Page 24 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

Jax and I don’t know each other all that well. After our first disastrous meeting when I was a fresh-faced fourteen-year-old, we didn’t talk. He became Chase’s best friend, and since Chase was set on ignoring my existence, we ran in different circles. We’re friends now, but it’s purely superficial. It’s strange being in a car with him without a buffer.

Jax has one hand on the wood-rimmed steering wheel, and the other on the gearshift. He’s relaxed. Totally in his element, and I can see why he says cars are his calling.

“What are you thinking about so hard over there, Alina May?”

“What kind of car is this?” I look around the interior. It sure is pretty. When it comes to cars, I’m as dumb as a doornail, but I can feel the labor of love pouring out of these details.

He caresses the dash with his hand, the sun glinting off the blond hair on his knuckles. “This is a ‘67 Mustang Fastback. She was my dad’s.”

“Oh.” I get quiet, nervous to venture into this topic with him. Last time, it didn’t go so well.

He peeks over at me, smirking. “Don’t worry, Alina. I’m not the same boy you met three years ago. It’s okay to bring up my dad, I’ve had time to work through my anger.”

“Oh, good. That’s... good.” I nod my head, still unsure what to say.

The conversation subsides, falling into a comfortable silence. My head rests against the window, staring at the billboards cruising by, Tim McGraw serenading us through the speakers.

Jax turns the radio down, glancing over. “Let’s play twenty questions.”

I lift my head off the glass, angling my body toward his. “Okay, I’ll bite. Who goes first?”

“Ladies first, of course.” He tips his head.

I tap my finger on my chin, pursing my lips. “What’s that necklace you’re always messin’ with?”

He grabs the chain around his neck and pulls, two pieces of metal clanking together as they fall on top of his shirt. “Dad’s dog tags. He was a Marine.”

“Oh, wow. That’s amazin’. Do you always wear ‘em?” I lean over, getting a closer look.

“Never take them off. It makes me feel like a piece of him is still with me. Guiding me, you know?” He shakes his head, his shaggy hair falling from where it was tucked behind his ears. “Shit, that probably sounds stupid.”

I have the dog tags in my hand now, thumb brushing over the raised lettering of his daddy’s name.

RHOADES,

JAMES A.

“No, not stupid. I think it sounds real, and real is beautiful, Jax.”

Emotion s

wirls in his eyes as he peers down at me.

I drop the tags, leaning back to my side of the car. “Okay, next question. What’s your favorite food?”

His eyebrow quirks. “Isn’t it my turn? This is your third question in a row. That’s cheating.”

“You took too long, which means you forfeit your turn.”

He barks out a laugh. “You didn’t even give me a chance, woman!”

I lift my shoulders. “That sounds like a personal problem.”

He’s grinning, his eyes on the road ahead. “Whatever you say. My favorite food? Crab Rangoon. All. Day. Long.” His tongue peeks out to lick his lips, and he moans like he’s in the throes of passion.

My nose scrunches. “What’s that?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve never had Crab Rangoon, Alina.”

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