Chapter 19
Oscar
The relief that shot through me when I turned around and saw her face was like nothing I had ever experienced. That was also true for the sting in my chest when I was met by the hurt in her eyes.
“Thanks for picking The Club House,” she says softly. “As much as I love the food at Ruby’s, it’s nice to have something different.”
“If we had more time, I would have suggested something in the next town over.” I laugh. “There aren’t many options in this town.”
“Yeah, but the BLT here is my favorite.” She smiles. “And the homemade chips.”
She lets out a little moan and it does something unspeakable to me.
“We should probably get the food to go,” I suggest as we walk up to the counter to order.
“Nooo,” she protests in a small whine. “I love it here. Look around at all the flowers and cute little picnic tables. We’re practically in a tiny piece of paradise. I can eat fast, and drive even faster.”
I smile and nod in agreement. After we place our order and I pay, I take a second to take this place in through her eyes, and shit, she’s right.
I’ve never noticed it before, but The Club House is straight out of paradise.
The small little beach hut with a walk-up counter is nestled under a giant pergola covered in flowers and vines, and each picnic table is positioned so all you can see is the ocean.
You completely lose the hustle of the boardwalk right outside below the lights and island music playing from the speakers.
“The guys and I never eat here. We always take it to go, but you’re right, it’s pretty amazing here.”
The little squeal she lets out accompanied by a jump of excitement has me laughing.
“I promise I’ll eat fast,” she reassures me.
Shit! She doesn’t mess around when it comes to food.
She barely said one word to me as she inhaled her BLT.
The little moan of satisfaction she let out as she ate every last chip on the drive back almost killed me.
I let her ride passenger princess, so she could enjoy them. But really, I enjoyed the view more.
Jax has been giving me the cold shoulder since he saw Mare and I pull back into the parking lot next to him.
He was even short with her during rehearsals. Thank fuck it was quick because I was gettting uncomfortable.
“Are you going to talk to me or just be a dick?” I finally ask.
“It’s been what? Maybe a month since Tatum?” He asks and I don’t miss the hint of warning in his voice. “I told you she’s too good to be a rebound.”
“She’s not a fucking rebound.” I bark back.
“27 days, Jax. 27 miserable fucking days.” I point a glare in his direction and continue.
“You think I don’t know how long it’s been?
You think I haven’t thought through all the scenarios?
But every fucking time I try to forget Maren, try to pretend she doesn’t steal my attention, I break.
I can’t leave her alone, no matter how much I try. ”
He rolls his eyes like he doesn’t believe me.
“Do you have a thing for her?” I ask honestly wondering why the fuck he cares so much.
“What?” He spits. “Are you fucking crazy? I mean don’t get me wrong, she’s cute, but I have my sights on Sloan and you know that… We’ve already had this conversation.”
He stands from the couch and starts to move to the kitchen when my words make him stop abruptly. “How is that panning out? She barely knows you exist. For all I know, you just need a back up to get your dick wet.”
I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth, but him questioning what I feel for Mare pissed me right the fuck off. He would have punched me for it too if a knock at the door didn’t stop him.
I move to open the door, only to come face to face with Tatum. When her mouth opens, Jax glares in her direction before storming to his room and slamming the door.
“What the fuck do you want?” I groan, rubbing my hands over my face in frustration.
“I brought you your things.” Tatum smiles and I’ve never wanted to slam a door in someone’s face so bad, but her tears stop me.
“I told you to burn them,” I say flatly.
“Are you still going with your family to Baja at the end of the season?”
“Why does that matter?” I ask, so fucking confused. That’s not for another three weeks.
She holds up my passport. “Rafael surprised me with a last minute trip to Mexico, and when I was packing I found this with my passport. Probably from our trip last summer.”
My brain can’t manage to dodge the shrapnel she keeps firing my way and my thoughts keep getting jumbled.
I grab the passport from her hands and finally find words, “What the fuck is wrong with you? He surprises you with a trip and you text me you miss me, then show up to the field yesterday trying to start shit with me again?” It was all fact, but sounded like a question.
“I was waiting for him to pick me up to go to the airport the night I texted you and he never came. He wasn’t answering his phone and then I saw some girl tag him in a post. They were at a bar. He was all over her.”
“So you never went,” I finish the story for her.
“He never even mentioned it again, it was like we never had plans at all.” Tears roll down her cheek.
“Sounds about right,” I say. “But you’re not my concern.”
I close the door and lock it. I don’t even have the urge to slam it anymore. I pity her. I’m not even mad. She’s so dense she doesn’t even realize she’s laying in the mess she made herself. The more I think about it, she’s always been that way. I was just too love-drunk to see it.
And as if I summoned her, my phone vibrates.
Mare: I hope you get some rest tonight. Jax seemed MAD at you.
I chuckle at her emphasis of mad followed by a mad face emoji.
Me: Yeah, well I managed to make it worse.
Mare: Of course you did. You can’t help but be a giant grouch.
Me: I miss you.
My fingers type the words faster than my brain says them, but I didn’t hesitate to send it. It’s the truth.
I watch the three dots appear, and my heart sinks when they disappear.