22. Jax
JAX
S ix months later …
I’m sitting on the end of Beau’s bed when he unlocks the garage door. “Jax,” he says, stunned, as he pauses in the doorway. Maybe I should’ve waited for him outside, but it’s cold tonight, I would’ve frozen my nuts off.
“Sorry, Beau. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
He removes the scarf, gloves and beanie I bought him last week, neatly placing them on the chair in the corner before coming to a stop in front of the heater. I turned it on to warm the place up when I arrived.
“No need to apologise, son. This is your place. I wasn’t expecting you to be here, that’s all.” The deep wrinkles around his eyes are more prominent when he smiles.
“I just wanted to speak with you before I head home.”
“Any news on your girls?” he asks, his face lighting up with hope.
I sigh. I have news, but not the kind he’s referring to. “Nothing yet. The private eye is still searching.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Son.”
They say the truth will set you free, but in my case, it didn’t do that at all—it destroyed me, ripped my damn heart out and smashed it to smithereens.
It’s been six months and Candice still hasn’t returned with my daughter.
She withdrew a large amount of cash out of the bank, the day after she disappeared.
Sophia opened up an account for her when she was a baby, making regular deposits with some of the money her father’s been sending.
It’s enough to keep her hidden for a few years if that’s what she chooses.
Because she’s using cash, it’s almost impossible to find them, but I refuse to give up.
If she thinks I’m going to stop searching, then she’s kidding herself.
I won’t rest until they’re both home where they belong.
Any hope I held of sorting this mess out when Candice first left is dwindling rapidly.
And the fact that she hasn’t contacted Sophia makes my worries intensify.
Candice and Sophia apparently had a huge argument when she went back inside after finally telling me the truth about Maddie.
I’m sure that’s part of the reason she fled, and why Sophia has fallen into a deep depression since.
When Beau places his hand on my shoulder, I give him a weak smile.
I’ve become attached to him over these difficult months.
I don’t know where I’d be without him. His friendship, fatherly talks, wise words, and at times stern lectures, have stopped me from going off the rails several times.
Carter and I have become close as well, but unlike Beau, he has no idea that Candice has run off with my little girl.
He thinks she’s on an extended holiday or some shit.
“What brings you here?”
“I have a few things I need you to do for me tomorrow.”
“Anything for you. I’m happy to help.”
I’m pleased he said that. I pull an envelope out of my back pocket and watch as he opens it, revealing the cash inside. When he looks up at me, there’s a puzzled expression on his face. I bet it’s been a while since he’s seen so much money.
“What would you like me to do with this?”
“Buy yourself a nice suit, and get a haircut. A proper one.”
“I can’t take your money, Jax.” He tries to pass the envelope back.
“It’s not my money. It’s yours. I’ve been putting all the coins you’ve been leaving into a money box.” It’s surprising how fast it’s added up. In just over a year, that small change has amounted to almost one and a half grand.
“That money was for you. I know it wasn’t much, but it was my way of trying to repay you for all the kindness you’ve shown me.”
“I never had any intentions of keeping that money, Beau. I was always going to give it back to you one day, and that day has arrived.”
“Why now? Do you want me to leave?”
“What? Hell, no. I have something planned for tomorrow night, but I’ll need you to smarten yourself up a bit.
” I quickly raise my hand when I realise what I’ve just said may have sounded offensive.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with the way you dress, but once you find out what I have organised, you’ll be thankful I asked you to do this. ”
“Are you going to tell me what it is?” He’s sceptical, but he does not need to be.
“Do you trust me?”
“Implicitly,” he replies quickly.
I appreciate that because believe it or not, I trust this man with my life.
He and Carter are all I have left. I still see Sophia occasionally, but not as much as I used to.
I already had enough shit of my own to deal with, but I couldn’t turn a blind eye to Sophia’s illness.
She’s been more of a mother figure to me over the years than my own mother ever was.
Thankfully, she’s coming along fine now, leaving the depression behind and trying to get used to life without Candice and Maddison.
For the time being anyway. We both hold out hope that they’ll return one day.
“I’d rather surprise you if that’s okay.” I’ve been busting my arse all week to get this organised for him and I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome. After the hell I’ve been through, I could use this pick me up.
“Should I be worried?”
“Not at all.” I rub my hands together to warm them.
“It’s a good surprise.” Well, I hope he sees it that way.
He’s a good man, and he deserves great things.
He shouldn’t be punished for the rest of his life for trying to save his wife.
“Buy the suit, get a haircut, and meet me here tomorrow afternoon at four. Don’t be late. ”
He hesitates before replying. “Okay.”
“Hey man,” I say, answering the call when I see Carter’s name on the screen. I miss having him around. He’s like the brother I always wished for. He’s nothing like the cocksucker I’ve got.
“Hey. Are you still coming up on the weekend?” Carter moved to Newcastle a few months ago. It’s a two-hour drive from Sydney, and a beautiful place, with a picturesque coastline and amazing beaches. If I didn’t love Newtown so much, I’d probably join him. He’s living a charmed life.
I was sad to see him go, but on the other hand, I’m happy to see him flourishing. The messed-up, broody kid who came to work here is no more. He has his own studio now and seems content. I can’t ask for more than that. He deserves happiness … we all do.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
Visiting Carter every other weekend is always a highlight, and a break from the misery and constant worry that has become my life. A chance to let loose, unwind and forget for a little while. I only wish I knew my girls were okay and more importantly, safe. It would ease my mind somewhat.
“Make sure you bring lots of coins because I’m going to wipe the table with you,” he says.
We never play for big money, and I usually always win.
I enjoy his company more than the card night anyway.
I think he enjoys mine as well. We’re alike in so many ways.
We have similar interests, and he’s a loner just like me.
I’ve never heard any mention of his family.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Keep dreaming.”
“There’s a new nightclub opening Friday night. Maybe we can check it out while you’re here? There’s bound to be some hot arse, just ripe for the picking.”
Carter lives the life I once lived, moving from one hot chick to the next. I haven’t been with anyone else since Candice left. If I can’t trust her, what hope have I got with anyone else? “Sure, sounds great,” I say.
“You got everything?” I ask Beau when he enters the shop.
“Suit,” he says, holding up a bag. “It came with a free shirt and tie, and I have new shoes.” He smiles when he holds up the bag in his other hand.
“We’re all set then. I like the haircut, it suits you.” His longish grey hair is now a neat short back and sides. He looks like a different person already.
“Thank you. It’s been years since I’ve had a proper haircut.”
“Let’s get going then.”
“Can you tell me what this is all about?” he asks. He has no reason to be concerned. His life is about to change but in a good way.
“We’re heading to my place, so you can shower and change.”
“Oh.” His brow furrows. “Are we going somewhere?”
“Enough questions,” I say, taking the suit bag out of his hand. “It won’t be a surprise if I tell you. Don’t worry, you’ll find out soon enough.”
“Okay.” He gives me a weak smile. “I almost forgot, here’s the change,” he says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the envelope. “I only spent two hundred and sixty dollars.”
“It’s your money, Beau,” I reply, pushing his hand away. “There’s no way I’m taking it back.” He goes to protest, so I turn my attention to my new receptionist. “I’m heading off now, Ana. Gus has the keys to lock up.”
She’s the third girl I’ve hired since Candice left.
Thankfully, this one seems to be working out.
I used Carter as a stand-in for the first few weeks, but in the end, I was left with no choice, I had to find a replacement.
Even if Candice did return, there was no way we could continue to work together, and Carter’s talents were being wasted on the front counter.
She gives me a pleasant smile. “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” I like her.
She’s older than the others and married with two little boys.
Let’s face it, I’ve had my fair share of young and glamourous receptionists, and that gets complicated.
Ana works hard, she’s nice to my clients and gets along with the other staff. That’s what’s important.
“Thank you. Just call if there are any problems.”
“Will do, boss.”
I grab a fresh towel out of the linen cupboard when we arrive at my place, handing it to Beau. “There’s a new toothbrush, razor and a can of deodorant on the basin in the bathroom.”
“Thank you. I wish I knew what this was all about.”
“All will be revealed soon.” I place my hand on his shoulder briefly. “It’s good. Stop worrying.”