Almost Everything

Chapter 26 - Walk Through The Fire

I double-check Jackson's condo before walking out the door. After that, I check the front door three times to make sure it locks after me. It is weird to be leaving his place and having no idea where he was.

I don't have my cellphone and I feel naked without it.

Nate came to the condo an hour earlier to help me with my bags and to make sure everything was locked up before I left for London. On the way to the airport, I grill him about what he needed to do to keep Meeko safe and alive.

My brother rolls his eyes. "Avery, I promise that I know what I'm doing. I know how much Meeko means to you. I promise he will be fine."

"I know. I just hate always leaving him." I frown.

Nate looks across the car and starts to say something, but then snaps his mouth shut and looks forward.

"What?" I snap at him.

"I have something that I've been wanting to tell you for so long, but I can't." He chews his lip.

I roll my eyes in his direction.

Another damn secret and I'm over it. "Nathan, just tell me. I can keep a secret and I have learned to not write them down." I smile at him.

"I think that worked out for the best. You have the guy and he knows the truth." He teases.

"Do I have the guy? The last time I checked, he left, and I have no idea where he is. What's your secret?" I ask him.

My brother drums his fingers on the steering wheel, plays with his hair, and finishes by biting the inside of his cheek. All of these are nervous habits for him. He takes a deep breath and starts telling me that not everything about his life is what it seems.

"I'm not a drug dealer or an idiot." He whispers.

"Nate, you've given me drugs before," I tell him confused.

"That doesn't mean that I'm a dealer. Maybe I have a stash of stuff and use them when needed. Aves, I went to college without our parents knowing and I have a real job, but I can't tell you what that is."

I turn in my seat and look at my brother. "You're a cop."

His face turns red and he stays quiet.

"Obviously, you must be undercover."

Nate looks at me with a grin. "If I was, I'd say I was damn good at it."

I grab his hand and squeeze it. "If you were, I'd remind you to stay safe and tell you how proud I was."

"If I was, I'd say thank you and never tell anyone that I took items from evidence for you."

"Your secret is safe with me, Officer." I smile at him.

"You're such a pill." He laughs in my direction.

Airport security is waiting for me at the curb when Nate pulls up. Quickly, my brother loads the luggage onto a cart waiting with my airline service. When the cart wheels into the building, I get out of the car and hug my brother.

Cameras are going off around us.

"Do you know where he is?" I whisper in Nate's ear.

He laughs and kisses my cheek. "I do. Avery, get on your flight and call me when you get to the house. Maybe send Melissa out to get you a new phone. I'll go crazy if I can't check on you."

"Is he okay?" I wrinkle my nose in hopes the tears will stop.

Nate nods, "now that he knows the truth, he's better than okay. That boy was really worried about you. Hurry home."