I wave my hand. “It isn’t that. I just totally disagree with you about Jax.”
“Look at you! You’re all flustered. Are you sure you don’t feel the same about him?”
“I’m sure. I dislike, almosthate, the guy, but since he’s my manager, I’m trying my best to be as civil as possible.” I look at Nelly, who is grinning. “Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. Never mind, forget what I just said.”
She takes hold of my arm and gives it a light squeeze. “Don’t worry, Soph. I’m good friends with Jax, but I wouldn’t discuss these things with him. Like I told him earlier today, I wasn’t a huge fan of his ex, and having you around already feels much better.”
I somehow believe her, even though I just met Nelly this morning. “Thanks. It’s just that I’m still trying to get over the events that led me here. Not my proudest moment.”
Nelly nods and changes the subject to her job and different tattoo designs. She gets excited when I tell her I love art and drawing. I show my sketches on my phone, and she shows hers next. It’s great knowing I have someone like her working with me. Now I need to feel comfortable being around Jax daily.
11
JAX
Currently playing: Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers
I’ve been dreading this day—Soph is now officially working under me. Fuck, I meanfor me.She’ll probably never be under me if it’s up to her.
When I saw her this morning, on her first day, it was such a mindfuck of epic proportions. A part of me wanted to start shouting at her, and then another part noticed how great she looked here in my shop. After thinking it over, I came to the conclusion that half of my brain is lusting after her, while the other half wants nothing to do with her.Fucktastic.
If my head continues fucking with me, it’ll be like I'm living my very ownDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But for now, I have to pretend that everything is fine. At least until I’m alone.
“How’s everything?” I ask when Rogue and Spade both arrive at the shop to meet Soph on their day off.
“Just waiting for the party later this month,” Rogue replies andsits down on the couch. He opens one of the binders we have for clients and skims through it.
Shit, that’s right. I should’ve remembered that, but everything that has happened lately has fucked up my head. “Oh yeah, the party. We need to discuss the last-minute details at our monthly meeting.”
Spade glances my way with a knowing look. “Did you forget already?”
“Well, yeah. The last month has been hectic as fuck.”
“That’s understandable. How about our new starter?” he wonders.
“What about her?”
Rogue snorts like I’m an idiot for asking that. “How are wefeelingabout her?”
“Like I said last week, act normal around her. She has no idea I told you about what she did.”
Spade puts his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t you worry about it, Jax. We’ll try to behave around her. But I bet our Red Tornado isn’t as chilled out.”
I laugh and roll my eyes at his use of Nelly’s nickname that Rogue gave her during his first week working with us. He notices my reaction and whistles. “Let me fucking guess, our dearest Nelly has already taken the new girl under her wing, and they’re having a blast while making us wait here.”
I nod as that’s what’s happening. “Correct. They’re having lunch someplace nearby. Nelly mentioned the deli, but who knows with those two.”
Spade glances my way. “How’s it going with her anyway?”
“You mean with Sophia?”
“Yeah, I do, you dummy.”
I chuckle. “What a loaded question, man. I would say she’s doing her part and spending the rest of the time ignoring me like I ignore my emails. That about sums it up.”
“But isn’t that what you wanted, boss,” Rogue asks as he finds the page he was looking for in the binder. It’s decorated with skull designs. I have one of them tattooed on my left arm.
“Sure, but not like this. It feels like Soph can’t even look at me.” I let out a groan. “I didn’t want this in the first place, but thinking she’s miserable working at the shop I love so much makes me feel all fucked up. That’s why I’m trying to be nicer than I have been around her since the accident.”
