“You’re not,” he says, walking closely behind me.
A loud sigh escapes me. “I am, Ikram. I got the closure I needed, and tomorrow, I’ll try and reconnect with my siblings. It’s all fine.”
“Jack, can we just sit for a moment?”
Where the hell are my pain-killers? I wouldn’t have forgotten them. I don’t even need morphine, just a damn aspirin for my head.
“Jack.”
“Just a second!” I snap, before I freeze and close my eyes.Fuck. I turn around to face a slightly shocked Ikram, standing still, his lips parted in confusion. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—my head hurts. I didn’t mean to snap.”
“Why did you, then?” he asks, his voice remaining calm.
“I—I don’t know. It’s just—it’s too much at once. Shit, I’m so sorry.”
I take a step forward and relief fills me when he doesn’t step back. After what happened in his past, I wouldn’t blame him…
My hands lift slowly until his face is between them. “I’m sorry. I think I’m overwhelmed.”
“Yeah. I would be too.”
He smiles softly, his hands reaching for mine, rubbing my knuckles with his thumbs.
“If—I just need some time and space to think, so if you’re worried again, just give me a few hours. And please, if I ever snap at you again, just punch me in the face, that’ll do.”
He chuckles softly, but I’m not laughing.
“Promise me,” I insist.
“Okay.” He stands on his tiptoes to peck my lips. “But don’t shut me out.”
I arch a brow, confused.
“You can talk to me. I’ll understand.”
“I know. It’s just that… Until recently, the only person I could count on was Prue. It takes time for my brain to accept the fact that we’re not alone anymore.”
“You’re not,” he smiles. “You’ve got Nate, and me… Let’s not forget how feisty Evie was in there.”
That pulls a chuckle from me. Shewasfeisty, and I did not expect herto say anything.
“We all love you. Don’t push us away.”
My eyes open abruptly and I look down at him, the top of his head only reaching my chin. He just smiles. Like he didn’t just talk about love.
“You all love me,” I repeat slowly.
“Well, all in a different way, of course… At least, IhopeNate doesn’t love you in the same way I do.”
“Love,” I say again.
He arches a brow, his smile widening.
“I’m an all or nothing kind of guy,” he shrugs. “And I’m not afraid to admit it.”
“That you… Love me.”
“Is Steinert disease known to make your ears malfunction?”
