Sarah seemed confused as well. "Um, yeah okay, I guess." As she walked out the door she turned. Connor had his back to the door, but Jackson could see her. She pointed her index finger at him and mouthed, "Behave!"
"So, Skippy, what's on your mind?"
"Is there any way I can get you to stop calling me that?"
"Not likely."
"You really work hard at pissing people off, don't you?"
"Nah, it's easy. Now pleasing people, that's hard."
Connor pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sarah told me you aren't really related."
"That's right." They always told people they were brother and sister. No one would believe two people as attractive as Sarah and Jackson could be in a platonic relationship, so it kept the neighbors from gossiping.
"She also said you were lovers for a short time many years ago."
Wow, thought Jackson, She really is going all in with this guy. "Right again."
"Well, I would like to know what your feelings are for her now."
"Really?" Jackson actually began to feel a little respect for the guy. The way he looked him in the eye and tried to act unafraid. Most of Sarah's boyfriends gave him a wide berth and avoided contact at all cost. None of them had ever dared ask this question. Not even the vampires.
He leaned toward Connor. "Here's the thing: You see, I am just too much man for Sarah, so it didn't work out." Connor got up from the table and moved even closer, glaring at him. Jackson wondered, is this guy actually going to try to hit me? He couldn't possibly be that stupid. He didn't move an inch, but said, "All right, take it easy. I may have crossed a line there."
Connor unclenched his fists and backed away. "Would you please be serious for one minute and answer my question?"
Jackson pursed his lips and tilted his head slightly. "You really do love her, don't you?"
"More than I ever dreamed possible."
"Okay, let me see if I can make this clear. Did Sarah tell you how long we have been living together?"
"Yes."
"So, I think you can understand you really get to know a person in that kind of time, right?"
"Yes."
"We have been through more together than you could possibly imagine, and through it all Sarah has been my rock, and I hers. I love her more than you ever will. I would lay down my life for her without a moment's hesitation. My love for her is not romantic; it is that of a brother, father and son all wrapped up in one. We only attempted a romantic relationship because we were both so lonely, life was nearly unbearable. We realized very quickly we had made a grave mistake, and I don't even like to think about it. It feels incestuous to me." Connor's face had softened considerably. Jackson arched an eyebrow. "Are we good here?"