Chapter 15
The sun dipped entirely below the horizon, leaving behind a glowing amber twilight that slowly bled into the deep indigo of night. The stars began to appear overhead, sharp and brilliant against the vast Pacific sky, unblemished by city lights or highway glare.
Jax and Leo sat on the hood of Martha’s truck, wrapped in their jackets against the coastal chill, watching the white foam of the waves crash against the rocks far below. The silence between them was no longer heavy or suffocating; it was comfortable, earned through miles of asphalt, shared secrets, and the quiet acceptance of a shared future.
Jax reached into his pocket one last time. He pulled out the old, faded photograph of his younger self holding the infant wrapped in a blue blanket. The edges were curled, the surface worn thin by decades of handling, but the image was clear. He stared at it for a long moment, seeing not a ghost of a mistake, but the starting point of a redemption he never thought he deserved.
Without a word, Jax tucked the photograph carefully inside the leather pouch beside the silver Zippo, tying the lace securely. He didn't need to carry the past in his pocket anymore. It was alive, breathing, and sitting right beside him on the hood of the truck.
“We need to find a place to live, kid,” Jax said softly, breaking the quiet rumble of the surf. “Somewhere with a good school, maybe a garage where I can fix up old bikes, and a backyard for a dog.”
Leo looked up, a bright, hopeful grin spreading across his face. “Can we get a dog with floppy ears?”
Jax let out a low, genuine chuckle, shaking his head as he ruffled the boy’s messy light-brown hair. “Yeah, Leo. We can get a dog with floppy ears.”
“And what about the truck?” Leo asked, pointing down at the primer-gray hood. “We have to send it back to Martha.”
“First thing tomorrow morning,” Jax agreed, sliding off the hood of the truck and holding out a hand to help the boy down. “We’ll mail the keys back with a nice note. And maybe a few extra dollars for the pie.”
May you like
As they climbed back into the cab, Jax turned the ignition key. The engine caught instantly, rumbling smoothly in the cool coastal air. He shifted into gear, turned the steering wheel away from the cliffs and toward the sleepy coastal town nestled just down the road, and pressed his foot gently on the gas.
They weren't running anymore. The road had finally led them home, and for the first time in forty-eight years, Jax knew exactly where he belonged.
