14. Jaxon
Logan’s emeraldeyes were wide as she glanced between me and the cabin. I wasn’t sure where her sudden panic came from. We’d shared a bed that night all those months ago, and it hadn’t been a problem then. But then again, we’d been drunk.
We could stay in my parents’ house, but I wanted the privacy.
I wanted to be alone with her.
I wanted to see her first thing in the morning when her guard was down and right before going to bed at night.
Scratching the back of my head, I let my eyes skim her beautiful body. God, she was a fucking knockout in a pair of leggings and an over-sized sweater.
“We can stay in the house, if you want? My parents have extra rooms,” I offered, wanting her to be comfortable more than I wanted to be selfish. She finally looked at me, her eyes softening. “But I really wanted to bring you here.” I closed the small space between us, my hands finding her waist, fingers slipping beneath her sweater and pressing into her warm skin.
She sighed into my hold, leaning her head forward. “Why?” she whispered. Her hair tickled my chin, and I pulled her closer, hating any inch of space between us.
“Because I want to share a bed with you, sweetheart.”
“Do you tell all the girls that? You bring them all here to your little love shack?” she teased, but I heard a hint of fear in her tone.
This wasn’t meant to be a love shack. We’d originally built it for my oldest brother to live in after he tore his ACL, ending his football career. When his childhood sweetheart came back into town and moved in with him, he started the love shack tradition.
They had fallen in love and then moved into her parents’ ranch home to start their own family. A year later, my other brother, Dante, moved in and fell for a woman running from her husband. He bought them a big piece of land down the road, where they lived with her toddler and then had their own child shortly after.
And last year, Gage had come home and moved in here, wanting to find his fresh start. Luckily for him, his high school sweetheart hadn’t been able to move on either, and those two were getting married tomorrow.
“We can stay here, but no funny business, sir.” She poked my chest and stepped away from me, going to look around.
“No promises, sweetheart.” She looked at me over her shoulder, a teasing grin lighting up her face. I was falling for her—hook, line, and sinker.
* * *
In the cabof my truck an hour later, we were driving the down the dirt road that led to Kenna and Archer’s ranch, where the rehearsal dinner was being held.
Logan’s knees were knocking together with nerves, and she was biting her nails, looking out the window in awe at the scenery. Gently taking her hand away from her mouth, I linked our fingers.
“No need to be nervous. They will love you.” She shook her head and continued to gaze out the window.
“I’ve never met someone’s family before,” Logan finally mumbled when I shifted the truck into park. The whole town must be here from the looks of it, and all I could feel was Logan’s nerves and panic as it bounced around the cab of the truck.
“Trust me. They are goin’ to be so damn thrilled I’m bringin’ a girl home that they won’t be judgin’ you, sweetheart.” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her soft skin.
“I just…” She hesitated, looking at me and then through the windshield at all the people mingling under the tent in the distance. “I need them to like me.”
“Trust me, you’ll be wishin’ they didn’t because they might never let us leave.” A small smile tugged at her red lips, and I fought every urge to smear that goddamn lipstick and kiss her.
“Then, I hope they hold us hostage.” The softest giggle filled the cab, and I watched some of the nerves disappear from her eyes.
Hopping out of the truck, I jogged around the hood, needing to get her in my arms. She had already opened the door and was trying to stand on the gravel in the pair of heeled boots she paired with jeans and a white sweater, looking like a damn angel, sent here as my redemption.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, sweetheart.” I grabbed her hips, fingers sinking into her stiff jeans. “But if you open that door again, there’ll be consequences.”
She blushed and grinned so hard, I caught the briefest hint of a dimple in her cheek again.
“We’re already sharing a bed, cowboy. No need to butter me up.” She rested her hand over my heart, and I wondered if she could feel it beating double time.
Does she know that it beats for her?
“In case you didn’t know, sweetheart, I’m crazy about you. The way you look is just the cherry on top. You have me fallin’ damn hard. I hope you can catch me.”
Red crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Her lips fell open in the softest gasp I had ever heard.
“Jax, you can’t mean that. We hardly know each other.” Her hand found the edge of my jacket, her fingers curling into the material, pulling us closer together.
I wondered if she notices that we always gravitated closer, that we both were falling.
“I mean every damn word, Logan.” I kissed the corner of her lips, and she moaned.
“Then, who is gonna catch me?” she whispered, standing on her toes so that her nose brushed mine.
It took every muscle in my body to stay still, to stop myself from kissing her. She had warned me back at the cabin not to ruin her lipstick. She threatened to sleep on the couch if I ruined the makeup she spent nearly an hour perfecting.
“I will. I’ll always catch you, sweetheart. You never have to worry about gettin’ hurt when I’m around. I’ve got your back.” There was a new light in her eyes, and I wished more than anything I could capture this moment, that I could save the happiness that shone in her eyes so I could take it all in, not even daring to breathe.
“We’re going to be late, and then, I’ll look really bad,” she whispered, nodding her head toward the tent, but I didn’t care.
“They won’t notice.” I spoke too soon because suddenly, a tiny body barrelled straight into us, and I barely have a chance to steady Logan and catch the wiggling body that was exploding in giggles.
“Uncle Jax! You’re finally here!” Alice screamed in pure excitement. I hoisted her up into my arms, and she threw her tiny arms around my neck, squeezing with all her might. “I missed you so much. Did you know that?” She peppered kisses all over my cheek. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Logan covering her laughter.
“I missed you, too, Ali bug.”
She swiveled around in my arms, and her eyes scanned over Logan. “Who is your pretty friend?” she whispered loud enough for Logan to hear. “Do you think she likes horses? What about babies? She can have Sawyer.”
I shook my head at the outspoken child and let Logan answer, knowing she adored kids. “Hey, Ali. I’m Logan. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Alice looked between the two of us, raising a blonde brow. “Of course, you have. I’m Uncle Jax’s favorite niece. Did he tell you that?” She pressed another wet kiss to my cheek.
“I have two nieces, Alice, and you’re both my favorite.” She glared at me, looking so much like her mother.
“Right, so are you more than friends like my mommy and daddy?” She winked at Logan, who stifled another laugh. “I might have overheard Daddy telling Mommy to ‘be nice’.” She put little air quotes around the word. “I dunno why he said it like Mommy isn’t nice.”
Shaking my head at her, I put her on my hip and wrapped my arm around Logan, leading her to the tent.
“I remember your mommy not always being so nice,” I told her, and she gasped.
“No way! Tell me more!” She wrapped her feet around my waist, anchoring herself to me.
“Maybe another time. I have to introduce Logan to everyone, honey.”
“My daddy calls Mommy his honeybee. Did you know that?” She was looking at Logan now, who smiled sweetly.
“I did not. That’s so sweet. Do you know why?” Alice nodded her head, her curls bouncing with the quick movement.
“Because she’s sweet as honey and annoyin’ as a bee. At least, that’s what Daddy says.” I choked on my laughter because it sounded exactly like something my brother would say.
I put her down, and she waved at us as she ran off, calling for Douglas, who was playing with King, throwing the Golden Retreiver a ball as far as he could.
“I love her.” Logan sighed, watching wistfully.
Does she want kids, too?
Do I want kids?
Am I ready to settle down with her?
At the tent, we ran into my brothers first. All three of them were standing in the corner hiding, nursing beers like we hadn’t all thrown our names away at bars or after parties. Things were different now. They were all family men now, fathers—or soon to be, in Gage’s case.
“He brought the girl!” Dante cheered, clinking his beer with Gage, who smirked.
“Whatever. Logan, these are my dipshit brothers. Please excuse their lack of manners. They were raised in the south.” She grinned, nervousness flickering in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared when Archer pulled her in for a hug.
“It’s so good to meet the one who finally tamed him. Kudos to you, Logan. And don’t forget you were raised in the same house, asshole.” He shoved my chest, and I took a staggering step back, watching as Dante and Gage introduced themselves and made my girl feel at ease amongst a sea of strangers.
I love my family.
“Let me grab, Kenna. She’s runnin’ around here somewhere. Looks like a chicken without a head,” he muttered the last bit while searching for his wife, who was behind him.
“You talkin’ about me again, Archie?” She sauntered over, a glass of champagne sparkling in her grasp, her green eyes slitted in a glare.
“Only good things, dove.” She rolled her eyes and stepped away from Archer to hug Logan, who was watching everything with wide eyes.
“It’s so nice to meet you, honey. I’m McKenna, but please call me Kenna. I’m married to this idiot.” She jabbed a finger behind her at Archer, who grinned, not the least bit insulted.
“You say it like it’s a bad thin’.”
“Sometimes, it is.” Kenna was smiling from ear to ear despite the jab. “Come on. Let me introduce you to the rest of the family. They are dyin’ to meet you!” She grabbed Logan by the elbow and whisked her away, leaving me with my very curious brothers.
“She the one?” Gage asked, handing me a beer, which I gratefully took. I needed something to take the edge off my nerves.
“Yup. Wouldn’t have brought her if she wasn’t.” He nodded, and Archer’s stupid grin widened.
“You movin’ back home, then?” Everyone wanted me back in Honey Magnolia, but I wasn’t ready.
“I have the team. Not makin’ a two-hour commute every day.” He and Dante nodded in understanding.
“What are you goin’ to do after the team? You can’t play ball forever.” Dante knew firsthand the physical tolls of playing at a professional level.
“I’ll move back and coach or somethin’. Can’t see myself runnin’ a farm.” I shrugged, looking for Logan, who was surrounded by Kenna, Brooklyn, and Carter. She was smiling, her body no longer tense.
They loved her, just like I promised. So far, I had yet to break one, and I didn’t plan on breaking one anytime soon.
I wanted her to know she wasn’t ever goin’ to be alone again—not with me.