Page 56 of Until Bax

“Some women can’t handle what they consider rejection, even if they bring that shit on themselves.”

“No,” I disagree softly. “I think it’s just you. We’ve only spent a little time together, and I know you’d be hard to forget,” I admit, and his body pressed along the side of mine goes still.

“Come here.” He tugs my hand while untangling his legs from mine and drags me up his body until I’m straddling his lap. “Since your friend is coming in this weekend, I’m going to get a beer with your brother and tell him what’s going on.”

My stomach twists. I know we need to tell Liam. I know it will cause more issues if he thinks we’ve been keeping it from him. But I also hate the idea of one more person who doesn’t want us together.

“Today, when I went to visit my mom, she shared her concerns with me, and every one of them were valid.”

His muscles under my palms bunch. “She’s worried about me hurting you?”

“A little. She’s more concerned about Liam’s and your friendship.” I slide my hands up his chest to his shoulders. “I am, too.”

“Hey.” He grabs my face in both of his big hands, holding me and my gaze hostage. “It might take a little time for the dust to settle, but it will be okay. Liam will get over being pissed, your mom will come around, and things will fall into place.”

Leaning forward, I rest the side of my head against his chest and let out a breath as his arms wrap around me tight. I hope he’s right, but more than anything, I wish things weren’t so complicated.

CHAPTER16

Olivia

When Gemma begins to bark, my eyes open, and as the fog of sleep clears, I see the TV is still on, then feel Bax’s big, warm body mostly beneath mine, my legs tangled with his long ones, and the warmth of a blanket at my back. Apparently, we both fell asleep on the couch last night.

“Let me get that, baby,” Bax mutters when the doorbell rings, and I lift my head off his chest to look down at him as he slides my hip toward the back of the couch so he can get up. As he moves to the front door, I sit up and look at the window. The blinds are closed, but I can still see a little light coming through.

“Yeah?” he asks as he answers the door, swinging it inward, and I see an older gentleman standing on his front porch.

“Sorry to wake you, son. I tried knocking next door to see if the girl who lives there was around but didn’t get an answer. Bella told me to try here.”

“What’s going on?” Bax asks as I get up off the couch and walk around it to meet them at the door.

“I was on my way to work and saw that the car next door has been vandalized,” the older man says, and my stomach drops as I stop in place. “Looks pretty bad. There's some spray paint down the side, and two of the tires were slashed. Do you want me to call the police?”

“No thanks, Frank. I’ll call and talk to them.”

“Sure.” Frank’s eyes come to me when Bax looks my way with his jaw tight.

“I’m sorry to wake you two.”

“It’s okay.” I swallow, wrapping my arms around my middle as he focuses back on Bax.

“You have my cell if the police need anything from me.”

“Thanks, Frank,” Bax says, and he nods before stepping down off the porch and walking in the direction of his car. I can see it’s parked at the end of the driveway before the door is shut.

“Someone vandalized my car?” I whisper, and Bax closes the distance between us. Once he’s standing in front of me, his hand comes around the side of my neck, and his face lowers toward mine.

“I need you to go get your shoes on while I get on the phone with the cops.”

“Someone vandalized my car?” I repeat, my voice a panicked squeak now.

“Shoes, baby,” he says gently, giving my neck a squeeze and waiting for my nod before he lets me go. I turn to get my shoes while he goes to grab his phone, then he holds the door open for me.

With his hand wrapped tightly around mine, we walk across his lawn to Kourtney’s house, and when my car comes into view, I wonder if Frank was talking about someone else's car because there is nothing wrong with mine. Or… I don’t think there is until we walk around to the passenger side.

I stop in my tracks, my mind trying to catch up to what my eyes are seeing.

Black spray paint covers most of the red paint on the front and back doors, and both tires have been slashed with a butcher knife that is still sticking out of the back tire like it got stuck there.

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