It's quiet here, with nothing but birdsong and the distant sound of a lawnmower interrupting the peace. The house in front of me has a white picket fence and a bright red mailbox. It's like looking at a picture. "Where are we?"
Cutter hangs both of our helmets on the bike, smiling at me. "Your family's house. They're expecting us for dinner."
I turn back toward the door completely shocked by his admission. My eyes well with tears and disbelief. It's been so long since I have seen them and I've missed them every single day. My chest hammers with nervousness as my heart fills with love for the man who has saved me in every way imaginable.
"How?"
"You said you missed them," he says simply, as if that was enough for him to go to the trouble of tracking them down. It's no secret that he has resources at his disposal, but the fact that he would do something like this . . . for me . . .
"I had Wrench track them down, and when I found out that they moved and only lived a couple hours from us, I called them and set this up. Sara has moved out and gotten married-they even have a little girl. Everyone is in there. Your mom misses you just as much as you miss her."
I wrap my arms around him, tears slipping down my cheeks. "Thank you so much."
Cutter takes my hand and we walk up to the house. We're barely through the gate when the door flies open.
Mom.
My hands clutch at my throat and tears burn my eyes. She hasn't changed. She's even wearing the turtleneck sweater I remember teasing her about when I was younger, and even though her hair is peppered with gray, the style remains the same.
I run to her, throwing my arms around her.
Her voice is cracked and barely audible. "I missed you so much, Jasmine."
Both of us start to cry, our hold on each other only becoming tighter.
"Come in please," she says as she lets go and offers her hand out to Cutter. "I assume you're Jason?"
She knows his real name?
"Yes, nice to meet you, Mrs. Sommer." He shakes her hand and then steps back, looking back and forth between us. "I can see where Jasmine gets her good looks."
"Thank you for bringing our little girl back to us." Mom takes my hand and pulls me into the house.
A figure hits me with such force, I fall back into Cutter, who keeps us upright. Even though I haven't seen her for years, I'd know that perfume anywhere. I hold on tight, not ever wanting to let go. When I push back to look at my little sister, I'm stunned. Sara looks so grown up. A married woman, and a mother. Casey is two now, and looks just like her.
Looking around and realizing all the things I've missed hurts. Tears well in my eyes as I see that he took more from me than I already knew. I try to breathe and remember that at least now I will be there. I want to be a part of everything.
The next half hour is full of hugs, I missed yous, and I love yous. Cutter isn't crowding me but he hovers in the background, making sure I'm okay. When I look back he's smiling at me.
"Why don't we all head into the dining room for dinner?" My dad leads the way and everyone follows.
Stealing a minute alone with him, I stop and turn to Cutter. "This is amazing. Thank you for giving it to me."
His thumb brushes my cheek. "Seeing you this happy is all I wanted." He kisses me and then takes my hand and leads me down the hallway and into the dining room. As we eat, they all fill me in on their lives and what has been going on. My emotions are out of control, and more than a few times I break down and Cutter has to squeeze my hand or pass me a tissue.
There's a lull after we finish eating. I see the questions on everyone's faces. They want to know what happened.
Why I stopped speaking to everyone.
Where Dylan went.
They want answers.
The strange thing is, with the place I'm at right now, I really don't know that I'm ready to give them those answers, especially because a lot of it isn't even done yet. Luckily Casey decides to throw a huge tantrum and take the spotlight off me.
With my niece settled with a jigsaw at my feet, I tell them about the girls and the brothers in the club. Cutter seems surprised when I use their real names, but I really don't think telling my family I hang out with guys named Twisted, Whip, Lady, and Torch would go over very well.
Once dessert is done, and little Casey is starting to yawn and almost asleep on Sara's lap, the night draws to a close. It's a weekday so I'm sure they all have work tomorrow. With them being so close, though, I know that I won't let it be long until I see them again.
I turn to Cutter. "We should get back, it's a long drive."