1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

ANNIE

Tonight will be better.

I pulled my covers over my shoulders and snuggled into bed, trying to ignore the anxiousness niggling in the pit of my stomach. It had been growing there every night for weeks. Ever since Jet had left.

Glancing at my nightstand, the blank screen of my phone blended in with the dark of the room, reminding me of how far away he was right now. Across the globe where his family had taken an unexpectant, urgent trip to Greece. He'd been ecstatic to go.

I'd been terrified when he left.

So much had changed these past few months.

My heart gave a little lurch, aching to hear his voice, and finally unable to avoid the temptation any longer, I grabbed my phone to send him a text.

Me: I miss you. Like fucking crazy.

I stared at the screen, the wallpaper of us snuggling and smiling at the camera looking back at me. Mocking my ache. After several minutes passed with nothing, I rolled over to my side and cradled my phone to my chest, so I wouldn't miss it if he did manage to message back.

No sooner had I closed my eyes I felt it buzz, and my heart leapt as I rushed to see what he'd said.

Jet: Miss you, too. Like fucking crazy. At the airport now and about to board. Get some sleep. I'll be back before you know it.

I swallowed, my heart squeezing in my chest.

Me: I'll try. Be safe.

Jet: Love you.

Me: Love you.

Finally feeling like I could breathe, I set my phone back on the nightstand and settled back into my comfy spot on my bed, but even as sleep slowly came in to claim me, my inner mantra continued to roll through my head.

Tonight will be better. It has to be.

It was hot. So hot. My stomach rolled. The red was everywhere, splattered across the ground. The wall. The counter. Glass that had shattered into a million tiny shards was spread like glitter across the kitchen floor, the larger shards splayed out with droplets of blood around my mom's hair like a halo. A forbidden angel waiting in the wings of death. I couldn't breathe. There was no air. Like my lungs forgot how to function, the necessary organs twisting within my body at the gruesome sight. Mom. Mom.

"Mom!" I finally managed to scream, the sound wrenched from me as desperation kicked in. I dropped to my knees, the shards of glass cutting into my skin through my jeans as I grasped her hand, smearing the blood that coated her palm. Nothing. She couldn't hear me. A strangled sound escaped from my throat.

I woke with a startled gasp, my body jolting up out of reflex before falling back to the mattress with my arms pinned against me, my blankets were wrapped around me so tight. Panic shot through me for a moment before I caught my bearings, and I rolled off the bed to the floor, catching myself on my knees to shake myself free.

Oh, God no, not my knees. The dreams were bad enough without adding fuel to the fire. Memories of my nightmare, my memory , flashed over me for a split second, and I leapt up faster than a cat, my bright orange comforter lying in a ring around my feet. I took off for the bathroom to splash some water across my face, needing to wash the thoughts away. If they were determined to haunt me at night, like hell I'd let them affect me during the day.

Or, at least, I hoped.

So much for tonight being better.

The nightmare had been an unwelcome presence ever since New Year's Eve. Ever since Tucker had found Izzy at the beach and I'd returned home, relieved, only to find Mom…

Ugh. No. Stop thinking about it.

Dabbing my face dry with a hand towel, I peered in the mirror, the dark circles under my eyes like a raccoon's. I wasn't sleeping. Not like I should.

None of us were.

With a sigh, I dropped the towel to the counter and turned around, my fingers lingering on the light switch as I glanced at my twin's empty bed.

Case in point .

Something that pulled at a tear in my chest for an entirely different reason.

Not bothering to turn the light out if Izzy wasn't here, I headed to my dresser, throwing on leggings, a sports bra, and a t-shirt before grabbing my favorite pair of running shoes from the closet. I finger-combed my hair a few times before throwing it up in a clip, grabbed my Airpods and phone from the dresser, and headed out of my room, keeping my footsteps as quiet as I could on the upper landing.

My heart thudded in my chest again, an errant ache flickering through me as I passed by my brother's room. In the past, I would have gently cracked the door open to check on him, more often than not finding his arm hanging off the bed as he drooled onto his pillow.

That was no longer something I got to do. Not since that night...

But it was the door to the next room that I had to pass that really got me. Like I was no longer needed…or forgotten. It was where my sister had been choosing to sleep for months now. Away from me.

No, it's so she can be with him. She needs Tucker. It's not about me.

It was something I had to remind myself of often. But tonight, well, any night that I had that awful dream, it just hit worse.

I needed Jet.

Except, for weeks now, he hadn't been here either.

Tonight… this morning , I corrected myself as I checked the time, no one was. It was just me, the shoes on my feet, and my music. Stuffing back the prickling behind my eyes, my nerves still on full assaulted alert, I popped in my earbuds and stepped outside, the early dawn just breaking the horizon. I pulled in a deep breath, my lungs finally expanding enough for me to breathe in the open air.

And I ran.

It was hours I spent in my oblivion. I didn't even feel it anymore—the pain, both emotional and physical—this was something I did so often now. My lifeline in the void that threatened to suck away the rest of my life. Time would slip past, and I'd never know, lost in the euphoria and freedom of my run.

But there was one thing that brought me back sooner today, and not wanting to be late to finally see Jet, I cut the end of my route short, my feet only slowing when they reached the sidewalk in front of my house. Rushing on my toes up the porch steps, I headed inside, the stillness and quiet an ever present ache that started over a year ago when we'd lost the first piece of our family.

I couldn't imagine Daddy was staring happily down at us right now; things were such a royal, fucked up mess.

Stopping by the kitchen for some water, my eyes purposely avoided the stove, the new sleek black reflective glass we'd had to replace only another punch at a memory of those middle of the night hours of last New Year's morning. Just hours into my eighteenth birthday…

My eyes closed as I downed a second bottle of water, turning away to face the three quarter island countertop that opened up to the dining area .

I grabbed one more bottle, chucking my first two in the trash as I headed for the stairs. I was coming down from my high now, and I reeked, every inch of my clothes soaked and sticking to my skin. There was no way I was making my trip to the airport like this. Unscrewing the third bottle on my way up, I took a sip as I reached the upper landing and came face to face with Tucker as he stepped out of the guest room he now shared with Izzy.

He ran a hand back through his sandy blonde strands and dragged it down over his face, clearly still trying to wake up, then jolted when he saw me standing there.

"Shit, Annie," he grumbled. "You startled me."

"Gotta get something right today, don't I?" I snarked, my steps now halted as his massive form filled the space.

He gave me a funny look, obviously still too tired to participate in our usual banter. Or maybe mine was off. Had it even made sense?

"You're up early." He shut the bedroom door, and I frowned before popping a shoulder in a shrug.

"Couldn't sleep. Izzy's still out?" I jerked my head in a tilt towards the guest room. Izzy's room? Theirs? I didn't even know. It was just weird.

Tucker nodded. "Yeah, she didn't pass out until almost one last night and then jolted awake again a few minutes before six. She just went back to sleep. I'd stay and make sure she sleeps okay, but I've got a shift today."

I nodded, the mention of Izzy jolting awake at that time bringing a speck of hope and happiness to my heart. Before I remembered that she hadn't realized why she'd woken up. Just months ago, she'd have been by my side in a heartbeat .

"What time do you have to head out? Today's the big day, right? Jet's coming back?" Tucker asked, bringing me back, and this time, I couldn't help the smile that split my face.

I rolled my eyes playfully at him for asking. He knew as well as I did. "Yes. Thank God. I'm just gonna clean up, run to the grocery store to stock up for the week, and then go. I always thought dance camp was rough with Izzy gone, but these two weeks have been brutal."

Tucker gave me an understanding smile, his eyes softening, making me wonder how much of what I tried to hide he saw now that he was halfway living here, especially now that my emotions were ramped up with Jet gone.

But he's about to be back. Today! Tingles shot up my body in anticipation, my feet itching to move. I bounced on my heels a couple of times, and Tucker grinned.

"I'm gonna head out." He ran his hand back through his hair again, tossing me that cocky playful smirk of his as he gave me a knowing look. "Have fun."

My eyes narrowed playfully even as my toes curled at the thought of all I wanted to do to my man the second I got him back here. I shoved against Tucker's arm with my hand, pushing past him, and he chuckled, taking off down the stairs as I headed into my room for a shower.

I cursed under my breath, slamming on the brakes of Helen's minivan in the middle of the airport parking lot to avoid being backed into by a hasty driver of a large, diesel truck. I slammed my hand against the horn, flipping the guy off even if he couldn't see it, but he was already speeding off down the row in front of me. My patience didn't have time for this shit today; I was wound so tightly.

I seriously needed to see Jet.

At least, now I can park, though. Get inside that much sooner. I couldn't help the grudging positive thought as I pulled into the now vacant space. I'd wanted to get here a little early, just in case Jet's plane was ahead of schedule, but thanks to someone blocking me in at the grocery store, Archer calling me, stressed out and begging again to come home, and then the overwhelming rush hour traffic in Houston, I was now dangerously close to being late.

I hated being late.

This was so not the day to have an Izzy moment.

Not that any of it had really been my fault, and of course, I wanted Archer to call me any time he needed to, even if it gutted me to still have to tell him no. He was where he needed to be for now, in a stable home with Tucker's family. Because ours no longer was. The arrangement sucked, but it was good for him. What was best. God, I hope, at least. It was still hard.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the thoughts and stress aside and hopped out of the minivan, locking the doors and stuffing the keys into the pocket of my shorts along with my cell phone. I felt my other back pocket to make sure my cash and ID were still there, and after feeling the folded wad next to the small rectangular piece of plastic, I dashed across the parking lot to the airport entrance.

It felt like ages since I'd seen Jet, even though it had really only been a couple of weeks ago when I'd dragged myself out of his bed at five in the morning, snuck out of his window after several long desperate kisses, and then circled around to the front of the house for a last proper goodbye in front of his family. Not that I was sure we'd really fooled anyone that morning. Stef and Helen hadn't said anything, but somehow, I got the feeling they knew.

They'd been the most supportive since everything had gone down a few months ago.

Well, that wasn't fair. Tucker's parents had been amazing as well, taking Archer in and giving him one of their spare rooms upstairs while everything else had just been too overwhelming. Guilt ate at me to do it, but between Izzy still healing and Mom…

I swallowed at the memory, my throat instantly growing tight.

It was best at the time. It still was. I think.

With guilt trying to check its way in again, I vigorously shook my head, darting between the loading and unloading cars to head inside.

I needed outside my thoughts.

I needed Jet.

Just a few more minutes. Only a few more until I'd be with my rock again.

Heading straight for the boards that showed the flight arrival and departure times, my heart sank to my stomach, aggravation and disappointment weaving through me. His flight was late.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up which baggage claim that particular flight's bags would be sent to and made my way down the corridors, reaching the area before I knew it. The thought of waiting felt like torture, but with nothing I could do about it, I took a seat on one of the benches to wait, my foot already starting to tap with impatience. Needing time to go faster.

I distracted myself the best that I could, reading all of the signs, counting the number of stitches along the toe of my left sneaker, comparing it to the number on the right. People watching everyone that passed by. My eyes lingered for a few minutes on a man in flaming red, skin-tight, leather pants and a white designer looking shirt that was plastered to his upper body. Not my style at all, but good on him for owning who he was.

My foot tapped harder against the ground, my nerves bundling tighter. It had only been twelve minutes, and I was going crazy. I bit down on my lip, starting to wish I'd just been late getting here after all. At least, then I wouldn't be sitting here in some kind of idle torture from hell. Though, you'd think I'd be used to it, growing up with Izzy and all.

I wondered how she was doing. We'd barely seen each other the past couple of days, and when I'd left for the airport, she'd been shut in her studio, the music blaring. Did it drown out her demons any better than running did mine?

I pulled out my phone, bringing up my sister's name, but my fingers just hovered over the screen, not entirely sure what to say. There was so much I wanted to but couldn't.

Me: I hope you're okay.

A ding caught my attention, and I looked up as the board above the belt to my left lit up with Jet's flight number scrolling across the screen. I jumped to my feet, my stomach flipping in excitement. He had no idea how much I needed to see him. Hear him. To jump into his embrace and feel his sturdy arms wrap around me as I buried my face into his neck…

Oh, my God. Just the thought of it had me pacing with anticipation now, my eyes scanning the crowd, searching for the well built, sexy as hell frame of my Greek boyfriend.

It only took a minute for me to spot him.

"Jet!" I cried out, my heart leaping with joy in my chest as I bolted towards him. Those vivid, ocean blue eyes I'd loved since I was thirteen locked with mine, and a broad smile stretched across his face. He took the few strides that brought him to me and dropped his bag as I jumped, my legs wrapping around his waist as his arms came around mine. I buried my face into his neck, breathing him in, the scent of ocean and spice filling my senses. The way he smelled when he hadn't been in a garage. My chest started to shake, tears leaking from my eyes. It felt so good to be in his arms.

"Hey, hey, sweetheart. What's wrong?" Jet pressed a kiss to my head, but all I could do was shake it. Overwhelmed. "Annie…" he urged, his tone soothing and gentle, yet concerned.

I forced myself to swallow and gain composure, then sucked in a ragged breath, lifting my head enough to say in his ear, "Nothing. I'm just so glad you're home ."

He didn't miss a beat, just holding me tighter for the several long minutes I clutched myself to his strong form. He didn't relax his hold until I loosened mine, and my legs slid down from his waist to stand again. Jet still didn't let me go, just holding me to him.

"I missed you so much," he said in my ear, and I laughed, wiping the leftover tears from my cheeks.

"You have no idea. Like crazy. I'm so glad you're back."

"Me, too." He pressed another kiss to my head, finally easing his hold, and I stepped back, looking up into those eyes that were the calm to my storm. We just stared at each other, taking so much in from each other's gazes. He'd missed me, but this trip to Greece had been needed. He'd gotten answers. Some closure from things he'd always questioned. I could feel it. But there was more there he wanted to tell me, too.

"You look beautiful," he commented, locking his fingers with mine. He pulled my hand up and placed a kiss on my palm. My heart skittered.

"Hi, Annie, dear," Helen said from behind Jet, a pleased yet tired smile on her face. I flushed, lost in the oblivion of just Jet that I hadn't realized his family was near. They all looked weary and stiff, Colton and Harper scowling with what looked like lack of sleep.

My eyes slid past them to Helen, and I gave her a smile back. "Hi. To you, too, Stefano." I looked at Jet's dad. "I'm really sorry about your mom. Was the trip okay? Did y'all make it there to see her in time?"

He gave me a slight smile through what I could tell was exhaustion, several carry-on bags in his hands. "Thanks, Annie. The trip was okay, and yes, we made it in time. I'm glad we went. It was… cathartic ."

"That's good."

"Jet, are you going to introduce Annie to your cousin?" Helen cut in.

"Yeah."

My head whipped back to him, confusion now covering my features as he motioned for me to turn around.

"Annie, this is my cousin, Nic. Nic, this is Annie."

Neither of us moved at first, like we were both frozen.

"Hi." Nic was the first to unfreeze and hold out his hand, a tight, not entirely sincere smile gracing his face.

It was like I was staring at a carbon copy of Jet. Maybe a half inch or so taller and with a body structure that wasn't quite as thick, but he was still built and had the same soft, black curls. Except he styled them with a little more care, smoothing gel through them so that they landed neatly against his head. His eyes were almost the exact startling shade of blue, but deeper, more like sapphires. Even his facial structure was the same, only older, his cheekbones and jawline a little more defined with age. That, coupled with the way his smile didn't quite reach his eyes, gave him a harder look.

My eyes traveled down, taking him in. From his form-fitted sweater style shirt to his designer, relaxed fit jeans and expensive Oxford's, he was preppier than Jet. His style was closer to Tucker's really, but still too polished. He oozed money in a way that Tucker didn't even though his family had it.

Nic started to withdraw his hand, rescinding his artificial smile, and I jolted back to life.

"Oh, my God. I'm sorry." I grabbed his hand before he could completely pull away. "I was just surprised. Nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you, too," Nic replied in a perfect, posh British accent.

My eyes widened at the sound, and a single laugh escaped my lips before I slapped a hand over my mouth. Nic's eyes widened as mine shot to Jet's.

"I know, right?" He grinned.

"What?" Nic asked, clearly annoyed .

"Sorry," I apologized again. "I just wasn't expecting the accent. I mean, I know I should have, I guess. I know where you grew up, but it's just…it was weird." I ended on a shrug.

Nic rolled his eyes. "I'm going to go wait for my bags," he said before walking off.

"That's probably a smart idea," Stefano replied. "Thanks for coming to pick us up in the van, Annie."

"No problem." I pulled out the keys, handing them over as Stef followed his nephew. Harper trailed on his heels while Colton leaned against Helen, and she ran her fingers through his dark hair, pulling him close.

"We better go help, too. Be thinking about where y'all want to eat."

I turned back to Jet, wrapping my arms around him once again for another massive hug, seriously just in heaven that he was here . That I could touch him again. And then I heard his stomach growl against mine.

I laughed as he let me go, and he grinned, taking my hand. "Come on. Let's go get my stuff so we can get some food."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "I swear, you're never full."

He popped a shoulder, owning it, and I just beamed, so happy to be by his side. We followed his family to the baggage claim belt, and when I glanced over, I caught Nic's gaze piercing me, scrutinizing, and something in me flared in irritation.

"So, what's the deal with your cousin coming?" I asked, holding Nic's gaze, refusing to let him win or intimidate me. Or whatever the hell he was attempting with that look. Jet glanced between us, concern crossing his brow as he sighed.

"Yeah, long story."