Page 3 of When Our Stars Aligned

Present Day, Oregon

“Are you going to come back to bed, baby?” the redhead with the fake boobs and caked-on makeup coos.

I cringe at the termbaby. Terms of endearment are bullshit, much like everything else in life.

“Don’t call me baby,” I say harshly and gather up my clothes.

“Well, you refused to give me your name. You can stay the night, you know. Are you up for another round?” She bats her fake eyelashes and I swear one is about to become unglued.

“Nope. That’s not how this works.” I zip up my jeans. “Was I not clear at the bar?”

She gets up on her knees and runs a finger over my abs. The smell of her trendy perfume nauseates me. “You were, but I thought once you got a sample, you’d come back for more.”

I recoil from her touch and pull my shirt over my head. “I told you I don’t do repeats.”

I don’t do overnight stays.

I don’t do cuddling.

I don’t do hand-holding.

I don’t do cutesy names or names at all for that matter. The less I know, the better. Sex is a means to an end. That’s it. End of story.

“So that’s it? You’re just gonna leave?” She pouts.

“That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

“But my roommate won’t be home for—”

“What are you not getting?” I snap. “I laid out all the rules ahead of time. One time, no names, no repeats. I got what I wanted and now I’m leaving.”

“Screw you!” She hisses from the bed.

“No, thanks. I already screwed you!” I slam the door to her room just in time to hear a loud thud from the opposite side. It’s not the first time a girl has hurled something at my head and it probably won’t be the last. I’ve gotten good at predicting and ducking out of the way over the years.

I hop in my truck, grumbling to myself about how I need to shower and get the scent of this girl’s nasty perfume off me ASAP. I grab my phone out of my jeans and stick it in my center console, noticing that I missed a call from my sister. Shit! There’s only one reason why Emma would call me at two in the morning.

I make the hour-long drive to the hospital in record time and sprint down the sterile-looking hallway towards the familiar voices around the corner.

“Jax!” My cousin Claire wraps her arms around my neck. She’s clearly been crying for a while. I look up to see her husband, Bradley, who gives me a solemn nod. I haven’t seen any of my cousins in a good year or two. I really need to make more of an effort to visit, but not this way. I may be an asshole to most, but I do have a soft spot for my family.

“Is she—”

Claire shakes her head. “The doctor said it’s almost time. She’s been asking for you. Go on in. Your mom is with her now. Your dad is with Emma outside. Emma had a bit of a breakdown and needed some fresh air. My parents and sisters are on their way.”

I try to pull myself together before walking through the door. I’m not prepared for this, but I will never be prepared to say goodbye to one of the best women in my life. I push back the curtain and a pair of sparkling blue eyes meet mine.

“Jaxyboy! My favorite grandson! Come here, come here!” My gram’s voice is breathier than usual. She still looks like herself, just a bit frailer. Her gray hair looks wispier, and her skin coloring seems so pale against the stark white linens of the hospital bed. It breaks my heart to see her fading away.

“Hey, Gram, how’s my favorite girl?” I try to sound as causal as possible, but the realization that this is probably our last conversation puts a huge lump in my throat.

My mom clears her throat and motions for me to take her seat beside Gram. She puts her hand on my shoulder, squeezes it, and leaves without saying a word. I watch her wipe away tears as she walks through the door. Even though Gram is my father’s mother, she and my mom have always been close.

“Jaxyboy, look, the doctor said I don’t have much time left.”

“Gram, don’t say that.”

“Hush, I’m fine! I’ve lived a good life and I’ve always been surrounded by love. I’m okay with meeting my maker and I can’t wait to be with your grandfather again.” Her lips curl into a smile and I take comfort knowing that Gram and Pop will soon be reunited. They had the most amazing marriage and I know a part of her died the day he passed nearly eight years ago.

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