16
JACKSON
“You seriously put her in a suite with your ex? With no fucking heads-up?” the Viking gripes as soon as we enter the hotel suite.
He’s reclined on the couch, new combat boots kicked up on the coffee table, arms folded over his chest. He’s wearing his usual black tactical pants and a black fitted T-shirt, always in uniform.
The bedroom where Aurora is sleeping is directly opposite him. I bet he sat there, staring at the closed door, his tongue hanging out, panting.
Ethan tosses his suit jacket onto the back of the chair facing Reece then plops down. “No. Why would I do that? My agent had seats available. Obviously, I should have told him who she was.”
I plonk my ass beside Reece, putting myself between him and Ethan, and knock his feet off the table. “Is it necessary to dress like that? What could you possibly have in all those pockets? You’re wearing cargo pants, for fuck’s sake.”
“And you’re wearing skinny jeans, rich boy.
Sorry, my dick needs breathing room.” He opens a pocket, the Velcro ripping—fucking Velcro— and holds his palm out.
“Your girl’s lip stuff and ID, because she’s forgetful.
” He tears open another pocket, and metal jangles.
“Handcuffs I threatened Ethan’s crazy ex with, or in case your girl wants to get kinky. ” He winks.
Agitation swarms in my chest. “Keep your handcuffs in one of your twenty pockets, and she’s my wife . Get it through your thick skull.”
“I will once I see the marriage certificate.” He dismisses me, turning to Ethan.“Trent knew she was Aurora Embers, the model. Knew what magazines she was featured in. Knew she was with Jackson. He laughed when I told him he’d be eating a puck if he didn’t stop flirting with her.”
I offer him a fist-bump, and he gives me a side-eye before he halfheartedly bumps knuckles.
“I don’t know the entire story,” he continues, “but your ex is quite unhappy about the pregnancy.”
I can’t picture Ethan with anyone else. The image makes me sick…and murderous.
Coach rests his head back and scrubs his fingers through his thick, wavy hair. “I fucked up, okay? I’m far from perfect.”
“Glad you’re finally realizing that.” Reece shoots a glare in my direction. “About time someone told the truth.”
I’m not about to spend the rest of my life thwarting his attitude.
He doesn’t even know me. “You want some truth? I don’t trust you.
Your presence sends me into a dark place—not because you’re in love with my wife , but because you talk like a cop, dress like a cop, and treat me like shit.
After our meeting at the hotel, I could taste the craving to get fucking obliterated, and I almost did.
Every single day, I’m fighting a battle you have no fucking clue about.
” My chest heaves and my heart races. “There’s my truth for today. ”
Reece glances helplessly at Ethan, who stares at me with a pained expression, his eyes glassy.
“Last night?” His Adam’s apple bobs. “After we argued?”
I give a half-assed shrug. “Yeah.”
“Fuck, Jax.” He reaches over the arm of the chair and pulls me into a headlock, his cheek pressed to my hair. “Don’t you dare relapse or harm yourself. Tell me. Scream at me. Punch me. We’ll brawl if we need to. Understand?”
“Yes, asshole.” I chuckle and elbow him in the chest. “Let me go.”
“I’m proud of you.” He releases me and drops back into his chair.
He might be the only person besides Aurora who has ever told me those four words. How can I not be attached to him? If he doesn’t want me to love him, he needs to stop caring for me.
The atmosphere feels awkward, so I do what I do best: keep running my mouth. “While I was up on the roof, I realized, no matter what, we’ll work through it.” I shift my attention to Reece. “Aurora will get over the videos eventually. You’re not holding them over me.”
His brows furrow, and he cocks his head. “I’m not. I wouldn’t say anything or use them. Fuck, I removed evidence from a federal crime scene for you.”
“But that’s what you’re pissy about, right? The videos?”
“You recorded her without her knowledge. That’s fucked up.”
Ethan glances between us. “Someone fill me in.”
“When Aurora and I started dating, I had cameras installed throughout my downtown penthouse. I kept track of her while I was away, kept videos of us together. I watched her pack and leave me before…I went into the hospital. After we separated, I couldn’t stand to be there, and Kyle used the place.
I have those videos too. I kept everything. ”
Reece misinterprets my disgusted expression and rolls his eyes. “Don’t worry, I didn’t watch the videos of you two together. I’d rather not see your dick.”
I arch a brow. “You sure? You seem awfully interested in my dick.”
“Positive,” he grumbles.
If he wants to bust my balls, he’d better bring it. I can do this all day. “Let me know if you change your mind.” I mimic his wink.
Ethan clasps the back of my neck and clears his throat. “That’s not gonna happen.”
The corner of Reece’s lip twitches, begging to smile.
“Anyhow, the only other person who knows about the phone is my partner. He’s a hacker, and he agrees: there’s no way to surrender Kyle’s videos without leading investigators to the website, where they can subpoena the rest, even if deleted.
They’ll want to know why you withheld evidence.
You’ll be questioned, and Aurora will find out her husband is a stalker. ”
It’s no different from every other controlling, insane thing I’ve done. “Why do you think I held on to them?” Not that it matters. I didn’t watch Kyle’s videos—I can’t watch Kyle’s videos.
“You’d watch her while traveling for games?” Ethan asks. “That’s actually brilliant. For safety purposes, of course.”
“I thought so too. Thanks.” I smile.
“Just don’t put cameras in the Santa Monica house.”
I give him a blank stare.
“Jackson, no.”
“There’s an entire surveillance system.”
He releases an aggravated sigh. “Which, let me guess: you’ll have access to?”
“We all will. I’m not hiding anything.” I shrug a shoulder, not seeing the problem. “I’m also having a panic room installed.”
Reece perks up. “Primary bedroom? Or basement?”
“Nursery. If someone breaks in, Aurora is going for the baby. No reason to run back to the bedroom for safety.”
He raises his brows. “Smart.”
There’s a hard knock on the door, and Ethan slumps in the chair with a dramatic groan. “Fuck my life.”
“I must say, Ethan, this doesn’t suit you,” a deep voice emanates from beyond the door. Either Ethan’s ex is a man, or…that’s a man. “I expected better from you.”
“Seriously, Beth?” Ethan barks. “Now is not the time.”
Beth . Gross. I hate her already.
“Seriously, Ethan,” a woman, who can only be Beth, mocks in a snide tone. “She’s here with you?”
“That’s typically how relationships work, yes.”
“Is it not enough for you to flaunt your whore in front of me? You have to go around Boston doing it too?”
Her voice pierces the air, and I jump from my seat. Aurora doesn’t need to hear or deal with this shit.
“Bethany, calm down,” says the unknown guy. “Let me handle this.”
Before he can handle it , I whip the door open, Reece behind me.
An older man with white hair glances between us while the ex plasters on a fake smile. They both share the same dull eyes and reek of vanity and old money.
Ethan’s face is flushed from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. I casually drape my arm over his shoulders; he shoots me a warning glare but doesn’t push me away.
Reece leans against the doorjamb, arms folded over his chest.
The man, whom I’m guessing is Beth’s father, settles his attention on me. “I’m sorry, son, but this is a private matter. None of your concern.”
Son . What a condescending asswipe.
“Well, Pops , that’s where you’re wrong. Your girl called my wife a whore, and that’s very much my concern.”
His bushy white brows nearly hit his receding hairline. “What? I thought…” He gestures to Ethan.
“Aurora is my wife and Ethan’s girlfriend. We’re together,” I clarify, motioning between us.
I feel Ethan’s stare burning a hole in the side of my face, but he doesn’t deny my words.
“We’re having a baby, and I’d greatly appreciate you not waking our girl.” See? I can be nice. I even add, “Thank you.”
Their heads snap back as their jaws hang open comically.
“Ethan, son, this can’t happen.” Pops shakes his head in disapproval. “We brought you into our family?—”
That does it. All niceness leaves my body, and ridiculousness creeps in. “Hold on.” I interrupt, raising a hand. “Hold on one damn minute.” I shut my eyes, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
“What are you doing?” Ethan mutters, his tone laced with amusement—a tiny bit.
“I’m trying to muster a fuck to give.” I open my eyes and click my tongue. “Nope. I’ve got nothing,” I say for all to hear. “Not a single fuck to give. Looks like you’ll have to fuck off instead.” I raise my voice, my patience eviscerated. “You’re not his family!”
Ethan pats my chest. “Okay, take the crazy down a notch.”
“I could always arrest them.” Reece shrugs.
“On what grounds?” the ex cries in pretentious audacity.
“Harassment. I warned you, but you didn’t listen. Now, you’re stalking our girl.” He turns to me and Ethan. “Or we can file a restraining order. I can get a judge on the phone while we’re all here.”
“What? No! I—” Beth wavers and glances at her father for help.
“That won’t be necessary.” Mr. Beth lifts his hands in surrender. “All we’re asking is that you keep your transgressions out of the public eye and away from us.”
“Transgressions?” I clutch my proverbial pearls with feigned astonishment. “All love is beautiful. We don’t discriminate here.”
Reece nods. “Agreed. That sounds like hate speech. I’ll add that to the restraining order.”
“What about terrorism?” I ask.
“Fuck me,” Ethan curses, face to the heavens. “Please, not another one. I can’t take another smart-ass.”
I scoff. Reece’s humor is dry. He’s not nearly as funny as I am.
Mr. Beth closes his eyes and shakes his head, as if he’s trying to wake from a fever dream. “This is a lost cause. We’re leaving. Let’s go, Bethany.”
He grabs her by the elbow, and the two march toward the elevator, Bitchy Bethany spitting and sputtering the entire way.
“Have a delightful night!” I call out. “Toodaloo, motherfuckers!”
Ethan shoves me inside and bear hugs me from behind. “For once, I’m actually thankful for your craziness.”
I throw him off. “Ha, ha… Hi, babe!” I go from deadpanning to feigning cheerful innocence.
Aurora stands in the middle of the open living area, hands on her hips, in nothing but Ethan’s jersey. Her hair is in a loose bun on top of her head, her face pale, her lips bright red in comparison.
“What’s going on?” She yawns. “I thought I heard voices. Why are you guys fighting?”
Before anyone can answer, Ethan stops dead. “Holy fucking Christmas, is that my jersey?”
“Wait!” I step between them and block his view of her, just to be an ass. “Babe, are these skinny jeans? Reece said I’m wearing skinny jeans.”