Define Normal

Chapter Twenty-Two

“That’s funny because I seem to be the one who ends up paying the price,” I said, getting irritated with the way this conversation was going. I pushed back from the table and stood up, looking down at the general in disapproval. “If you think I’m going to be understanding about anything that guy has done to me, you’re wrong.”

The general opened his mouth to say something but before he got any words out, the front door opened. “Hey dad, I’m back.” Jackson said, walking into the dining room with bags of groceries in his hands. “Jade, what are you doing here?” he asked a broad smile spreading across his face as he moved closer to me and leaned in to plant a quick kiss on my lips, making my heart skip a beat as I gave him an answering smile.

“Your dad was just telling me that his co-worker is looking to bring me in for questioning. Again.”

Jackson’s eyes narrowed and moved to where his father sat. “What? What’s going on?”

“Law is trying to go over my head and get permission to bring Jade in with or without her consent,” the general said grudgingly, giving me a disapproving look. “I don’t appreciate you involving my son in this.”

“It’s my decision,” Jackson growled, putting the bags in his hands down and wrapping his arm around my shoulders as he glared at his father. “Now explain how Law can do this without your permission. You’re his superior, aren’t you?”

The general let out a long breath and ran his hand over his buzzed hair, his eyes scanning the room before landing on mine. “There are people that are higher up than me and it seems that these kids are causing enough problems that they’ll likely approve Law’s request. I’m sorry, Jade but maybe things will go better if you just go willingly. I’ll be there for as much of the questioning as I can and maybe together we can convince them that you have nothing to do with those kids.

I swallowed hard, moving away from Jackson to grip a couple grocery bags. “Thanks for the warning, General,” I said before heading into the kitchen.

“Just consider it, Jade,” the general said sternly from the dining room, not moving to follow as Jackson and I left him there.

Silently, I began to put away the food while Jackson stood at the entrance to the kitchen. I could feel the weight of his eyes on me but I didn’t look up from my task.

“Jade,” he said finally, reaching out to grip my wrist before I could put the milk away.

“Jackson, just drop it, okay?”

“Let’s leave.”

My eyes widened on the milk carton for a second as shock coursed through me. “What?” I asked, finally looking up at his serious eyes.

“Let’s get out of here. Go somewhere that no one will find us until this whole thing blows over.” He moved closer to me, wrapping his arms around me and tucking my head under his chin. “I won’t lose you again.”

I squeezed my eyes shut tight, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms for a moment before I pulled back. “Jackson, I can’t run away from this. My family is here and if I’m not, then they’ll be the targets.” I gave him a small smile and went onto my toes to brush a kiss across his mouth. “As appealing as it sounds to run away with you, I just can’t.”

He let out a sigh and rested his forehead against mine, closing his eyes for a moment. “I knew you were going to say that,” he said quietly, tightening his arms around me. “Okay fine, if you’re not going to run away with me, then at least go on a date with me.”

I blinked up at him as he pulled back slightly to look me in the eyes. “A what?”

“A date, you know, what couples who aren’t training for battle do.”