”

“Long overdue,” June lobs at me.

“Guilty.” I hold up my hands in defeat. “I can be a cranky bastard.”

“You got that right,” Johnny mutters.

“Hey! I’m not the only one with baggage.”

Johnny folds his arms. “We don’t have baggage.”

I scoff. “Give me a break. June wards off any man who looks her way, and you’re still married.”

“Legally separated,” he insists like it means something different. And maybe it does. It’s a legitimate court agreement, and technically, they have nothing to do with each other.

“Maybe it’s time we all moved on,” I suggest.

June arches an eyebrow. “Says the guy who won’t just go for it with Aaron.”

“I went for it! I drove to his city and stayed at his place.”

And probably sowed a seed of doubt in him that long-distance is too hard. And that leaving your life behind for someone else has plenty of roadblocks.

My siblings exchange a look.

“For one night. Why not take more time?”

I hitch a shoulder. “Suppose I’m afraid…of caring even more.”

Maybe it’s finally time to put my money where my mouth is.

“You’re in love with him, and that’s okay.” June pats my knee. “This won’t be like last time. Aaron is a much better man.”

“He is.” I can’t stop the smile from stretching my lips whenever I think of him. “He’s a better man than I’ll ever be.”

“You both deserve happiness. Just wish you’d go for it.”

“I’m…working on it,” I confess. “And what’s your excuse?” I look at June, then Johnny.

“Mine is simple,” Johnny replies. “Laziness.”

“Oooh, good one.” June snickers. “I’ll use that excuse too.”

They high-five each other.

“Besides, I don’t feel like getting to know anyone all over again.” June’s eyes grow misty. “He was the love of my life. Cain too. I don’t think there will be anyone else for me.”

“Maybe not, but you could still have fun.” I playfully shove my brother. “Johnny certainly does.”

“No harm in that,” Johnny agrees but then averts his gaze. “Sometimes long-distance doesn’t work—can’t work—but sometimes it absolutely does.”

Just as I’m about to swing the conversation back to his ex, he abruptly stands.

“All right, enough of this conversation.”

June sighs. “Feed me that pizza you brought, and then we can get back to helping Jack.”

I shuffle toward the door. “I’ll open some wine.”