Page 8 of Something Reckless

ALBA

I enter the library with Jagger’s small hand clasped in mine. He’s excitedly jabbering on about the book series they’re supposed to be covering in his summer reading group today. He’s on a dinosaur kick right now, and it’s fun to listen to all the interesting facts he’s been learning.

I’m on my way to my house cleaning gig before my waitressing shift this afternoon. But first, I have to drop Jagger off at the library. My mom will pick him up afterward, while I’m still at work.

Jagger has acquired my love of reading, and that something I’m so grateful for. I love our visits to the library, where we both get lost among the cluttered shelves for hours.

Today in particular, I wish I could skip work and hang out here all day long. I don’t want to face reality. I don’t want to deal with the fact that Easton Raines is back in town. But I’ve only got a few extra minutes before I have to get going.

My nephew gives me a quick hug, before he darts off toward the kid’s section. “I’ll be in the romance section, but I’ll come say bye before I leave, Okay?”

He pauses. “Okay, Mimi. Love you! ”

“Love you, too, Bud.”

“Twenty-four-seven. All the time,” we say in unison.

Jagger grins at me before he runs off again.

As I stand there, watching him quietly scamper away between the bookshelves, I have to admit to myself that Jules is right.

I’m realizing I need to tell Jagger’s father about him.

It’s the right thing to do. Even though I’m scared out of my mind about how Easton will take the news.

I really, really don’t want him to break that sweet, little boy’s heart…the way his own mother has.

I just wish Raya would answer my messages. I’ve been trying to get in touch with her since last night and she hasn’t even read any of my texts.

Typical Raya.

At least I know she’s still alive. She’s been active on social media. She posted some photos showing off her latest bejeweled manicure thirteen hours ago. My sister is so damn frustrating. She always has been.

I remember it just like it was yesterday. Crammed into the tiny washroom in the church’s basement, staring at a pregnancy test, finding out that my fraternal twin was pregnant and that the baby was Easton’s.

I was the one who had to break the news to our parents—Raya claimed she was too sick with nerves to do it herself.

I remember every milestone of her pregnancy.

I remember hustling around in the kitchen at all hours of the night when she had her weird pregnancy cravings.

I remember standing next to her hospital bed, holding back her hair as she puked into a bed pan the night Jagger was born.

I was there through it all. Of course I was. Raya is my sister and I always have her back.

Although sometimes, I seriously doubt that she deserves my loyalty .

With the few extra minutes before my shift starts, I browse the romance section looking for any new books that might have come in recently.

I’ve read just about everything on the shelves of our small library at least once.

But I always like to check and see if they’ve fulfilled any new book requests.

My eyes blink heavily and I’m reminded that I’m currently running on about three hours of shitty sleep after my hospital receptionist shift. I’m just so exhausted.

I sigh, wishing out loud that I could be more like the heroines in these romance novels. I let my fingertips trail along the scuffed spines of the old books. A happily ever after sure would be nice.

“Might not be so bad for Prince Charming to swoop in right about now…” I mutter, flipping through a worn book I’ve read a few times.

A smooth, deep voice rings out from behind me, making me jump. “Since when do you need a prince charming to save you, Tiny Tiger?” Easton Raines asks me.