Page 66 of Succumbed

Jax draws back, brow bunched. “Like hell, it is. Sleep’s awesome.”

Chuckling, I lean against the island and regard him. “If you’re so observant, why’d you come over looking for food tonight? You have to know the fridge is usually empty, and I’m pretty sure the pool house has a view of the driveway.”

He grins, unashamed. “I’ve lived here for nearly two years, and you’ve never had guys over. Not once.” He shrugs and chugs some beer. “Had to make sure you were safe.”

I glare at him.

“Okay, okay, I was curious as fuck. Still am, honestly.” He tilts his head. “You like them.”

“Eh, Linc and Shane are pretty great.”

Jax just smiles, waiting.

“Declan’s a handful.”

“Never seen you back down from a challenge,” he muses.

I bark a laugh, still surprised by Jax’s ability to see through me. “True enough.”

Jax studies me. I often got the impression there was far more to him than the sunny, happy jock he seemed to be.

“You’re different with them. Free. Never seen you laugh so much, either.”

“Are you psychoanalyzing me, kid?”

“No clue. Am I?”

Shaking my head, I take my wine glass to the sink. Jax cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher while I walked the guys out.

“Thanks for your help tonight.”

“Of course. Worth it to see you happy.”

Is that what I am? Happy? I pause, letting that question and his words sink in. Jax isn’t wrong–I do feel free with the guys. Well, Lincoln and Shane mostly. If I’m honest, I don’t curb myself around Declan, either. He gets the same version of me the other two do, though his reactions certainly aren’t the same. Aaand, I’m done with this topic.

“I saw your dad today.”

Jax’s expression flickers. He glances down with a sigh. “How’d that go?”

“About how you might expect.”

“Forget him. Let’s go back to your guys.”

My guys? I like the sound of that a little too much. “They’re not mine.”

Jax gives me a “whatever you say” look. “They could be. Pretty sure Shane volunteered for the position every time he served you pizza, brought you water, and topped up your wine tonight. He wasn’t playing waiter for anyone else.”

Holy shit. Warmth blooms in my chest at the realization he’s right, but I push it away.

“I don’t have time for a relationship, Jax.”

“Bullshit.”

My jaw drops. “Excuse me?”

“Look at Van. He’s married, kid on the way. Does he still show up for you and Athena?”

“Of course he does.” I’m happy as hell for him and Cami.

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