“Just one more day, and then I’ll change the sheets,” I mutter like a lovesick fool. I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips as Istraighten the sheets and duvet as best I can before jumping into the shower. As I get dressed, I reflect on yesterday’s events.
Last night at the club was so messed up. I didn’t appreciate the danger that Emma is in with that psychopath ex of hers. Has she been dealing with this all this time? Was that why she appeared so skittish and afraid of the dark when I first met her during spring break on Padre Island?
My phone vibrates with an incoming text message, and I stop thinking about Emma. Instead, I only have thoughts of Eve and hope that it is her texting me. When I turn it around and click on the message, my shoulders slump forward when I see it is from Dax.
Dax
Hey. Can you meet me for lunch? It’s kind of important.
I wonder what could be so important, but then I remember that Liv was taken to the emergency department last night. Geez. I run a hand through my hair. I hope she is okay. Dax is so in love with her.
I frown when I remember Eduardo’s request, reminding me I must go to work today to sort out the details of Emma’s tracker. I also know I have to be there for Dax, so I decide I need to meet him today as well.
Jameson
Sure. I have to go to work for a bit, and then I’ll be there.
I finish lacing up my sneakers as I open the refrigerator door, wondering if there is anything I can take with me to eat that isn’t spoiled. Another text comes in, and I pick up my phone and see the details from Dax.
Dax
Usual spot. Noon.
I type out my reply and shove my phone into my pocket.
Jameson
Gotcha. I’ll be there.
“Not much to eat here.” I close the refrigerator door and open the pantry, searching aimlessly until I see an almost empty box off to the side. I grab a protein bar and rip it open after deciding I’ll meet him for lunch today so I will get a proper meal in a few hours, so I probably don’t need much to eat before then.
“That should do it,” I voice aloud my happiness at my progress in developing a tracker for Emma. I turn it around in my hands, admiring my work.
The GPS tracker should be easy to place in a pendant or locket. It can be worn with a necklace or a bracelet. It even has an SOS button on it.
I look down at my watch and notice it’s 11:30. I start picking up my items and placing them into a little velvet purse-stringed bag to take to Eduardo’s place. I know he wanted to give Emma a present.
I chuckle at the murderous look Eduardo gave me when I had to tell him about the awkward kiss Emma and I shared, but it was only a kiss. They are obviously madly in love with each other, so it really shouldn’t even matter. But there's only one woman who consumes my thoughts on a daily basis, her presence lingering in my mind with every passing moment.
I arrive at the sports bar we usually frequent after work for happy hour. Dax hasn’t been here in months, since he has been spending all his time with his girlfriend, Liv. I knew that from the moment he met her in the emergency department that day during spring break, he was a lost cause. He was a wreck after he left her that night, but they seemed to have their second chance, and I couldn’t be happier for him.
I see him sitting at our usual table and plop myself down, clasping my hand to his shoulder.
“Hey, bro. How are you?” He looks tired but smiles like the cat that caught the canary. I steeple my hands, placing them in front of my face. “So, it looks like you have some good news. I was worried about Liv when she was taken to the hospital. I assume everything is okay?”
He nods enthusiastically. “Liv’s pregnant. We are going to have a baby.”
I am just about to speak when Dax looks past me, and I turn my head slightly, seeing Simone, the waitress that has a thing for Dax, stare at him with her mouth agape, opening and closing it like damn fish. She goes to speak and then stops. We both stare at her until she says, “I’ll give you some more time to order,” and scurries off, obviously shaken at the news of Dax becoming a daddy.
“So,” I chuckle, “I guess you are officially off the market, huh?” I drink my ice water, relishing the cold drink from recently after getting out of the hot Texas heat.
Dax laughs. “Yeah, I am. That girl owns me, and the thought of her belly swollen with my baby very soon is making me all kinds of possessive of her.” He runs a hand down his face. “Fuck, honestly, I can’t wait to do it again.”
I look at him in shock because this is not the same person I knew a while back. The guy who would not fuck anyone without a condom.
“Congrats. I am happy for you, man.” I clap him on the back and he gives me one in return.
“Thanks man. I just wanted to tell you in person. We are both still in shock, but we are so excited. I’m also going to ask her to marry me. I just went out this morning and bought her the perfect ring.”
