Twisted Deceit (Deceit #3)

Chapter 23

Summer was nearing its end too soon for my liking.

The days grew shorter, as they did this time of year. The bugs were quieter, and there were less bees. That was the only good thing about the nights becoming cooler.

I hated it, knowing that winter and long cold nights were ahead of us once more. Nights where I’d wish I could come out here and sit and just be. Days where I’d spend the time baking and making the house filled with too many goodies.

I wasn’t sure where the summer went. I blinked, and it seemed to be gone.

Watching Jasper mow the yard one last time before he packed the machine back into the shed at Mrs. Lee's house until the end of spring, I took in the bright blue sky and changed leaves on the trees.

My swing hung from the same tree, calling my name. But it’d have to wait, since someone was currently trying to clean up around the trunk and I didn’t want to be in the way.

But that was the thing. Jasper never made me feel like I was in the way. Not when I brought cookies over for the three of them. Not when Mrs. Lee called and asked me to come keep her company while her grandkids worked in a room. And not when Jasper invited me and Dawn over for a BBQ a few weeks ago before the weather had changed.

Being around Jasper wasn’t helping me get certain emotions under control. It seemed to enhance a growing need inside of me that I knew wasn’t something I should follow.

Trace had kind of given up on me, since I didn’t talk. He was nice, polite even, but he stopped trying to pull me into conversations unless he had to. Which was okay. I didn’t much care for him and his slightly more childish thinking.

Maybe I had grown up and acted older than I was, even though I looked younger. Or the trauma I went through made my thinking different. Whatever it was, it wasn’t a huge loss to not have him trying to friend me.

“Can I sit?”

I blinked, pulled from my thoughts as a woman stood at the end of the steps where I was perched on, waiting to have my area by the tree free. I nodded slowly.

The woman smiled wide, showing off her perfect white teeth before taking a seat a few steps below me. She tossed her blond hair over a shoulder and leaned her back against the railing.

“I am not made for country living. At all.”

Some people weren’t.

“I’m Joane, by the way. Koda, right?”

I nodded once, trying to keep from staring at her more than needed.

She was pretty, in a city put together.

That made me remember that the first time I met Jasper, he had eyeliner on, but he hadn’t worn it at all while he was out here working. Which I guess, made sense. It’d smear everywhere in the summer heat.

“Cool. Jasper’s talked about you.” She looked over to where he was working. “I don’t deserve him. He’s got so much he can do, yet he decided to stick around this small town to help his grandma out.”

Some people did care about their family members. Even if it was just one person who cared and put the effort into it.

“He had plans to join the army but his parents talked him out of it,” Joane went on. “Instead, he went to college and became a teacher’s assistant in disabilities. He’s amazing with kids. But I know he wants more than just that. He wants a family, out here in the country, and a simple life. Which is cool if you like that. But I like the city.”

Why was she even telling me this? It wasn’t like it made any difference on what the man did with his life.

“I’m not ready to be tied down, and it’s going to hurt him to know the truth. But I’m not good enough for such a sweet man. He’s got his whole life ahead of him, and so do I.” She took a deep breath, like the entire world was on her shoulders. “How he hasn’t figured out what’s going on is beyond me. But he’ll be better off once I’m out of the picture. “

I tilted my head to the side slightly, now that she had my full attention.

“I know the lifestyle he wants to live. He wants someone he can dote on, day and night. Someone he can rock to sleep, even.”

She turned to face me, giving me a sad smile. “He loves a certain type of person, and I’m not into that, at all. You probably don’t even care, and I have no clue why I’m even telling you.”

I lifted a shoulder, not sure why she was telling me instead of just talking to Jasper about it instead.

“Of course, you probably have no clue what I’m even talking about.” She shot me an apology look. “You like, not even eighteen yet. Way too young to know what Jasper’s into, relationship wise. Which is good. Someone like you shouldn’t know about BDSM stuff. You’re the perfect type of person he should go after. What he wants, actually. Someone who is so lost, that they need a helping hand to find their way. Someone who can have the entire world, but content with simple things. Someone just like you.”

She fell into silence as Jasper finished mowing. He gave Joane a bright smile and a wave, which she returned with a little wave of herself.

I think this was one of the best times to not understand a word she was talking about. I was one hundred percent certain that Jasper didn’t see me as anything more than the neighbor kid.

“Hey,” Jasper said, pushing the mower towards us before stopping. The machine was turned off, and his shirt, like so many other times was sweaty. Mowing the two lawns did not look like fun, and I was more than happy to let him take care of that. I’d stick to making cold drinks and warm cookies. Although, I didn’t do either this time.

“Hey babe. Are we still going to see a movie tonight?”

He looked as tired as I felt today, but Jasper still nodded. “Just give me time to get a shower.”

“No hurry. I’ll keep your grandma company while you get cleaned up.”

“Wanna join, Koda? The movie, I mean.”

With wide eyes, I quickly shook my head. Joane didn’t seem too pleased with me being offered to tag along.

“Trace could come too, so you wouldn’t be like the third wheel or anything.”

Again, I shook my head. No thanks. I only went anywhere with Dawn.

“Trace won’t go,” Joane huffed, standing up and dusting off the butt of her pants. “Even with a tag along.”

“Koda’s not a tagalong, and neither is my brother.” Jasper squinted his eyes at her. “You know my brother is welcome sometimes when we go. It keeps him out of trouble that way.”

“Maybe I’d just like to spend time with you without a third joining,” Joane huffed, her entire attitude changing within seconds. “I’ll just head home instead. I’ll call you later, Jas.”

Jasper didn’t stop her, letting her walk away. Most of the time, from the books I’ve read, the man always chased the girl. Same thing happened in the movies. He’d chase, say sweet words, she’d cry and all would be forgiven.

“She’s not all that bad,” Jasper sighed, taking a seat on the step his girlfriend had been sitting on. “She’s an only child, and doesn’t like to share with me well. We’ve had so many fights where she thinks I’m picking my brother or other friends over her.”

Well, to me, it sounded like she was making the right choice over her life, at least.

“I don’t think we’ll last much longer, which is okay. She’s…not into the same scene I’m into.”

Well, maybe their breakup wouldn’t be the end of the world for either of them , I thought.

I could only offer a shrug.

“I’m not worried. This house,” he nodded towards his grandmother's house, “is taking a lot more work than I expected. And Trace hadn’t been that much of help, despite his reasoning to come here to get away from our parents a bit. But he starts school soon so it’ll just be me when I’m not working.”

I pointed at him, hoping he could read my mind well enough.

“Where I’m working?” I nodded, glad he understood.“At a special needs school with preschoolers currently. It’s not what I wanted, but it’ll pay the bills until I find something else. I don’t mind it, and the kids are adorable with all their quirks.”

I nodded once.

“You’ll start school soon, won’t you?” I did a half shrug, half nod thing. Yes, I would, but what I did was a lot different than what most would call school. I probably knew more than regular kids would know from a school setting, having watched so many documentaries and reading articles and books. Yet, I was surely viewed as dumber because I wasn’t normal.

Even after three years, I still didn’t think going to a public place to learn was the best option for me. The threat of panicking was, and always would be, there. People in general tended to trigger me, although it was getting better.

I wasn’t freaking out right now, sort of having a conversation with Jasper. So that was a massive win. He didn’t cause my heart to race and thoughts to freeze now.

I also, today, had my emotions more in check than I’d have before.

“I think Dawn had said something about you being home schooled?” I nodded. “So, I guess if I get off early during the weekday, I can bribe you to come keep me company while I sort through stuff.” He gave me a wide smile, showing off a slightly dented tooth.

I lifted a shoulder once more. It would certainly depend on the day if I’d agree. But the idea was tempting. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to last for more than a few minutes in a house with him, but I’d rather it be Jasper than some other strange man.