Page 83 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)
They’d come in with Hazel earlier for pizza. Hazel had offered to let Logan stay and take Charlie home for bed like she usually did when I was working. But Logan had declined, saying he’d go back with them too.
Mostly because Charlie had begged him to help her pack for our vacation.
“Are you sure you’re okay with covering the bar all next week?” I asked.
“Like I told you yesterday when you asked me that same question ten times, yes. I can handle the bar all week.”
“I know you can handle it. I just feel bad dumping it all on you short notice.”
After I’d agreed to the trip last night, I’d left Logan at home and walked down to the bar to talk with Jackson. He’d grumbled about me moving too fast with Logan but had promised to take care of everything until we came back.
“It’s fine, Thea. Consider it my penance for the whole kissing thing.”
I grimaced. “Don’t ever do that again. That was disgusting.”
“Disgusting? My kisses aren’t disgusting.”
“Don’t pout,” I scolded. “I’m sure all the women who throw themselves at you think you’re a great kisser. But since I’m the closest thing you have to a sister, I can say it was disgusting.”
“Yeah.” His face soured. “It was kind of gross.”
I smiled. “Why don’t you sit down? I’m going to go check on that table and then we can talk.”
He nodded, grabbing his Coke and a tray of peanuts before rounding the bar.
I made quick work of refilling my customers’ drinks before pulling up the stool next to Jackson. We sat quietly for a few minutes, each taking turns at cracking and eating peanuts until I asked the question that had been on my mind for weeks.
“Do you want to tell me what’s been bothering you?” I already knew the answer. Ever since Logan had shown up last month, Jackson had been off. My normally playful and supportive best friend had turned into a moody brat.
“Nothing. I don’t know.” He scratched the scruff on his cheek. “These last few years have been the best, you know? No drama like we had as kids. We’ve got a good gig here at the bar. Finally don’t feel like I’m scraping pennies together. I guess I’m just pissed that things are changing. This guy . . . he’s a game changer.”
“Is that really so awful? Logan’s not a bad guy, and Charlie adores him. She deserves a father, Jackson.”
“I know.” He sighed. “It’s just . . .”
The pieces clicked before he could finish, and I wanted to smack myself on the forehead. Before Logan showed up, Charlie did have a father figure.
Jackson.
This had nothing to do with me and my relationship with Logan. Jackson was hurting because he felt like he was losing Charlie.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think of how you’d be feeling about all this. But you’ll always be her uncle Jackson. She loves you so much.”
Jackson hung his head. “But I can’t spoil her like he can. I don’t have that kind of money.”
“It’s not a competition, and it’s not about the things you buy her. She needs love from you both.”
He sipped his soda, contemplating my words. “She’ll forget me if you don’t come back.”
“What? We’re coming back. This is just a vacation.”
“You might decide to stay.”
I shook my head. “No, I won’t. I’ve already told Logan I won’t be moving back to New York.”
The only way I’d live in the city was if Logan forced me into a custody situation. But now that I knew him better, I couldn’t imagine him doing that to me.
“This is just a vacation,” I repeated.
