Page 76 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

I scoff.

“What?” He grins, tucking a strand of his shaggy, blond hair behind his ear.

“It’s just disgustin’ how easy it is for you.”

“Don’t be mad at this.” His hand floats down the length of his body. “I can’t help that the ladies like what they see. I don’t wanna be rude.”

He’s cocky, but I can’t really blame him. Jax might be the most beautiful specimen that’s ever graced my eyeballs. Similar to a Monet or Picasso, he’s a masterpiece of art you’re afraid to touch. Maybe that’s why he’s one of the only guys I didn’t hook up with when I was in high school.

He snaps the hairband on his wrist, his green eyes dimming as he smirks across the table. We’re similar souls, Jax and I, opting for meaningless hookups instead of grabbing hold of something real. The difference is I don’t want to grasp mine, and his is out of reach.

I take a sip of my sweet tea, resting my elbows on the table. “So, how are you doin’ with everything? Really?”

Sighing, he leans back, throwing his hair into a bun.

His knuckles tap the tabletop. “Did you know she was back with him?”

He’s talking about Lee and Chase, of course. They’re officially back together, and I know he’s struggling with the news. Lee’s the girl he’s hopelessly in love with, and Chase is the man who broke both their hearts. I guess it’s easier for some to forgive than others because I don’t think Jax will ever let Chase back into his life.

I nod. “Not until after you did, I’m sure.”

It’s weird, but I feel closer to him in this moment than I ever have in the past. Maybe it’s because for the first time, I see the torment he hides behind his carefree gaze. Or maybe it’s my soul recognizing a kindred spirit, both of us left with nothing while the people we want give their everything to someone else.

I take one of the straws from the table and rip off the paper, putting an end to my mouth and blowing. The wrapper flies into his face.

He bats it away, chuckling, and I grin wide, some of the gloom slipping away with our laughter.

I point at him, squinting my eyes. “Chipper up, buttercup. You’ve got plenty of ladies waitin’ for you out in Sunny California.”

“Naw, not too much in Cali. Too busy kissing my boss’s ass to find time to kiss any that are more to my liking.” He shakes his head. “Hollywood producers are a different breed of asshole.”

Jax works on movie sets, but even though he has movie-star looks, he’s no actor. He’s got a gift—always tinkering beneath the hood of something worn, and turning it into beauty. When he first moved to Sugarlake twelve years ago with his momma, he nabbed a job at the mechanics shop on the weekends. Over the years, his restorations gained notoriety, and California sets came calling. Now he’s the go-to guy for the cars they use in blockbusters.

“When are you headin’ back?” I ask.

“Next week. I’m staying in town until Sam’s retirement party.”

I grimace at the thought of that damn party. Sam’s the owner of Sugarlake construction, and a beloved member of this community. He’s done a lot for Sugarlake, so now that he’s retiring, he’s going out with a bang.

The thought of being stuck in a building with the whole town sounds like the worst kind of hell, but I wouldn’t miss it. Sam is Chase’s dad, and Lee would kill me if I wasn’t there.

“I’m actually thinking of moving out there full time.” Jax’s eyebrows are raised, like he surprised himself by saying it.

I gasp. “What? To California? Does Lee know?”

He slides his fork through the leftover mayonnaise on his plate, shaking his head.

My chest pulls tight. “Are you movin’ out there because of her?”

The muscle in his jaw jumps, his cheeks puffing with his breath of air. “No offense, Becs, but I’m not gonna talk about that with you when I haven’t even told her.”

“Fair enough.” I sigh, imagining what her reaction will be. She’ll blame herself, I’m sure. “Lee’s gonna lose her shit.”

He shrugs. “She has Chase now. And you.”

My lips purse. I’ve been friends with Jax for a decade, and this is the first time he’s seemed so beaten down. Moving away from this place will be good for him. My heart aches when I think of him leaving, but I can’t ignore the gusts of jealousy that whip across my insides knowing he’s freeing himself from his chains.

I stick out my bottom lip. “Wanna take me with you?”

---