Chapter 4

4

JAXON

Aria stayed all afternoon. I invited her to stay for dinner, but she was adamant about working on her article. I get it. No one likes waiting until the dreaded Monday morning to get something done. Especially when she can get a jump on it during the weekend. I’m grateful she spent Saturday with me. She made me forget about my hangover and magically my headache disappeared. Even when she was younger, she could always make me smile. Even more so now that she’s all grown up.

I can’t help smiling as I throw a juicy steak on the grill. The sizzle and the smell has my mouth watering. I shouldn’t be hungry after eating all those pies, but my body craves protein. Meat. It’s exactly what I need to balance out all the sugar that’s in my system. I poke my baked potato that I threw on the grill earlier and it’s cooked to perfection. Grabbing my tongs, I set it on the top rack just to keep it warm.

I’ve always loved talking about how the carriage house came to be. When I was in high school and the band just started, I worked at the stable tending the horses. It was a great way to make money and still have time to practice since I basically made my own hours. Mr. Abernathy was a cool dude. We got along great. I was a senior when he fell sick. Cancer. I was taken aback when he mentioned he was leaving everything to me. Claimed he had no family worthy of such a place. He treasured it and knew I’d take care of it like my own. It was the greatest gift anyone has ever given me, and I’ll treasure it always. Thankfully, he had planned for the future and all four of his horses went to his neighbor a few miles away.

Being that I had no use for a stable, I decided to hire a designer. My vision was carried out to perfection, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. The old farmhouse that belonged to Mr. Abernathy was converted into a garage, small studio, and gym. With plenty of storage in the basement. It’s way too much for a single guy like me, but it’s home and I wouldn’t change a thing.

When I slice into the steak and see that it’s medium rare, just the way I like it, I put it on my plate and add the potato. Let’s eat!

I’m three bites in and I’m a little embarrassed when I catch myself making weird noises. No apologies because it’s that damn good. A few more bites and the doorbell rings. Seriously? It’s very rare that I get company, let alone two visits in one day. So much for eating a hot meal.

I stride into the living room and open the door, not bothering to see who it is. Big mistake. Stephanie, my ex, is standing there. I stifle a groan because she’s the last person I want to see. Thirty minutes earlier and she would have seen her sister here. Care to take a wild guess how that would have gone?

“What are you doing here?” I’m very proud of myself for not saying what I wanted to say.

“I sent you a text.” When she tries entering around me, I grab her shoulders.

“I’m not glued to my phone like you, so answer my question. Why. Are. You. Here?” Her eyes go wide, and I swear they mist over. That shit don’t work for me anymore.

“I thought I had packed all of my things, but I’d forgotten my tablet, passport, and some expensive jewelry.” I’ve no doubt the real reason was the passport. Must be traveling with lover boy but can’t go anywhere without it.

You have no idea how badly I want to tell her too damn bad, but my mama didn’t raise me to be a jerk. So I motion for her to come in. She then gets upset when I follow her from room to room.

“I don’t need a babysitter. I’m capable of grabbing my stuff and then getting out of your hair for good.” Little does she know, she needs my help. But if she keeps pushing my buttons, I’ll show her the door.

After grabbing her tablet, she marches over to my wall safe and tries punching in the code. The red light flashes. Bewildered, she tries again. If I let her do it a third time, I’ll be locked out. When she lifts her hand to punch them in again, I wrap my hand around her wrist.

“Jax, I need my passport and jewelry.” Of course you do, sugar. “What’s wrong with the damn safe?”

“Why is it so important for you to grab your passport the day after you dumped me? Couldn’t wait a few weeks, you just had to rip open the wound again?”

Growling, she spins around with venom in her eyes. “I’m going on a work-related trip, if you must know.”

“I’m sure the boss needs to go on that work-related trip as well. Am I right?” What the fuck am I doing? Wearing my heart on my sleeve when I just want her gone!

In one swift motion, I spin her around, punch in the code, and open the damn safe. Next thing I know, her hand is reaching inside. She pulls out the black velvet box. No!!!

“What’s this? I know it’s not mine.” I try grabbing it, I really do, but it’s too late. She opens the lid and gasps.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous. What are you doing with an engagement ring in your….”

“Grab your fucking shit and get out of my house. Now.” I snatch the box, stuff it into my pocket, and get out of there before I lose it. At this point I don’t care if she robs me blind.

Not long after, she walks past me, wiping her eyes. Sniffling all the way to the door. “Jax, I’m so…”

“Out. Don’t ever step foot on my property ever again.” My heart’s racing and I’m so angry. But the worst part is she ruined the amazing day I spent with Aria.

As soon as she pulls out of the driveway, I grab my car keys and climb into my car. I’m so livid that everything’s a blur. My headache has returned with a vengeance, and I have no recollection of driving to Zander’s house or why I’m even here.

Until I storm inside and see his Louisville slugger leaning against the back wall.

Ah, now I remember.

Zander and Mel are frantic, but I tune them out, open the slider, and make a mad dash down to the lake with the bat clutched tightly in my hand.

As soon as I reach the shore, I grab the velvet box, flip the lid, and yank out that damn ring. I ignore the box that falls to my feet, then toss the ring in the air, and with everything I have pent up inside of me, I swing. Coming in direct contact with my target. Relief washes over me as I watch it sail about three hundred and thirty feet before a small ripple appears.

Now that’s what I would call the perfect home run.

ARIA

Trying to write when you’re not in the mood is frustrating. Some people believe that just because I’m a journalist I have all the words, all the time. Not true. When I decide to write an article, I do all the research I can on the subject first. Then I try piecing everything together with facts and what I’ve learned along the way. Somehow, I pull it all together and have an amazing career that I absolutely love. I’ve never taken a single second for granted because I’m doing what I love every single day. Going to work isn’t a chore, it’s an absolute joy.

Don’t get me wrong, I have my moments. Especially when it comes to dealing with all of my coworkers. Not all of them are friendly and I totally get it. Some are desperate to get their own column or move up the corporate ladder. They’d step all over someone to get what they want. I ignore them completely. Honestly, I only have a handful of work friends, but we never hang out on weekends. I learned the hard way that it’s best to keep my work life and personal life separate. Loose lips sink ships, and going out for a drink with any one of them could be disastrous. So we just chat and enjoy each other’s company from nine to five and then go our separate ways.

With that said, work would be flawless if the whispers eased up a bit. I don’t mind occasional gossip, because that’s a given. What I won’t tolerate is gossip that’s malicious and petty. Just because I’m not in a committed relationship doesn’t mean that I don’t know about love. I’m a Journalism major and I minored in Psychology so I’m more than qualified for the job. I also do tons of research, and I’ve interviewed over one hundred couples, learning what worked for them and what didn’t. Not all of them made it, but eighty-five percent of them did and that’s not bad odds.

Why does my mind drift to Jax as I reminisce about those couples? Maybe it’s because I spent the day with him, playing food charades and eating chip and dip. I find myself smiling as I recall him trying to stuff a whole damn pie into his mouth. He always did have a sense of humor; it was the reason I gravitated toward him even at an early age. We’re only four years apart, but back then when I was twelve and he was sixteen that was a huge difference. Not anymore. I’ve smiled and laughed so much today that my cheeks are hurting. I’m not complaining because it’s not a bad thing at all.

I’m startled when someone starts banging on my front door. Grabbing my phone, I get ready to call the emergency number when I hear Stephanie’s voice. She sounds really upset so I rush to the door. As soon as I open it, she flings herself into my arms. She’s trying to talk but I can’t understand her through her sobs.

“Take a deep breath. Breathe. I don’t understand a word you’re saying.” I close the door and lead her to the couch so she can sit. Her whole body’s shaking, and she’s so upset. The first thing that comes to mind is she got fired, or the new boy toy called it quits. What else would have made her so upset?

She tries speaking again and I could swear I hear Jax’s name in the jumble. Oh god. Did she drive by and notice my car was there? If so, why would she even care?

“What happened, Steph? Why are you so upset? Did something happen with Trent?” Tears turn into laughter and for a minute I’d say she’s losing her mind. No one can turn a switch off and on like that instantly.

“Not Trent. J-Jax.” I was right after all. I thought she mentioned his name through her sobs.

“I don’t understand. I thought you broke up with him.” I’m so confused until she sets me straight.

“I just left his h-house. I’d forgotten a few th-things and went to pick them up.” Turning to me, she grabs my hands. Oh no, here it comes. Holding my breath, I wait. “When he opened his s-safe so I could get my passport and jewelry, I noticed a velvet box that wasn’t m-mine.” A few stray tears fall, and she looks so sad. “He tried snatching it away, but I opened it and there was an engagement r-ring inside.”

Shut the front door!

“He could have been sitting on that ring for years, Steph. You have no way of knowing when he was going to ask you to marry him, if ever. Do you still love him?” It’s a question to an answer that I don’t necessarily want to know.

“A part of me will always love him, but I’m not in love with him anymore. I’m upset because had he asked me a few years ago, I would have said yes.”

“From the sound of it, I guess he did you a favor by not popping the question.” Somehow those words don’t bring her comfort because she starts sobbing again. “You need to calm down. I’ll get us each a glass of wine.”

My hands are shaking for no apparent reason as I open the bottle and pour each of us a glass. Truth be told, I might need this more than she does. I’ve no idea why I’m feeling guilty when I did absolutely nothing wrong. Jax and I spent the day together. Big deal. We had fun and enjoyed each other’s company.

I hand her a glass and sit next to her. At least she stopped crying, and fingers crossed this calms her down. I’ve never seen her this upset, and I can’t help wondering if she’s telling me the truth. Maybe she’s in love with both men and doesn’t know how to handle it.

“Thanks for the wine. I would have never gone to his house, but I needed my passport. Trent and I are leaving for Belize in a few days and there was no time to get a new one. I can’t believe he already changed the combination to the safe. Guess he doesn’t trust me.” Well, that’s a no-brainer.

To say I’m pissed is an understatement. “You should be grateful he let you in at all.”