CHAPTER 16
Jaxon
"What the hell's going on out here?"
Connor's voice cut through the quiet like a blade, jolting me awake. My eyes snapped open, and my arm instinctively tightened around Anna, pulling her closer. I scanned the area, searching for the source of the aggression that had roused us both, my muscles coiling with tension.
Anna startled against my side, pressing into me as her head lifted from my shoulder. I felt her heart racing through the layers of fabric between us as she turned toward the voice.
Connor stood a few feet away, his face flushed with anger, his eyes sharp as they looked down at us. His arms were crossed over his chest, and the clenched muscles in his jaw made it crystal clear he wasn't happy about finding us asleep together.
Oh shit.
"Connor, it's not what it looks like—" I started, but his raised hand cut me off.
"I don't care what it looks like," Connor said, his voice hard.
Anna straightened up beside me, pulling the blanket around her shoulders.
The sun's early rays cast a soft glow across the backyard, warming the air but failing to thaw Connor's icy stare.
I could feel the tension radiating off her as she steadied herself, her voice ringing with an edge I'd rarely heard from her.
"Connor, stop it." She shot him a sharp look, her eyes steady. "You clearly care what it looks like, or you wouldn't be acting like this."
She stood her ground. I stayed quiet, watching the exchange. Connor's gaze flickered between us, his shoulders tight, clearly not convinced by her words. It wasn't like him to let things go easily, especially with people he cared about.
"Like Jaxon said, it isn't what it looks like," she continued, her voice unwavering. "So drop the attitude and stop being an asshole."
Connor's expression shifted slightly, but he didn't back down. He glanced at me, and I met his eyes, keeping my face neutral even as my mind raced. Then he looked back at Anna. The early morning breeze rustled the trees, filling the silence that stretched between us.
"Fine," Connor said, his tone softening but still edged with frustration.
"But just so you know, I've got enough on my plate without worrying about you two causing a scene.
" He sighed, looking at the remnants of last night's fire pit gathering.
"I'm just trying to keep things together.
So if you're done out here, let's get inside and clean up. "
Anna nodded, and I caught the subtle glance she threw my way. I gave a small nod in return before she looked back at Connor, her voice calmer now. "We'll get it cleaned up. Just… don't jump to conclusions next time, okay?"
Connor hesitated, then gave a curt nod. Without another word, he turned and headed back to the house.
I watched Anna's cheeks flush as she followed Connor inside, carefully avoiding eye contact as she passed through the kitchen and headed upstairs. Connor's body language showed he was still processing the scene he'd walked into—his strides quick and purposeful.
Great. Just great.
I took a moment to gather myself, letting out a slow breath as I sorted through what had just happened.
Falling asleep with Anna hadn't been the plan.
Hell, I hadn't even planned on coming last night.
But here we were, and now Connor thought.
.. what? That I was making a move on her?
The thought sat uncomfortably in my chest.
I began tidying up outside, collecting stray trash and empty containers, making several trips to the kitchen to dispose of them.
As I pulled the full trash bag from the bin and grabbed a new one, I looked at Connor, who stood near the counter with his arms crossed.
His usual laid-back demeanor was replaced by visible tension.
I needed to clear the air before this got any more awkward.
"I swear nothing happened, Connor," I said, keeping my voice low and firm. No room for misunderstanding.
Connor took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he nodded. "I know," he replied quietly. "It's not that I'd have a problem if something did happen. It's just... you both have been through a lot, especially Anna. I don't want her to get hurt again, Jaxon."
I paused, considering his words. The morning had brought an unexpected wave of tension, and I could sense Connor's protective instinct kicking into overdrive. I nodded slowly, putting the new trash bag into place.
"I get it," I replied, calm and steady. "We fell asleep watching the fire, that's all. She was comfortable, and I didn't want to wake her." I told myself that’s all it was.
Connor nodded, but his eyes betrayed lingering concern.
He leaned against the counter, his brow furrowed like he was trying to piece things together.
"I believe you," he said, but there was an undercurrent of unease in his tone.
"It's just… Anna's been through hell and back.
The last thing I want is for her to feel unsafe or pressured. "
I looked up, meeting Connor's gaze with as much sincerity as I could muster. "Connor, I'm not going to hurt her. She's been through enough without me adding to it."
Connor sighed, nodding. He seemed to relax slightly, though he still watched me with caution. "I know. Just… she needs friends more than anything right now."
The words hit differently than I expected. Friends. That's what we were trying to be.
"I'm not looking for anything more than that, Connor," I said, though even as the words left my mouth, something in my chest tightened and my mouth soured. I reminded myself to keep it that way.
Connor gave me a nod, then turned back to the sink, rinsing some dishes from the night before. I resumed cleaning up, feeling the weight of his words settle over me.
"I'm heading home," I told Connor, my tone firm. "I need to check on Jared and get cleaned up."
Connor nodded, concern evident in his eyes. "Okay… Is everything all good, or...?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Sure, as good as can be, I guess."
"What's the plan?" Connor asked, his brows furrowing with worry.
I hesitated before responding, frustration creeping into my voice. "Right now, he said he needs to figure out a plan, but I'm not trusting anything he says. I shouldn't have fallen asleep here last night. I hate the thought of him alone in my place."
Connor mulled over my words, his expression troubled. He seemed to be grappling with something, his mouth opening and closing as if debating whether to voice it.
"What?" I prompted, sensing his hesitation.
"You know I'm leaving next week for that show…" Connor began, his voice trailing off.
I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate.
"I was hoping you would stay here with Anna in the guest room," Connor admitted, his tone uncertain. "But with Jared in your house…"
My jaw tightened at the mention of Jared's name. The complications just kept piling up.
"I can ask Harper to come stay here with her, or maybe Denny," Connor suggested, trying to find a solution.
I shook my head, dismissing the idea immediately. "No. Harper wouldn't be enough to ensure Anna's safety, and Denny would only make her want to hide in her room. How long are you going to be gone again?"
"I hate to say it, but it's a three-week circuit.
Nonstop, with no breaks for me to fly back even for a day," Connor said, his voice laced with regret.
"I would cancel it because of Anna, but she wouldn't want that.
And honestly… I can't. The show is too big, too important to miss for some of the horses.
They need to be there." His shoulders slumped as he spoke, his usual confidence visibly drained.
Three weeks. That was a long time to leave Anna here alone, especially with Jared lurking around the edges of everything.
I nodded, the decision forming before I'd fully thought it through. "I'll stay," I replied without hesitation, my voice resolute. "I'll figure something out with Jared, but I'll stay with Anna."
Connor's relief was obvious, even as concern flickered in his eyes. "Are you sure? I don't want to put you in a tough spot. If Jared causes any trouble—"
"I can handle him," I cut in firmly. "You just focus on the show. I've got this covered."
Connor sighed, the weight on his shoulders lifting slightly. "Thanks, Jaxon. I really appreciate it. You're the only one I think she'd be comfortable with besides Harper." He noted her comfort with me.
I nodded, grabbing my jacket from the back of one of the chairs as I headed for the door. "Text me the dates you're gone so I can work something out to make sure I'm here," I told him, my tone determined.
I stepped out and headed toward my Jeep parked by the barn, my mind already churning through logistics. How the hell was I supposed to keep an eye on Jared and stay here with Anna? The two things felt mutually exclusive, yet somehow I'd just committed to both. I knew I needed to figure it out.
When I got home, the place was exactly as I'd left it.
Too quiet, with that unsettling stillness that comes from knowing someone else has been there in your absence.
Jared was crashed on the couch, still asleep, one arm thrown over his face.
For a moment, I just stood there watching him.
This stranger who shared my DNA but felt like a completely different species.
I showered quickly, changed into fresh clothes, and forced myself to wake him up. We had a full day ahead: errands, his parole officer meeting, all the bureaucratic bullshit that comes with re-entering society after five years behind bars.
"Get up," I said, nudging his shoulder. "We've got places to be."
Jared groaned, rolling over slowly. "What time is it?"
"Time to go. Move it."