“Thanks,” I murmured gratefully, dropping a brief kiss on Mad’s head before moving to fill up a cup. “Can I get you a refill?”
“No, I’m good.” He shook his head, his eyes watching me move around the small space as I made Maddox his bottle.
“Do you want to feed him?” I asked quietly, handing him the warm bottle.
“Yeah,” Axel nodded, his expression unreadable as he took the bottle and gave it to Mad.
A knock sounded at the door and I saw Axel stiffen. “It’s just Jill,” I assured him, moving to open the door. Jill stood on the other side with Mason balanced on her hip. She breezed into the room.
“Is there coffee because this little stinker was up all…” She stopped mid-sentence, her mouth hanging open when she spotted Axel.
“Jill, this is Axel. Maddox’s father,” I introduced a bit awkwardly. The words weighed heavily in the air. I looked over, seeing a storm of emotion pass over Axel’s face at being referred to as a dad.
“Hi,” she choked out, her eyes wide with shock.
“Hey.” He gave her a chin lift, continuing to hold the bottle for Maddox who was sucking greedily.
“Are you still bringing Mad over while you go to work?” she asked me with wide eyes.
“Yes,” I answered at the same time Axel answered, “No.”
I glared at him.
“You okay, Soph?” she asked quietly; I could tell she was worried. I’d never spoken a word about Axel to her or the fact that he was a formidable biker with tattoos and a gruff personality.
“I know there’s a lot I haven’t told you,” I responded regretfully. “But I trust him. I’m good.” I assured her.
She peered around me with a shrewd gaze. “You gonna take care of my girl here because for a twenty-five year old, she lives like an old spinster,” she huffed and I rolled my eyes.
“I’m gonna take care of both of them,” he replied, meeting her skeptical gaze.
She gave an affirmative nod. “Okay, maybe I like him.” She headed to the coffee pot after putting Mason down on the baby blanket. Mad immediately started to squirm.
“He wants to sit with his best bud,” I told Ax, taking him from his lap and setting him down next to Mason.
“So how long are you in town for?” Jill asked Axel lightly.
“As long as it takes to get her to come home with me,” he answered without hesitation.
My eyes bugged out of my head at his declaration.
“Where’s home?” Jill asked with confusion.
I winced, again feeling guilt over how little I’d told her.
“Nevada,” Axel answered for me.
I’d only spent a short time there, but it was true. Nevada felt more like home to me than New York. Texas certainly had never quite fit. But all that didn’t mean returning was a smart move.
Jill cleared her throat. “Okay then, clearly you two have some things to work out.” She shot me a wry look. “I’ll just head back over to my place and we’ll talk later?” she questioned me with a raised brow.
“Yeah,” I murmured. “Let Axel and me talk. Mad might be over later,” I told her.
She nodded as Axel’s eyes narrowed. “Nice to meet you. My husband gets back this weekend. Don’t make him come kick your ass,” she warned Axel.
He chuckled, his demeanor lightening for the first time. “I’ll try.”
“She’s a good friend,” I told Axel after she’d scooped Mason up and shut the door behind her.
