Jax patted Tabby’s back and kissed her cheek before finally putting her into Ro’s arms. Tabby looked at him, and she smiled, a cute bubble accompanying it. Her hand lifted, and she patted Ro’s face, which made them all laugh. “I think we’ll be just fine,” Ro said.
Ryder nodded. “I think so, too.” But he met Jax’s eyes. “But if you’re not comfortable with it, then we can just drop it.”
No matter how much he wanted time with his mate, he refused to do anything that actually made him anxious.
Jax gnawed on his lips and shifted from one foot to the other. He stared at Ro, then shot a look to Ryder, then back to Ro. “Okay. Yeah. Okay. She seems fine, so let’s do it.”
Ryder let out a breath. He nearly pumped his fist in the air; it was a close thing. Phase one of the romantic evening was a success; now he’d have to wait and see if the rest of the night would go as smoothly. They gathered up Tabby’s things and stood at the door as Ro buckled her into his vehicle. Ryder looked at Jax, who looked like he wanted to run up to the car and snatch his daughter back.
Ryder hoped that Jax wouldn’t break down and that this hadn’t been a horrible mistake.
“Are you okay?” Ryder asked. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” He wanted to pull Jax into his arms, but he restrained himself.
Jax shook his head before changing it to a nod. “I’m going to have to get used to her staying with friends and family. This is only the first time of many that I’m sure she’ll go away. You have a large family.” Again Ryder tried not to read into his words, but he still hoped Jax meant what he thought he did. They waved as Ro got in the driver’s seat and drove away.
Ryder and Jax looked at one another and then headed back into the house. “Uhh … so … what now?” Jax asked.
Ryder shrugged. “That’s entirely up to you,” he said. “But I have a few things in mind.”
Jax raised an eyebrow. “You do?”
Ryder nodded. “I thought we could use tonight to talk. I feel like we have a lot to talk about. I’ll completely understand if you’re not ready … But what do you say?”
Please, say yes. Please, say yes.
Jax studied him a moment, and he held his gaze, then finally nodded, and they kept walking back to the house. When they were finally back inside, Jax turned to him. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
Ryder rubbed the back of his neck. How did one start the most important conversation of one’s life? “Well, we don’t have to rush into the conversation. We have the whole night. How about I prepare us a meal, and then we can talk over dinner?”
Good job, Ryder. Stall.
“Oh, okay. That sounds nice,” Jax said. “Do you need any help?”
Ryder shook his head.
“Right then.” Jax nodded towards the stairs. “I think I’ll just go get cleaned up then.” He turned away from him and practically ran up the stairs. Ryder followed him with his gaze, and he smiled. At least he didn’t run out of the house, so he was taking that as a win.
Now, it was time to start phase two.
Chapter Seven
Jax
It was difficult to watch Ro take Tabby and leave, especially after he’d felt like he was being watched when he’d been out with Tabby.
Tabby is in good hands. Ronin will protect her like she’s his own.Even telling himself that didn't make it easier knowing that his baby girl was out of the house with someone that wasn’t him or Ryder.
“She’s going to be fine, Jax. Just tough it out. This is good for you, and it’s good for Tabby.” Plus, he hadn’t missed the fact that Ronin had called his twins Tabby’s cousins.
Jax sighed as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. “One pep talk down, one to go.”
Jax wasn't stupid. He knew why Ryder had orchestrated their alone time. They did need to talk. After the night when they ...hehad given in to his feelings and things had gotten heated, Jax had assumed that Ryder would want to pick up right where they’d left off. But, aside from some accidental touches, nothing had happened.
This could be the night that Ryder and Jax needed, where they talked everything out and decided what they wanted from one another. It would at least be a relief to have the conversation with Ryder, no matter how it ended.
Liar. You know what outcome you want. Isn’t that why you ran out of the house like you were being chased?Jax couldn’t stand Ryder treating him the way he had before they’d shared what they had. Then he began worrying that Ryder thought of him as too forward. Maybe he’d reminded Ryder of what he’d been.
He closed his eyes, doing his best to block out those thoughts. Nothing good would come of them.
