McKenzie Cousins Box Set 4

I wanted to be honest with him, my best friend, but I couldn’t. Hurting Jason was the last thing I wanted to do. “Yeah,” I sighed and left the heat of his arms. “I’m going home to catch up on sleep. Maybe I won’t feel as weepy then.”

“I’ve never known you to be like this before.” Jason tilted his head and regarded me through different eyes. He knew I was lying to him. He probably knew it was to do with a guy too.

At least I hadn’t admitted anything to him. Thinking about him at least took my mind away from Dylan. For mere seconds anyway.

13

Dylan

My parents hugged me to them, but it was my mom who wouldn’t let go. Her cold hands cupped my face while she placed kisses all over. “I missed you. You’re never leaving me at Christmas again. Ever.” She kissed me again while I cast my eyes over to Dad for help. He just stood back and grinned.

“Dad, a little help.” I struggled around Mom’s hold. She laughed and, after giving me one last kiss, she patted my cheek and snuggled against Dad.

“It’s good to see your face,” Dad said, before placing a kiss to the top of Mom’s head.

I loved how they were both affectionate after over twenty years together and they didn’t care who knew it. My uncles were all the same and it made me want what they’d built over the years. Maybe I’d have that with Jenna.

Speaking of which, where had she gotten to? I did a slow circle trying to spot her, but nowhere was there a head of red curls. I’d messaged her earlier and she hadn’t replied.

“Who are you looking for?” Mom asked, frowning.

“I have a girl,” I grinned. “She’s coming home with me. I just don’t know where she is.” I continued looking around. “She’d said she’d be here.”

“Maybe she got held up in traffic,” Dad offered. “Plus, your flight did land a bit early.”

“Fifteen minutes, Dad.” I sighed and met his gaze. “Let me try and call her. She isn’t one for being late or not messaging. I’m worried.”

Moving away

for privacy, I dialed Jenna’s number. It rang continually until it clicked over to her voicemail. I hated those things, but I did leave her a message.

“Jenna, its Dylan. I’m worried. Where are you? Is everything okay?” I stared at the phone and let the beep of the voicemail disconnect the call.

There was only one other person who I knew was still around school until later today. My cousin Jaxon.

I waved over to my parents’ and told them five minutes. Dialing Jaxon, he answered on the second ring.

“Why are you calling me so early?”

“Nice to talk to you too, Jax.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Jax, have you seen Jenna McCormick around school over the holidays?”

There was rustling on his side of the phone and then he came back on the line. “You really are into this Jenna chick, huh? I knew it.”

“Okay, Mr. Genius, tell me if you’ve seen her,” I asked becoming impatient.

“I haven’t seen Jenna, but I got cornered by Tracy the other day. She wanted to know where you were and who you were with. I didn’t tell her much, she seemed to already know it anyway. She asked me for the pic you sent me of the village. I didn’t give it to her, but one of the guys borrowed my phone and sent the picture to her.” I could hear his shrug down the phone. “She wanted more pictures, but I refused, and she got snarly. I told her to get lost. Don’t think she liked me being that honest.”

My heart sunk the more Jaxon spoke. “What did she do or say?”

“Not much. She did look a bit too closely at the village pic you sent though. It was just a snow picture. I didn’t get it. Anyway, where are you?”

“At the airport with my parents. Wondering where Jenna is.”

“She was supposed to be there?”

“Yeah. I asked her to come home with me. She promised to meet my flight. I can’t get through to her. I’m worried, Jax.”

“Then detour to her apartment. She’s in apartment twenty-eight, across from us. It’s a single.”