Just Jack Read Online Free Page A

imagining things or was the swirl of blue light back, this time flickering on either side of Jack’s shoulders? Leo had clearly banged his head harder than he realized.
    Mac backed away and up the steps of his building. He was clearly perturbed by Jack, but relented anyway. “I’ll phone you later. We still need to talk about what happened.” Mac stiffened as he eyed the two men. He looked like he had more to say, but instead, he turned and headed inside.
    When Mac had reentered the building, Leo felt a twinge of sadness, though he knew he shouldn’t. Leo glanced at Jack, then shyly lowered his head.
    What the hell am I doing? I’m insane.
    “So, your ex?” Jack broke the silence that had settled between them.
    Nodding, Leo said, “Yeah, as of ten minutes ago.” Could this day get any worse? He held his head and pressed his other hand to his chest. It felt tight at the thought of Mac.
    “Are you all right?” Jack asked and looked into Leo’s eyes. He seemed to lean back and wore a puzzled expression, as if he had seen something he didn’t like.
    “Feeling a little tense.” Leo took a deep breath. He didn’t do panic attacks, and Jack didn’t need any more reasons to think Leo was a fruit loop. “Stressful day.”
    “I’m sorry.” Jack winced as he spoke. “And I’m sorry about your head.”
    “It’s not your fault.” Leo sighed and checked his watch. He had so much to do.
    “Maybe. But…” His eyes held an apology. “Anyway.” Jack dismissed whatever he might have said. “Where were you headed?” He picked his coat up off the sidewalk and looked at the wet item of clothing.
    “You don’t have to walk me.” Leo was sure Jack had plenty of other things he’d much rather be doing right now than babysitting him.
    Jack folded his coat over his arm, then ran his hand back through his damp hair, brushing away the snow that had settled there.
    Straightening up, Leo smiled to himself as light hit the snow still clinging to Jack’s beard—bright white in contrast to his dark coloring. The man had such a calm and gentle aura about him, warming almost, and yet Leo couldn’t help but note the ice-coldness that surrounded Jack as if he was able to absorb the heat right out of the air. Hell, with the bang to the head, Leo swore he could see the chilling silky, silver-blue waves playfully dancing between them. Blinking, he became aware he was maybe letting his gaze linger a little too long on the other man.
    Whether Jack noticed, Leo wasn’t sure. Jack certainly wasn’t giving anything away as he inspected his coat.
    “Where do you work?” Jack eventually asked.
    “Harding’s,” Leo said.
    Jack shrugged.
    “Harding’s Toys. We’re on Free Street. We design, well, toys, among other things.” The company had been established in 1920 by Mr. Peter Harding and his son, David, and had retained the name when David Harding passed away, though he was survived by only a daughter, Rebecca, who married one Oscar Donovan. Donovan, as in Mac Donovan, who just happened to be the youngest of Rebecca’s grandchildren. Mac wanted to do big things within the company and, with Leo’s help, aimed to make a name for himself within the family business.
    Crap. How were he and Mac going to be able to work together after this? Mac was either going to be a dick or super nice in the hope of getting back together. And the gossip. His life was going to be hell.
    “Toys?” Jack said. He seemed surprised. “So you’re an elf.” Jack made the statement without so much as flinching.
    Leo raised an eyebrow. Was he serious? “Erm…” He had no idea what to say but noted the curve of Jack’s lips as he clearly tried to suppress a smile. “Don’t do that. I thought you were serious.” If anyone was going to run into an escaped mental patient believing in elves, it would be him and it would be today.
    Jack chuckled and looked down the street. “So, no car?”
    “No.” Mac’s place wasn’t far from where they