Page 55 of Don't Leave Me

“Oh my gosh! I remember that!” Charlie giggles.

“That was before I realized what a jerk you were.” She rolls her eyes.

“How fitting is it for you to be dating my brother?” He laughs even harder.

The backdoor opens and closes. Jax and Cody come out with a few beers in each of their hands. They pass them out and when Sophia reaches for one, Jax jerks it out of her reach.

“Sorry, squirt. I don’t believe you’re twenty-one yet.”

“I turn twenty-one tomorrow, Jax! Does it really matter?”

“I’m pretty sure the law says yes. We could consult the police officer.” He nods his bottle in my direction.

“This police officer knows the laws and my rights. I'm pleading the fifth.” I hold my hands up in defense and take a long pull of the beer.

“Why are you out here anyway?” Sophia glares at Jax and he finally hands her a bottle.

“Well, we figured we might need to break up a fight.” Jax shrugs. “If there was no fight, we figured alcohol would be appreciated.”

“He felt left out because we’re the only people under forty in that house since Blake’s kids left and he has severe fear of missing out.” Cody leans back in his chair and gets comfortable.

“That too.” Jax points his bottle in his twin’s direction. “I'm excited to have another brother.” He grins like he’s up to no good. “It’s a plus that he likes hockey. Wyatt sucks since he thinks baseball is the greatest sport ever.” He rolls his eyes and pretends to fall asleep, letting out a loud fake snore.

“At least I have your jersey,” Wyatt mutters under his breath with a devilish smirk.

Jax stands from the table without a word. He marches into the house like a man on a mission and comes back out a few minutes later with a sharpie cap in his mouth. He’s scribbling something on a shirt, then tosses it in my face.

“Oh, look! He has a signed jersey with my name and number on it.” Jax falls into the chair and crosses his ankles on the table.

“Didn’t your mother teach you manners?” Sophia pushes at his feet, trying to get them off.

“She tried,” Addi sighs as she shuts the door behind her and Wes. “Clearly, she failed. But three out of four isn't bad.”

“You’re only rocking a seventy-five percent, Mama, I wouldn’t be proud of that,” he calls loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear him.

“Are you sure he isn't Uncle Linc’s kid? He sure is loud.” Cody rubs at his ear with a grimace.

“Eh, Uncle Linc’s attractive. There are worse people you could say I'm related to.” Jax shrugs without a care in the world.

“I'm positive you’re mine. I'm the only man who’s ever stuck his cock inside of your mother.”

I choke on the sip of beer I just took and start coughing. Sophia pats my back, but doesn’t react. Wes wraps his arms around Addi’s waist like that’s a completely normal comment to make in front of his children.

“I’m still shocked you got Mom to date you,” Jax says with more balls than I’ll ever have. “She was a hottie and you were all…” He flexes his muscles and pinches his brows together, looking as angry as he can. “You wanna have my babies and live with this scowly face forever?” He does his best to imitate Wes and fails miserably.

“How’d you know that’s what I said when I proposed?” Wes deadpans.

“He sounded just like you. I actually got a little teary eyed.” Addi fans at her face, flipping off Jax in the process.

“Oh! The baby’s kicking.” Charlie grabs Wyatt’s hand and places it on her stomach. His face lights up when the baby kicks and he can feel it.

“Pecker!” Sophia squeals, turning around to face me so quickly that she almost falls off my lap.

“What, baby?” I place my hands on her hips, making sure she stays in place this time.

“That’s your niece or nephew!”

“Oh, shit. I didn’t think of that.” Wyatt grins. “This little baby just gained a few more family members. Does Sydney have a family?”

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