Page 42 of Wed to You

Jagger mustered a smile and gave him a thumbs-up. Then he turned his attention back to Chelsea. “Look, if you’re having second thoughts, tell me now. I understand this is awkward, but not because you think we don’t go together, or whatever you’re thinking. Unless you have a problem with me, which is the more likely scenario. I mean, why would a nice girl like you be interested in a former vapid playboy who is raising his uncle and comes from a family that wouldn’t know kindness or love if they were drowning in it?” Pain and anger roiled in his chest. For several years now, he’d tried to live the right kind of life. He’d protected Kaden from Tanya, and later from Jagger’s father, who’d stop at nothing to get his hands on Kaden’s trust.

“Jagger.” Chelsea’s dark brown eyes showed concern and kindness. “I have no problem with you.” She looked like she was going to say more, but she must have determined it was enough. And it was. Because he could see she meant it. Those few words wrapped around him like a warm blanket. It wasn’t a feeling he was used to. Not many people made him feel safe and grounded.

The feeling overwhelmed him for a moment. He rested his forehead against hers. “Then please help me. Help us.”

“Well, look at this.”

Jagger lifted his head, disappointed when Chelsea jerked away from him as if she didn’t want to get caught kissing behind the bleachers. Lexie joined them. Speculation danced in her eyes as she stood, bouncing the baby snuggled in a baby carrier hanging from her chest. Drake stepped up beside her with a second baby attached to him.

“Jagger.” Drake extended his hand.

Jagger shook it and said hello. He’d known Drake in New York, not as friends, but as acquaintances that sometimes ran into each other at events. It had been a surprise to Jagger, as well as to most who knew Drake, when he’d left the Big Apple to marry Lexie. Jagger knew most felt the same about him leaving his life of partying to settle down in Virginia to raise Kaden.

“I wasn’t sure you’d be here.” Lexie’s words said one thing, while her eyes asked Chelsea another. After all, she’d found them in a very intimate situation.

Chelsea hadn’t answered his plea and while she’d shown up at the fair, it was clear she was having second thoughts. So Jagger held back from putting on a show, waiting for Chelsea to make the first move.

“Jagger!” Kaden ran toward the roller coaster exit where they’d been watching and waiting. “Can I go again? Please.”

Jagger smiled, glad he could keep Kaden occupied. “Sure. I’ll take you—”

“I can do it. I go in right there.” Kaden pointed to where the carny stood only a few yards away. Jagger scanned the area for Tanya and any other questionable-looking figures.

“Okay.” He nodded as he pulled the strip of tickets they’d bought when they’d entered the fair from his pocket and handed Kaden five of them. “Don’t get sick though.”

“I won’t.” Kaden grabbed the tickets and ran to the ride’s entrance. Jagger watched until Kaden was in the train.

“He’s grown.” Drake nodded toward Kaden.

“It goes fast.”

“So you didn’t have to work after all?” Lexie brought the conversation back to what was ripe in her mind.

Jagger inhaled as he waited for Chelsea’s response.

She looked at him. Her eyes filled with uncertainty, and Jagger felt a sense of disappointment.

“I guess we don’t have to hide it anymore.” Chelsea turned her attention back to Lexie and Drake. “Jagger and I have been seeing each other for some time now.”

For the second time that day, relief and gratitude washed through him. Chelsea put her arm through his. He covered the hand that rested on his arm with his other hand and gave a slight squeeze to let her know how appreciative he was.

“I know I told you differently before, but we were keeping it under wraps.”

“Why?”

Jagger’s relief continued as he saw pleasure at the news instead of concern in Lexie’s features. Of course, she’d only told them they were seeing each other, not that they were engaged.

“It wasn’t appropriate for me to date Jagger since Kaden was in my class. So nobody knows.”

“Oh, they know now.” Lexie laughed. “Mrs. Crosby and old lady MacAulay made a point to tell me they saw you two in an ‘intimate embrace,’” Lexie said, using air quotes. “Does Mitch know?”

“Do I know what?” Mitch and Sydney stepped up from behind Chelsea to join the group..

Chelsea tensed and Jagger hoped it was to steel herself to stand up to him.

She inhaled. “Jagger and I have been seeing each other. Dating.” As expected, Mitch turned a dark gaze on Jagger that said, “I told you to stay away.”

“Oh, how nice.” Sydney smiled; either she didn’t know or didn’t hold her husband’s opinion of Jagger.

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