Chapter 71

JAX

I reachfor the door and I start to smile.

"I love you, Mila. I am in love with you!"

The words make me pause.

For a second I think she's watching a movie or something.

But wow, that would be one hell of a coincidence… a movie about someone named Mila…

It doesn't even occur to me for a second to just walk away.

Fuck no.

My heart is too invested…

I grab for the door and throw it open.

Mila gasps and covers her mouth.

And Ward looks back at me.

"Oh, hey, Jax," Ward says.

Wait… Ward…?

The drunk? The alcoholic? The guy who's supposed to be in rehab right now?

I feel my eyes narrow, curling toward one another. My nostrils flare. My teeth grit. I've got the poise of a hungry lion and pissed off cobra.

I'm ready to attack.

My hands ball up into fists.

"It's all good, Jax," Ward says. "Look at me, man. I'm sober. Cleaner than a load of dishes after the dishwasher runs!"

He laughs.

I move my eyes toward Mila.

She's still covering her mouth.

I can't tell if she's shocked, scared, or guilty…

Guilty? Guilty for what…?

I'm not sure, but there's a vibe here right now.

There's a vibe I'm not sure of at all.

"Look, Jax, it's fine," Ward says. "I'm here… peacefully…"

Ward shows his hands to me.

Like I give a shit if he's here peacefully or not.

"Mila?" I ask. "What the fuck is going on?"

"Whoa, the language, dude," Ward says. "We can all just talk. I get it. You're checking up on things. You did great, Jax. Everything you did. We both appreciate it."

We both…?

I curl my lip.

"Ward, just stop talking," Mila says.

"No, it's fine," I say. "Seems like he has a lot to say right now. Didn't realize rehab was that quick, huh?"

"I left," Ward says.

"Smart," I say.

"Jax," Mila growls. "Stop it."

"Me?" I ask. "Me… stop…? Stop what, Mila?"

"Jax, I know the last time you saw me it was really bad," Ward says. "I probably owe you some handshakes and thanks. Hell, I owe you a beer!"

Ward laughs.

Mila and I don't.

"Okay, bad joke," Ward says. "Way too soon. But it's all good here, Jax. Mila and I are just reconnecting. Like she promised."

I watch as Ward closes in on Mila and starts to put an arm around her.

My eyes widen and the room flashes red for a second.

I lunge for Ward.

Mila lets out a scream.

Ward kind of pushes her away. Or pushes himself off Mila.

That pisses me off even more.

Ward stumbles back and starts to fall.

I reach out and grab his shirt and hold him.

He grabs my arm.

"Shit, Jax," he says. "We're good, man. This is good. Ask Mila. She promised me."

I look at Mila.

Her cheeks are bright red.

"Tell me not to hit him, honey," I say.

"Hey, you can't call her that," Ward says. "She's mine. She promised me!"

I look at Ward. "Promised you what?"

"Jax, wait a second," Mila says.

"She promised me that if I went to rehab, we'd get back together," Ward says. "That she would be waiting for me. You're out of line here, Jax. You can hit me all you want. You can punch me, beat me up, whatever you want. She's all mine."

I release my hold on Ward and he falls down, hitting the side of the couch, then bouncing to the floor.

He places his feet on the floor and grabs for the couch but he doesn't move.

I set my sight back to Mila.

Her bottom lip quivers.

I don't even need to hear the words from her.

But I want to hear the words from her…

I mean, hey, if she's going to stab me in the back, why not just turn around and let her have a fair chance at my heart?