Page 3 of Count On Me

“It still makes me laugh that you’re scared of cursing in front of your mom.”

“What? You’re one to talk. You don’t swear in front of Mama Brady or my mum. And besides, unlike you, I actually need the brain cells she knocks out of my head every time I swear.” I put my bag on the floor next to my shoes and follow the chuckles into the kitchen.

And stop in my tracks at the sight that meets me.

Jax isn’t wearing a shirt. His black sports shorts are slung low on his hips, showing off his little V thing that renders smart girls stupid. I can attest to that right now. All my brain can think of is, ‘hummina, hummina, hummina.’

My mouth drops open and I can’t force my eyes away from his tanned muscles. I even think a little drool spills out of my mouth, but I can’t be sure because I’m frozen by this Godly sight.

“Hey, Eddie, my eyes are up here. When you're done objectifying me, that is.”

I snap my gaze up to his, find him smirking his stupid handsome face off, and frown in response. I know my face is beetroot red. I know I just got caught ogling my bestie and Ishould be sorry, but I don’t care. Today has been a shitshow and I’m done with it.

”You know what? I’m not apologising. Put a shirt on if you don’t want people looking. And if you don’t like your chunky ginger friend ogling you, well tough.” I spin on my heel before the tears fall in front of him, knowing I just took my anger out on him instead of the douche in the bar.

A firm grip on my elbow stops me in my tracks, and before I know anything, I’m spun around, my face pressed up against his velvety soft skin. Tears fall down my cheeks as he cradles my head to his chest. He presses his lips to my hair and shushes me. But I let the tears out. I let them fall freely, knowing that no matter what happens, Jax will always be there for me. He always has. He makes me feel safe and loved. I just wish he would love me in the way I want him to.

“Sorry, Jaxy. I didn’t mean to unload my bad day on you.” I sniff and go to move away from him, even though I don’t want to, but he holds me tightly and looks into my eyes.

“Hey, that’s part of my job, Eddie. I’m going to order us some food while you go upstairs and have a shower and then you can tell me what happened. And don’t worry, I’ll put a shirt on.” He winks at me as I shake my head and grin. “That’s better. I hate seeing you sad. What do you want to eat?”

He lets go of me and my body instantly misses his touch. I shrug my shoulders at him, not really wanting to eat anything.

“Okay. Um, Chinese?” I shake my head.

“Thai?” I pull a face and he chuckles.

“Okay, so no Thai. How about burgers and fries?” I pretend to heave and he sighs loudly.

“So you don’t know what you do want to eat, but you do know what you don’t. You girls make me fucking crazy. What do you want to eat?” he asks, frustration dripping from every word.

The laughter that bubbles out of my mouth takes me by surprise but it feels so good to just laugh with him again. “Order whatever. Just no burgers and chips, please.”

I leave the kitchen to him muttering ‘women’ under his breath, and grin knowing that no matter how much I annoy him, he’ll always be there with his arms open, ready to hug me to death.

It’s why I shouldn’t be lusting over him. Why I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him. I can’t risk losing him. I need him too damn much.

4

JAXSON

I fucking hate seeing her cry. And whoever upset her is on my shit list for life. When I start making millions, I’ll pay someone to exact my revenge on them. Whoever the fuck they are.

And what was with that bullshit about my chunky friend? Edie is fucking stunning. Always has been. She’s got curves for days, and the way she fits in my arms is perfect. There’s nothing wrong with the way she looks. At all. If anything, she looks too damn good.

It’s why I’ve been jerking off to images of her since I got to London, three fucking months ago. Why every time I fucking come, her name is on my lips. Why I had to fight every natural instinct in my body when I saw her devouring my naked chest with her eyes. Shit, knowing she liked what she saw makes it harder. And for once, I’m not talking about my dick. But he, too, is finding his restraint pushed to the limit being around her.

We’ve spent every night together since I got here. I rush back from training to see her. To watch a movie with her or to just talk and laugh with her. I hardly know my teammates and haven’t been anywhere near another girl. She’s all I see, and it’s killing me to have to keep my distance. To not be able to touchher in the way I want to. Hold her hand. Wrap my arm around her shoulders when we’re out walking. Kiss her senseless in a crowded room.

But we’re just friends. It’s all we can be because I need her. She’s my safe space. My comfort. I don’t want to lose her, and I can’t commit to anything but soccer right now.

“I ordered pizza. Hope that’s okay.”

Standing at the entrance to the living room, she nods her head and bites on her bottom lip. I know she’s about to apologise for earlier again. “Save it, Eddie. I don’t need an apology. I’ve got you, girl. Always have and always will. Wanna sit and tell Jaxy what happened?”

I pat the seat next to me on the sofa and she silently glides over. Her PJ shorts are slung low on her generous hips and the tank top she’s wearing is low cut and showing off the swell of her very ample breasts to perfection. As she takes the spot next to me, I close my eyes to avoid ogling her too much. Her scent envelops me, and it smells so good, I almost moan as the coconut hits my senses. I reach over and grab one of the throw pillows, placing it over my lap so she can’t see the effect she’s having on me.

Of course she catches the move, and before she can question it, I tell her, “In case you try to devour me with your eyes again, protection from that wandering gaze of yours.” I wink and get a slap to the shoulder as she mutters ‘dick’ at the same time. “Time for more words. What happened, babe?”

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