Page 17 of Meant to Be

Chapter Five

Shelby

We hear the music from the party from fifty yards down the street. Passing through an entry down the side of the house and through a wooden gate, we enter a huge garden. Jax has a hold of my hand as we walk down one by one. The light from the decking is on, lighting up the whole area. We walk towards the conservatory doors that are propped wide open, saying hello to people as we pass. There are teenagers everywhere, on the grass, on the decking, in the house - I don’t even know most of the people that are here. They look older, more Jax’s age than ours. A tall, good-looking lad with blond hair and quite built - approaches us. Jax releases me and steps up to greet him, shaking hands and slapping each other on the back. Harry shakes the big guy's hand too, I stand there awkwardly and just smile.

“Who are these two lookers then?” Jax steps back smiling and tucks me into his side.

“Ben. This is my girlfriend, Shelby. That’s Addison, her friend.”

“My girlfriend.” Harry chips in and does the same to her. My eyes cut to Addy in surprise, why do I not know this?

“Pity.” Ben’s gaze doesn’t leave me as he answers Jax.

Jax and Ben have some kind of stare down making me feel uncomfortable. I tug lightly on Jax’s jacket to get his attention. He looks at me before turning back to Ben smirking…

“See you in a bit, Ben, I’m off to get a drink.”

“Don’t go mad.”

“Got my own thanks.” Jax holds up the bottle of vodka as my eyes narrow at Ben’s comment.

Walking through the French doors leading into the kitchen, there are people everywhere. Jax leads us in, speaking to people he knows as he pushes through the crowd grabbing some plastic cups from the side. Finding an empty corner, we stand there as he pours some vodka into his and Harry’s.

“Girls?” He holds out the bottle.

“I will, please,” Addison answers his question.

“Just a little for me.”

He pours into both cups and screws the lid back on. Lifting the cup to my lips, I don’t smell anything, so I drink some. I’ve never drunk Vodka before. I’ve had wine and the odd bottle of beer, even a WKD but never this. The small amount touches the back of my tongue and begins to burn. I decide to neck the lot. Instead, it feels like it’s burning a hole in my chest. I cough from the sensation and pass the cup to Jax. He rubs my back as I bend over.

“Do you not like?” Harry asks laughing.

“It’s horrible.”

Harry walks away and comes back with some Pepsi for me. I take it from him thanking him quickly and guzzle it down.

“Better babe?” Asks Jax with a smirk.

“Much.”

“Lightweight.” Addison throws at me.

“I don’t care. The closest I’m going to get to Vodka from now on is WKD.” I smile. Addison knocks hers back and the cringe on her face and the number of times she says the f-word, I’m assuming she didn’t like it either. Coughing out to Jax. ‘I’ll have more of that,’ he smiles and puts some more into her plastic cup.

“If you’re sick anywhere near me tonight I’m going to rub your face in it.”

“Alright, Mum.” She fires back amused. I raise my middle finger at her, but she just laughs at me.

Havana by Camila Cabello starts to play, and Addy starts moving her body to the beat and grinding down. Harry’s eyes are fixed on Addison as her bum almost touches the floor when she goes low. He steps from the corner and dances with her. Laughing at them and shaking my head, I feel Jax come to stand behind me, his hands threading around my waist and holding me close, his lips kissing my neck. Turning in his arm, I fling my arms around his neck as his lips meet mine, kissing me deeply.

“I like you a lot, Shelb.”

“I like you too.” I can’t take my eyes from him as I turn in his arms, I can’t look away, he has me hypnotised.

“Ahh come on man, there’s rooms upstairs for that sort of thing.”

My eyes widen, I realise we’re being watched - shit. My forehead rests against Jaxson’s chest, as I try to hide my burning face, he puts his hand around my neck and holds me close.

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