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I backed away from the door as Nico shoved his way through, his eyes full of concern. "You alright?"

I swallowed, hugging myself. "Peachy."

"What is it about that guy that scares you off? I remember when you first came here, you fled the moment I told you his name."

"He doesn't scare me off, if that's what you're worried about. Actually, he's right. I might need a drink or two. You gonna invite him in or what?" I hiked up an eyebrow expectedly.

Nico stared at me warily and opened the door with uncertainty. "Alright, come on in, Jett."

I couldn't tell if Nico could see through my lie, but I was an excellent actor. Although I was on edge as I watched Jett make his way through the door, I made sure my face portrayed no such emotions.

He set the six pack on the counter. "Actually, I'm sure the two of you would much rather be alone." I saw him wink at Nico. "So I'll just leave these here and let you boys have some fun."

He was gone in a second, but something flipped inside of me. "Stay here," I said, heading out the door to catch up with Jett. He was tall, so he walked with fast strides.

Thankfully, I managed to get near enough so he could hear me. "Don't you know who I am?" I demanded.

He turned around, looked me over, then hiked up his thick eyebrows. "Corbyn," the quietest laugh left his lips, as if he found humor in this situation. "I knew about you before you were even born. How could I not? Your father was always an important, prestigious man. Your mother's pregnancy was on magazines and newstands."

I folded my arms and swallowed. "Except you knew my mother better than any magazine cover she was on, didn't you? You only just left prison two years ago--"

He marched up to my face and stared me down while I sucked in a breath. "Your father ruined my life," he growled.

I lifted my chin. "At least you had a life," I spat. "I'm the son of a rapist; how do you think it's been on my end of things? I never stood a chance of being loved."

"Rapist," he repeated with a bitter laugh.

"She can't bear to look at me. It's like I traumatize her over and over again."

His eyes grew cold and pitiless. "Well, she's a big girl. I'm sure she'll grow out of it."

I felt a delirious rage bubble inside of me and I gave his chest a hard shove, making his back hit a nearby tree. "Why did you do it?! You monster!"

"I didn't rape your mother!" he yelled, his chest heaving like mine.

"Bullshit! The way she is... how she acts and carries herself... she's scared of something and someone, and I know it's you!" I accused, wagging my finger at him.

"You know what I think of your parents?" He spat on the ground in contempt. "I won't sympathize with her."

"Do you sympathize with me? The man I have to call dad doesn't care for me. And like I said, my mom can't even look at me without seeing you. So I have to live the rest of my life like this?"

"What do you even want from me?" he asked gruffly as I let out a breath.

I turned away, thinking about his question more than I ought to. He had to know that I was his child all these years. He had to care even a little bit. But he was right to ask that; what did I want from him?

"Look." His voice was calm now, but I refused to make eye contact. "If circumstances were different..."

It didn't seem like he'd finish that statement, not that it mattered. "I should head back," I abruptly said, whipping around and making my way to Nico's small trailer.

*Jaden's POV*

MORNING OF HOMECOMING.

"I appreciate you bringing me here," I thanked Kris. We were in his car, parked right outside of Jett's home where I was expecting to speak to my mom.

"You don't have to thank me. I'll always support you," he vowed, touching my cheek.

I softly smiled. "I promised myself I wouldn't visit her again."

"She's your mother. You're angry with her, disappointed, frustrated, but you'll never stop loving her. Go on; I'll be right here. Take your time." His patient smile was all the motivation I needed. I gave him a sweet kiss before exiting the car and stepping up to Jett's trailer where I was sure to find my mother.

With the way I left things last time we spoke, the guilt had been eating me up ever since. I was still disappointed as Kris mentioned, but I needed her to know that I wasn't giving up on her.

The heavy door lumbered open to reveal typical, grumpy Jett whose home smelled like ash and beer. "Why am I not surprised?"

I let out a slow breath. "I'm not trying to intrude, I promise. You know why I'm here."

"I do. She's not here, for real this time."

I stuffed my hands in my pockets, staring him right in the eyes to weigh his sincerity.

For once, his words seemed genuine. He looked tired and exhausted, as if something was troubling him that he couldn't solve. "She up and left," he explained. "You can see for yourself if you want."

"Where'd she go?"

He sighed warily, his eyes shining in the afternoon sun. "I don't know, kid. She wouldn't tell me. All she took was this little picture she kept staring at every day."

I wondered why she didn't let him know where she was going. I know I told her I'd never visit again, but we both knew it was bullshit. I was just... I was angry when I said it. I hadn't meant it.

So, if she did somehow know I'd come back, did she withhold her whereabouts so I wouldn't find her?

It crushed me. I wanted to cry but I knew I needed to stay strong, at least until I was in the privacy of my home.

And, strangely enough, it seemed that her disappearance affected Jett as well. I tilted my head and squinted at him. "I didn't know you cared so much," I quietly said without a hint of blame in my voice.

"She's been with me for a year. She was more than my friend."

I suddenly pondered over what he could've gone through in the year my mother had known him. I always judged him to be a coarse, uncouth person.

"Look at me; look at my life. Who could love a man like me?" The question was obviously rhetorical, but he was implying that my mom had learned to do just that: love him.

"So why would she leave you?" It was a stupid question, considering that Mom left her family. Jett wasn't blood.

"Let me give you some advice. It could do you a world of good, may even give you some peace from the storm in your mind."

"I wonder what advice you could possibly give me that would put me at ease," I doubted him.

"Don't think that she's leaving you. Think that she's going somewhere instead." He reached into his pocket, a smile forming on his face when he found a cigarette before he fished it out. From another pocket, he retrieved a lighter. "Pray she reaches her destination, to get what she went there for, and eventually..." He lit the cigarette after sticking it between his teeth. "To return."

I blinked at him, amazed by this sudden bridge of support he was building for me. I stiffly nodded, inching back. "Thanks, Jett. Um... I'll be on my way."

"I'll tell her you came looking for her if she swings by." He coughed a bit before shutting his door and I returned to Kris's car.

"Who was that lug?" He asked with a nonplussed expression.

"My mother's keeper." I sighed, buckling my seat belt as he began to drive off. "Or at least he was."

"Oh, so he owns the trailer and your mom lives here? Where is she?"

"Gone." My lips tightened and I shook my head, staring out the window. "He doesn't know where she is."

"Jaden, I'm sorry." His warm hand enveloped mine and I looked to him with a soft smile.

"No, no it's fine. Believe it or not, he gave me some encouragement. That was the last thing I was expecting to get after coming here. Jett's not... he's never really been the gentle, hopeful type so that's weird. He loves my mom."

"If he loves her, maybe he has a soft spot for you?" Kris's eyebrows lifted, indicating that he was curious and anticipating my thoughts on that possibility.

"I don't know. Something's different."

Kris shrugged. "I hope this gets sorted out. Somethin' about that man, though... seems oddly familiar."

"Think you've met him before?"

He pursed his lips then shook his head no. "Nah, I'd remember if I did. I watched him talk to you. His expressions, even how his eyebrows moved... I dunno, it's like when you get a feeling you've already talked to someone you just met."

"He reminds you of someone, probably," I figured.

Kris shrugged. "Could be that. Anyway, listen. I know you'll be worried about your mom, but whatever I can do to help you, say the words."

"You're too good to me." I smiled wider. "Hey, I know I've changed my mind a dozen times about this but... I'm sure of it now. I wanna go to homecoming with you tonight and have fun and just forget our worries for a few hours. If you're still up for it."

"Yes. Absolutely. My Jaden is going to smile and laugh tonight if I have anything to say about it."

I blushed heavily at that. My Jaden. The fact that I could call him mine as well was overwhelming, and I welcomed the feeling. "Well then. I better find a breathtaking outfit."

🎗🎗🎗🎗🎗

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