Page 52 of Reckless and Rooted
I was used to feeling him at my six or following right behind him when I was going out somewhere at night, or to a studio fora show recording, or a concert, or hell, even going to the hotels. It was him for the last five years.
What I’m not used to is it happening in the small town I grew up in.
Jax keeps me grounded, shuffling me along while politely saying hi to anyone who comes by. I smile at everyone who waves at me and take my seat at the booth that is tucked around the back corner. I didn’t know it was here, and now that I am seated, with Ezra a few feet away at a table on his own, I feel like I can breathe.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell Jax, wondering if he is thinking the high amount of maintenance I require isn’t worth it.
He frowns in confusion, handing me a menu that was already there. “Don’t apologize. It makes me feel like a celebrity.” His quirked brow tells me he’s kidding, and I smile at how normal he is being.
“Well, that wouldn’t be the first time someone used me for that reason,” I say without thinking, and Jax’s eyes widen.
“I was kidding, City.” He reaches across the table, grasping my hand in his own and squeezing. “I want to be with my girlfriend, not Felicity Vogel, international superstar.”
I roll my eyes and mumble, “Hardly a superstar.”
“I beg to differ,” he replies with confidence. “I know exactly how famous you really are, Felicity. Since you’ve been home, you’ve downplayed every part of it, but I know the truth.” His eyes settle on mine more seriously. “They want you back in California, don’t they?”
“I would be a hell of a lot more controllable from there,” I admit, opening the menu. “So, what’s good?”
Jax lets me have my way—for now—clearly seeing how I changed the subject, and we discuss menu items for a few minutes, him teasing that a frozen raspberry margarita would knock me on my ass.
When the waitress comes, it’s a sweet-looking girl who looks to be about sixteen.
“Lue, what are you doing? Working again?”
Lue rolls her eyes. “As my dad would say, the car is not going to buy itself.”
“Lue?” I ask, astonishment in my tone. The last time I saw Jax’s niece, she was maybe four years old.
Lue looks to me, giving a wave. “Hi, Ms. Vogel. How are you?”
I stare in shock, my mouth actually hanging open. “I’m doing good. Oh my gosh. You’re so grown up.” I get out of my seat, shocking her when my arms wrap around her body, but she recovers quickly, returning the hug.
“Yeah, I keep getting that,” she says when I pull back and nudges her uncle in the arm. “He doesn’t think I should be working.”
“You’re so young,” he grumbles, looking at the menu again.
“I’m almost sixteen, Uncle Jax,” she says, looking like this is an old argument. “Dad says I have to pay for half of my car, and I want one for my sixteenth birthday.”
“I had a job at sixteen,” I say, probably butting in where I didn’t need to, but I thought her having a job was great.
“Really? What did you do?” Lue asks, intrigue in her eyes.
“I stocked shelves at the market,” I say, remembering working for Dani’s parents at their grocery store for almost three years before I quit unexpectedly and left town.
“Oh. See, Uncle Jax! She worked.” Lue turns her eyes on him, and he lets his shoulders drop.
“Fine. Then do your job and take my order.” His words are brash, but he gives her a grin that has her relaxing.
“What would you like to drink?” Lue asks me first, giving me a polite smile.
I grin back. “I would like a ginger ale, please.”
Jax looks at me with surprise and looks to Lue then, looking like he wants to comment on the drink but orders a Coke. He sends his niece away with the orders before turning back to me.
He smiles, and I smile back, wishing I had something more to do with my hand than fiddle with the menu.
“So…” He starts, reaching for my hand, and I gently place mine in his. “Tell me how your day at the studio was.”
