Page 56 of Count On Me

“No. Don’t you dare. Cleo’s right. It’s not your fault. It’s mine. It all stems back to me. I partied with him, encouraged that kind of behaviour. And if I’d just told him how I felt about you, he wouldn’t have…” His voice is strained and I hate seeing him in this much pain.

“It’s not your fault. You didn’t know he was using drugs. You can’t blame yourself for it all, Jaxson.” My hand stills against his cheek and he turns his head to place a gentle kiss on my palm.

“How did I get so lucky?” His eyes meet mine and I offer a small smile of reassurance.

“You both know you're not to blame right?” Antony’s voice cuts through our little bubble and we both turn to look at him. “Jax, you’re not his keeper. If the roles were swapped and it was Charlie who’d been suspended, would you blame me?” He takes a sip of his water as Jaxson shakes his head. “Why not? I’m with him all the time. I go out with him to dinner, training. We’re always together.”

Jaxson sits straighter in his chair and clears his throat. “Noted, Marcello. It’s different though. I was the reason he was suspended.”

“That’s stupid and you know it,” Cleo scoffs from across the table and I roll my lips to stop myself from defending Jax to her.

“Sunflower…” Antony’s warning tone makes her eyes roll as she takes a deep breath.

“Okay, I’m sorry. That came out meaner than it was meant to. What I meant to say was, you’re the reasonyouwere suspended, but not Jordan. He did it himself when he traded blows with you. And you…” She points at me and I shrink a little in my chair. “You can dance with a man without him laying claim on you. Jordan’s actions are his responsibility and his alone.” She raises her brow at me and I nod back.

“She’s right, you know,” Jaxson tells me.

“They’re right about you too, mister.” I mimic Cleo and raise a brow, challenging him to argue, but instead he grins and places a kiss on my cheek.

“Right, now that’s settled, what are we eating?”

Before I can even pick my menu up, a loud squeal comes from behind me.

“Baby Girl, give Uncle Marcus some sugar!”

Cleo laughs and Antony drops his chin to his chest before lifting his eyes to meet ours, sighing. “Guys, I apologise in advance, but you’re about to get the full Marcus experience.”

Jaxson’s eyes widen as he turns in his chair, and he smirks when he sees a woman who looks remarkably like Cleo, except with blonde hair, walking toward us. As they get to our table, Cleo jumps up and hugs the man as the woman stands elegantly to my side. I look up at her and she offers me a warm smile and a wink before schooling her face back to the no-shit-taking look she was wearing before.

“Edie, this is my sister, Emilia. My other sister, not the one who fell for my bestie,” Emilia grimaces at the thought of it as Antony laughs wildly. “And this is her bestie, Marcus. Guys, this is Edie and her boyfriend Jaxson.”

‘Her boyfriend’ sends a shiver through me and I offer a smile to them both.

“It’s nice to meet you, Edie. And Jaxson, it’s nice not seeing you in the press so much. I know it isn’t your weasel of an agent’s input, so there must be other reasons for the good behaviour?” She flicks her gaze back to me as Jaxson grips my hand tighter and nods his head.

“Yep. I got my head outta my ass and finally realised what was important. What was missing in my life.” He turns to face me as my eyes fill with unshed tears. “She’s it for me. I’ve known it my whole life but was too scared to act on it. Now I want to shout it to the whole fucking world that she’s mine and I’m hers. I always have been. So you won’t see me in the papers anymore. And if you do, she’ll be on my arm. Every damn time.”

I don’t know what to say. He’s saying everything I’ve ever wanted to hear. Things I’ve been too afraid to hope for. A little niggling voice in the back of my mind starts to speak but I shut it down. I’m only looking forward now. No more dwelling on the past.

Jaxson’s voice is so soft, but so confident, the change in him beautifully evident. I don’t even hear a hint of my cocky best—no,boyfriend when he says, “So if you ever want to reconsider taking on another client, I’d be happy to talk to you.”

He smiles up at Emilia and a softness takes over her eyes. She nods once and smiles before turning her attention back to me.

“Edie, if anyone in here gives you any problems, you let me know. That includes your boyfriend, my sister, and Marcello. Understand?”

I nod my head, too many emotions are clogging my throat to be able to speak. Jaxson leans over and places a soft kiss on my temple and I melt into him. He did it. Everything I’ve ever wanted he just did.

“Hey, just Marcello? Not my future brother-in-law, my best friend, my favourite client?”

“Hush, Marcello, and tell me why you’ve been keeping these gorgeous teammates of yours from me?” Marcus sidles up to Jaxson as he smiles up at him. “Can you give me the famous Lockheart’s number? Since these two won’t.”

With a grin to rival a mischievous toddler, Jaxson reaches into his pocket for his phone. “I have no problem giving you his number. In fact…”

“Brady, do it and die.” Emilia’s staccato voice rips through the group and Jaxson’s hand stops in mid air, hovering over his pocket.

“Sorry, Bro. She’s too fucking scary,” Jaxson whispers to Marcus as Emilia rolls her eyes.

“Tell me about it,” Marcus replies with a grin on his face.

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