Jaxon always has a smartass answer for everyone, but he shifts uncomfortably. “I think I should try a hot shower or something, sweetheart.”
“I was hoping we’d all go back. Replay our highlight reels, you know? Remind Jax why he needs to listen to orders and get back on the field.” Gauge’s smile doesn’t fall, but I notice he keeps glancing at me like he’s trying to figure out where and how we’ve met before.
“Or you can fuck off back to wherever you came from,” Jax sneers.
“Hurtful,” Dimitri says. “At least the pills aren’t changing you.”
“Nah, just some brotherly love, right? Since it’s just us, we have to—”
Jax’s arm around me is so tight that his veins are popping out. I clear my throat. “As the team’s physical therapist, I’m going to take care of him. You guys feel free to go out.”
“Want us to bring something back for you?” Knox asks.
Jax snorts and grumbles something under his breath as I help him up, not letting go, per our conversation. Dimitri looks to me. “Baby?”
“I’ll snack here. I have plenty of soup.”
“Oh, come on. Let the party pooper stay home alone. If you want three men’s company, it’s yours…” Gauge trails off, proving he doesn’t remember my name.
Instead of being polite, I focus on Jax. “No, I’ll stay. It’s been a hectic day.”
Knox and Dimitri exchange looks that promise they’re going to ask me about it later, but Knox shrugs. “Whatever. There’s a sports bar a few blocks away.”
“In,” Gauge decides. “Sounds way better than sitting here when Jax is in a pissy mood.”
“He wants to see pissy—” Jaxon starts.
I nudge him, then drag him to our shared bedroom.
I shut the door behind us and face him. “What’s going on?”
He paces, running his hand through his hair like he’s going to hurt someone if he doesn’t. I try to soothe him, but he hisses. “Thatfuckershouldn’t be here. I ignored him. Isn’t that enough to tell someone to fuck off and stop reaching out?”
“It should be,” I say slowly, but we both know it’s not.
“You get it. You know. Starting an argument is an invitation for more conversation. Silence is a pretty clear, ‘get the hell away from me!’ That’s a universal language and that dick—”
“Is leaving,” I say gently, taking Jax’s hands. “And while I know that you don’t want him here, I’d like to know why.”
“Why! The why doesn’t fucking matter, Hope! This is my place too and if I don’t want someone here, they’re not fucking staying!” he bellows.
I stumble a step back and he takes a breath, continuing to pace, more like a lion ready to fight his way out of his cage. Well… apparently, we’re doing this, because I refuse to be in the dark anymore.
Eighteen
HOPE
“Jax, stop pacing and talk to me, please,” I whisper.
He pauses and I see the war on his face. “This isn’t your business.”
“You can’t have the title of boyfriend and keep things from me. I didn’t even know you were angry with your brother! You don’t just get to rub your dick on me whenever you want, order me to kiss you, and—”
“And what? Defend you from a shitty therapist? Go to the ends of the world for you to make sure you’re safe? Flirt with you endlessly hoping you flirt back? What haven’t I done for you, Hope?! Tell me! Or get the fuck out and let me deal with this alone because right now, I don’t want to look at you either,” he snarls.
I take another nervous step back. I close my eyes. Jax won’t hurt me. He won’t hurt me. I repeat those three words until they feel like truth, then open my eyes. He faces me, cheeks red, obviously ready to yell, but I walk towards him.
“I need to know. You know every dirty secret I have, Jax. You know I want you, that I’m trying to do things right. You know that me standing here and being willing to argue with you means more than teasing you or flashing my tits. So give mesomething,” I demand.
