36. Jax #2
When I reach the park under the bridge, I begin to set up. After I place the roses in the vase and light the candles, the finishing touches, I start to pace back and forth. I stop and pull out the list Candice made me, going over it one more time. I need to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.
Table – check
Chairs – check
Tablecloth – check
Cloth Napkins – check
Vase – check
Roses – check
Candles – check
Plates – check
Cutlery – check
Wineglasses – check
Thank fuck this night is nearly over – check
I drag up the zip of my jacket. It’s damn cold tonight. As the minutes tick past, my gut churns. It’s not even my date, so I have no idea why I’m the nervous one. I look down at my watch. Carter should be here by now. Pulling out my phone, I call him.
“How far away are you, fucker?” I ask when he answers. “I’m freezing my nuts off here.”
“I’m just parking the car.”
“Good. Hurry up, so I can get the hell out of here.” And home to my girls.
“We’ll be there in a minute.”
I breathe a sigh of relief when I see them. They look good together and Carter looks happy. I smile smugly at him as they approach. I may be pleased for him, but I’m still going to give him shit about tonight. It’s my job.
“Hey,” he says with a nod.
I examine his date. She’s a looker. Not as beautiful as my girl, but close. She has long dark hair and pretty green eyes. I see what he means about her being short. She’s barely five foot. Carter towers over her.
“Hey.”
“Indiana, this is my friend, Jax. Jax, Indiana.”
I reach for her hand and bring it to my mouth. I suppress my smile when I hear a slight growl come from Carter. “So, I finally get to meet the elusive Indiana. Carter never shuts up about you.”
I roll my lips to stifle my laugh when I hear him mumble, “Motherfucker” under his breath.
This is fun.
“He talks about me?” Indiana asks. There’s a huge smile on her face as her eyes dart to Carter.
“All the damn time,” I lie.
“I do not, arsehole,” he snaps. I bet he’s now wishing he didn’t involve me in his plans tonight.
“I’m just messing with you, mate,” I say, slapping his back. He gives me a look that tells me I’m going to pay for what I just said, but I’m not worried. He may not realise it, but chicks dig that shit, so in a roundabout way, I’m helping him.
“Is this all for us?” Indiana asks, looking over the table.
“It is,” Carter replies, draping his arm over her shoulder. He can deny it all he wants, but he’s in love with her. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” She slides her arms around his waist, and when she looks up at him and smiles, I can clearly see she’s in love with him too. It’s the same expression I see on Candice’s face when she looks at me. “Thank you, Jax,” she says as her eyes dart back to me.
“Don’t thank me. Just doing what the big fella asked.” Her smile widens as her gaze moves back to Carter. I’m truly happy for them both. “I’m gonna duck off and pick up the food,” I say. “Then I’m out of here.”
I watch as Carter pulls out a chair for Indiana and places a kiss on her hair once she’s seated. “I just need to speak to Jax for a second,” he tells her.
I take a few steps away from the table, and he follows. “Thanks for all your help,” he says shaking my hand. “I appreciate it. You did well for an arsehole.”
I bark out a laugh. “No problem. I aim to please.” I pull out a cigarette and light it—now that part of tonight is over, I can breathe a little easier.
The pressure isn’t off yet though. I still have to get their food.
“For the record, I’d probably turn pussy for her too,” I whisper soft enough so only he can hear.
His eyes narrow and he growls. “Keep your eyes off her, she’s mine.”
I shake my head and chuckle as I walk away, heading for my car. He bites every damn time.
It’s around 10.30 pm when I finally arrive home, but I’m not surprised to find Candice waiting up for me.
“How did it go?” she asks excitedly, the moment I walk through the front door.
She rubs her hands together as she bounces up and down on the spot with anticipation.
“It was a hit,” I say, pulling her into my arms and crushing her body against mine.
“Jax, I can’t breathe,” she says, trying to wiggle out of my embrace.
“Sorry.” I loosen my grip as I rest my chin on top of her head.
I don’t have the heart to tell her that when I went back, Carter confessed that Indiana is sick, really sick, hence all the trouble he went to tonight.
I feel like a prick for ribbing him about his date now.
He tried his best to play it down, but I could see he was traumatised by the news.
Surely life couldn’t be that cruel, to take her away from him when he’s only just gotten her back?
Who am I kidding, I know firsthand what a bitch life can be sometimes. For their sake, I pray that’s not the case.
“What’s she like?”
“Nice. Pretty. They’re good together.” I try my best to sound enthusiastic but fail miserably.
Drawing back, her confused eyes meet mine. “Are you okay?”
“Of course,” I lie, forcing out a smile to try to hide my true feelings.
Candice cares about Carter as well, so I know this news will upset her.
It’s my job to protect her from stuff like that.
I pull her to me once more. I’d be lost without her.
I can only imagine how Carter is feeling right now.
When I finally release her, I lace our fingers together. “Come on, let’s go to bed.”
I need to make love to my woman.