Chapter 76

JAX

I don't meanto ignore her texts.

I just… do.

She's got Ward in her dorm, acting like a total asshole.

What am I supposed to do?

Rush back over there and… what? Beat up Ward?

For what?

For him to scurry off back to rehab, then show up again?

Is that what I'm supposed to do?

My phone rings.

I roll my eyes.

If Mila is calling me…

It's not Mila though.

It's Willow.

I grit my teeth and let the call go to voicemail.

Three seconds later, Willow texts.

EMERGENCY!

Then another text.

MILA! DANGER!

I can't stop myself now.

I growl and call Willow back.

"Jax! Don't be an asshole right now!"

"I know what's going on over there. I was there. It's messy."

"You don't get it. I'm trying to get over there as fast as I can. She screamed."

"What?"

"Jax! Mila called me. We were talking. She was telling me everything. Then there was this sound. I think Ward opened the door and…"

"And what?" I ask.

"I think he grabbed her. She screamed and the call went dead. Did you hear me, Jax? My brother is not well. Mila is in danger."

"If I go over there…"

"I know what you're going to do, Jax."

I hang up the call and I look over my shoulder.

This girl is costing me my sanity… my heart… and if I find out Ward even looked at her the wrong way… my hockey career will be over. I'll be in jail for the rest of my life.

The thing is…

I love her.

I'm in love with Mila.

What the fuck are you doing, Jax? Why are you still standing there…?

I turn and I run.

I run as fast as I can.

Willow sends me a text.

I'll be there in 5. Please tell me you're on the way. Please, Jax.

I run and respond with the word yes.

I tuck my phone into my back pocket and I pick up more speed.

Across campus, back to Mila's dorm building.

I run down the hallway and it's all just… it's surreal.

The place is calm and quiet and looks normal.

I try to open the door but it's locked.

"Mila!" I growl.

I hit my hand off the door.

I hear a scream.

Mila's scream.

My heart drops like a roller coaster.

I jump back and kick.

The door shakes and there's a splintering sound.

"Jax!"

I look to my right and Willow is running down the hallway.

I kick at the door a second time.

The third time is when it lets go.

It's slightly ajar so I throw myself against the door and it flies open with ease.

Willow comes rushing in right behind me.

"Ward! What the fuck?"

I look to my left and there's Ward with an arm around Mila's neck.

He's holding a broken bottle.

He's insane. Fucking insane.

"One step and I'll make this even more memorable," Ward says.

Willow covers her mouth and screams.

I get it.

She can't believe her brother is like this.

My eyes meet Mila's.

That's my girl. That's the woman I love.

That's my… my everything…

I'm not going to fuck around and play games.

"Ward, I have to call the police," Willow says. "You need serious help. You're out of your fucking mind right now."

"I need her to love me," Ward says. "I need her to-"

I jump forward.

It's a split-second decision with a split-second move.

I know if I fuck this up then Mila is going to get hurt. Possibly hurt really bad too.

My right fist flies straight out.

It happens fast. Really fast.

My fist hits Ward right in his nose.

The shock of the hit drives him back.

The pain of a punch like that… eyes watering up… pain… blood…

His head also snaps back.

Ward lets go of both Mila and the broken bottle.

But I'm not done yet. No.

I go for him again.

He spins around and opens a drawer.

He's looking for a knife but ends up swinging at me with a spoon.

I punch him in the face a second time and he falls to the floor.

I grab his shirt and I hit him a third time.

I'm poised for a fourth punch when someone grabs my arm.

"That's enough," Willow says. "I called the police. They're on the way. It's done, Jax. It's… done…"

I look at Willow.

I move away from Ward.

I get close to Mila and when I touch her arms, she jumps and shivers.

She looks up at me.

What the fuck did I do to you, honey? I left you here. With him. I let this happen. I almost lost you.

We stare at each other.

Ward groans.

"Stay down," Willow says. "Or else I'm going to hit you next."

"Fuck you, Willow," Ward says. "You've always been a bitch too."

I hear a thud and a groan.

To my left, Willow is now kicking the shit out of her brother.

I don't even care about stopping her.

I keep staring at Mila.

I reach up and touch her face.

There's blood on my fat, middle knuckle of my right hand.

Mila grabs my wrists but she doesn't pull my hands away.

"Mila…"

"I love you, Jax," she blurts out. "I love you so much…"

"I love you too, honey," I whisper back.

I finally get to kiss her.