Page 8 of Meant to Be

“Yeah, she’ll be fine, she’ll just wake with a massive hangover.”

“Jax, I didn’t realise she was this bad.”

“It’s cool. I have to do this at least once a fortnight. Usually, it’s giro week when she gets her Social Security money, which is why I need to get a job.” Once downstairs I tidy up then sit down.

“So come on, tell me about Shelby.”

“There’s not much to tell.” His eyes narrow as he tries to work me out.

“I like her, okay?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. She’s cute and nothing like most of the other girls I meet.”

“That’s because they’re skanks, cuz.” He smirks, but I have to agree with that.

Looking around my shoebox called a bedroom, I look back at my cousin.

“Shall we get out of here?”

He nods, standing. I really don’t want to be here when she wakes up. I grab a fiver from the jar that mum thinks I don’t know about and head out.

Chapter Three

Shelby

Once I was in the house, I knew that Addison would be home, so I rang her to tell her about Jaxon. To say she was a little shocked is an understatement, so she came right round here. I lie on the bed in a dreamy state.

“Oh, pull yourself together, Shelby,” Addison tells me.

“What you mean, I am together.”

“No, you’re lying there like he’s some kind of god.”

My mouth hangs open in shock. “You haven’t seen him.” I gasp. “He is a god. It’s only because you have eyes for Harry…” I raise an eyebrow cockily. “Well, I’ve found out something today, but I don’t suppose you want to know...” I look at my nails and chip at my nail varnish.

“What, what have you found out?”

"I don’t think I want to tell you now.” I grin knowingly.

“You have to,” Addison demands.

“Okay, so get this...The god with the very sexy eyes,” I swoon, “he’s Harry’s cousin, I’m not sure of his age just yet, but I will ask him when I see him next.”

“You’re seeing him again?” She asks as I nod proudly.

“Yeah, I sure am.” I smile.

“Look at you.”

We spend most of the evening at my place, while we just sit in my bedroom listening to music.

A couple of days pass, and there he is again. This time when I see him standing at the top of the path outside the gate, I don’t stop and hide until he leaves. Walking up the path, I admire him for a second. The butterflies are going crazy in my tummy as I look over his form. His jeans are ripped at the knees, a dark t-shirt stretches across his chest and, yet again, a cigarette is hanging from his lips. Leaning casually against the fence, every girl that passes him stares longingly at him. I pick up my pace saying bye to the girls from Dance and walk towards him. When he sees me approaching him, he takes one last long pull of his cigarette and flicks it away, straightening up to his full height. Blowing the smoke from his mouth, he greets me.

“Hey.” He says in a hoarse voice.

“Hi.” I put my hand up.

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