“I don’t know what you ever saw in him,” Rach says, coming up and giving me a spontaneous hug.
“If I’m honest, I don’t either,” I say.
At the time, I thought it would be the quickest way to fit in. I’ve been here two years, and my social life was non-existent until I started dating Danny. When he invited me out, I decided to throw caution to the wind and go. I met these lovely ladies at one of the house parties we attended together. Danny got so drunk that he passed out. I made friends. No regrets.
“Good riddance,” Claire says, stepping forward and pulling us all in for a group hug. “Are you going to be okay? You share a flat with that backstabbing bitch, don’t you?”
I shrug. I can’t say I’m looking forward to coming face-to-face with Cleo, but I refuse to be intimidated.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll call Eli.”
The girls nod, and Carol fans herself, making the others laugh. She has a huge crush on my older brother.
“There’s no accounting for taste.”
I chuckle at my friend.
I pull out my phone and dial Eli’s flat. I put my finger in one ear to hear over the music.
“Hey, Stud Central. How may I be of service?”
I roll my eyes.
“Hey Jax, is Eli there?”
“Kat? Shit, sorry about that. It was a dare.”
I pick up the embarrassment in his tone.
“Where are you?” he asks. “It sounds like you’re in a club.”
“I am. Is Eli there?”
“No, he’s out with Darra.”
There’s disapproval in his voice. I know he doesn’t like her, he’s told me as much.
“Damn,” I say, before I can stop myself. “It’s fine, I’ll try his mobile.”
“What’s up? Can I help? I can come and get you if you need a lift.”
My heart speeds up, as it always does at the thought of seeing or spending time with Jaxson Lockwood.
“It’s okay,” I say.
“Kat,” he warns. “What’s going on?”
Rach steals my phone and gives him the rundown of what’s happened.
She smirks, before handing it back to me, mouthing, “You can thank me later.”
Jax’s deep voice comes over the line.
“Kat, stay where you are. I’m on my way.”
CHAPTER 22
JAX
