I grunt in affirmation, crossing my arms and matching his scowl.

“Hurt her and we’ll fuck you up.”

I give him a single nod. I’d tear my own arms off before I intentionally hurt Jessie, but I know there’s a devil inside me that I can’t always control. I pray to whatever God will listen that she never sees it.

“Good.” A wide grin spreads across his face, transforming him again into the goofy dad from earlier. He slaps a hand on my shoulder and adds, “You seem like a decent guy. Hope it lasts. Her attention span is shorter than Miguel’s.” He chuckles and steps past me, heading into the bathroom.

That makes two family members who felt the need to tell me how inconsistent Jessie is. I wish I could say I was surprised, but I’m not. Still, it stings to realize that even if I’m the one who walks away, she’s the one who can move on.

I make my way back to the living room to find Jenny and Mariana on the ground playing with Miguel while John watches from the couch with a proud and protective grandfather’s glint in his eye.

John jerks his head to the seat next to him, so I take it.

“Seems like just yesterday my Jessie Bird was that size,” he muses.

“What’s the story behind the nickname?” I ask.

John lets out a reminiscing sigh and nods to Jake, who’s standing in the corner fiddling with his phone. Swiping right until his finger falls off, from what Jessie says. “You can blame that one. When he’d get mad at her, he’d use her full name like their mother does. But poor guy couldn’t say Jessica to save his life. Jessica Bridget came out more like Jessie Bird. And the way she’s always flying about, it just stuck.”

I nod with a light smile. “They’re close?” I ask, nodding to Jake.

“Two peas, those two. When Jessie was about ten, she wanted this silly doll with these big eyes. Jake, what was the name of that doll Jessie wanted?”

“Bratz, just like she is,” Jake answers without taking his eyes off his phone.

“This is family time, Jacob Brody. Put the phone away or it’ll meet my blender.” Jenny’s sweet voice has Jake shoving his phone back in his pocket. No idle threat—she’s pulverized some electronics before. I can see where Jessie gets that determination from.