Page 39 of Stopping Short

“Not snooping. I was trying to find where you hide your messages,” Peck murmurs. “Man, you message a lot of people… Oh, Sophia! I love that woman.” He grins to himself.

“Is he always this obsessed with her?” I glance at Mason and Dad.

“Yup! If they weren’t married, I’d suggest she file a restraining order.” Dad smirks.

“I told her Peck was too clingy and she could do better.” Mason shrugs.

“Oh, you did not! You love Peck.” Dad chuckles and shakes his head.

“Only because he’s practically a clone of Wyatt. Only somehow happier and more agreeable.”

“Is that even possible?” I eye Peck like he’s an alien. Wyatt’s one of the happiest people I know. I'm not sure I can imagine someone else being happier.

“You know, being made fun of for being happy or in love with my wife isn’t an insult. I’m a lucky man…” He trails off as his brows pinch together. “Hey, Harper… What is this app?”

He turns my phone around and shows me my phone screen. I take the device from him and stare at it.

“I have no clue. I’ve never seen this before.”

“I thought you weren’t snooping.” Jackson rolls his eyes.

“I wasn’t, but then I changed my mind.” He flashes me a grin. “I'm not sorry. I'm pretty sure someone installed this app on your phone and is using it to track you. Has Evan ever used your phone?”

“No… wait… he asked to use it the night Jackson came to Pittsburgh. He said he left his phone in the car and had to check something… But he had his phone a little bit later.”

“Yeah, he’s tracking you, sweetheart.” Peck turns his attention back to the computer and his fingers fly across the screen. “I did a bit of digging into Evan’s life. I need a little more time, but by the end of the week I should have all of the information I need.”

“Once we delete the app, will he be able to track her?” Jackson wraps an arm around my waist, tugging me against his side.

I can feel the heat of Dad’s gaze on us and I know he’s dissecting every move we make. Jackson and I have always been close, but he never really held me next to him like this.

“I’ll need to keep your phone for a few hours and really dig deep into everything. I doubt deleting it will really delete the program. Can I keep this for the afternoon?” Peck meets my gaze.

“I don’t really see how I have a choice,” I grumble under my breath.

“Are you coming to the game tonight?” Jackson asks him.

“Of course. Sophia says we can’t miss any games while she’s pregnant since she’ll miss games after the babies are born, but I force her to sit in the box seats now. I don’t need her getting hurt or falling.”

“Can you bring her phone to the game?”

“Definitely. I’ll get it done by then.”

“Do you need us for anything else?” I ask Dad.

“Nah, there isn’t much we can do until after Peck finishes digging into Evan. You have today and tomorrow to do what you want, then Wednesday we’ll drive to Pittsburgh. Call your mama and figure out a time to come over though.”

“I will.” I press a soft kiss to Dad’s cheek before stepping back and peeking up at Jackson.

“Alright, let’s go visit Sophia before we have to go back to the stadium. Thanks, guys.” Jackson places his hand on my lower back and leads me out of the cave.

Chapter 24

Jackson

“Oh my gosh! You two are so adorable together!” Sophia squeals as we walk inside the bakery.

“What are you talking about?” Harper stares at her like she’s gone off the deep end.