A Daddy for Jacoby(48)
“Are you really that sure of him?”
“Yes, I am.”
Memories of that night in the bar three months ago came rushing back to Gina. It hadn’t taken long for her to realize the men who barged in were old friends of Justin. He’d wanted nothing to do with them or their plans and ended up being hurt while defending her.
She offered the ladies a gentle smile. “Perhaps it’s time for a leap of faith, in ourselves and in others.”
Gina headed back for the gym. She stopped at one of the refreshment tables and took two cold drinks. With a new-found confidence, she made her way back to where she’d left her date.
He wasn’t there.
Ignoring the way her heart skipped a beat, she continued to walk the perimeter of the dance floor. Justin wouldn’t just leave, not without saying goodbye. When she finally spotted him, her footsteps faltered. He was sitting at a table in the far corner, surrounded by a group of teenagers, including the twins and their dates.
“Hey, sis.” Garrett rose from where he sat next to Justin when she reached the table.
Justin’s head swung toward her. He stood. His suit jacket hung from the back of his chair and he’d rolled his shirt sleeves back to below his elbows. Taking the sodas from her, he placed them on the table.
“So what’s going on?” she asked, after returning her brother’s hug.
“Ah, nothing.” Justin shoved his hands into his pockets. “Just talking.”
“So you were really that good at running?”
Justin’s gaze shifted between her and a kid who spoke from the other side of table twice before he replied. “Ah, yeah, I guess. I was on the varsity track team, running cross country, my sophomore year,” he shrugged. “Who knows where it might’ve led if I hadn’t been stupid and dropped out.”
“You still run now?” one of the girls asked.
“I’ve started to get back into it, when I can.” Justin paused, then continued when the teenagers remained silent. “I was able to use an outdoor track while in prison, but running in circles surrounded by an electrified fence and guards just wasn’t the same.”
“But you finished high school and got your college degree while you were in prison,” Giselle said. “That’s impressive.”
He did what?
Surprised, Gina looked at him. He’d told her only an hour ago that he’d never graduated from high school.
From this high school.
“It would’ve been more impressive if I accomplished those things without getting drawn into a world of fast money,” Justin replied.
One kid nodded, his face a study in concentration. “My cousin was all set with a big-time basketball scholarship and he blew it, getting too full of his own glory. He thought he could get away with anything. Instead he got busted and lost it all.”
“Which is why I steer clear of that crap,” said another one of the boys. “Figuring out the future is hard enough, you know?”
“Something none of you have to do tonight.” Justin gestured toward the dance floor. “Have a good time, that’s what the dance is for. Leave the figuring for tomorrow.”
Everyone moved away, most to the dance floor until it was just Gina and Justin at the table.
“You never told me you had a college degree.”
Justin slumped back into the closest folding chair. “You never asked.”
“Okay.” Gina sat next to him. “I’m asking now.”
He didn’t say anything, so she waited.
“I’ve got a bachelor’s degree in English,” he finally responded to her unspoken question. “With minors in Liberal Arts and Humanities.”
Her mind flashed back to the overflowing bookcases in the cabin. “That is impressive. So, what was all this about? With the kids?”
“Your sister’s boyfriend asked me what I did to get sent to prison.”
“I know, I heard him.”
“It was a nice change to be asked directly instead of all the stares and whispering, so I told him.” Justin wrapped a hand around one of the sodas. “Next thing I knew I was surrounded, talking about the stupid things I did as a teenager that led to the stupid things I did as an adult, and the price I paid.”
Gina leaned forward and placed her hand on his. “Most people just tell kids what to do or what not to do. I think it probably helped them to actually speak with someone who could share the consequences of his actions.”