“How often is that? Every leap year?”
“More often than you were before Jax showed up and turned the sun on in your face.”
I kill the engine and turn to face her. “Leave Jax out of it. I know I’m a grouchy bastard, and I’m sorry about that, but I still don’t get why you want to be with someone who belittles and bullies you, on top of embarrassing you every time he shows up at your place of work out-of-his-mind drunk.”
“You don’t ever keep doing stuff that’s bad for you?”
Molly’s twenty-one. She has no business being so fucking astute. And perhaps I have no business lecturing her about how she treats herself. I let out a sigh that has nothing to do with her and everything to do with the unread message I’ve sent Jax. “Okay, fair point. I’m not that good at doing the best thing for myself either, but I’m worried about you, Molls. Brent is a massive pile of bad dick, and I’m scared he’s going to hurt you when there’s no one around to stop it.”
“Ican stop it. I don’t need a white knight.”
“Just the will, huh?”
“No, just the space to figure it out without being told what to do.”
It occurs to me too late that maybe she’d be better off having this conversation with Jax, but I’ve already opened my big fat mouth, and as nice as Jax is, I doubt he wants to counsel my younger staff members through their tumultuous dating adventures. “Sorry, kiddo,” I say after a beat of protracted silence. “I’m not telling you what to do. At least, I don’t mean to. I just want you to be safe, okay? So I’m going to shut the fuck up and walk you to your door.”
“Is that so I’ll stop talking about Jax?”
“Partly.”
“Why, though? Apart from all the reasons we just said. You two are so cute together.”
“We’re not together.”
“Well, you should be.”
“Yeah, okay.” I roll my eyes and slide out of the car. Molly’s dorm room is on the second floor and I walk her all the way in. There’s no one around, save a few stoners who don’t so much as glance up, and no sign of Captain Douche, but as I trudge back to the parking lot, I feel eyes on me all the same.
Back in the car, I shiver and open WhatsApp. Jax still hasn’t been online, and neither has Gabi since the last time he messaged me. I feel adrift without both of them, and my thumbs hover to text Eve and tell her so, but my phone buzzes before I can send a message I’ll regret.
It’s Gabriel. He’s online.
Gabi:all safe. you doing okay?
Tanner:i’m good. was just starting to worry abt u
Gabi:no need. i’m all good. Eve okay?
Tanner:y don’t u ask her?
Gabi:i did. i’m asking you too
Tanner:didn’t like her answer?
Gabi:don’t be a dick
Tanner:she’s fine. missing you. we both are.
Gabi:not for long. this job is wrapping up early.
Tanner:how early?
Gabi:don’t know yet
Tanner:helpful
Gabi:says you. i’m the one who’s gotta crash at a yoga convention when i get back
