Page 89 of Somewhere Only We Know
What did I ever see in him? I ask myself that for the last time as he’s in front of me. He’s skinnier now, his hair is greasy, and he’s definitely not wearing the approved attire to get in here. So the question is, how? Although that could be because he’s wearing a ‘STAFF’ shirt. So the question is, how did he get away? And how did he know I was here?
38
NATE
The music gets turned up and soon the girls are swallowed by the crowd. I turn my focus back to the table and see them all with raised eyebrows and barely contained smiles.
“What?” I ask.
“It’s weird seeing you smile so much.” Chance says and takes a pull of his drink.
My brows furrow and I look at him. “I smile.”
“No. You brood. You’re broody. Or at least you were until you married Jax. Now you just look like a lost puppy when she’s not next to you.” Bryce says while he bounces to the music.
Mason, Adam, and Riley all snort at Bryce’s comparison of me. Jax and I have done a poor job in integrating ourselves with them and I make a mental note to change that. They’re with women that Jax adores and looks up to. By proxy that means the guys should become my friends as well.
“I think they all bring our gooey side out,” Riley chimes in from across the table.
“From what I heard, you were already gooey.” Mason pipes up and Riley shrugs agreeingly while looking at Mason with stars in his eyes. I can’t blame him. Even though Mason retired due to a career-ending injury, he’s still a legend in the sports world. Hell, I even look up to him and he’s my brother-in-law.
Our attention turns back to the dance floor, which has gotten exceedingly more crowded. I don’t know why, but something seems off.
“I’m gonna go dance with my wife.” I say and push off from the table.
“Right behind you.” I hear.
I weave through dancing couples and dodge grabbing hands. The lights in here are dark enough that whoever you’re dancing with won’t scare you off. But, unfortunately, also dark enough that anything can happen without you seeing. I keep walking until I see Jax and my body relaxes. Until I see some guy holding onto her arm.
“Shit.” Riley says when he comes up behind me.
“Who is that?”
“Her ex.”
My steps get more determined. Brushing past everyone to get to my wife, I look over what I can see of him. From his scuffed shoes to the black jeans that have seen better days with the T-shirt that has the club's logo covering the back and ‘STAFF’ printed on the bottom.
“Let me go.” I faintly hear Jax say over the music.
I’m not sure what he says to her but her face goes ghostly white and I see Jax try to break free from his hold.
“Get your hands off of my wife.” I say when I reach them. My hands form a fist as I hold them at my side. My first inclination is to hit first, talk second. But his grip on Jax is strong and the last thing I want is to hurt her.
Jax swallows and when he turns, my eyes go to their point of contact and I see red.
“Who the hell are you?” Her ex sneers.
“Her husband. Now get your fucking hands off my wife.”
In my anger, I note that the sound in the room has dulled and my body heats from eyes on us. I’m usually a fly under the radar type of guy. But in this instance, I’m not.
“You married him?” Her slime ball ex asks with a sneer.
I step closer, angling my body between them so I’m slightly in front of Jax. “I won’t tell you again. Get. Your. Fucking. Hands. Off. My. Wife.”
“Do I need to hit you again?” Riley asks as he steps up.
Jax lets out a gasp of pain and I feel her body tense. I look down to see the death grip tighten on her arm.
