Page 33 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

“I do choose you.” His grip on my jaw tightens, forcing me to look in his eyes. “I’ve been fucked-up after Lily. I know that. I’ll do better. Just… just don’t give up on me. Please.”

The lovesick girl inside of me grasps his words, hanging on for dear life.

14

Alina

Eighteen Years Old

My toddler group’s second recital is this weekend. When it comes to two and three-year-olds, “choreograph” is a loose term. That doesn’t stop everyone I love from showing up like my routine’s on Broadway. I appreciate their support. I never realized how much I would fall in love with teaching dance. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life.

There’s a studio about twenty minutes away in downtown Chattanooga that’s offered me an internship. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would accept because it would mean skipping college. But Jax encouraged me, saying college will always be waiting. He may be biased though, considering he chose to stay in Sugarlake as a mechanic, instead of furthering his education. His late daddy always dreamed of having his car restorations in the movies, and Jax is set on seeing that dream through.

I haven’t told Chase about the internship yet, but I’m planning to this weekend. He was hoping I would apply to ETU, but I know if I don’t take advantage of this opportunity, I’ll regret it.

“Hey, sweetheart.” Jax grins, shutting the sliding door to my backyard.

“Hiya, Teeth.” I smile.

He rolls his eyes. “Stop calling me that. These babies are one-hundred percent au naturale.” He runs his tongue over his pearly whites. “You ready for the big night?”

“I’m more than ready. Nervous, but my girls are gonna steal the show, you just wait and see.”

He clicks his tongue. “I don’t know. I heard the eight-year-olds have some killer moves this time. I’m not sure your toddlers can keep up.”

I smack his chest. “You shut your mouth with that kind of talk, Jackson Rhoades. I’ll have you know my kids can out-dance those eight-year-olds all day long.”

“Oh yeah? And why’s that?”

“Because they have me, of course.”

“Now that I believe.”

My cheeks flush at the compliment, the air shifting as he loses his grin.

He clears his throat. “Anyway, I just stopped by to see if you needed help with anything.”

I clap my hands together. “Yes! I’m in charge of refreshments for the recital, but I haven’t had time to pick anything up. I’d love you forever if you’d do it for me.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Would that make you say yes?”

His green eyes sparkle, and a lightness fills me. Things are so easy with him. I’m sad we weren’t friends sooner.

He ties his hair into a bun and throws his hands up. “Okay, I’ll do it. Cookies for the kids and veggie trays for the old people. I’ll be back soon.” He winks, spinning his key ring around his finger as he walks out the door.

My phone rings a while later, Chase’s name flashing. My stomach flutters with excitement knowing that in a few short hours I’ll see him. He promised he’d make it home this time.

“Hi, Chase.”

“Hey. How you feeling today, Goldi?”

“Excited. Nervous. Mostly, I just can’t wait to see you, though.” I lean against the kitchen counter.

“I can’t wait to see you, either. Think I can steal you away after the show? I want to get us a hotel. I thought we could have some long overdue alone time. Would you like that?” His voice quiets, whispering low and raspy in my ear. “I need to fucking be inside you, baby. I can’t wait anymore.”

Arousal shoots through me.

---