15. Jax
JAX
A s the weeks pass, my confidence in us grows.
I’m starting to believe Candice and I will be able to get through this clusterfuck in one piece.
We’re making real progress in reviving the friendship we once had.
The kiss we shared is long forgotten, and we are getting on better than we have in a while.
For the first time in a long time, I’m happy with where we’re heading.
I’m smiling to myself as I walk into reception, but that drops from my face when I see Carter sitting on the sofa in a deep and meaningful conversation with Candice.
Why is he here? Her hand is tenderly rubbing his arm as he speaks, and I don’t like it.
I don’t like it one bit. I’ll admit I like the guy, but since he hooked up with Candice, my feelings towards him have changed somewhat.
It’s jealousy on my part, and he has no idea how I feel about her, so I can’t fault him.
I just don’t want to share her with anyone. She’s mine .
I can’t make a scene. Candice has already warned me about interfering in her life, so I take a few moments to compose myself before approaching them. They’re so engrossed in each other that they don’t even notice me.
I breathe a huge gulp of air into my lungs before I speak. “Hey.” Their heads swing in my direction, and my eyes lock on Candice. “Don’t you have work to do? I don’t pay you to sit around and chitchat.”
The moment her eyes widen and her mouth gapes I know my comment has pissed her off. That went well. So much for not making a scene.
“Really?” she says as her eyes narrow.
“Yes, really.”
“This was a mistake,” Carter says. “I shouldn’t have come here.”
That’s right buddy, you shouldn’t have. If you want to make moves on my girl you can do it elsewhere. This is my shop.
When he goes to stand, Candice reaches for his arm. “Don’t go, Carter. Jax wasn’t directing any of that at you.”
“It’s okay. I’ll let you get back to work.”
His body language tells me something is off, he was acting like this the day we met. “Sit,” Candice demands. “Give me a minute with Jax.” She pushes past me with a look that says if I know what’s good for me, I’d better follow.
“Give us a sec,” I say to Carter, forcing a smile.
“What’s your problem?” Candice snaps the minute I enter my studio.
“My problem?”
“Yes. You were so rude out there.”
“Why, because I said I don’t pay you to sit around and chitchat? News flash, I don’t.”
“You can be a real jerk sometimes, Albright, you know that?” I scrub my hand over my face as I count to ten in my head. “Do you even know why Carter is here? Oh, that’s right you wouldn’t, because you were too busy acting like an arsehole to find out.”
“I’m not stupid, Candice, he came here to see you.”
“Wrong! He came to see you .” She pokes me in the chest. “He’s run away from home. He was hoping he could sell some more of his drawings so he had money to pay for a place to stay. Do you want him to end up on the streets like Beau?”
I sigh. “No.”
“I swear, I don’t get you sometimes. You were the one who reached out to him in the first place.”
I want to say, “That was before he hooked up with you ,” but I don’t. I’m acting like a jealous arsehole, and I’m not about to admit that to her.
Removing my cap, I run my fingers through my hair. “Fine. Send him in.”
I don’t speak another word as I stalk across the room and busy myself at my workstation. I don’t need to turn around to see the daggers she’s shooting me, I can feel the fuckers plunging deep into my back.
A few minutes later there’s a knock at the door, it’s Carter. “Candice said you wanted to see me.”
“Yeah, come in,” I say as I face him. When I see his sketch pad in his hand, I feel like a lowlife. I need to get a grip on this jealous streak. So much for progress.
“Thanks, man. I’m sorry for coming here, but I was desperate.”
“Why did you come?”
“I need money. Not charity,” he adds, quickly holding out his sketch pad. “I have more drawings if you’re interested. If not, that’s cool too. I just thought there was no harm in asking.”
“Why do you need money?” I already know why, but I want to hear it out of his mouth.
He shrugs. “I left home on the spur of the moment, without thinking. I’ve got a little cash, but only enough to get by for a few days. I’m going to look for work.”
“Sit,” I say, pointing to the chair. “How old are you anyway?”
“I’ll be turning eighteen in a few weeks.”
Fuck, he’s just a kid. He looks so much older. What in the hell is Candice doing with someone so young?
“Tell me to mind my own business, but why did you feel the need to leave home in such a hurry? Are you having problems, or are you in some kind of trouble?”
“I have my reasons.” I arch an eyebrow. If he wants my help he’s going to have to give me more than that. “My home life kinda sucks; my stepdad is a fuckwit. He’s nice to me when my mum’s around, but when she’s not…”
I can relate to that, my home life sucked as well. Even though I hate the way it came about, getting out of there was the best decision I ever made.
“Where are you staying tonight?”
He lifts one shoulder. “My car, I guess.”
I mull it over for a moment before I say, “You’re welcome to sleep on my sofa until you find a place of your own.
” Despite what I think of him and Candice, she’s right, I don’t want to see him on the streets.
Besides, having him stay with me is better than him staying with her. That would do my head in.
“I can’t ask you to take me in.”
“You didn’t ask, I offered. You can work here until you find something more permanent. You cool with that?”
“You’re offering me a job?”
“Yes.” I hope I don’t regret this. Having him here will mean he’s around Candice all fucking day. “You’ll need to earn your keep. And if you’re going to be working here, there’ll be no fraternising with the staff, or my clients. Understand?”
I throw that last bit in because clearly, I’m a possessive arsehole.
“Of course. You don’t have to do this, you know.”
“I know,” I say, “but I want to. Don’t make me regret it.”
“You won’t … I promise. Thank you.” Standing, he shakes my hand.
“With your talents, I’m sure you’ll do well here.”