Jackson laid Luka down on the bed in one of the rooms near mine on the first floor. Luka seemed to be in a lot of pain and I figured Jackson was too, but he was able to hide it.
"I'm so sorry about my mom," Maliki said, looking down guiltily as if he had been the one who kicked Luka.
"Don't be. He will be okay. This wasn't the first time Luka or I had taken a beating from her. I hate that she did that to you too," Jackson said with a frown. He wrapped an arm around Maliki. "I hope to get to know you. I've tried for so many years, but now that you're fifteen, it may take awhile for us both." I could understand that one. I mean, just a few months ago, I thought my parents had died, but yet here they are, the real ones. I was still getting used to it. It was probably going to be even harde
