8. Jax
JAX
“Y ou need to take at least one day off a week,” Candice instructs as I look over the appointment book. “You work too hard, Jax. I’m worried about you.”
Her comment has me grinning. She’s been working here for almost two weeks now, and I couldn’t be happier.
Candice has slotted in perfectly, just like I knew she would.
My trusty sidekick . She runs rings around Moody Mandy.
My other employees and clients adore her, which doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. She’s an easy person to love.
Sophia blew a gasket when we arrived home for dinner the night Candice quit, but calmed down once her daughter explained what happened. She hadn’t realised how her boss had been treating her. That’s when the mama bear reared her head. “I’ll be paying that woman a visit tomorrow,” she growled.
“Is that why I have a clear calendar on Tuesday?” I ask, looking up at Candice with a smirk.
“Uh-huh. As of next week, Tuesdays will be your day off.”
“Is that so?” To be honest, it will be nice to have some time off. Candice has been looking after me from the day she started here, and I have to say, I love it. It’s nice to have someone care for you and look out for your well-being. It’s not something I’m used to.
“It’ll do you good. You can take up golf or something.”
“Golf? I don’t think so. You’ll never catch me in a pair of those ridiculous plaid pants.”
She snickers from beside me because she knows damn well that’s not something I’d ever be interested in. I’d rather sleep in or catch up on the things I never find time to do.
I place a chaste kiss on the side of her head. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
My gaze moves to the door when the buzzer chimes. It’s Jason, my next client.
“Hey,” I say as he approaches the counter.
“Hey, Jax.” I’ve been working on his full-arm sleeve for over a month. He’s a bit of a wuss, so I can only do a small patch at a time, but it’s going to look wicked once it’s finished.
I get instantly annoyed when his gaze moves to Candice—I know that look.
“And who do we have here?” he asks, extending his hand.
“I’m Candice, Jax’s new receptionist,” she replies, reaching across the desk to wrap her fingers around his.
Is it wrong that I want to pry their hands apart? I’d be naive to think guys wouldn’t hit on her—she’s a stunner. Having to witness it though, and pretend I’m not affected by it, is going to be tough. In my heart, Candice belongs to me. Maybe having her here isn’t such a brilliant idea after all.
“Well, ain’t you a pretty little thing?” he croons, and I have an overwhelming sensation to high-five his face.
I clear my throat when Candice drops her head and a blush creeps on her cheeks. He used the same line on Mandy when she was working here, but it didn’t bother me in the slightest. This does … a lot.
I don’t mind the guy, but if I’m being honest, he’s a bit of a tool.
He’s always big-noting himself, bragging about all his connections and female conquests.
He never stops talking about himself. I usually tune him out before our session is over.
I’m certainly not one to judge him on his philandering ways, because I sleep around too, but I’ve never been the type to kiss and tell or brag about it.
Jason finally lets go of her hand, before leaning into her. “Please tell me you don’t have a boyfriend?”
I’m not a violent man, but in this moment, I want to knock him the fuck out.
“Yes, she does,” I cut in before Candice has a chance to answer.
She gasps as her head snaps in my direction, but I resist the urge to look her way.
I know her well enough to realise she’s unhappy with my comment, but I don’t give a shit.
There’s no way in hell I’d let her go out with this guy.
Not only is he a player, he also associates with bikie gangs.
Well, he says he does. He could be full of shit, but that’s a chance I’m not prepared to take.
I give him a look that says, shut the fuck up . I’m relieved when he doesn’t say another word.
There’s an amused smirk on his face as his eyes lock with mine. “Are you ready for me, boss?”
“Yep.” I’d love to smack that look right off his smug head. It’s the first time I’ve ever had violent tendencies towards one of my clients. Why does this woman bring out the best and the absolute worst of me?
I see him wink at Candice out of the corner of my eye when I turn to walk to my studio. Fucker . I may have to press extra hard on the needle today.
“What the hell was all that about?” Candice snaps the moment we lock up and head down the street to my place. They’re the first words she’s spoken to me since the incident with Jason. She waited until we were alone so she could serve me my balls on a platter.
I’ve been having dinner at her house every weeknight since she started working for me. When we finish up for the day, we walk back to my place to collect my car. Candice, Sophia and Maddie live about a ten-minute drive away, in Ultimo.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I reply, shoving my hands into my pockets.
“Bullshit, Jax. You tried to cock block me.”
She’s right, I did. But her comment infuriates me nevertheless. The thought of her even wanting to be with someone in that way messes with my head. I have no right to stand in her way, but she can do so much better than that dickhead.
Inhaling a frustrated breath, I stop walking and face her. “He’s not the right guy for you, Candice.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Since when did you become the boyfriend police? You had no right to say what you did earlier.”
“I was only looking out for you. Can we drop it?”
“No! I won’t drop it. You can’t tell me who I can and cannot go out with, Jaxson Albright.”
Oh shit. She only uses my full name when she’s pissed.
“He’s a dick. He treats women like shit, plus he has connections. I don’t want you involved with a guy like that.”
“What type of connections? He didn’t seem like the ‘connection’ type.”
I almost want to laugh at her comment. Is there such a thing as a connection type?
“Just connections, all right? You don’t need to worry about it. Just stay the hell away from him.”
Her eyes narrow as her hands bear down on my chest, shoving me. “Connections, my arse. You’re making that up.”
“It’s true.” Sure, there was an ulterior motive for what I did today, but I was looking out for her as well.
“Bullshit. The only connections he has is McDonald’s free WIFI.” As mad as I am, I bark out a laugh. Candice has always been quick-witted, with the best comebacks. “It’s not funny, Jax. This is my life you’re fucking with.”
When I see the tears glistening in her eyes, I feel like an arsehole for making light of the situation. This whole friendship thing is going to be harder than I thought. I was a fool to think things could go back to the way they were.
“I’m not trying to fuck up your life, Candice, I’m looking out for you. There’s a difference.” I turn and continue walking down the street. I can’t have this conversation with her—it’s only going to end badly.
No words are spoken the rest of the way, not even once we’re in the car heading to her house.
I ended up buying my dream car—the 1967 Ford Mustang I’d always wanted.
It’s a fucking gem. I love it. It needed a bit of work when I got it, but it went for a good price.
A steal actually. The old guy I bought it from had no use for it anymore.
To him it wasn’t a classic, it was just an old car.
One of my clients is a mechanic, so we did a trade.
I did his ink for free, and he got my baby running in tip-top condition.
I had all the interior recovered. All it needs now is a shiny new paint job, and it’ll be as good as new.
When I have some spare cash, I’ll get it done.
My head is spinning on the drive to Candice’s house.
I love having her with me during the day, and then playing happy families with her, Sophia and Maddie at night; they’ve welcomed me back into their lives with open arms. For my own sanity though, I think I need to put a bit of distance between us.
If I don’t pull my head in, I’ll end up losing her again. I can’t let that happen.
She’s still staring out the window when we pull into her driveway. I have to make things right. When I see her reach for the door handle, I place my hand on her knee.
“Candice, wait. I’m sorry.” Turning in her seat, she faces me.
The hurt I see in her beautiful baby blues tears me up inside.
“I shouldn’t have said what I did today.
” This is going to be hard for me to say, but it needs to be said.
I take a deep breath before I continue. “I know we’re just friends and I have no right to interfere, but please not with Jason.
You deserve better than a guy like him.”
It would be selfish of me to stop her from finding happiness.
I only wish I was the type of guy to give her that, but I’m not.
I’ll only end up disappointing her, like I did my own family, and when I left Candice without saying goodbye.
It’s what I do best. I’ve never been with the same girl more than once, and I’m pretty sure I don’t have it in me to commit, so I’m not about to risk everything with Candice again on an uncertainty.
She sighs, and her gaze drops to her lap. When I see her wipe under her eye, I know she’s still upset. Everything in me wants to pull her into my arms, but we need distance—that’s the only way we’ll survive this. Comforting each other was what got us into this mess in the first place.
I wait for her reply, but it never comes. Reaching for the door handle a second time, she gets out of the car. “Are you coming in?” she asks.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. Tell your mum I’m sorry.”
“Fine.” She slams the door before running across the lawn towards the house.
I sit there until she disappears inside.
“Fuck.” I bang my hand down on the steering wheel. I hope I haven’t ruined things again.
I feel like shit when I leave for work the next morning. My head hurts like a bitch. After leaving Candice’s, I had a meeting with my old friend Jack Daniels. I polished off three-quarters of a bottle before I eventually crashed. I needed the escape—reality can be a bitch sometimes.
When I arrive at the shop, my shitty mood intensifies when I see someone has sprayed ‘Arsehole’ across my front shutters. I know Candice would never do something like that. Well, I hope she wouldn’t. It could’ve been that psycho Moody Mandy. She did call me an arsehole the day I fired her.
“Fucking hell,” I mumble under my breath as I scrub my hand over my face. I don’t need this shit today.
I Google a local graffiti removal company on my phone when I get inside, jotting their number down on the notepad on the counter. I’ll get Candice to call them when she gets here. That’s if she shows up.
Thankfully, a few minutes later she pushes through the front door. I feel immediate relief.
“Morning,” I say, giving her a look that hopefully conveys my apologies for yesterday.
“Morning.” She gives me a weak smile in return as she stows her bag under the counter. It’s not the greeting I’d hoped for, but she’s here and that’s a start.
“Can you give this number a call after nine?” I ask. “Someone spray painted ‘Arsehole’ on the front shutter last night.”
“Who would do that?” I shrug in reply because I have no clue. “Do you think it was kids?”
“I doubt it. They usually use a tag.”
“Guess I’m not the only one you’ve pissed off recently then.”
“Guess not,” I reply dryly.
Candice pulls her purse from her bag. “I’m gonna go and get a coffee, I’ll call them when I get back. Do you want one?”
“I’d love one.” I pull my wallet out of my back pocket and hold out a twenty-dollar note, but she waves it away.
“I think I can afford to shout you a coffee, Jax.”
“Candice,” I call out when she reaches the door. “Are we okay?”
“We will be, as long as you don’t pull another dick move like you did yesterday.”
“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.”
That’s the most honest answer I can give her. I’ll always protect her because she means the world to me. If a situation arises and I need to step in, you can be damned sure I will. I see a smile tug at her lips before she turns and goes out the door.
As the day progresses, nothing much changes. Candice is polite, but it’s plain to see she’s still pissed off. Women . I don’t think I’ll ever understand them.
I’m in my studio when she knocks on the door at the end of the day.
“I’m heading home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You don’t want a lift?”
“Nope. I’ve asked Sophia to come and get me.”
I give her a casual smile, trying not to let her see I’m hurt by her brush-off. “Right. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Bye, Jax.”
“Bye.”
Fuck . This is worse than I thought.