Page 4 of Brake's Intent

Honestly, I don’t know what the case is. I’m confused more now than ever.

“Can I speak to you?” Lawson asks, his voice soft yet terse with a hint of annoyance. From the look on his face, I’m sure that annoyance is directed at me.

“About what?”

“Jax, unless you want everyone to hear our conversation, I suggest we speak privately.”

Oh yeah, he’s annoyed, and I couldn’t care less. He’s been trying to get me to talk to him over the past several days, but I’ve done everything I can to avoid him. I did this by trying to track down leads to find Faye. When I wasn’t out looking for her, I was helping Fuse or in the gym trying to work off some of the frustration rushing through my veins.

I figure it’s best to give in to Lawson’s demand to speak privately. I’m not ready to deal with Tyres or anyone else. I nod and jerk my chin, motioning to go outside. There’s no way I’m taking him to my room. I’m also definitely not going to his. That would be a very bad idea. Just the thought of it brings images of him, Faye, and me back in Florida.

Outside, I make my way around the building away from prying eyes. The moment I turn the corner, I spot Bart, the gator Tyres all but raised. The gator now roams wherever he pleases, but for some reason, he’s good about staying away from where all the houses are built. He doesn’t go near them.

“Hey, Bart,” I mutter and keep going. I smirk when I hear Lawson grumbling a curse about Bart, saying something about a damn gator and who keeps one as a pet.Once I’m satisfied we’re far enough away, I spin around and face Lawson. “Now, what the hell did you want to talk about?”

Lawson narrows his gaze and steps even closer, closing the distance between us. “You know what I want to talk about, but you’ve done everything you could to avoid me.”

“Maybe there’s a reason,” I scoff.

“Oh, I’m sure there is, and I’m sure it has to do with the fact you’re fighting what you know you want. What we both want.”

“That’s not what I want,” I lie.

“Bullshit,” he snaps, calling me out. “Don’t lie to yourself. We had a good thing, and it would’ve continued. We both know it would have if Faye hadn’t run off.”

“How do you figure that?”

Anger courses through my veins and I want to strangle the man in front of me. He’s making claims I just don’t want to think about. Because then that means I’ll have to face them.

“I don’t figure shit, I fuckin’ know.” Lawson steps even closer into my space. Close enough we’re toe to toe. “I know you, whether you think so or not, I fuckin’ know you, Jax. And right now, you’re running scared, thinking we can’t make this work.”

“We can’t,” I growl, leaning in. “There’s no way we can be anything. Not just you and me and not with Faye. She made her mind up in Florida, and I’m not about to be with only one when I don’t want that. I want it all and that can’t happen. Not unless somehow she’s not marrying someone else.”

Breathing heavily, I go to step back but Lawson grabs either side of my face and in the next breath, his mouth is on mine. His tongue thrusts forward to greet my own.

Fuck.

I’ve missed this. More than I thought possible considering I’ve dreamed of it. His mouth is on mine. Damn, it’s better than I remember. To have both Lawson and Faye kiss me again would be something I’d always want. However, in just this moment with Lawson’s mouth on mine, it’s nearly as good considering the time that’s passed since he last kissed me.

But just as quickly as Lawson kisses me, he pulls away.

“We can,” he snaps, his lips brushing mine. “We will.”

With that, Lawson turns and stalks away, leaving me standing there to think about what he’s just said. He believes we can and will, but I don’t see it happening. Not when Faye’s missing and is set to marry some fucker who’s moving from Ireland to take over in California for the Irish Mafia.

I let a breath go and shake my head as I lean against the side of the clubhouse. I need a moment to get my head together. I slide down until I’m on my ass and brace my arms on my knees.

“You good, Brake?”

I inwardly groan at the sound of Tyres’s voice. I can only imagine what he heard or even saw. Great, this is just what I need.

“I’m fine.”

“Doesn’t look like it to me,” he says, joining me on the ground. “What’s going on with you? It’s like I don’t know my twin brother anymore.”

“I’m still your twin brother,” I grumble, leaning my head against the brick and staring out into the scenery. “I just don’t tell you everything in my life.”

“You ain’t been the same since gettin’ back from Florida. I’m not a stupid fucker and have figured out it has to do with Lawson and Faye. Why didn’t you tell me you were into dudes?”

---