Omission by Taryn Plendl Page B

her before that night. It was a spur of the moment thing. I was desperate, Garrett, and she was alone.” When he looked back up I could see his eyes were full of tears. I grabbed his hand.
    “It’s okay , Jackson,” I spoke softly. I didn’t mean to upset him, and his emotional reaction to my question hit me like a ton of bricks. “No, Garrett, it’s not okay. I really messed up that night. I’m lucky I didn’t hurt her worse than I did. I wish I could apologize, but I don’t see how that would work. I don’t even know who she is.” He shrugged.
    “Jackson, I’m sure she’s okay.” I felt like shit. Not only was I deceiving Payton, I wasn’t being honest with Jackson either. I wasn’t being honest with anyone . Could you really build a relationship, fall in love, with lies of omission? Wasn’t that what I was trying to do? Unfortunately, I didn’t see any other way. I had never felt more like a selfish bastard than I did right then.
    “Yeah, I guess ,” he muttered as he wiped the back of his hand across his eyes.
    “Hey, listen. It looks like you’ll be able to come home in about three or four weeks. Do you think you’ll be ready?” I changed the subject. I had put him through enough today searching for my own answers.
    “I think so , man. I’m ready to get my shit together. I want to start college at the beginning of the year,” he announced.
    “Really? That would be great, Jackson.” God, it felt good to have my little brother back. We were both so lost and screwed up after the accident, and I finally felt like we were getting on track. Jackson was my baby brother, my family. I loved him, and that would never change.
    The loud beeping indicating an incoming text broke through the silence of the car. Payton had made it home safe , and I felt myself relax a bit knowing that she was okay. Just the thought of her made me smile.
    We slipped into a bit of a routine over the past week. We would walk to class together, and I would walk her home after she got off work. Mixed in there were the kisses. Lots of kisses. They usually started out small, but there was something about her that almost made me ravenous. I couldn’t get enough of her. It was a spark that turned into a raging inferno whenever we touched. We never made it past kissing and roaming hands over clothing, but it was exciting, nonetheless. It felt a bit like we were in high school, but I didn’t want her to ever think that that was why I was with her. She was special, and I got the impression that she wasn’t very experienced. Her kisses were extraordinary, but I could tell that she was holding back—timid. I had no problem waiting. Many nights I went home to a cold shower, but I was happy— she made me happy.
    ***
    “Good morning!” I grabbed her from behind and dropped a big kiss on her neck before she could even react.
    “Wow! Good morning to you , too,” she giggled as she tried to smooth her hair. Her face was beautiful with a slight blush to her cheeks. Her dark locks hung loose around her face, and with the royal blue sweater she was wearing, her eyes looked like dark sapphires.
    “You look incredible.” I admired her as I held her in my arms.
    “Well, you aren’t half bad yourself.” She moved out of my arms and went to lock the door so we could leave.
    We walked hand in hand to ward campus. The morning was bright, but cold, and there was a layer of crystal ice on the grass, shimmering like diamonds as the sun shone.
    “Do you wan t to tell me about your trip?” She squeezed my hand slightly as we walked. I knew I probably should mention something about it.
    “I went to see my little brother. He is in a rehab program up there.” I waited for her reaction.
    “Is he doing okay?” She amazed me. There weren’t any questions or prying. Just genuine concern, and I was relieved. I wasn’t sure what I would say if she had asked more about him.
    “He’s doing much bett er.” I smiled and squeezed her hand