"Only that he was going to let Wren speak for herself."
"Nothing about himself or you?" Lexie ventured.
"No. That was it. I think he felt like he had to throw them a bone, but it didn't satisfy them at all. Fortunately, Josie, Ben, and Grayson came forward and pushed them all back so we could get inside."
"I'm glad. I wish I'd come out of my apartment earlier. I was on the phone. So, what's going on with you and Jax? Last night at the fireworks, you two looked like you were falling in love with each other."
"Last night was great. This morning, not so much. Wren arrived when I was still wearing Jax's bathrobe, and that was super awkward."
"She was here in the building?"
"Yes, she was. And my God, she is pretty. Like stunningly gorgeous, with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and sexy body."
Lexie grinned. "You don't sound jealous at all."
She made a face at her friend. "I'm just stating facts. I can see why she was the star of their group and why Jax felt like no one ever saw him, because her light is dazzling."
"I guess that’s why none of us recognized him. Maybe it would have clicked faster if he'd used his real name. I have heard their music. I think they were at the Country Music Awards last year. Anyway, getting back to this morning, what happened after Wren arrived?"
"I left as fast as I could. She asked if I was the reason Jax wasn't getting back to her. He said no, but that was all I heard before I took off."
"But you two were together now, so…"
"We had already planned to take Walter to meet his long-lost love, Reina."
"That's right. You mentioned that last night."
"Jax showed up in the parking lot just as I was about to leave. I hadn't heard from him since I'd made my speedy exit, which was hours earlier."
"Which made you angry," Lexie said knowingly.
"It did, but I didn't want to have tension in front of Walter. This was a big moment for him. That part went really well. Walter and Reina looked at each other like two people whose love had finally come back. While they were talking, Jax and I took a walk, and he told me everything. It's a long story of addiction, codependence, enabling, and making bad choices. Jax did everything he could to protect Wren. They met when they were teenagers. They both had sad childhoods, hers even more than his. They had a bond that was really strong. They knew each other's wounds."
"Were they in love with each other?"
"They had a one-night fling when they were teenagers after a night of drinking, but that was it. He told me they knew immediately that was a mistake. From then on, they were just bandmates and friends. But I know he still cares very much about her."
"Does that bother you?"
She thought for a moment. "It doesn’t. I understand their relationship now that he’s told me more about how they met and how much they each needed someone to care, someone to feel like family."
"What is bothering you then?"
"I don't know. Jax had good reasons for doing what he did. Wren was having a breakdown and he was scared for her. That's why he protected her."
"I don't know exactly what he did, but it sounds like his intentions came from a good place."
"He always told me his life was messy and complicated, and I blew right past that red flag."
"Because you like him, maybe you're even starting to love him," Lexie ventured.
"It's too fast for love," she said with a shake of her head.
"I don't know about that. When you find the right person, you know very quickly. What do you think Jax will do now? You said Wren came to see him. Does she want him back in the group? Is he going to leave?"
"She wants him back, but he refused. I guess that's why she went to the press. Maybe she felt she had to prove to him that she had changed, that she was willing to take responsibility."
"We should look up what she said."
