Free Cuts Run Deep by Amber Garza Page A

realization that this wasn’t a one-time thing.
    “Same as all the other times. I’m not what he wants in a son. He thinks he can berate me until I do what he wants me to. He’s not like this with my sister.”
    “Does your mom know?”
    “It’s not like he beats me. This time we were playing a game of football at the family barbecue on Saturday. He said he was just trying to tackle me, but I know better. He had been riding my ass all day, saying how disappointed he was in me for being in the play and everything. Grandma had mentioned Romeo and Juliet at dinner, and I could see the embarrassment on his face. When Dad’s embarrassed, I always know I’m going to get it later.”
    “Oh, Jackson.” I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.”
    His arms came around me, holding me tight. It was the closest I’d felt to him. “Now tell me about your scars.”
    I rested my cheek against his chest. “Last year before we moved here, I sort of tried to kill myself.”
    “What? Why?” Jackson’s loud voice startled me.
    I sat up, staring at his surprised expression.  “I was just going through a tough time. I didn’t know how to keep going. It’s why we moved here.”
    Jackson studied me, no doubt thinking of all the rumors. There was more to the story, and some of the rumors touched on the truth. But I hoped he didn’t ask me about it right now. I hoped he’d let it go. I’d already shared more than I wanted. “God, Piper.” He reached for me, his hands grappling with my face, running down my neck and across my collarbone. “I’m so glad it didn’t work. I’m so glad you’re still here.” The look on his face broke me. Moisture gathered in my eyes. He meant what he was saying, I could tell. His palms ran down the length of my arms, his hands grasping both of mine when he reached the bottom. “Is that why you connect with Juliet so well? Because you understand that feeling of not wanting to live anymore?”
    “Sort of, I guess.” I smiled, wiping my eye. “But not really. I mean, I didn’t try to off myself because of my love for some guy. I’ve never been in love before, so I don’t understand the intensity of that emotion.”
    “I’ve never been in love before either,” Jackson said, his eyes catching mine. “I used to think it was weird that I’d never fallen in love, but I don’t anymore.”
    “You don’t?”
    “No.” He tugged me toward him. “I know now that I was waiting for the right person, and I hadn’t met her yet.”
    “You hadn’t? Or you haven’t?”
    “I hadn’t.” His arms circled my waist, and he buried his head in my neck. “Don’t ever hurt yourself again, Piper. Promise me.”
    “I promise, Jackson.”
    “Damn it, Piper, are you even listening?” Dad’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
    I glared at him, irritated with him for taking me away from Jackson. God, I could only see him in my memories now. How dare he take that from me.
    “She’s not feeling well, Jack.” Mom fluttered nervously by his side, her forehead a mess of squiggly lines. “Maybe we could talk about this later.”
    “No, we can’t talk about it later.” Dad walked toward my bed, his shoes clicking on the linoleum. When he reached me, he ran a hand over his salt and pepper hair. I was never surprised that Dad’s patients adored him. He had the whole sweet doctor look down with his gentle features and light eyes. Too bad whenever I saw him he looked like he’d just sucked on a sour lemon. “Our daughter is a prime suspect in a murder. We have to discuss this now.”
    This got my attention. “What?”
    “Ah, now you’re listening. Super.” Dad shook his head in frustration.
    Desperately, I glanced at Mom. “What’s he talking about? Do they think I killed Jackson?” My heart pounded in my chest.
    “Of course they do,” Dad’s voice was like a roar of thunder in the room. I flinched. “What did you expect? It was my gun that was used and your