Page 69 of Diluted Truths

“Of course. We promised each other if we ever had to go back, we would do it together,” she responded.

When we made that promise, it was with Nate. Theo and I were silent for a moment, understanding we would have to do this without him. If it wasn’t for Kai specifically asking for us, I don’t think we would have gone. “I’ll see you there. Love you, Theo.”

“Love you, Jack.”

With that she hung up. I listened to the dial tone for a moment before hanging up myself. I guess I was heading home today. I began to make a mental list of everything I needed to do. I needed a flight, to find someone to watch Jedi, I needed to tell Fai I wasn’t coming into work… again.

Fuck, I was going home.

I looked up to see Sarah, Will and Oliver all staring at me with concern. Once I made eye contact with Will, he stood and walked towards me, wrapping me in a hug. As he embraced me I exhaled, long and deep.

In his arms, it all felt a little less scary. “What’s going on, Sunshine?” he asked.

“My brother got hurt. I need to go see him…” I paused for a moment. “He’s still in my hometown. Theo and I are flying out there.”

I felt him tense at my words. “Malachi? Right?”

I nodded in his chest.

“You have a brother?” Sarah asked, perplexed.

I let go of Will to face her. Maybe it was time I stopped hiding so many parts of myself from my people. “Yeah, I have, or had, two. Malachi and Nathaniel.”

I watched as both her and Oliver digested what I was saying, understanding and sympathy showing on their faces.

“Nathaniel’s gone?” Sarah asked timidly.

Once again, I just nodded in response. Oliver looked at me for a moment before showing me again why he is my best friend. He could tell I hated their sympathy and pity. He knew it only made it worse. “Your parents named you Malachi, Nathaniel, Theodora, and Ophelia? You sound like Bible characters,” he asked with a laugh, breaking the tension.

I laughed at him. “Yeah, why do you think none of us go by those names? It’s Kai, Nate, Theo and Jackie to us. Our parents despise it.”

“What do you need from us?” Oliver asked.

I sighed. God, these were really my people, my tribe. “Can you guys check on Jedi while I’m gone and water my plants?” I asked.

Sarah and Oliver nodded, signaling their agreement. I turned my attention to Sarah. “Can you tell Fai why I need some time off?”

She walked towards me and stole me from Will’s arms, wrapping me in her own embrace. “Of course. You call me if you need anything while you’re gone, okay?”

“I will. Thank you, Sarah, and you too, Oliver.” I turned towards Will, ready to say my goodbye. I hated leaving him, especially after last night. I didn’t want to leave him. I wanted to continue to explore us. But Kai and Theo needed me.

I started to apologize for having to leave when he spoke first, “I don’t care what you say, I’m coming with you.”

“Will, you don’t need to. You have a job and other responsibilities.” I should have seen this coming.

“You are my top priority, Jackie. I’m coming. I’ll get a plane and figure out Theo’s as well. Neither of you need to worry about that right now.” Will looked at me for a moment before gently grabbing my face. “You said you wanted more, this is more. I’m coming with you.” He quickly kissed me before saying a quick goodbye to Sarah and Oliver and left to his office to figure out how we were going to get to Utah.

I stood there shocked by how quickly he took command of the situation. He was right. I wanted more, I wanted this. I think it would just take time to get used to it.

“Hey Jackie, remember when you said you weren’t interested in him? How’s that going?” Oliver said, breaking the momentary silence.

Sarah and I both broke out in laughter in return. “Shut up, Olly.”

He groaned at the nickname before wrapping me in his own hug. “Be safe, call me if you or Theo need anything. Okay?”

“Thanks, Oliver.”

He smiled and turned to leave. “I’ll meet you outside, Sarah.” With that, Oliver left Will’s house.