“No, it’s something I can handle later.” Taking out his phone, Tristan swiped the message away, but Jax could tell that something was off.
“Is that your ex?” Jax couldn’t help his curiosity, knowing that he was right.
Tristan let out a long breath, his eyes drifting to the view.
“Yeah, she’s giving me problems. Wants to see Rain. But I’m handling it.”
Jax’s shoulders relaxed when he heard that love wasn’t in the picture. As Ollie had said, her main focus was Rain, who’d cut contact with her, so Tristan had clearly been the better parent. That wasn’t surprising, because Tristan was kind, gentle, and a little too nice.
“Areyou handling it?” Jax pushed with a smirk. “Because you’re sweet. I can’t see you telling anyone no.”
“Rain says that too. I’ve been working on my boundaries.” He held up his index finger. “But there’s also nothing wrong with pleasing people. It’s part of my job.”
“There are levels. I want to make sure you’re closer to firm than doormat.” Their back and forth had ease and levity, like they were old friends, and Jax reveled in talking so openly with someone.
“I’m trying. Honestly, I admired how you told off the groom's cousin. I could never do that. But there needs to be a balance. Lashing out too often isn’t good for you either, not for your back or your health.”
“You’re right,” Jax said after a moment, Tristan’s serenity keeping himhonest. “I like being able to stand up for myself,butthere is a dark side. It ruins things. I’m living with Finn and Ollie right now because I lost it on my landlord.”
“And I stayed with someone for ten years because I was too afraid to break it off,” Tristan added, letting silence reign for a couple of seconds. “You know what? I think we could learn a lot from each other.”
“Youarevery calming.” Jax looked into Tristan’s sandy-brown eyes, which shone, reflecting the sun.
“I’ve been told that I have that effect,” Tristan grinned, wrapping his arm around Jax’s shoulders.
“That’s because you’re a good person.” Jax focused, trying not to react to Tristan’s body heat. “And if I’m around, I’ll be the angry friend. I’ll send back your food. I’ll have those difficult conversations. And I can help you be more…”
Tristan’s eyebrows rose in anticipation.
“Assertive?” Biting his lip, Jax tried not to laugh.
“Well, if you want to help me be moreassertive,” Tristan leaned heavily on the last word. “Then how about I teach you some calming techniques?”
“Do I need to be calmer?” Jax asked, knowing full well that he did.
“I’d like to keep you from punching more walls.” Tristan’s eyes flicked down to Jax’s hand.
“Point.” Jax huffed out a laugh. “Okay, yes. Deal.”
“To be fair,” Tristan said as Jax watched a flock of geese fly by. “I came to the same conclusions about myself on my thru. Most hikers are given a trail name by others, something that you earn over time. Mine was Breezy because of my outlook, but in reality? I let too much roll off me. I have to learn how to say no and stand up for myself, but it’s a work in progress. It goes against my better nature.”
“Were you always like this?” Jax’s gaze snapped back to Tristan. “Like, super kind?’
“My parents raised me that way. They’re pacifists who are a little…crunchy?” A sweet chuckle escaped him. “I believe that’s the word. I grew up in the middle of nowhere, left to go to college, and didn’t move back. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good people who smothered me with love, and I visit when I can, but they’ve always been off grid.”
“Off grid? Like, they grow their own food?”
“I learned what a compost pile was when I was three years old. We never had a television.”
Jax puffed out his cheeks. “Damn. You’re like, a country-hippie boy?”
“We didn’t have cows or anything, but yes, my childhood home was surrounded by farms and woods. This town feels like a city to me.” That certainly explained why Tristan liked the outdoors.
“We’ve had very different childhoods.” The breeze stirred Jax’s hair. “My mother is the opposite of your parents. She’s a hairdresser who loves reality TV and could destroy someone with a glance.”
Tristan laughed. “I’d love to meet her.” Then he quickly sobered, looking at the ground. “How old is she?”
“Fifty-four.” Jax knew Tristan was doing the math in his head. “Don’t worry, you’re closer to my age.”
