Page 46 of Jax

Jax seemed so engrossed in his phone screen, though. Why was that? What was he up to?

Ever so slowly, quietly, trying not to let her sleeping bag make the tiniest rustle, she sat up just enough to see what Jax was doing.

She was right about it being a phone. And from here, she could see that he was writing a message.

Rehab is going fine thanks. Probably be a few days longer.

Her eyes widened. Rehab? A few days longer? Was he speaking in code? Or was he lying to someone about his whereabouts for some kind of sinister—

No. Stop it again, Mia.

Just ask him.

"Jax?" Mia hesitated, uncertainty lacing her voice.

Jax shoved the phone in his backpack, turning around, cheeks blazing, like he’d just been caught up to no good. "Yeah?" His gaze flicked to meet hers, a mix of curiosity and wariness.

"Your phone... What were you doing?" Her heart pounded as she braced for his reaction.

"What was I doing?" Jax's tone was nonchalant, but Mia didn't miss the way his jaw clenched.

“Who were you chatting to?” she pressed, her green eyes searching his face for any hint of deception.

"Nobody important," he dismissed, a bit too quickly for her liking. "Just some personal business."

"Personal business?" Mia echoed, raising an eyebrow. The more evasive Jax became, the more her suspicions grew. She wanted to trust him, but her past taught her that trust could be a dangerous thing.

"Yep," he replied, avoiding her gaze. "It’s nothing to worry about. And I’m being very careful. We’ll go back off-grid again now."

"Right." Mia forced a smile.

"Hey, why don't we go for a walk?" Jax suggested, seemingly eager to change the subject. "Get some fresh air, clear our heads?"

"Sure," Mia agreed, trying to sound relaxed. As they stood up, her legs felt unsteady. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

The tension between them was palpable as they walked side by side, neither speaking. Mia couldn't help but steal glances at Jax, searching his face for any signs of deceit. She tried to maintain a calm facade, but inside, her thoughts churned with doubt and worry.

"Jax, can I ask you something?" she finally ventured, unable to remain silent any longer.

"Of course," he replied, trying to sound casual. "What's on your mind?"

"Would you ever lie to me?" Her voice trembled slightly as she asked the question, fearing his response.

"Not unless I did it to protect you," he admitted quickly, his gaze fixed on the ground in front of them.

"Are you having to protect me right now?" Mia pressed, her heart pounding in her ears.

Jax hesitated, the tension between them thickening like a storm brewing on the horizon. Finally, he looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of guilt and resolve.

"Mia, there are things . . . things I can't tell you yet," he started, his voice low and pained. "It's not because I don't trust you. Or because I think you can’t handle it. It's because . . . because I need to keep you safe."

Mia's breath caught in her throat at his words. The feeling of dread that had been gnawing at her since she saw that text on his phone intensified, wrapping around her heart like a vice.

"Safe from what, Jax?" Mia demanded, her voice more forceful now. "What aren't you telling me?”

“Nothing important.”

“But you get why this is hard for me? I don’t want to feel like you’re being evasive because it makes me think crazy stuff.”

---