Page 49 of The Comeback Road (Leaving #2)
Jace
I held her as tightly as I possibly could, convincing myself that Lexie was there, that she was safe.
She’s here, and she’s safe.
She’s here, and she’s safe.
I felt the tremors in her body slowly fade as she continued to lean into me.
Her breath was shaky, and I couldn’t kick the feeling of dread that had washed over me and settled in at her confessions.
She seemed so strong and fragile at the same time.
The kitchen and the looks of everyone else felt stifling, but I did my best to have it all fade into the background as I focused solely on her.
“Hey,” I murmured softly, rubbing her back gently. “You’re okay, Starlight. I’ve got you. I’m never letting go.”
What felt like too soon, Magnolia broke the silence.
Her eyes were soft with understanding but glistening, and I knew she needed to feel a connection with Lexie in that moment, as if to remind herself that she was still there, just like I had.
“I think Lexie needs some time with her friend.” And with that, she pulled her away from me, and instead of clinging to me like she had before, Lexie let go and gravitated toward Magnolia.
I watched them move out of the kitchen and into a quieter, more private part of the house, and my focus shifted. The tension in my chest had barely loosened. I was fixated, watching the spot where Lexie had just disappeared from.
“Jace?” Jess’ voice cut through my haze, and I turned toward her, suddenly aware of her presence again.
“What?” I asked, maybe a little too harshly.
“I just wanted to see if you were okay. That was..well..intense.”
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. Jess had always been nice, and I knew that was all she was trying to do, but her presence just seemed to grate on me. “I just want her to be okay.” I focused again on the spot Lexie had just been.
“She will be.” Jess offered me a reassuring smile, and then walked away to join the others, who were still hanging out in the background, giving everyone space.
Before I could walk over to them, Magnolia reappeared with Lexie, who looked a little more composed, but with red-rimmed eyes that broke my heart.
“Dinner’s ready!” Magnolia announced, her voice breaking whatever tension still hung in the air, letting us know that we were moving on from what just transpired.
As we settled at the table, I tried to shake off the heaviness of Lexie’s confession. The atmosphere felt stilted, awkward, and we tried to fill it with forced laughter. But as the first glasses of wine were poured, the warmth of the room and Christmas set up began to seep back in.
Raya, ever the distraction, leaned over excitedly toward Lexie, her eyes wide. “Since you’re the coolest, can I sit with you?” Her face lit up, like that was exactly what she needed. “Absolutely, kid. It’s the one thing I asked for this Christmas.” She winked at her while she reached for her.
Lexie ruffled her hair. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and that, mixed with the wine and good food, began to dissipate the tension.
As we all started to dig in. I couldn’t help but watch every single thing that Lexie ate, taking note of how she seemed to eat it, what she liked, what I could make. Before I knew it, I was completely lost in grocery lists and food ideas, not realizing the sudden shift in energy once again.
“So, Jess,” Luke said when everyone started to slow down. “Aren’t you Jace’s ex-wife? What brings you here?”
The air grew thick with discomfort, and Jess’ face paled. I could see the hurt behind her eyes, and she started to fidget with her napkin before she answered. “I, uh…I came with Remi. She invited me,” Jess replied, her voice as steady as it could be despite the situation.
“I mean here, in Rockland. Seems like a desperate attempt to get someone back who hasn’t taken his eyes off Lexie the entire night.”
“Luke!” Lexie yelled, shocked, a warning tone to it. My jaw tightened. I really don’t like this dude.
“I’m sorry,” Jess stammered out, but there was a resolution to it as well.
“I’ve never, uh…Well, I’ve never really felt like I have a home.
I bounced around from foster house to foster house.
I had a longer placement once. Around three months.
They were kind, always had food in the house, and never locked me out.
Until I turned eighteen in the middle of my senior year, and they met me on the porch with my duffle bag when I came home.
I guess…Rocklands has always felt like home more than anywhere else I’ve ever been, so… I decided to stay.”
I could see Lexie’s expression change, empathy washing over her features.
She reached out to Jess, her voice gentle, barely above a whisper, and I could only make out her words because I was so tuned into her.
“I get that. I’ve felt misplaced, too. Like home was far away. A destination, not a place.”
The table fell eerily silent as her words washed over the group, and for a moment, it felt like we were all connecting in the silence of our shared experiences of longing and loss.
Raya broke the silence when she squealed, “WHO’S THAT?” Mac and Cheese had just entered the kitchen, his ears flapping.
“That’s Mac,” Dexter said. “I thought I put him in his kennel. Must have forgotten to lock it.”
“I love him.” Raya hopped down for a face full of puppy kisses.
“I forgot you’ve never met Mac before, Raya. Just Peaches, Sweet Potato, and Pie.”
“Wait—” Jess started to ask.
“Do not get us started!” Magnolia yelled out in a defeated cry, and laughter broke out around the table once again.