Page 62 of Into These Eyes

Gavin

F rom the park bench where I wait, I stare at the empty children’s playground before me. The lone swing sways slightly, as if a child’s ghost can’t quite summon enough energy to really get it moving.

Closing my eyes, I let the warm summer breeze wash over me, feel it ruffle my hair and caress my face and bare forearms. I listen to the gentle creak of the swing’s unoiled chains and the rustle of leaves in the trees above me.

How many times did I long to be outside at night, in the quiet, with the air in motion all around me?

To experience the freedom a prison cell keeps extinguished with its motionless, stale air?

Before I ended up in this park, I’d walked around Jamie’s block once before it felt too much like the night my father told me to get out of his house before his new girlfriend arrived.

Jamie’s mother. Now I’ve been kicked out because of Jamie’s sister.

I let out a huff. Not true. Jamie didn’t want me to go.

But I had to, for her sake. It would be impossible to have the conversation she needs to have with her sister with me in the house.

And I’ve been beating myself up about my miserable failures.

Tonight was the first time we’ve both been out of the house at the same time, so protecting Jamie should’ve been at the forefront of my mind.

The moment we arrived home I should’ve checked the house and locks for signs of an intruder.

But I was so fucking lost in her, she became my entire world.

I’d turned us into sitting ducks. Whoever sent that threat could’ve been hiding in wait. Or walked in on us instead of Anika.

Now I’m sitting on a park bench waiting for Jamie to tell me to come home.

Their home, I correct myself.

No. It’s my home, too. That’s what Jamie told her sister. This is his home. Even after such a short amount of time, it feels like home, a place where I’ve been made to feel welcome, appreciated, and far more.

Of course, I’d hoped to meet her sister under better circumstances, but it’s hard to blame Jamie. It’s not an easy thing to reveal what their father has done.

When my phone buzzes in my hand, I stare at the screen.

Jamie: Please come home. She knows. She’s fine.

Me: See you in 10.

As I head home, it vibrates again.

Jamie: Be prepared. She tends to say whatever’s on her mind.

Me: Good for her.

Jamie: I’ll remind you of that when she offends and embarrasses us both.

Before I know it, I’m standing at the front door, suddenly not sure if I should let myself in.

I opt to give Anika some respect by knocking.

A stampede of feet and what I think is a yelp come from inside. Then the door swings open to reveal Jamie in her usual morning attire before she gets ready for work. Except for once, and to my disappointment, her robe is securely tied in front.

“Why are you knocking?” she asks, opening the door wider.

Anika appears at her side and shoves herself between us.

“May I help you?” she enquires, her lips performing a strange little twist, which I can only presume is an attempt to keep from grinning.

“Hi, I’m Gavin Lake. And I’m hoping I still live here,” I play along. Extending my hand, I wait.

Anika gives me the once-over before uncrossing her arms and taking my hand. “Anika Evans.”

We shake, and I apply the same amount of pressure she’s giving me. It’s a challenge I don’t back down from. We stare at each other, our grasps tightening, bordering just a millimetre shy of painful. Smirking, she releases my hand.

“Well, since this house is half mine, you’d better come in so we can see about whether or not you’ll continue to live here.”

I don’t miss the fact that she’s made sure I’m aware she has one up on me. Although Jamie won’t tell her the truth about their father’s wishes, I’m mindful that soon enough it will belong to them both.

Thirsty, I head into the kitchen, noting the half empty bottle of wine and the two empty glasses on the breakfast bar. By the time I grab myself a glass, add some ice, and fill it with water, I turn to find the two women seated on the other side of the breakfast bar, staring at me.

Anika bumps Jamie’s elbow. “He sure acts as if he’s at home.”

“That’s because he is home,” Jamie says, her eyes on me. “And that won’t be changing.”

“Don’t be shy,” Anika says. “Come over here so I can get a good look at you, Gavin Lake.” As I lean on the breakfast bar, she sucks in a little gasp. “Gavin Lake,” she muses, tapping a finger to her chin before turning to Jamie. “Didn’t you make up some rhyme about him? Something like—”

“Don’t,” Jamie warns.

“No need for a recital. I’ve already heard it.” I look at Jamie and wait for her eyes to meet mine. “It even saved me from getting into some trouble earlier.”

In my peripheral vision, I see Anika glancing from me to Jamie and back again.

“Well, look at you two,” she croons. “Already having private conversations with your eyes. How sweet.” Leaning to the side, she gags.

“For God’s sake, Ank. Is that what they taught you at the academy?” Jamie chastises.

I wink at her, enjoying this new mama-bear side of her.

“Alright, alright,” Anika says, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Taking in her dirty blonde hair and brown eyes, I can see the similarity between the sisters, but they’re also very different. Even though Anika’s a stranger to me, there’s something familiar about her. Shaking it off, I put it down to recognising her from those home videos Jamie showed me.

I might not know her, but I already understand something. Jamie had her hands full raising her. She’s not some well-behaved, obedient daughter. She’s full of spirit and, from what I know about her relationship with her father, she’s also hurting.

After she offers to refill Jamie’s wine glass, she pours herself another, takes a grimacing gulp, puts it down and nails me with her eyes. Which has a strange, unnerving effect on me.

“So, Gavin Lake,” she begins, “I owe you an apology.”

Jamie’s head swivels in her sister’s direction so fast, I’m surprised she doesn’t lose her balance and topple off her stool.

“No need,” I tell Anika. “Just like I’ve told Jamie, none of what happened is your fault.”

“I know that. I’m talking about how we met. I’m sorry for speaking to you that way. And for kicking you out of …” she gives Jamie a pointed look, “your home.”

“Thanks, but you don’t have to apologise for that either. You acted exactly how I’d expect, given what you knew.”

She glances from me to Jamie. “Well, then, I guess I should apologise to you. For not trusting your judgement.”

My eyes flick between the two, understanding in that this is something new for them.

Jamie shakes her head. “Thanks, but if I’d told you earlier, none of it would have happened. So, out of everyone here, I’m the one who’s sorry.”

Anika’s gaze falls firmly on me. “Well, Gavin. As much of a shock as all this is, at least it’s put to rest one of my questions about Mum’s murder.

I’ve always had this niggling feeling about you insisting that you were innocent.

It seemed crazy to me that you’d deny it when it was on camera for everyone to see. That was some pretty damning evidence.”

I’m shocked when the apparently tough little nugget before me swallows and tears well in her eyes.

“Jamie told me you were only trying to help Mum,” she barely manages.

Jamie rests her head against her sister’s and puts a comforting arm around her, squeezing her tight.

Trying to distract the poor girl, I say, “I’m surprised you looked into it, since you were so young when it happened.”

“I like investigating. And reading,” she answers, taking a deep breath before letting it go.

“Like your sister,” I point out.

Anika shakes her head. “No, I like to read true crime stories, books and articles. For fun. She likes to read smut. For fun.”

Jamie pinches her hard on the arm.

“Ow! That’s assault!”

“It’ll be more than that if you don’t stop trying to embarrass me,” Jamie mutters.

“Well, buckle up, big sister. It’s about to get a whole lot worse.”

Jamie blushes a moment before she buries her face in her hands and groans.

Anika turns an amused gaze my way. “She’s told me you two haven’t bumped uglies yet, and I don’t wanna be here when that happens.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that the chemistry between you two is fucking nuclear.

I don’t want to hear it when it detonates, thank you very much,” she finishes, giving a repulsed little shudder.

I glance at Jamie, wondering what the hell her sister’s talking about. All I get is a shake of her head and one eye peering out between her fingers.

“She’s the one who set the rule, so she’s already agreed to this. Now it’s your turn,” Anika says.

“My turn for what?”

“No fucking my sister while I’m under this roof.”

I flick a glance at Jamie. Still hiding.

“Don’t bother looking at her. It’s her rule.

When I turned sixteen, she laid it out. I wasn’t to have sex in this house while she was in it and vice versa.

It pissed me off at the time, but I understood.

She didn’t want to hear it.” She gives a little chuckle and nudges Jamie with her elbow.

“Guess she didn’t think it’d come back to bite her.

And I’m guessing, that since my sister likes you, you must be a man of your word, right? ”

“I am,” I agree, even though I know I’m stepping right into a trap.

“Then promise you’ll keep your dick out of my sister while I’m here.”

Christ. She’s fucking serious.

“Just so we’re clear on these terms,” I say, “what about when you’re not here?”

She throws Jamie an amused glance. “Oh, I see why you like him. Determined to get in your pants, isn’t he?”

“Just get it over with,” Jamie’s muffled voice begs.

Anika turns her gaze back to me. “If you’re talking about me going out while I’m staying here, forget it. I’m not going anywhere … unless it’s with one of you. Believe it when I say, I’m your cockblocking nightmare.”

Well, fuck.