Chapter 3
Carter
Barely twenty-four hours after finding out my grandpa had passed away, Jax and I were on our way to Maryland. The long drive felt even longer given the dark cloud hanging over us.
“I’m just really worried about my grandma,” I said after another long moment of silence.
Normally on a drive, Jax would be talking my ears off, but she was also able to tell exactly what I needed, so she had been much quieter on this one.
“I don’t know how she’s going to function without my grandpa.
I know my Uncle Jamie and Uncle Ethan aren’t too far, but having people who can get to you in fifteen minutes is a little different than having someone sitting in the same room with you. ”
Jax furrowed her eyebrows as if she was thinking hard about how to respond. “Did your moms say anything about that? I didn’t know if they’d have her move in with them or something.”
Funny Jax should say that since I had actually asked my mama if they or my uncles were planning to take in my grandma, and my mama acted like I was telling a joke.
I had heard her sniffling just a moment earlier, then suddenly, she was snorting from laughing so hard.
“That’s a big no. If anything, it sounds like they would put her in an assisted living facility. ”
“So, like, a nursing home?”
That was exactly what I had asked. “My mama says that sounds too negative and assisted living is more descriptive of where they would be looking.”
Jax laughed and reached over the middle console to shake my knee. “At least we know where we can throw them when they start shitting themselves.”
My sudden laughter came out even louder than Jax’s. She always had me laughing when it didn’t make sense to. “I’m going to tell them you said that.”
“Please don’t.” Jax squeezed my knee in desperation this time. “If I were still just Olivia’s best friend, I would tell them myself. But I’m not going to say that to my future in-laws.”
That word sent butterflies through my stomach. There was nothing I wanted more than to be Jax’s wife. No promotion in the world could ever compare to that one. “Future in-laws, huh?”
“Well, yeah. You’re obviously going to be my wife.” She stared me down, her lip twitching as if she was really struggling not to smile. “Unless you have some other girl?”
“You are more than enough for me, sweetie. Don’t worry,” I teased.
Jax tsked. “Hey. Be nice.”
I grabbed Jax’s hand and silence overtook the car once again, but it was a comfortable quiet. My heart was content as the words “future in-laws” played over and over in my head throughout the rest of the drive.
“Here we are.” I sighed as I put the car in park in my grandma and grandpa’s driveway.
Jax stared at me for a long time before finally speaking. “Are you okay to go inside or do you want to stay out here a little longer?”
“I’m good. We should get inside so we can help my moms out.” I wasn’t the type to sit with my grief. When I was grieving, the only thing that could make me feel better was to put myself to work. Sitting in pity would only make things worse. Still, I appreciated the sentiment.
Jax was always putting my well-being ahead of everything else, and it was one of the many things I loved about her. I leaned over the center console to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks. I love you.”
“I love you too, baby.” Jax squeezed my hand and smiled over at me. Her smile was worth a thousand words. Even if she hadn’t said anything, I would have no question how she felt because it was written all over her face.
I shut off the car, got out, and walked to the trunk to get out our bags.
Since we didn’t know how long we would be staying, I had packed way too much.
My suitcase looked massive compared to the small bag that Jax had haphazardly thrown things into, but luckily for her, I had also packed extra outfits of hers in my bag. I wanted to make sure we were prepared.
“Don’t worry. I’ll get them,” Jax said as she came up beside me.
“Both of them?” I asked with a laugh. “Mine is huge.”
“Don’t worry,” Jax smirked at me, “if you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty damn strong.”
I couldn’t stop myself from running my eyes over her body.
Jax was petite, but also muscular. She literally had the perfect body.
It amazed me that I was the one who was lucky enough to worship it.
Not now, Carter, I scolded myself. I shouldn’t be thinking about sex when my focus should be on helping with my grandpa’s funeral.
Jax chuckled. “Never mind. I’m going to say you’ve noticed.” She winked at me and grabbed both bags, walking away before I could argue with her.
When we were halfway up the sidewalk, the front door swung open, and my mom walked out. She put a hand on her hip and smiled at Jax. “Aren’t you a gentlewoman? I still remember the first time I came to this very house many, many years ago. My boyfriend didn’t carry my bags inside for me.”
“Hey!” a voice shouted from behind my mom. My Uncle Jamie walked out and put a hand on her shoulder. “I would have if I actually liked you.”
My mom put a hand on her chest in mock offense. “Wow. I’m heartbroken.”
“I’d say it worked out just fine for you.” My UncleJamie squeezed my mom’s shoulder and winked at me and Jax.
Jax moved her head around as if she was searching for something. “Where is Uncle Ethan?” she asked after a moment.
My Uncle Jamie chuckled. “Now I’m the one who’s hurt. What am I—chopped liver?”
Jax shook her head, then hurriedly walked toward Uncle Jamie, dropping our bags once she reached him and holding her arms out wide for a hug. “Of course not. It’s great to see you. I just wanted to talk to him about the cafe.”
“Trying to take over?” Uncle Jamie asked with another chuckle. “I’m sure he’d be happy to hand it over to you.”
Jax scoffed. “And leave the love of my life in New York? Sorry. No can do.”
“That love of your life must be pretty great, huh?” my uncle joked.
“She’s okay,” Jax said sarcastically. “I’m really just in it for her family.”
“Can’t say I blame you there,” my mom said before wrapping Jax in a hug.
I stood back and watched the interaction the same way I always did when we were with my family.
Jax fit in so perfectly. Even though I had no doubt how much she loved me, I also knew one of the things she loved about me was my family.
Honestly, the way she got along with them was one of the things I loved about her as well.
A sincere smile parted my lips, which felt good. It was always nice to find moments of happiness even through the heartaches, and this was definitely one of those moments.
When my mom let go of Jax, she turned toward me and held her arms out. “Well… what are you waiting for?”
“Hey, Mom,” I said softly, giving her an extra squeeze as I wrapped my arms around her. “How are you?”
“I’m doing okay.” My mom pulled away, but kept a grip on my arms as she studied my face. “How are you, sweetie?”
“I’m doing okay also.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. After losing two grandparents over the past three years, I was kind of getting used to this feeling. It was sad to say goodbye, but also, not completely unexpected. “Where is Mama?”
“She’s inside with your grandma.”
Grandma. My heart broke for her. I couldn’t imagine how it must feel to lose your person. “How is Grandma doing? Is she okay?”
“She’s doing well. Honestly, better than I expected. So far, her biggest worry is who will cook for her.”
I couldn’t comprehend losing Jax and worrying about food.
To each their own though, I guess. People from their generation were like that.
Marriage seemed to be more about convenience than love.
I looked over at Jax and my heartbeat immediately picked up.
This was definitely not a relationship of convenience for me.
“Should we head inside?” Uncle Jamie asked. “That way you guys can get settled. I’m sure you’re tired and hungry after such a long ride.”
I nodded. “Definitely.”
My mom let go of my arms and waved a hand toward the door. “Let’s go. We saved your mama’s old room for you two since you have memories there.”
The way my mom emphasized the word memories made me want to crawl out of my skin. My family still wouldn’t let us forget about the time Jax gave me a hickey before anyone even knew we were hooking up. I cringed when I thought of my grandma making a big deal about having bed bugs. How embarrassing.
Jax snickered beside me. “Thanks Momsy Reagan.” Ever since we started dating, Jax had referred to my mom that way, because she didn’t think Mom Reagan flowed nicely and Mommy Reagan sounded weirdly sexual. “Always looking out for us,” she said with another laugh.
“Yeah, yeah.” My mom pointed a finger at Jax. “No funny business.”
Uncle Jamie put an arm around my mom and pushed her toward the door. “Leave those two alone or I’m going to start telling your stories.”
Jax threw her head back in laughter this time. “Please share those. I’m begging you.”
***
The next few days were a whirlwind of funeral plans and taking turns helping out with my grandma.
My cousin Finn’s family got into town the day before the funeral and my brother and sister’s families arrived the morning of.
By the time the funeral was over, I was completely exhausted, but I refused to let myself rest. This was the first time in far too long that my whole family was together, and I wanted to take advantage of it.
After the funeral, we headed back to my grandma’s house for a celebration of life party, which ended up being just our family for the most part.
The few friends and neighbors of my grandma and grandpa’s that came over ended up leaving after an hour or so.
I wasn’t complaining though. These were exactly the people I wanted to be surrounded by right now.
I sat snuggled up to Jax on a recliner while we all shared stories about my grandpa.