Chapter Four
Jaxton
Silence fills the line after Liam’s confession, leaving us to chuckle as we picture Avery’s inevitable blush creeping up her neck and flooding her cheeks. The image is so vivid and unshakable that it edges into my mind, and I have to shift, adjusting my stance as a familiar tension builds in my pants.
"I do believe she hung up on us, brother," Liam murmurs, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. His eyes meet mine, and instead of frustration, there’s a gleam of pure mischief. Liam’s dark gaze flashes with that familiar edge of trouble, and it’s clear as day that his thoughts are racing right back to Avery. "And you don’t think that just makes her even more perfect?”
His voice drops, laced with amusement.
I grin, nodding as he leans back against the wall of our trailer. “She’s a feisty one, no doubt about it. Honestly, it’s hard not to get attached after last night, but we still have to sell her to Lennox and Kamden. You know they’ll grill us the second they get here.”
As if on cue, Liam’s phone rings, and Lennox’s picture pops up on the screen. Liam raises an eyebrow at me before answering. Instantly, both Lennox and Kamden’s faces fill the screen, matching grins spread across their faces.
“Hey!”
Lennox’s voice rings out, light and cheerful, while Kamden cuts straight to the point.
“You missed your check-in last night,”
Kamden states, no-nonsense as always, giving us both a scrutinizing look as if he’s already on to something.
My hand immediately moves to the back of my neck—a habit I can’t seem to shake whenever I’m feeling guilty or caught off guard. “Sorry about that. We were… occupied.”
Kamden’s eyebrow quirks up, though a slight smile tugs at his lips. “Occupied, huh? Lennox here filled me in this morning. Said you two had quite the night.”
He leans forward, his expression curious. “So why do you two look like you’re hiding some grand secret?”
“Oh, we’re not hiding anything,”
Liam replies smoothly, crossing one arm over his chest as he flashes a confident smile. “We’re just waiting for the right moment to enlighten you both.”
Lennox rolls his eyes, settling into a chair and tugging Kamden down beside him to keep them both in view on the screen. “Please, enlighten us then, oh wise ones. What could possibly have the two of you looking so smug?”
Liam’s grin widens, and he gives me a quick glance, clearly enjoying the buildup. “Our date with Avery went really well last night.”
Lennox sighs in mock frustration, as though he already knows where this is going. “Yeah, yeah, we know that much, Liam,”
he says, trying to sound indifferent but unable to mask the flicker of interest in his eyes. Ever since Sarah, Lennox has had a hard time letting anyone in. His trust in relationships was shattered, leaving cracks he refuses to acknowledge, but he hides it well—too well. So hearing us talk about someone new, someone we’re falling hard for, probably stirs something in him he won’t admit, even to himself.
Kamden, ever the skeptic, crosses his arms and gives us both an expectant look. “And?”
Liam shrugs nonchalantly, but the glint in his eyes betrays him. “And she’s perfect.”
“Oh, I bet,”
Kamden replies with a smirk. “You’ve known her for all of one night, and she’s already perfect?”
“More than perfect,”
I chime in, unable to hold back. “She’s already aware of... well, what we’re hoping for.”
Lennox’s interest perks, and he arches a brow. “So, you mean you told her that the two of you want a relationship with her... and maybe with the rest of us?”
Liam chuckles, looking almost proud. “Yep. And she didn’t bolt for the hills. In fact, she seemed genuinely interested. We were upfront about wanting a poly relationship, and she didn’t back down. She’s smart, funny, and she gets our sense of humor. Honestly, I think you guys will love her.”
Lennox’s face brightens with genuine interest, a slow grin spreading as he leans forward, wanting to know more. “All right, then. Tell us more. What makes her so special?”
I can’t resist jumping in, the words flowing out of me as I picture Avery. “She’s got this incredible balance of fire and softness. She’s tough and can hold her own, but there’s this gentleness to her, too. And she’s stunning. Like, jaw-droppingly gorgeous. The kind of beautiful that just hits you out of nowhere, makes you want to...”
I stop myself, realizing I’m practically giving a soliloquy.
Kamden raises a hand, cutting me off with a wince. “Okay, enough with the poetry, Shakespeare. So, she sounds great, but have you told her, you know, about… the complications?”
Kamden’s question hangs heavily in the air, and I can feel the tension build as I glance over at Liam, who shifts, his grin slipping a little. “That… well, that’s not exactly first-date material, Kam,”
I say after a beat. “We’re just getting her to trust us. Laying all our baggage on the table right now would feel like asking her to run a marathon before she even knows where we’re going.”
Kamden’s expression hardens, and he crosses his arms more firmly. “I get that, but she deserves to know the truth. You’re working with our ex, Jax, and it’s not just any ex—it’s Sarah, the one who’s made things... let’s just say, interesting, for all of us. If Avery’s going to be in our lives, she needs to know what she’s signing up for.”
I let out a slow breath, meeting Kamden’s steady gaze. “We will be honest with her, Kam. I just want her to see who we really are before she’s bombarded with all the messy details. She deserves to know us before she knows the complications.”
Kamden’s eyes narrow as he considers this, his mouth a thin line of contemplation. “Just don’t wait too long. If she finds out on her own, or worse, from someone else, it’ll hurt her a hell of a lot more than if she hears it from you two.”
Liam grins, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Look on the bright side—if it comes to that, you’re the one doing the explaining, not me. Better you than me, right?”
I groan, swatting his hand away as I let out a laugh. “Yeah, thanks for all the undying support, Liam.”
Liam chuckles. “Hey, I’m all about supporting you, as long as I get to keep my spot as the favorite.”
Lenn laughs, shaking his head. “Sure, because everyone loves the ‘strong and silent’ type. Real charm, Liam.”
Kamden finally cracks a grin, relaxing slightly as he nods. “So, when do we get to meet this legendary Avery?”
Liam and I exchange a look, excitement building between us. “You’re both still planning on coming out here in a couple of days, right?”
Kamden cringes, rubbing his forehead. “Well, about that… something came up with the restaurant. We’re still coming, just going to be later than planned.”
Liam nods, unfazed.
“Not a problem.
She’s invited us all over for dinner once you’re both here, but until then, we’ll start checking in with you two when she’s around so you can get to know her over the phone.
Lennox, feel free to bring your charm, and Kamden… maybe leave the interrogation behind?”
Kamden scoffs, rolling his eyes. “As if I’d ever interrogate her. I’ll just ask a few polite questions.”
Liam chuckles. “Somehow, I doubt ‘polite’ is part of your standard repertoire. But trust me, Kam, she’s nothing like Sarah. She’s not after anything from us. In fact, she doesn’t even know who we really are yet.”
Kamden’s expression softens, and he nods. “All right, then. Looking forward to meeting her.”
“All right, gentlemen, I’ve got to get back,”
I say, clapping my hands together. “Next time we’re with her, we’ll call you guys to check in. Be ready to meet the girl who just might be… the one.”
Kamden’s grin fades as he looks at me with a more serious expression. “Jax, if she really is the one, remember—be honest with her. Don’t let her get blindsided.”
I nod, the weight of his words settling over me. “I know, Kam. And I will. Just… let me show her who we are before I show her all my baggage.”
Kamden lets out a deep sigh, finally relenting. “All right, but just don’t let your baggage become hers, got it?”
A small, grateful smile tugs at my lips. “Deal.”