Page 62 of Jax

With only three of them, including Jax, the space in the once vast barn was now gone, and along with it, my safe feelings as I stared up at them meekly from the pile of hay on the floor.

They were even taller from way down here.

As they tore off their hooded coats, I recognized one of the two as the youngster I’d met from the day when Jax’s boss had come, and who had kept me company while doing homework. What was his name?

Beauty? Handsome? Gorgeo-

“Pretty,” Jax sighed in relief, running a hand through his shaggy damp hair.

“Got yourself in a bit of a pickle?” Pretty chuckled as his eyes scanned over the barn and spotted me clinging to my bra, belt, and panties in the hopes they wouldn’t see them, all while trying not to strain my muscles. “You okay, sweetheart?”

“I’m—” I paused to clear my throat. “—good.”

“Nah, she’s not,” Jax growled, sending me a sharp glare that came out of nowhere. I shot one back, not knowing why his brother’s sudden presence would give him permission to be rude to me. He didn’t have the right to be an asshole two minutes after breaking my heart. In fact, that should be my stance.

Jax’s frown deepened at my response, but he didn’t argue. Instead he turned to the other brother, a guy similar to Jax’s age but who looked a little more worn. If I had to guess, I’d say he’d had military service if the way he stood gave any indication. His back against the secure wall, and his eyes scanning over me, not in a creepy way but in an uncomfortable assessment.

My gaze drifted away from him, breaking the contact, and I looked toward Max who was quiet and cautious as she stood by the farthest wall, one ear flat besides her head, the other perked toward them. She was closer to outside wall of the barn than she had been since we’d come in here, but for her, the sounds of the raging storm seemed preferable compared to the club members.

I could relate.

“Did you call me here to take a look at her?” The military-esque one nodded at Jax without taking his eyes off me.

“Yeah, she’s…”

“Who’sshe?I have a name, you know.” I grumbled, shifting my clothes in my arms. The words came out sharper and poutier than I wanted, and when I felt the testing atmosphere of Jax’s pause, letting me know he’d heard me loud and clear, I kept my eyes down and chin tucked.

Grumpy ass. I was the one who got kicked by a horse. Not him.

Pretty gave a light chuckle before he tapped Jax on the shoulder. “Why don’t you head to the house and check the damage? We’ll take a look and then bring her over. I think your power’s out in the main house; all the lights are off.”

“No, I’ll stay here. I’ll carry her.” Jax folded his arms over his chest, not looking at me but leaving no room for argument.

“Fine. You can carry her, you bastard. Just go check your house.” Pretty’s voice was still light, a chirpy smile on his tired face, but the way his hand was tight on Jax’s shoulder didn’t leave me with a reassuring feeling.

Nor did Jax’s response.

All his muscles tightened, and instead his stubbornness disappeared in an instant. “I got it.” Jax nodded, before turning to military-man. “You good, Mint?”

Mint?Is that his name? What is with these boys and their names?

“Yeah, I’m good, brother.” He nodded. “Take Pretty with you.”

Jax glanced at Pretty before giving him a nod and began heading toward the door.

Mint slipped off his coat and caught Jax before leaving. “Take this,” he offered, watching as a small smirk slipped on Jax’s face. “It’s so you can bring the girl back some dry clothes. She’s freezing.”

Jax’s eyes skipped back over to me, and the second his eyes met mine, I felt mine fall to the floor. I had never been a coward by any measure, but the moment I saw the concern flicker into his harsh eyes, I couldn’t face it.

If he doesn’t regret leaving me… why does he care?

“All right,” Jax nodded, pulling the coat into his arms, not wearing it, before heading to the barn doors. He paused before closing them behind him, then popped his head back in with a final warning to Mint. “Mind her. She bites.”

The door slammed shut.

Mint looked down at me and I felt my sinking glare return. “He meant the horse,” I hissed.

A quirk of a smile appeared on the man’s stoic face. “I’m sure he did.”

---