Page 52 of His Best Man's Baby

“I guess I’m interrupt—” Jax began, but she cracked him across the cheek with an open palm. She drew back to do it again despite how her hand stung, but Jax stopped the attack. He frowned at her. “What the hell is your problem, Tae?”

“What’s my problem? What’s yours? You left me stranded. You didn’t call, and you…” She clamped her teeth together. No way was she crying again or showing him how scared she was something had happened. He seemed to see it anyway, her terror and devastation. His strong grip on her wrist turned soft, and he drew her over to the couch to make her sit down. When she did, she didn’t look at him, instead blinking rapid fire at the table lamp.

Daniel stood above them, clenching and unclenching his hands. Tae sensed his frustration, but she didn’t give a damn at the moment how he felt. He’d forced himself on her, and if she had thought one signal from her would have made him back off, then it wouldn’t have been an issue. Daniel had crossed the line.

“Tae, please forgive me. Usually when you have that procedure it lasts another hour.”

“So that’s your excuse for abandoning me?”

“I didn’t abandon you.”

“That’s not what I got.”

Jax cast a glance at Daniel, his expression full of suspicion. “What did he tell you, baby?” He focused back on Tae, and she began to wonder.

“Did you tell Daniel you can’t handle me and the baby anymore?”

“Why would I do that when I asked you to move in with me this morning?”

“You did what?” Daniel roared. “Maybe you don’t understand the fact that Tae loves me, and you’re in the way.”

“No, you don’t understand. She’s mine, and she’s carrying my baby.” Jax jumped to his feet, getting into Daniel’s face. They were a close match in height and build, and Tae had seen them fight. She knew the damage both could do.

“Only because you’re a lowlife who fucks another man’s woman the first chance he gets.”

“Stop!” Tae moved between them and faced Daniel. “I need you to leave.”

“Me?” He glared over her head at Jax. “What about him?”

“I need to talk to him.”

He didn’t move.

“Now, Daniel, or do I need to call the police?”

His eyes widened. “Tae, you know—”

“Yes, but I asked you to go. Please.”

With slumped shoulders, he crossed to the exit and wrenched open the door. She thought he’d look back at her, but he kept moving and disappeared. The door slammed behind him. Jax’s hands came around her waist, but she shoved him away and sat on the couch.

“You’ve got two minutes to explain to me why you thought ignoring me because usually I take longer at the doctor was fine and dandy. In that time, you explain to me why Daniel told me you’re…you…” She coughed, clearing the lump from her throat. “You’re leaving me.”

Amid her protests, Jax raised her up, sat down, and drew her onto his lap. She beat at his chest, and he let her do it. When he didn’t respond and she panted exhausted, she stopped and laid her head on his shoulder.

“I thought you were shot again.” A sob escaped her. “I can’t do this, Jax.”

“I know, baby.” He lifted her chin and made her look into his eyes. “That’s why I was at a job interview.”

She gasped. “A what?”

“First, let me show you this.”

A lot of thoughts ran through her mind when he dug into his pocket, and her stomach knotted as she waited. No squeal of delight bubbled up in her throat when Jax brought out his cell phone. She blinked at it and then at him.

His lopsided grin made her want to find a baseball bat.

“It’s dead,” he explained. “Remember I dropped it on that last case, and I told you the connections were spotty?”

---