Page 94 of Beneath the Surface

I smirk. “Annabelle, this is Chase and Jax.”

Her eyes light up in recognition. “Jax.Jackson Rhoades?”

My eyes narrow, suddenly untrusting of how she knows him.Is everyone in on some big secret?

His smile widens. “That would be me.”

“You’re dating Blakely Donahue!” She points at him. “Iknewyou looked familiar. Well, shit,” she laughs. “There goes my chances.”

My eyebrows draw in. “Who’s that?”

“She’s my fucking rock is who she is.” Annabelle’s hand goes over her heart. “Her story was featured on the cover of Vogue last month, and the way she’s so open about her eating disorder really...” Her eyes well with tears. “I just appreciate her candor, is all.”

My stomach sinks, wondering what shadows Annabelle hides behind her sunny disposition.

Jax’s smile softens. “She’d be really happy to hear that.”

Annabelle stares for long moments before snapping herself out of it, waving her hand in the air and shaking her head. “Ugh, well, I’ll work for you tonight,obviously. You spend it with your family. You didn’t tell me they were in town.” Her eyes narrow to slits.

Refusal is on the tip of my tongue, about to tell her that I can’t afford tonotwork the shift, but then I remember I’m about to lose my home anyway, so I might as well spend some time with Chase and Jax while I can. Maybe they can help me think of a solution.

“Okay, thanks.” I turn to face the boys. “You guys hungry?” I ask, leading them toward a booth closer to the front. “Let me finish up and I’ll come join you.”

Plopping down two menus, I force a smile and turn to finish my side work.

It’s thirty minutes later when I finally squeeze into the booth next to Jax.

Jax tilts his head. “All done?”

I smile at him. “Yep.”

He grins, wiping his hands on his napkin. I stare across the table at Chase, who has an unreadable expression on his face, so similar to the ones he used to constantly wear when we were kids.

“Good to see your brooding nature hasn’t changed,” I tease. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, I...” He shakes his head, clearing his throat. “How’s your day been?”

It’s a simple question, but it’s one that burns a pathway through my tender insides, like a dragon breathing fire on scorched earth, making sure everything is crumbled to ash.

I pop my gum. “Shitty, to be honest.”

He bobs his head, and something flashes through his eyes, almost like he knew that would be my answer. My stomach twists, the reality of my situation stringing me up like Christmas lights, heartbreak and homelessness flashing for the world to see. I hate having my problems so glaringly on display.

I drum my fingers on the table, resisting the urge to scratch at my wrist. “I got an eviction notice on the door this morning.”

Jax takes a drink of his water, and Chase shifts in his seat before leaning forward and pushing his plate away. “What are you gonna do?”

Their reaction is lackluster, but maybe they assumed my life was shit anyway, and so this isn’t a big surprise.

“I really have no fucking clue.” I chuckle. “I’ve always tried to do my best, you know? Believe it or not, I’ve worked hardto get here.” My throat swells. “Sohard. And now...” I lift my shoulders in defeat.

Chase leans against the booth. “You can always come back with us.”

I consider it for a moment, but then memories of whatelseis in Tennessee hit me like a freight train, the force as strong as the memory of fists, striking against my bones.

I can’t go back.

If I do, then I’ll be less than thirty minutes away from a man who I’d rather die than see again. From a man who kept me beaten and bruised, doped up and hidden from the world.

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