Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy, #3)(46)

Patti’s eyebrows came together with impatience and she eyed Jay before saying, “Oh, all right then, in order. But make it fast!”

Marna hadn’t been able to talk to Jay at all yet, so they had no idea about what had happened since Ginger went missing. We made our way into the cushy family room. They were rapt as I talked.

“And then this huge spirit showed up,” I said, making Patti gasp and her eyes widen as I described its ramlike appearance. “And you’ll never believe who it was.” They stared at me, on edge. “Dad!”

Patti paled. “Your dad . . . he doesn’t have a . . . he’s . . . ?”

“He had to shed his body,” I said quietly.

“Dude,” Jay said. “He’s scary with a body. I can’t imagine him as a spirit.”

“Yeah. It’s so weird. He’s looking for a new body now,” I said.

Patti closed her eyes and covered her mouth. When she took a deep breath and nodded, I forged ahead.

“We knew Pharzuph was searching for me, so Dad came up with the idea that me and Kaidan—”

Patti squealed, jumping to her feet. “You’re married! Aren’t you?”

Jay’s shocked face swung back and forth between the two of us. “Nuh-uh! Are you?”

I felt so emotional about my news that I could only nod.

Patti screamed, pulling me to my feet for another bear hug. Her excitement should have felt strange, given the reason why Kaidan and I had decided to marry, but I knew Patti wasn’t focused on that. She was focused on the love we shared, and the fact that we were able to share this life experience, despite our circumstances.

“Oh, sweet girl,” she said into my hair. “I knew they couldn’t keep you apart.”

When she let me go, Jay hugged me, saying, “That is crazy. But cool. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

We sat down again, still wired from the big reveal.

“So what happened next?” Jay asked. Then his cheeks got splotchy. “I mean, not, like, next next, but, you know, after?”

I picked up the story, telling them how Pharzuph had come to my dorm room in his new form. They were shocked and disgusted.

When I was done, Patti let out a giant sigh.

“I’m so thankful we’ll have this night. I’m gonna pop that turkey in the oven and start prepping stuff. Why don’t you two go to the pool and try to relax? I think your bathing suits are in one of those boxes upstairs still.”

“I can help you with the prep,” I said.

“Nah.” She smiled. “Let me. I’ve got plenty to occupy my mind now. You two go be young or something.”

She was humming to herself as she went to the kitchen.

We changed our clothes, grabbed towels, and headed down the street to the neighborhood’s pool. A couple of families were at the shallow end, so we took lounge chairs at the other end of the pool and lay down. The sun felt glorious.

“I can’t believe you’re married,” Jay said next to me.

“I can’t believe you’re gonna be a dad,” I countered.

“Aren’t we too young for all this? Weren’t we just learning to drive or something?”

“I know, right?”

We both got quiet. He stared off, and the burdens he carried were apparent in his distant eyes.

“Jay . . . how are you feeling?”

“I don’t know. Man. It’s like, I’m not really afraid for myself, but I’m scared for Marna and the baby. I want to keep them safe, but I feel like this little nobody. Powerless or something.”

“You have more power than you realize. Knowing you love her gives Marna strength. She’s happy, Jay. I know it seems crazy, but I think she feels loved by someone other than Ginger for the first time in her life, and she’s thankful.”

“But I don’t want her to die.” His voice thickened as he choked up, causing my own throat to swell with emotion. I couldn’t respond. All I could do was reach over and link my fingers with his, connecting us in our fear and sorrow.

Lying there next to my oldest and dearest friend felt right—the stretch of silence between us was soothing.

Some kids came over, calling Jay by name. He seemed to cheer a little, getting into the water with them. Of course he’d made buddies in the short time he’d lived here. The kids took turns climbing to his shoulders and jumping off. I lay back on the lounge chair and rolled to my stomach, content as I watched them.

Sounds of splashing faded as I dozed.

And then I heard a beautiful voice. . . .

“Cover your arse, and nobody gets hurt.”

I lifted my head to see Kaidan crouched next to me. He was here! Just as I was about to get up and throw my arms around him, his gaze slid down my body to my butt and stayed there. Hello, stormy eyes.

I felt twice as hot under the sun as I had one minute ago.

I threw the towel over my body, which forced his eyes back to mine.

“Hey,” I whispered.

He touched my face, and I leaned into his palm.

“I feel like it’s been a year since I saw you,” he said softly. “I’ve missed you.”

I reached up and cupped his hand. “I’ve missed you, too.”

“But you’re still in trouble.” His voice was low and gravelly. “I need you.”