Rev (Jack 'Em Up #4) Read Free

me. “You can’t keep fighting the war in your head. It’ll kill you.”
    I ignored him and got busy, cranking my workbench radio on full blast as a ‘Keep Away’ sign. It worked until the scent of lunch wafted my way. I dropped my wrench with a clank and uncoiled to stand. I stifled a groan. It was a regular family reunion around here. When did an auto shop become a place for anything other than men and cars?
    Delilah smiled, her daughter giving me a toothy grin as she toddled along in front of her. Baby Declan was propped in some sling contraption to his mother’s chest sound asleep, milk dribbling down his chin.
    Rachel strolled in next, her and Jesse’s daughter, Avery, in a stroller with bags of Mexican take-out slung precariously over the handles.
    A very pregnant Tori took up the rear, waddling straight over to her husband, Trace, for a kiss. He reached down and caressed her belly then nuzzled her neck, making her squeal.
    My eyes automatically scoured the empty doorway for Jewel, but she wasn’t there. Disappointment slid through me hot and heavy, before I stifled it. I just wanted to see her to gauge her reaction to my silly text messages. If I was being totally honest, I longed to connect with someone who wasn’t maddeningly in love. Someone who also denied their pain. She may think she hid it well, but someone as tortured as I was knew a kindred spirit when they saw one. I could see through her as clear as glass. I just wished I knew what hurt her. If it was within my power, I’d fucking eradicate it with my bare hands.
    “Hey, Micah,” Rachel called as Jesse grabbed the food.
    I waved half-heartedly, pretending to be busy with the part in my hand.
    She unbuckled her daughter and strolled my way. “Wanna join us? We brought plenty of food.”
    My gaze automatically moved to Avery. Soft brown hair that was beginning to edge toward Rachel’s red was collected into a tiny spout of a ponytail on top of her head, big hazel eyes studied me intently.
    “Wanna hold her?” Rachel’s voice was soft, knowing.
    “I’m filthy.”
    Rachel laughed. “Her father is worse than that every day he comes home and it’s never stopped him. Wash up. You can hold her while we set up the food then you can eat with us.” Her tone left no room for argument.
    I nodded and washed up at the sink. Rachel was waiting right where I’d left her, something like sympathy softening her dark eyes. “Here.” She handed me Avery then spun away to help with lunch. She knew by now that I’d be fine on baby duty.
    “Hey there, little girl,” I crooned, bouncing Avery against my chest.
    She reached out and touched my nose.
    I tilted my head and kissed her finger, making her smile. We moseyed to the open bay doors and looked out at the bright Texas sunshine. She squealed when she spotted a lone pigeon pecking at some crumbs on the ground.
    God, I lived for these moments. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, like the sweet innocence of a child to block out the ugliness. I envied my friends. They had no idea how good they had it. But I did, and if bottling up my demons kept their lives cleaner, then that’s what I’d do.
    I hoisted Avery above my head. “No ugly monsters for you, right? Only unicorns and butterflies.” I razzed her belly.
    She chortled, her smile lighting up my dark world for just a moment.
    “Bring me my daughter and come eat,” Jesse called across the garage.
    I tucked Avery football style under my arm and jogged over, earning myself more giggles. Jesse swooped her up with a noisy kiss to her cheek. I’d never seen my buddy this happy, and I knew he had nearly as much deep, dark, desperate shit as I did. It gave me hope.
    We sat around Blake’s office and ate. The women fed the kids while baby Declan slept on against his mom’s chest. Blake, Jesse, and Trace talked shop and vacations and how Trace’s son, Ryder, was doing in school.
    “He’s so excited for this baby, it’s crazy,” Tori said, rubbing