“What about someone you’re just growing to tolerate?” Charlie nods his head in Jax’s direction as he merges onto the highway.
Jax and I exchange a knowing glance. I try to think ofone of the insults Callie has given me for times like these, but I come up blank, so I wing it. “I think I more than tolerate you now, Char.”
Charlie’s smile is wiped clean off, as Jax covers his mouth, shouting, “Burn!”
“Lauren’s the one who got burned because by suggestingI’mthe one she tolerates, she’s suggestingyou’rethe one she cares for.”
The truck goes silent. I don’t know how to defend myself from that truth, and there’s something searching in Charlie’s eyes as he glances my way that suggests maybe he already knows exactly what’s going on.
Chapter Forty-One
Jax
I brushmy hands together in satisfaction as we step back into the Rhodes’s family cabin. It’s a couple hours outside of Roots and used exclusively for hunting trips. “I’d say day one was a success.”
“You didn’t get anything,” Lauren deadpans.
“Maybe we would’ve if you hadn’t brought the dog or squealed about how ‘cute the baby deer’ was,” Charlie grumbles.
“Hey, we were quiet when the bucks came around. It’s not my fault you have a crappy shot.”
I choke on my sip of water, and Charlie nails me with a seething gaze.
“Sorry, man.”
“I’m going to bed.” He heads for the bedroom down the hallway where he dropped off his duffle earlier.
“But it’s still early. You haven’t even had dinner.” Lauren leans against one of the dining room chairs, concern creasing her forehead. “Stay.”
“I’m not hungry. I’m just tired.” He gives her a quick hug and mutters, “Give me tonight. I’ve got a lot on my mind. I’ll be fine tomorrow, okay?”
She nods hesitantly. When his bedroom door closes, she turns to me, her lower lip sticking out a little.
“He’s going to be okay,” I tell her, sweeping her up in my arms.
“I hope so. I’m worried about him. I think he’s been putting on a face, and I’m concerned he’s been doing it for longer than I realized.”
“Sounds like a Rhodes family trait, but just like the other members of his family, he’s strong-willed. He’ll sort through it.”
“Yeah,” she says, but I can tell the urge to swoop in and smooth things over still has her in a chokehold.
“I brought pasta,” I say, hoping to distract her. “I can treat you to some alfredo. We gotta carb load for day two of hunting. It’ll be a marathon.”
That puts a hesitant smile on her face, but I want more. I want her to be happy and carefree. I want to watch her tilt her head back as she releases some much-needed laughter. I want to listen to her ramble on in excitement about something Bella did or watch her dance with abandon in the kitchen.
So instead of pulling out the pasta, I pause and say, “On second thought, are you up for a drive into town?”
“What for?” She scoops Bella into her arms, like the dog is her shield.
“It’s a surprise.”
“You know how I feel about those. Plus, there’s nothing in town besides a convenience store and a post office.”
I grab my keys. “It’ll be good for you to give up a littlecontrol.” I open the door. “Besides, I know they’ll have exactly what we need.”
“Okay, so my girl is comfy in her sweats, her belly is full of her favorite pasta, there’s a dog in her lap, and she has ice cream waiting for her in the freezer.” I put the last clean dish in the cabinet. “What else do you need?”
“Just you.” She grabs my hand and drags me toward her. When we’re chest to chest, she presses her lips gently to mine. “Thank you.”
