Burnout (Jack 'Em Up Book 0) (16 page)

She wrinkled her nose. “And this way I won’t have to be sad because the Marines can’t send you away from me.”

I laughed, suddenly feeling lighter than I had in days. Her belief in me was more healing than any drug. “Yeah, well, I’m not going any further than the tech program at the community college now, baby . . . but I can’t promise you won’t want to kick me to the curb after a while.”

She squeezed me tighter. “Never.”

Delilah

I
knew it. Blake loved me. He was more than my dream that had come true. He was every star in the sky blazing in my palm, every secret wish of my soul granted.

I cuddled into his warm embrace, never wanting to lose this moment. I inhaled the tangy air as the breeze ruffled my hair. I let the sunshine soak into my neck and shoulders as I ran my hands all over his back, making sure this was real.

“So . . . there’s one more thing,” he said, his voice low and close to my ear.

I peered up. “What?”

The look of determination on his face scared me. Whatever it was, it was big. “We need to talk to your parents. We can’t keep hiding.”

Damn.

I knew this dream was too good to be true. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Dee.” He tipped my chin up until I met his eyes. “It’ll be fine. I promise. I just need to do this. For me.”

“But—”

He interrupted me with a swift kiss. “I know how they feel about me and that they’ll probably never accept us together, but if we’re gonna do this . . . if you want me . . . then I can’t hide anymore. I have to man up and admit to my past.” His hands gripped me tighter, hot through my shirt. “And grab my future.”

I studied him for a moment, trying to absorb some of his quiet determination. I’d do just about anything for him, but this scared the hell out of me. Finally, I nodded. “Okay.”

That earned me one last kiss before he led me over to his car and waited while I slid inside. We were silent on the drive to my house, our hands intertwined between us.

He pulled up into my driveway, right behind my dad’s patrol car. Facing me, his face lit with a smile that I knew was forced, but he was trying.

“I love you,” I said for probably the millionth time.

A small laugh escaped him, his eyes twinkling. “I know. I love you, too, Princess.” He glanced toward my house. “Let’s do this thing.”

I let him lead me to the front door, which I opened and poked my head inside. I pulled Blake behind me as I headed toward the clinking and murmurs in the kitchen. My entire family stopped and stared at us, their lunch forgotten. I clutched Blake’s hand tighter, hating that I wanted to throw up.

My father glanced at Blake beside me, down to our interlaced fingers, then to me with a scowl.

“Delilah?” My mom was the first to speak.

I choked down the nerves crowding my throat. “Mom. Dad. Blake and I wanted to talk to you for a minute.” I glanced at Danielle, who looked like she was suppressing a smile.

The fork in my dad’s hand dropped with a loud clank.

My mom shifted to face my father, as if shocked into silence.

I tugged Blake further into the room. “Will you just listen?” I demanded.

My dad stood to tower over us. “There’s nothing to listen to. I’m leaving.”

“No.” Blake spoke now, his voice unwavering. “Please stay, sir. This will only take a minute.”

The hateful look my dad narrowed at Blake made me cringe. What had he done to deserve that?

I directed Blake to an empty seat and indicated for my dad to sit back down with a tip of my head. “Please.”

He glanced at my mom then sat with a huff. “This better be quick. Then you—” He pointed a rigid finger toward Blake’s face, “—you’d better get your sorry ass outta my house.”

“Dad!” My voice rose to a pitch that had everyone staring. “Quit being a jerk and listen.”

He stayed stone silent, his gaze now trained back on Blake. “One minute. Speak.”

I was mortified, but I sat next to Blake and reached for his hand again.

“I came to tell you that I love your daughter and I want to be with her. Forever.”

My mom turned as white as the tablecloth as my dad puffed up, his cheeks becoming red. “The hell you will. You’ll keep your trailer trash ass away from her. I thought I’d made that perfectly clear.”

When had he made that clear? I was confused. And mortified by my dad’s behavior.

Blake’s spine stayed ramrod stiff, his gaze unwavering from my father’s. “You made it clear what you think of me and my family, yes. But I’m here to tell you that your opinion . . . everyone’s opinion . . . means nothing to me, other than how they affect Dee.” He glanced at me. “I know my family has a pretty rough reputation, but I have plans to do better. For her. Because of her.”

“And just how do you propose to do that?” My dad leaned forward, his fists clenched on the tabletop.

“Well, I was going to go into the Marines, but I think I’d like to stick around and go to college. Start a business.”

My mother let out a little squeak that was very unlike a county judge, as my father continued to stare.

“Now,” Blake continued, “I understand how you feel. I aim to change that by making something of myself and supporting her in her dreams. But, in the meantime, I’d appreciate it if you’d give me the benefit of the doubt and respect that I love your daughter and would do anything for her. I’d die for her. Can you say the same thing?”

My heart nearly melted in my chest at the conviction in his voice. At the way he stood up to my parents.

My dad didn’t budge. His eyes stayed trained on Blake as if he was sighting him in a rifle scope. “Your minute is up. Get out.”

Blake nodded once and stood. “Thank you for listening.” He faced me. “I’m gonna go. Call me when you’re ready to talk and I’ll take you back for your car.”

“I’ll take her to get her car,” my dad insisted, standing again.

Blake didn’t take his gaze from mine. “Okay. See ya soon?”

I nodded and watched him go, hoping against hope that I could find my backbone to face my parents without him, but knowing it was futile.

Blake

I
drove straight to school from Delilah’s, needing to do something with my hands and not wanting to go home. Thank God Mr. Dixon was around and let me in.

There, with the smells of grease and brake fluid, I felt comfortable. It was quiet, there were no questions, the cars didn’t judge me by anything other than my ability to fix them.

“Everything all right, Travers?” Mr. Dixon asked when I was wrist-deep in carb cleaner.

I glanced up. “Yeah.”

He kept his eagle eyes on me, studying the part in my hand for a moment before he spoke. “You know, I don’t know why you do it—heck, it doesn’t really matter—but you’re the only student who comes here when it’s not school hours. It shows dedication.”

I dipped my head, still having trouble accepting a compliment. “Yeah. Thanks.”

“I’m serious, Blake. You’re my star pupil. The best I’ve had in years. I hope you don’t lose that.”

Emotion crowded my chest. I blinked and faced him. I took a leap and told him about my plans for school and maybe opening my own shop someday.

He grinned. “Well, that should be a piece of cake for you. And I’ll be there as your first customer when you open your shop.”

“Uh . . . you’ve taught me everything I know. Why would you do that?”

A big laugh burst out. “So I can say ‘I knew him when.’”

He had me believing, even more than before, that I could actually do this.

I got back to work when he excused himself back to his office, letting my mind quiet in the normalcy of grease on my hands.

“Blake?”

I snapped around at her quiet voice, relief flooding me. She’d found me. “Princess.”

She wandered into the shop, her gaze darting to the part in my hand. “Got a minute?”

“Sure.” My heart was pounding like a racehorse as I laid down the piece and washed my hands. I nodded to the bay door and we walked outside. “So,” I said, “how did it go with your parents after I left?”

She sighed. “Not good.”

Damn.

I ached to hold her, but something in her stance kept me back. “What happened?”

Her face was clouded with emotion, anxiety. “Just what you’d probably imagine. They yelled, my mom cried . . . my dad told me not to see you anymore.”

My stomach dropped like it was full of cement. No. No. Not after all we’d come through. I opened my mouth, but couldn’t find a single thing to say. I’d tried. Really tried. And I was going to lose her anyway.

She faced me, her eyes glowing in the sunlight. “I told him that wasn’t going to happen.”

What? “You did?”

Her entire body relaxed and she tucked her arms around my waist. Confused but relieved to have her back in my arms, I wrapped her up tight.

“They’re pretty pissed,” she admitted. “And there was talk of kicking me out if I didn’t straighten up, but I stood firm.” She kissed my chin and squeezed me like I was her lifeline. “I’m not quitting on us, Blake. I won’t do it. I love you.”

I would’ve been embarrassed by the tears rushing my eyes, but she had her head tucked into my neck so she didn’t see. I laid my cheek to her hair, smelling her flowery shampoo. “I love you, too, Dee, but are you sure? Really sure? If they kick you out because of me, I’d never forgive myself. I don’t wanna come between you and your parents.”

She brushed her nose back and forth across my T-shirt as if scenting me. “Something would’ve come between me and my parents eventually.” Her voice was sad. Resigned. “I can’t be the daughter they want. I can’t be Danielle. But I’ve got you and that’s all I need.”

“Damn right, you do.” I kissed her crown.

She drew back far enough to peer into my eyes. “Thank you for loving me just as I am.”

I dipped my forehead to hers, overcome. “I could say the same, Princess.”

A sweet giggle bubbled from her chest and I felt my world right itself on its axis. She was my perfect girl, my heart. We’d be just fine.

Blake

Graduation Day . . .

I
stared at my gorgeous girl in her bright blue cap and gown. She was glowing. She was perfect. I could hardly believe my luck in finding her . . . that she loved me. Just me.