Page 6 of Counting the Stars

“Sadly, that’s also what she said.”

“Why the hell is he here?” Travis, Jax’s best friend and business partner, smacks the side of the box. I don’t know him too well. He seems like an okay guy, a bit high-strung at times, but I know he’s been through a lot of shit. Shit I can’t even imagine.

“We’ve been through this.” Jax looks at Travis, clearly getting agitated. “This house had more issues than expected. In order to keep us afloat, the crew needs to work on the house on Anchor while we put in as much effort as possible into this one. It needs to be move-in ready before Aly has the baby. Plus, Alex is cheap labor.”

“Thanks,” I huff. I actually don’t mind helping Jax out. I admit I’m here more for muscle than to actually fix something.I’m not much of a handyman, but I’d like to learn a few things for when I eventually settle down and have a place of my own.

This house has been a bear to work on. The entire electrical system needed updating as well as the plumbing. Jax and Travis also replaced the roof, siding, and windows. And did I mention there was also one room covered in floor-to-ceiling mirrors? I was tasked with the job of taking all of them down. Getting to see myself from every angle is not as much fun as I thought.

Jax has been working on this house for months, even before he and Legs, aka Aly, got together. Once they realized their relationship was a match made in Heaven (literally), they eloped and immediately started planning a family. I’m happy for them. Jax is much less of a grump nowadays, and Legs has become a great friend.

“Aly isn’t due for months,” Travis grumbles. “There’s still plenty of time to get this done.”

“I want everything as perfect as possible,” Jax argues.

“How about we take a lunch break and order a pizza?” Carter, forever the peacemaker, whips out his phone.

“I think that’s a great idea.” I study the fridge currently sitting in the driveway. “We can figure out a game plan for this monstrosity while we eat.”

Everyone agrees and we head toward the almost completed kitchen to get some drinks and wait for our food.

“Have you decided what you’ll do with your condo once you move in here?” Carter places a large cooler on the kitchen counter.

“Aly gets all emotional when I bring up the subject. She’s excited to move in here, but she doesn’t want to leave all of you either.” Jax waves his hand between Carter and me. I know he’s also referring to Gabby and Michelle, who were Aly’s original roommates. “I think we’ll stay at the condo for the duration ofher pregnancy so she has everyone around her, and then we’ll move in once J.J. is born.”

“I’m sure we’ll be over all the time. You know, since you have so much space here. That wraparound porch of yours gets some great light. It would be the perfect place to sunbathe.” I grab a bottle of water from the cooler.

“Note to self: add an awning to the porch.” Jax swings around and points a finger at me. “And I’m establishing a new rule. Every guest in our house must be fully clothed at all times.”

“Fine,” I huff. I have an issue when it comes to wearing clothes… I don’t like them. I’m okay in my heavy gear when I’m fighting fires ’cause you need to protect the goods and all. But when I’m at home? Everything comes off. Well, almost everything. I keep my boxers on when I’m around Carter because that would be weird. I’m also required to wear clothes when I eat with the girls. They claim it’s too distracting or whatever.

“Pizza is here,” Travis says, tilting his head toward the window. An older model Volkswagen pulls up to the curb.

“I’ll get it.” I run over to the front door and swing it wide open. “Well, hello.” I smile at the sight of a young, college-aged blonde holding our delivery.

“Hi.” Her face flushes. “I, umm…I have two large pizzas—one meat lovers, one pepperoni with extra cheese.”

“That’s us.” I take our order and hand her some cash. “Keep the change.”

“Are you sure?” Her eyes widen when she adds up the tip I just gave her. It’s more than I usually give, but her tires look pretty worn.

“Absolutely. I appreciate the prompt, friendly, and might I say beautiful service.” I wink.

“Thank you.” Her face turns an even deeper shade of red.

“Have a wonderful day!” I call out as she makes her way back down the driveway. I close the door and turn back to the guys, who are all giving me a look.

“What?” I place the pizzas on the counter.

“You just can’t help yourself.” Carter shakes his head.

“I was being polite.”

“Your polite and my polite are two different things.” Carter grabs a slice of meat lovers. “You flirt with anything on two legs.”

“Glad I only have one.” Travis snorts, referring to the fact that he has a prosthetic. I don’t know much, but I know he and Jax were injured overseas during their time in the Navy. Jax is able to cover the majority of his scars with tattoos, but Travis’s are too numerous and severe to hide.

“See, this is why Gabby won’t go out with you,” Jax chimes in, grabbing a slice of pepperoni and mumbling something about it lacking pineapple.

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