Page 55 of Count On Me

“What about the cute red ones with the little football on the cuff?” She teases my curls into place like no one else can, and I relax at her touch.

“They were for the costume. You don’t think they’re too much?” I ask as she scoffs behind me.

“Edie, when are you going to realise there is no such thing as too much. You are who you are and everything about you is ENOUGH. Not too much, not not enough. Just ‘enough.’ Wear the flats if you want, but don’t not wear the heels because you think they’re too much. Trust me girl, as long as you feel good in them, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. And I’m done.”

I bring my eyes to the mirror, and whilst my hair does look amazing, I can’t tear my gaze away from my best friend who is more like a sister to me. “Thank you, Sis,” I tell her as I grab her hand and squeeze it. She rolls her eyes at me and squeezes it right back.

And once again, I’m thankful for the amazing people I have in my life.

“I’m so nervous.” I fiddle with my dress pockets and shift from foot to foot next to Jaxson whilst we wait to be seated at our table.

“Stop it, Eddie. You look amazing, you always do. And you’ve met these guys before. Why are you nervous, baby?” He takes my hand, kissing the top of it, and my nerves melt away a little at hearing him call me baby. He laces our fingers together and smiles down at me.

“I’ve met them as Eddie, your friend, not as Edie your girlfriend. What if they don’t like us together? They’re your friends.”

“Then I’ll get new friends. If they can’t see how undeniably amazing you are and how perfect we are together, I don’t want to be friends with them. Stop worrying, we’ve got this.” He swoops down, placing a gentle kiss on my lips, and all I can do is look up at him with admiration and adoration shining through my eyes.

The waiter takes us to our table, where Cleopatra Cooper and Antony Marcello are already waiting, so I take a deep breath and put a smile on my face as they greet us.

“You look fucking fierce. I love it. And those shoes. I’m partial to red heels, aren’t I, Twatface?” Cleo stands up and hugs me whilst Antony chuckles behind us.

“You and me both, Sunflower.” She giggles at him whilst releasing me from our hug and I watch as Antony and Jaxson shake hands. Antony holds Cleo’s chair out for her and Jaxson lunges for the back of my chair.

“Shit, I didn't know I was supposed to do that. I haven’t exactly had a girlfriend before,” he stammers out as Cleo and Antony giggle.

I place my hand on top of his and smile. “I don’t need you to copy Antony or anyone else in this relationship. I fell in love with you, not them. Just keep being you and do what comes naturally. Please?”

He brings his eyes to mine and smirks. And before I can even blink, his mouth is crushed against mine. I’m barely aware of the laughter from our dinner companions because Jax’s kiss is consuming me. It’s making me forget I’m in public, blowing away the negative anxiety that’s been trying to overwhelm me. Instead, I’m in a blissful state of euphoria with his mouth on mine.

Giggles from our dining companions bring me back to the now, and as we pull away from each other, I know my cheeks are blazing, but I don’t have it in me to care. I love that he’s claiming me in public. That we’re finally at a place I’ve longed to be for so long and he’s right there with me. So even with embarrassment swamping through me as Cleo smirks at Antony, I smile back at them.

“Water?” She fills a glass in front of me from the jug on the table and catches my eye, winking as she places the jug back down and I take a long sip with a grin on my face. “You remind me of my friend, Verity. You redheads blush so easily.” She laughs softly and I sigh in agreement with her.

“We do. I can’t hide anything because of these bloody cheeks.”

“I like your blushes.” Jaxson’s hand clasps over mine on the tabletop and I beam a smile in his direction.

“Twatface, I think these two might give Juliet and Connor a run for their money with the lovey dovey crap.” Cleo snickers as I look at Jax for clarification on who she’s talking about. He shrugs his shoulders so we both direct our attention to Antony.

“Her sister and her best friend. They’re love’s young dream.” He smiles before picking up a piece of bread and popping it into his mouth. “So, Edie, he finally realised what a dick he was by ‘just being friends’ with you?”

It’s Antony’s turn to laugh and I can’t contain the laughter that bubbles from my mouth as well, especially when Jaxson replies with an indignant, “Hey!”

“What? It’s the truth. You were fooling no one with your just friends vibe. I guess we have one thing to thank Jordan for, eh?”

The mention of Jordan makes my stomach roil. It’s been two weeks since Jax told me he’d been suspended for failing a drugs test, and yesterday we heard that the governing bodies decided to ban him from all professional football activities for four years. His career is over, and I feel somewhat responsible. If I hadn't danced with him, Jaxson wouldn’t have fought with him and he wouldn’t have gotten suspended. He wouldn’t have been out on the town with all sorts to drown his sorrows. I lower my head at the mention of his name and Jaxson squeezes my hand on the tabletop.

“What just happened?” Cleo asks, concerned, and I shake my head.

“Nothing. I just feel a little guilty about Jordan. I shouldn’t have?—”

“Nope, do not even go there.” Cleo cuts me off, and I let my mouth gape open in shock. “Sorry, Red, but no. It’s not your fault. And it’s not Jaxson’s fault.” She looks at him pointedly andhe avoids eye contact with all of us, which is weird. “The only person who needs to take responsibility is Jordan.”

“Have you seen him?” Antony asks Jaxson gently.

“No, I don’t think he’s back from rehab yet. Well, I’m assuming at least, because he hasn’t been back to his apartment. I sent him a text but...” Jaxson shifts uncomfortably on his chair and I squeeze his hand in support.

I didn't realise he felt guilty about it too. He’s never spoken to me about it. But from his stance now, I can see he does. “Jaxson?” He turns to look at me, pain flitting through his eyes and I reach up to stroke his cheek. “I’m sorry. I should never have danced with him.”

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