18. Jax
JAX
M y eyes are fixed on the door when they enter the restaurant.
Candice has her arm linked through Carter’s, and she’s gazing up at him.
She’s wearing that smile she usually reserves for me.
I hate that. Seeing her so happy with another man feels like a knife being plunged into my chest. Just like earlier today, when I stumbled across them in the garage, wrapped in each other’s arms. It took every ounce of strength I had to turn and walk away when all I wanted to do was pry them apart.
I held her just like that only a few weeks ago—and in the same fucking spot.
I’ve been trying my best to keep them separated since Carter started working for me. And he’s never been at Candice’s house when I’m there, so I was starting to get the impression that whatever they had going on was over. Or maybe I was just hoping. That’s probably what they wanted me to believe.
I’ve gotten to know Carter well recently and the truth is, I like him a lot. I want to hate him, but I can’t. He’s a good guy. He has no idea how I feel about Candice, so I can’t be angry at him for having the balls to go after what he wants. Who wouldn’t want her?
Despite my internal turmoil, I smile the moment he notices us.
His whole face lights up. Candice worked her arse off today to organise this surprise.
She got him a cake, and there’s a large number eighteen silver foil balloon sitting in the middle of the table.
Our work colleagues, Gus and Shane, are here, as well as Sophia and Maddie. I did invite Beau, but he declined.
“Happy birthday, buddy,” I say when I stand and shake his hand.
“Thanks, man.” His eyes move around the table. “I didn’t realise Candice told you all.” He gives her a funny look, so I come to her defence.
“She just wanted to make your birthday special.”
“I know.” Lifting his hand, he ruffles Candice’s hair. He chuckles when she slaps it away. I bend and retrieve his gift from beside my chair, passing it to him.
‘Shit, not you too. I didn’t expect gifts,” he says, hesitantly, as he takes it from me.
“I wanted to.” And that’s the truth. I know what it feels like to be forgotten on your birthday. I don’t want Carter to experience the sheer loneliness I felt the day I turned twenty-one. Plus, he’s been working his arse off at the shop, so he deserves to be rewarded.
After thanking me, he tucks the box under his arm and makes his way around the table, shaking hands and thanking everyone for coming.
I’m surprised when he seats himself with the boys instead of next to Candice.
And I smile on the inside when she plonks her sweet little arse next to me.
I’m in the middle of my two favourite girls, Candice on one side and Maddie on the other.
Even Puppy has his own seat, on the other side of Maddie.
The waitress set a place for the stuffed toy, which pleased Maddie to no end.
She’s been giving him sips of an imaginary drink while we’ve been waiting for Carter to get here.
I’m not going to lie, watching her was the sweetest thing ever.
Now that the guest of honour has arrived, I order a round of drinks and some appetisers while we decide what to order for our mains.
“Open your present from Jax, Carter,” Candice calls out across the table.
I have a feeling he’s going to like what I got him—he’d be crazy not to.
As soon as Candice informed me it was his birthday, I knew I had to get it.
Gus and Shane put in and bought Carter his own stool for the parlour, but it won’t be delivered until later next week.
They’re getting his name embossed around the perimeter of the seat.
“You bought me a tattoo machine?” Carter says, a shocked expression on his face.
“I did.”
“Fu—,” he starts to say until his eyes land on Maddie; she’s a parrot, and copies everything. After opening the case, his face lights up for the second time. It’s nice to see. More often than not, he’s broody and serious, so I’m enjoying this more relaxed side of him.
“This is amazing.” He walks around the table and shakes my hand. “Thanks, man.”
“Wow! A Micky Sharpz?” Gus chimes in, as he picks up the case and studies its contents. “Fuck me. Why didn’t I get one of these when I started working for you?”
“Because you’re a pain in the arse,” I say, chuckling. “If I spoil you too much, I’ll never get rid of you.”
“Very funny, arsehole,” Gus snaps, and we all laugh. Gus sits there with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. He’s the biggest shit-stirrer I know. He can dish it out, but he certainly can’t take it.
Maddie even joins in. I’m pretty sure she has no idea what we’re laughing at, but she’s cracking up nevertheless. “Arsehole,” she mumbles from beside me, but thankfully I’m the only one who hears. I never noticed how cool little people are. Without even trying, she entertains the hell out of me.
We stayed at the restaurant for the next few hours, eating and drinking. Everyone seems to be having a good time. I’ve seen a different side to Carter tonight, and I like it.
“I really should get Maddie home,” says Sophia. “It’s way past her bedtime.”
“No,” she shouts, making me chuckle.
“Don’t you ‘no’ me, young lady,” Sophia says as she stands, lifting Maddie into her arms.
“Jax,” she cries, trying to wiggle out of Sophia’s hold with outstretched arms.
“How about I walk you out to the car?” I offer, taking her from Sophia.
“Puppy,” she squeals as she reaches down to the seat where he’s still sitting.
“We should hit the club,” Shane says when I return from walking Sophia and Maddie out. “The night’s still young.”
“Fuck, yeah,” Gus agrees. “Are you up for it, birthday boy? You’re of legal age now.”
“I’m in,” Carter replies.
“Count me in too,” says Candice, rubbing her hands together. “I haven’t been clubbing in such a long time.”
I’m not really in the mood to go out, but if she’s going, so am I. No way am I leaving her alone with these guys—someone needs to be there to make sure she gets home safely.
“How about you, boss?” Gus asks.
“Yeah, I’m in.”
Candice, Carter and I climb into the back of a taxi, while Shane and Gus jump in another. We head into the city to the Ivy bar. If this is going to be Carter’s first night on the town as a fully-fledged adult, we may as well do it in style.
As we walk down George Street towards the nightclub, Gus comes up beside me and slaps me on the back. “Seriously, that kid’s making you soft, boss.”
“Fuck off. She is not.” His comment annoys me—there’s nothing soft about me.
He chuckles. “Deny it all you want, but Candice’s baby sister has you wrapped around her little finger.
” He lifts his hand and wiggles his pinkie in my face for added effect.
I immediately slap it away. “You’re like putty in her chubby hands.
Maybe you should knock up one of your hot babes and have a kid of your own.
You certainly have plenty to choose from. ”
He laughs like he’s just cracked a joke, and I have an urge to punch him in his smug face. Candice is right beside me. Why did he say that in front of her?
“Shut up, dickhead. I’m not cut out to be a father—fuck that shit.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Candice leaves my side and catches up to Carter.
Fuck.
I’m grinning when we enter the Ivy. I love this place and come here often. The atmosphere is always buzzing and the chicks are plentiful. I have no plans of going there tonight, not with Candice present. I haven’t even considered taking anyone home in months.
We get a table by the pool and I can’t help but feel disappointed when Candice sits in the spot furthest away from me. My eyes are fixed on her, but she purposely won’t look my way.
I hate it when she’s upset with me. Fucking Gus and his big mouth. I should tell him to watch what he says around her, but I can’t without giving my feelings away. That cocksucker would never let me live it down.
“Who’s up for shots?” I ask loudly, so everyone can hear me over the music. I was going to take it easy tonight, but that’s all changed now. When I get a unanimous yes, I stand and head to the bar. I only make it halfway before a pretty brunette steps in front of me.
“Hi, handsome,” she says, running her long red nail in a line down my chest. “Are you here alone?”
Once upon a time, I’d be all over this, but not tonight. “I’m here with friends.”
“No girlfriend?” she asks, raising one of her perfectly shaped brows.
“Nope.”
“You wanna come sit with me and my friends?” She points to a group of women sitting in one of the cabanas on the other side of the pool.
“Maybe later.” I shrug. More than likely not, but I need to keep my options open.
“I look forward to it,” she whispers in my ear, as her hand comes to rest on my crotch. She gives it a small squeeze and then walks away.
I briefly glance over my shoulder before I continue towards the bar, and I see the boys are all talking and laughing about something, but Candice’s eyes are on me. Of course, she’d choose this moment to look.
“Can I get ten shots of tequila?” I ask the bartender when I reach the bar. Two shots each will help kickstart the night. I watch as she lines them all up on a tray. “Do you have any lemon wedges?”
“We sure do,” she says, smiling. She grabs a handful out of a plastic container, placing them on top of a napkin on the tray along with a salt shaker. Handing her a hundred-dollar note, I pick up the tray and make my way back to the table.
“Ladies first,” I say, placing two shots in front of Candice.
I move to the birthday boy next. I don’t even know if he’s a drinker.
Gus, Shane and I all had a few beers with dinner, but he ordered a Coke.
I’ll have to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t get shitfaced.
The last thing I need is a puking lightweight on my hands.