This is a memory Race alludes to in Chapter 22, but I did not think it fit with the actual flow of that chapter.

"What if I change the oil for the next year?" Jonny bartered. "Two years even."

"No," Race smiled. "Hand me the salt, please." His smile grew when he heard Jonny jump off the barstool heavily in search of the salt.

"Here. That smells great. I'm starving," Jonny leaned over the chili Race was cooking and took a big whiff.

"Get outta here," Race pushed him back. "Go find Jess. Dinner will be ready soon."

"She's still at school," Jonny dismissed. "Helping set up for the dance. Now let's get back to negotiating. What if I…"

"Jonny," Race interrupted. "You can't negotiate without leverage."

"I have leverage," Jonny countered. "I just haven't figured out what it is yet. What if I throw in monthly waxes? Also, I'm sure you've noticed how mature I am now. I'm seventeen. I'm responsible. I'll take great care of it."

Race smiled again. The kid was persistent.

"You're sixteen," Race corrected. "…And you've only had a license for a few months."

"I'm sixteen and three quarters. That's basically seventeen," Jonny said. "And seven months isn't a few months. It's practically a year."

"You're not borrowing my Maserati…ever," Race said with finality. "Get over it."

"But it's a special occasion," Jonny argued.

"It sounds like a convenient excuse to me," Race challenged, continuing to stir his chili. "Who celebrates a two and a half year anniversary?"

"I do," Jonny exclaimed. "Most of my friends chase off at least three girls every six months. And, trust me, those girls…no Jess."

"Obviously," Race agreed.

"So every six months that I manage to hang on to a girl like that needs to be celebrated," Jonny finished and Race nodded in appreciation. "And you know what would make the celebration even more special? A nice ride."

"Rent a limo, kid."

Jonny sighed and deflated, but then Race heard him take a deep breath to gear up for his next argument. "So you're seriously telling me that you trust me with your daughter, but will never trust me with your car?"

Race straightened and turned toward Jonny, who had a huge grin on his face. A slamming door caused them both to jump in surprise before Race could respond.

Jess entered the kitchen like a tornado, banging her books down on the counter and staring daggers at both of them.

"Hi sweetie. Bad day?" Race hedged.

"I'm surprised you're even still here," she sniped. "Shouldn't you be out with…I don't know…whoever's popped out of the revolving door last."

"Jess!" Jonny yelled.

Her eyes flicked to Jonny. First in anger. Then a look Race did not recognize. Before Race could absorb her words, let alone react, she had stormed out of the room.

"What the hell was that?" Jonny scoffed.

Race shrugged and turned back to stirring his chili. He tried hard to swallow the sting of her words. They were not exactly fair, but they were not exactly wrong either. He had not realized she knew or even cared what he did in his limited free time. Her harsh reaction shook him.

"She didn't mean that," Jonny offered.

Race cleared his throat, but did not turn around. "It's fine."

"I guarantee you that I'm the one she's actually pissed at," Jonny continued. "I probably forgot to do something I was supposed to do…I'll go check on her."

Race closed his eyes and listened to Jonny retreat. Then he turned off the burners and stared out the window. He had a sudden urge to call Estella and ask her how to handle this, but that quickly went away when he realized how awkward the conversation could get.

Next, he did something he promised himself he would never do. He walked out of the kitchen and quietly climbed the stairs to the second floor of the Compound. He saw Jonny knock on her door and then hesitantly walk in without waiting for her to open it for him. Race stepped quietly down the hall until he was at her open door and listening.

"What's on your mind, Ace?"

"Nothing," she dismissed.

"Want to try again?"

"No," she sighed. "Can…I really want to be alone tonight. Is that okay?"

"It is," Jonny said softly. "But what just happened wasn't okay, which isn't like you, which means something is upsetting you, which means I have this insane instinct to fix it." It was quiet for a long time. "Jess…did I do something wrong?"

"No," she said immediately. "It's not you. I'll go apologize in a bit. I'm embarrassed that I did that."

"I think your dad…"

"It's not about him either," Jessie interrupted. "I just took it out on him. I already said I'll apologize. I know I was wrong."

Jonny laughed. "Babe, I'm not the apology police. That's your call."

"So you're cool with it if I don't apologize to your boyfriend?" she said dryly. "Yeah right."

"Come over here," he laughed again. Then Race heard the rustling of clothing and assumed they were hugging. "I'll admit to the bromance, but I'm firmly on Team Jess. Everyday. Even when you're embarrassingly wrong. I promise."

"Thank you," she said it with a breathy quality and then started to cry.

"I'm so confused right now," Jonny admitted. "Help me out? Tell me why you're upset?" he insisted. "Please?" he asked after another long silence.

"I'm fine…it's fine. Thank you. I'm gonna splash some water on my face."

Race almost walked away. He felt guilty for eavesdropping, but it did make him feel better that whatever was bothering her did not seem to stem from his dating habits. The room was quiet. He heard the water from her bathroom running and thought he heard Jonny sit on her bed. He did not like that visual.

"Can we stay in tonight?" Jessie's voice broke through his thoughts. "I wouldn't mind a quiet Friday at home with you."

"Sure," Jonny agreed.

"What?" she sighed. "What's that look?"

"There's no look," Jonny refuted. "I'm just happy you decided not to spend the night alone. I would've missed you."

"Why are you so sweet to me? Even when I don't deserve it?" she asked.

"Ahh…cuz you're my favorite person on the plant," he laughed. "And I'm head over heels, backflips, crazy in love with you."

After a beat. "I love you too, Jonny."

"Phew…well now that we got that outta the way," he prompted. "Tell me what happened?"

"It's too embarrassing."

Race risked peeking into the room when he heard movement. Jonny had pulled her into his arms. They were standing in front of her bay window. 'At least he's off the bed,' Race thought.

"Ace, I think we've seen each other at our respective worsts," he pointed out. "Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"So what's left to be embarrassed about? Come on. Tell me and I'll let you pick the movie tonight."

"You drive a hard bargain, Hotshot."

"I've been working on my negotiating skills."

"I stayed late to help set up for the dance tomorrow," she finally started. "I stopped by the girls' locker room to clean up before coming home and a few girls from my class came in."

"Who?" Jonny asked.

"It doesn't matter," she sighed. "I overheard a conversation that…it struck a nerve. I almost lost it on them. I managed to let it go. At least, I thought I had…but I ended up stewing the whole ride home and you know the rest…"

"Don't make me ask?"

"They were talking about you," she admitted. "And me. I know it's dumb to let it get under my skin, but it never gets easy to hear. Most of the time I can ignore it. Actually, it's like a constant annoying leaky faucet, so ninety nine percent of the time I DO ignore it, but I wasn't expecting to get slapped in the face with it today."

"Nothing they say is worth a second thought, Jess."

"Yeah…I guess…I know."

"What were they saying?"

"Just their latest bullshit theories about us and why you're with me," she tried to laugh off.

"Ah yes," Jonny huffed. "Because it must be a complex web of lies and happenstance. Nothing else would make sense."

"Well…nothing makes sense when you could have all of them, but appear to have no intent on pursuing that option. The world is upside down. It truly perplexes them. They kept saying a guy like you this and a guy like you that…like they even know the first goddamn thing about you," she finished heatedly. "Then they started talking about me and how it's SO obvious that I'm not…"

"What?"

"You know?"

"I really don't, but I do know that whatever it is they're so far off base it's laughable, Jess. Why do you care?" he asked.

"Why do you care if you THINK another guy looks at me?" she challenged.

"Alright…fair point," he laughed.

"And they weren't that far off base," she got really quiet.

"Jess?"

"They said it's so obvious that we're not sleeping together," she rushed.

"So what?" he scoffed. "We're not."

'Thank you,' Race thought. Relieved.

"That I'm clearly holding out on you and…"

"You know I don't think that," he interrupted. "Right?" He continued when she stayed quiet. "What? They think you should be on their fucking timetable? Fuck that, Jess. Ignore them."

"Why are you getting so angry?"

"Because you're upset," he yelled. "Those hateful girls…no. I'm not giving them the satisfaction of a reaction. This is dumb. I'm not saying the way you feel is dumb," he clarified. "It's the fact that they think they get an opinion on the matter. Who do they think they are?"

"Girls who are more than willing to give you what I can't…won't," she laughed uncomfortably. "I'm not ready, Jonny."

"Baby, I know that and it's fine," he said softly. "Neither am I."

"That's not true. You're just saying that because I'm not ready," she shot back.

Jonny did not deny it.

"Guys like my dad," she continued. "…guys like you apparently…shouldn't have to wait. Don't need to."

"Are you just repeating what they said or is this an actual issue, Jess? Something you're really worried about? Because we need to have a long conversation if it is," he stated simply.

Race held his breath and waited for her answer.

"No," she promised after a long silence. "I guess it was when I was trapped in the corner of the locker room, but not when I'm standing here with you, staring right at you. Grounded in reality. I'm sorry I let them get to me. Dumb and embarrassing…like I said," she added lamely.

"Do you remember when I flew to Texas a couple of summers ago to spend a few weeks with my grandfather?" Jonny asked after a moment.

"Sure."

"He walked me through our ENTIRE family tree," Jonny laughed. "It took three days."

"Okay?"

"He told me something interesting about the Quest men. I had honestly forgotten about it until right now, but it's so true. I don't want to freak you out, but I need you to hear me and never forget this, Jess."

"What?" she asked nervously.

"Apparently us Quests…we only give our hearts away once. It's in the DNA or something. The family tree proves it."

"Jonny…"

"So trust me…those girls don't have anything I'm looking for. I WANT you," he admitted. "I don't have to tell you that. I can't hide it. You know how much I want you, Jess. But I'm not ready until you are. I can't be. And I'll wait another year. Two years. Longer. Whatever you need. Because you're it for me, Bannon. I'm not going anywhere. One day, I promise you're just gonna know that. It'll be this impenetrable fact of your existence. That you're stuck with me. So what's a few years when I plan on forever?" he finished.

Race found himself holding his breath again.

"Alright…have I scared you off yet?" Jonny teased. "Be honest. I see the wheels turning. Are you plotting escape routes?"

"Please say something, Jess."

"Jess? Oh…ow. Ow." Race heard a big thud and then halted laughter. "Did you just clothesline me on purpose, babe?"

"No. Sorry," she giggled. "Overly enthusiastic hug."

"No problem. I'm happy on the floor as long as you're with me," he flirted.

"Jonny?"

"Hmm?"

"I love the way you eat cereal," she said.

"Huh?"

"Yeah…you put your spoon down between every single bite. It's so weird. I've never seen anyone else do that. And I love the way you look at yourself in mirror by the front door. You always raise your left eyebrow and then kinda shrug before leaving. I love that you sing in the car, but only when I'm with you and never a full song. Just select lyrics. I love that you must be at least thirty seconds late to your first class every morning because you think it would be ungentlemanly to not walk me to my first class. I love that you'll sit and listen to me gush about quantum mechanics for any hour like it's the most interesting thing in the world, but you can't focus on your own homework for more than twenty minutes straight without needing a break. I love the way you always save exactly two bites of your dinner for Bandit. I love the way you kiss me on the temple every night before you go to bed. I love that you're probably the best friend my dad has ever had. I love that my grandparents like you more than they like me. I love the way you love me. I love every little thing about you and I can't wait to see what you do next so I can love that too. Does that answer your question?"

"Wow…you're like obsessed with me."

Race heard a loud smack. "Jonny!"

"Ow…I'm sorry. Please stop hurting me," he laughed. "I'm absorbing."

"Don't make jokes while you absorb."

"Jess, I think that's the most amazing thing anyone has ever said to me," Jonny admitted.

"Insert joke here," she quipped. "Except that time someone told you that U2 and the Rolling Stones are forming a super group and going on tour?"

"No…wait is that true? Did you read that on twitter or something? Don't joke about something like that."

"Jonny," she sounded exasperated. "Can I get the serious version of you back, please?"

"He's circling," Jonny stated. "I'm sorry, baby. I was trying to make you smile. Your smile makes my heart race."

"There he is," Jessie giggled. "I love you."

"I love you more."

"I may be slightly obsessed with you," she admitted.

"I actually like that."

"You would."

"This seems like the perfect time to ask you for a favor," he mused.

"Babe, you can't pick the movie tonight," she laughed. "You already said I could."

"Well…shit. I blew that," he scoffed. "No…wait. I have a back-up favor."

"Of course you do!"

"I really don't want to spend our anniversary at that stupid dance," he told her. "Let me surprise you with something better?"

"No," she said. "I want to surprise you this time."

"Okay. As long as I don't have to dance…"

"There will be no dancing," she promised.

"And you'll be there?"

"I'll definitely be there, Hotshot."

"Looking forward to it."

Race walked away in a bit of a stupor. The next thing he knew, he was out on the deck and staring blankly into the night. The deck off the side of the house that faced the cliffs. He liked to go out there each night and enjoy a beer.

He was sitting on the lounge chair about to take his last sip when the creak of the screen door opening caught his attention. Jess was standing there a little awkward. He decided to make it easy on her.

"Hey…feeling better?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," she rushed. "I didn't mean it, dad."

"I know," he smiled and felt guilty for how much he knew, but also really grateful. "Sit," he told her. She laid back on the lounge chair next to him. He peeked at her and wondered where the time went.

"Jonny has already eaten half your chili," Jessie warned.

"Of course he has," Race grinned. "Anything you want to talk about?"

"No," she smiled. "I talked to Jonny. I'm fine now. Just ashamed of the way I behaved."

"Already forgotten," Race promised.

"In that case," Jessie started. "I need your help with something."

"What's that?"

"I want to surprise him tomorrow," Jessie started.

"Oh yes. The big two and a half year anniversary," Race raised an eyebrow.

"You remembered that?" she asked in shock.

"No. Jonny mentioned it."

"He's so weird," she smiled happily. "Anyway, I have most of the day planned in my head. Surfing, zip ling, laser tag. All his favorites."

"Sounds exhausting," Race commented.

"He can take a nap before dinner," she brushed off. "What was the name of that place you two were talking about the other night? Some wrestler opened it or something?"

"The Rock?"

"Sure," Jessie shrugged.

"He opened a crab shack in Concord," Race explained. "Well…it's half crab shack. Half museum."

"That sounds idiotic," Jessie nodded. "He'll love it. Is it okay if we drive up there? Might get home after curfew."

"Clear it with Benton, but it's fine by me," Race stood. Intent on eating some of the food he prepared.

"Thanks," she clapped in excitement.

"He can drive my car up there if you want to make that part of the surprise," Race offered. "He's been bugging me ever since he got his license."

"The Maserati?" Jess asked in surprise.

"Yes," Race sighed. "I trust him."