10. Jaxon
The sightsof Honey Magnolia were welcome after spending the last hour driving through the middle of nowhere. Luke Combs’s voice crooned through the speakers of my F-150 as I tapped my fingers along the leather steering wheel.
Nothing had changed in this town since I was here a few months ago. Turning onto the dirt road that led to my parents’ ranch, I noticed the newly-painted fences and a new mare grazing in one of the pastures.
Pulling onto the gravel driveway, I shut off the truck and hopped out, inhaling the country air like a starved man. I loved coming home.
Sure, the city life had been fun, and being able to walk a few blocks for food and a good time was all the rage in college, but the older I got, the more I craved privacy and lost interest in the next party.
Kenna’s Golden Retriever, King, came running from the barn, tail wagging a mile a minute as he crashed into me, his warm tongue licking any exposed piece of skin he could reach.
“Hey, buddy!” I squatted and pet the big dog, running my fingers through his thick fur.
“And what are you doin’ here, cowboy?” McKenna’s southern drawl was thick as she stepped out from the barn, her brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, a black tank top tucked into her worn jeans, which were tucked into a pair of old, red boots, the ones my brother had given her a few years ago for their anniversary.
I stood and grinned at her. My sister-in-law was always a sight for sore eyes. We’d grown up together, playing hide and seek in the barn, Cowboys and Indians in the fields, and taking trail rides until our asses didn’t belong to us.
My nephew, Douglas, came to stand behind her, wrapping his chubby hands around her leg. “Hey, little man!” I crossed the space between us and pulled him into my arms, throwing him up in the air. His giggles bounced off the barn. “I sure have missed you.” He placed his hands on my cheeks, laughter still shaking his small body.
“It’s good to have you home, Jax.” Kenna gave me a one-armed hug, watching her son with a soft smile.
“It’s good to be here. Don’t you have your own ranch?” She laughed, playing with Douglas’s hair.
“We came to see the colt. Archie’s been takin’ care of it for your folks.” I didn’t know about a colt. It had been a long time since we had one on the ranch.
“What’s all the noise out here?” Archer walked out of the barn, wiping his hands on his jeans, his black Stetson covering his eyes. “Hey, brother, what brings you home?” He shook my hand and then ruffled his son’s hair.
“Needed a break from the city.” He took off his hat and rolled his eyes.
“Right. You sure it’s not about the fact that we all know you’re playin’ for the Braves now and you happen to be only two hours away?” Archer had always been able to read me.
“Leave him be, Archie. I’m glad he’s here. I missed my baby brother,” Kenna teased just as I heard the creek of the front door from the porch.
“Jaxon, is that you? Boy, come greet your momma!” Momma Dexter was possibly the scariest woman I had ever encountered, so handing Douglas back to his father, I bolted for the porch where my momma was standing, hands on her hips.
“Hey, Momma.” I bent down to wrap her in a hug.
“It’s about time you came back. Your pops and I have been so worried.” I rolled my eyes at her dramatics.
“I was home a few months ago,” I started to tell her, but from the stern look crossing her features, I wisely snapped my mouth shut.
“Your brothers came back. Don’t you think it’s your turn, honey? I want to have all my kids in one town again.” And this was the very reason why I hadn’t come home sooner.
I wasn’t ready to give up my life just yet.
“Ma, can we not do this?” I ran a hand through my short hair.
“Come on, he just got here. No need to scare him away.” Archer put an arm around my shoulder, ending the dreaded conversation.
We went inside and caught up over lunch. Dad wasn’t home, and his absence at the table was a heavy weight that settled on my chest.
I had to get past his reaction, whatever it may be. I just wanted him to be proud of me.
“So, baseball, huh?” Archer asked, his attention on Doug who is in a highchair. My oldest brother still found it a little hard to believe I left football.
I glanced at the women, who were too invested in their own conversation about the upcoming wedding to listen to us.
“It makes sense, man. Being up there in the middle of the field, on the mound. It sets my soul at ease.” He nodded thoughtfully, slipping a mouthful of food into his son’s mouth while he was distracted with a toy.
“That’s how I feel in the shop. Putting a wrench on something just makes everything quiet in my head. Dad understood when I explained. So, he’ll understand you deciding to leave football for good. He’s not so set in his ways anymore. The kids have softened him.”
I sure as hell hoped that was the case, otherwise I would be getting back in my truck and never coming back.
“Dove, I think he’s ready for his nap. We ought to be gettin’ home,” Arch addressed Kenna with her old nickname, the one he came up with for her when we were kids. Those two have always been the perfect little lovebirds, just like real-life turtle doves. The kind that mated for life.
Watching them reminded me of Logan. The ease I had felt having her in my apartment the other night. There was something about her that drew me in.
After cleaning up the dishes, I sat with my momma, catching up on the last few months. She told me about the boys and how she was proud of them for coming home to start families. She hinted at me settling down and asked if there was someone special in my life. Once again, I was reminded of Logan.
What would she think of this place? Would she like my family? Would they like her? Was she worth taking a chance on?
Dad trudged through the front door as the sun started to set, weary from a long day, but his face lit up when he saw me. I stood to greet him, extending my hand to shake, but he bypassed it and pulled me in for a hug.
“Congratulations, my boy!” The strong arms I remembered as a boy were weaker, the skin weathered and wrinkled, but he held me tightly, pouring all his love and approval into me.
That night, I slept in my childhood bed, my feet hang off the edge, and if I turned suddenly, I risked ending up on the floor. But I stared at the walls, the posters of football legends, the trophies on my desk, and wondered what eighteen-year-old me would say if he could see me now.
If things would have happened differently if I knew how my dad was going to react.
When I closed my eyes, Logan infiltrated my thoughts. I could see the curve of her pink lips when she smiled at me, the twinkle in her green eyes. I wanted to get inside of her mind. I wanted to know what diminished her sparkle so I could protect her from it. I needed to know why I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Pulling out my phone, I searched for her name in my contacts. She’d shared her number with me a few days ago, but I’d been scared to text her, to be the first one to contact her.
Jax
Hey, sweetheart.
Instantly, there was a read receipt, and then three dots appeared. I checked the time and cringed at how late it was.
Logan
Jaxon?
Jax
How many guys call you sweetheart?
Logan
Didn’t think you’d ever text me… it’s been three days.
Jax
I was trying to decide if you were crazy or not.
Logan
And?
Jax
You’re crazy beautiful, but not crazy in the head. At least, I think you aren’t.
Logan
Can’t tell if that’s a compliment or an insult. You don’t know how to talk to women.
Jax
My sisters would agree with you.
Logan
Pretty sure the whole female population would agree…
Except the cleat chasers, of course… they think you are the shit.
Jax
Maybe I am?
Logan
In your dreams.
Jax
As long as you’re there.
Logan
I think you’re the crazy one.
Jax
I’m visiting my family for a few days. When I get back in town, can we go for coffee?
Logan
I don’t like coffee.
Chuckling, I shook my head. This girl was something else.
Jax
Tacos?
Logan
No, thank you.
Jax
Are you always this hard to please?
Logan
I like pizza.
Jax
Then, it’s a date.
Logan
Thought we were friends?
Fuck, I said no dating. There I went, putting my foot in my damn mouth like a fool.
Jax
Not that kind. A friend date.
Logan
Whatever you say, cowboy.
Jax
Night, sweetheart.
Logan
Goodnight, Jaxon.
Falling asleep with a big grin on my face, I thought about our friendship date and wondered if I was making a mistake by insisting on friendship.
* * *
Rising early the next morning,I helped Dad on the ranch. Then, I rode over to Archer and Kenna’s ranch, taking a worn trail. Dante was there brushing a mare with Alice, his adopted daughter. He spoke calmly to the horse, his voice steady as he brushed through the tangles in her mane.
“You talk to Brook like that, too?” Alice turned to look at me and squealed, dropping her brush to bolt toward me, scaring the mare Dante was working with. He got her under control as I dismounted from my stallion and swung Alice into my arms.
“Ali! What have I told you about screamin’ near the horses, honey?” Her face fell, and her bottom lip trembled.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I got so excited to see Uncle Jax.” She wrapped her small arms around my neck and squeezed with all her might. He sighed but smiled at the little girl who had stolen all of our hearts.
“Don’t be such a buzzkill, Daddy,” I mocked him, to which he rolled his eyes.
“Your turn is comin’. Just you wait.” He brought the mare back into the barn and then came out, arms crossed. “I heard from Arch you were in town. Congrats on the contract. How did Dad react?” I set Alice down, and she ran off to go play.
“He hugged me.” I scratched the back of my neck and looked up at Dante, a little uncomfortable. His jaw went slack.
“Our dad?” I nodded, walking my horse over to a pail of water. “The man is getting’ soft,” Dante said, shaking his head.
He told me about the school he was running, and then about Brooklyn, his wife, and their almost one-year-old, Sawyer.
“Can’t believe you’re a girl dad.” He laughed, looking over at Alice, who was playing with King.
“I thought the same thin’, but they’re great. I’m their hero, and they are my everythin’.”
“Sounds like you are goin’ soft.” He rolled his eyes and shoved me playfully.
“I can kick your ass any day of the week, Jax. Don’t you ever forget that.”
Kenna came out her childhood home carrying a tray of fresh lemonade. She gave a smaller glass to Alice, who sipped it quickly and then started running around with Douglas, their laughter surrounding us.
“How nice of you to swin’ by.” She handed Dante and me each a glass before sipping her own.
“Came to see the ranch. Some of my best memories are here.” She looked around the place and smiled.
“Me, too. Arch and I fell in love here,” she said wistfully. “You do know your brother is gettin’ married in a month? And you haven’t RSVP’d.”
“Didn’t realize that was public knowledge.” Dante threw his head back and laughed.
“It is when she’s plannin’ the weddin’, man.”
“Right. I’ll be there,” I said, glancing at the kids who were playing a game of tag.
“And your plus one?” Kenna asked hopefully, her brow raising in curiosity.
Who the hell am I going to bring?
A certain raven-haired beauty crossed my mind. I was sure she wouldn’t mind a fun weekend getaway. As friends.
“I’m bringin’ a friend.”
“Does your friend have a name?” she prodded. Man, she didn’t quit.
“It’s Logan.”
“You can’t brin’ a guy, Jax!” she whined, and Dante laughed.
“I’m not. Logan’s a girl.” Kenna’s eyes instantly shone with mischief.
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
I just had to convince her to come first.