Jaxon uncrossed his long legs and crossed the lot toward Lucy. The morning sun made the blue of his eyes gleam, reminding her of the way the sun glittered off the ocean. Good Lord, he was beautiful—all graceful muscles and lean lines.
When Jaxon reached her, he gave her a dazzling smile. “I thought we had a deal, Smalls?”
“I know, but I just didn’t feel right disappointing him and—”
“I didn’t mean about going to the game. I meant about how you’re getting there.”
“Oh.”
“A little bird told me you called a cab?”
“Brooke really needs to learn boundaries.”
Jaxon laughed. “Don’t be too hard on her. I asked her to let me know if you changed your mind.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. I had a feeling you wouldn’t be able to resist.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re soft, Smalls. I could see the guilt written all over your face after you hung up the phone yesterday.”
Lucy cringed. Was she that transparent? “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.”
“So you’re not mad?”
“I’m a little mad you didn’t call me for a ride, but no, I’m not mad that you want to go be supportive.”
“Thank you.”
“Now let’s get this road trip started,” Jaxon said, grinning again.
Once Lucy canceled her cab and was buckled in to Jaxon’s truck she started to feel better. She’d been worried he would be as pissed as Brooke when he found out she’d changed her mind about Alex’s game. The thought had bothered her more than she cared to admit. She hated feeling like she couldn’t win. Whatever decision she made would disappoint someone. But Jaxon genuinely seemed like he wasn’t mad once she agreed to let him be her ride.
“Thank you again, Jaxon. I seriously appreciate you giving me a ride.”
“Hey that’s what friends are for, right?”
“Are we friends?” Lucy asked.
Jaxon glanced at her looking startled. “I thought so.”
“No, that didn’t come out right.” Lucy backpedaled. “We’re definitely friends. It’s just sometimes I feel like maybe I might rely on you more than I should.”
“You don’t.”
“But I do. You drive me around campus, and now to San Diego. You’ve been amazing. And I wouldn’t be alive without you, so . . .” Oh Lord, she didn’t know how to say this.
Lucy had been wrestling with herself over her feelings for Jaxon all week. She just needed to come out and say it. She took a deep breath and let the words tumble out. “Sometimes I think I’ve been attaching feelings to you that I shouldn’t. And I just wanted to say I’m sorry for that. I have a boyfriend and if I need someone to lean on it should be him.”
“I know you have a boyfriend, Lucy. That’s not why I’m here. I’m not trying to get between you and I certainly don’t expect anything from you.”
“I know. I didn’t mean it like that!”
Jaxon gave her a puzzled look. “Then what do you mean?”
“I don’t know. I just didn’t want you to get the wrong idea or think I was leading you on or anything.”
“Got it, message loud and clear.”
They continued to drive in awkward silence for the next few miles and Lucy felt increasingly foolish for even saying anything. Of course Jaxon wasn’t interested in her. Even if she’d been single she knew she didn’t have a shot with a guy like him.
Freaking Brooke! Why had Lucy let her roommate fill her head with hopes about Jaxon being her unicorn?
Lucy knew she was way off base thinking there could ever be anything more between her and Jaxon after his reaction, but still . . . she couldn’t shake the last question rattling around in her head. Why was Jaxon spending so much time with her?
She’d already made a complete fool of herself by saying she didn’t want to lead him on so she decided to just ask the question. It was better than the awful silence that was filling the car. “So, why are you here?”
Jaxon gave her a look like he thought she might be crazy. “I thought it was to drive you to San Diego.”
Lucy sighed. “It is. But I mean in general. Why are you so nice to me?”
He laughed. “Would you rather I was mean?”
“No, but I’m just not used to people being so nice without a motive.”
“Obviously.”
Lucy smirked, glad they were back to their casual banter. “I’m serious.”
“I don’t know, Smalls. You just seem like you need someone to take care of you. Plus, you do know the Dean’s giving me extra credit for volunteering to cart you all over campus, right?”
“Hey! I’m not a charity case.”
Jaxon shrugged like he disagreed and she swatted his shoulder. “I can take care of myself.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. I was about to cab to San Diego by myself. No chaperone needed.”
“Yeah, and I would’ve had to follow you to make sure the guy didn’t mug you and leave you for dead somewhere off the freeway.”
“Harsh!”
“Life is harsh, babe.”
Lucy laughed. Didn’t she know it? “So we’re friends, then?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Because truthfully, I could use another friend. It’s pretty much just been me and Brooke for the last few years.”
“That seems strange to me. You’re pretty easy to like, Smalls.”
“Thanks. But Alex sorta has a tendency to drive anyone new away.”
Jaxon sighed. “He certainly doesn’t make liking him easy.”
“I know you don’t like him. But if we’re gonna be friends you sorta have to get used to him.”
“Look, I may think you deserve better, but ultimately, who you date is up to you, Lucy. And I don’t want to let that come between us.”
Lucy smiled. “Me either.”
“Good, because you’re the first person I’ve met at Saint Andrews that I actually enjoy talking to.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Lucy said, grinning.
“I have an idea,” Jaxon said. “How about we make a no talking about Alex rule. Deal?”
“Deal.” Maybe Lucy could get Brooke to agree to that deal too. “Okay, so what do you want to talk about?”
“How are you at road trip games?” Jaxon asked, a twinkle in his eye.
“Excellent.”
Jaxon
They played Would You Rather for most of the trip, which made the hours fly by. The game was telling. Jaxon learned that Lucy didn’t care about fame or money, preferred to be punctual, was extremely modest about nudity, liked books over movies, cared deeply about the opinions of others and there didn’t seem to be an animal or insect that she was afraid of. He also noticed how the brightness in her eyes dimmed every time a question regarding family came up. It made him want to know more about her situation, but he sensed he shouldn’t push his luck. So far, they were having a great time. And with their friendship newly minted, Jaxon was treading lightly.
The truth was, deep down a part of him did want more than friendship with Lucy. He knew from the beginning that she had a boyfriend, but even if she didn’t, Jaxon wasn’t good enough for her. But that didn’t stop his heart from wanting more, and he worried no rule they came up with would. So he shoved his feelings down, determined to ignore them and take whatever Lucy was willing to give.
Because Jaxon really needed a friend too. And he hadn’t been lying when he said Lucy was the first person at Saint Andrews he wanted to talk to. He’d just failed to mention she was the first person he’d really wanted to talk to since his mother died.
Jaxon figured that would put too much pressure on her and that was the last thing he wanted to do. He wanted to be the one to be there for her. It made him feel good to know he could actually help her. The day at the precinct when she’d come out of her flashback, clinging to him and sobbing his name had cracked something op
en inside him and he was desperate to hold on to that feeling—that feeling that only Lucy seemed to be able to give him. Worth. Purpose.
24
Lucy
When they arrived at the stadium in San Diego two thoughts immediately came to Lucy’s mind: She was glad she’d come, and she was glad she wasn’t alone. The stadium was gigantic. It was the largest Lucy had ever been to and Alex’s nerves were probably through the roof at a venue like this. Lucy knew hers were. She hated large crowds, and trying to maneuver through them on crutches would’ve been scarier if Jaxon wasn’t there to make a path for her.
He walked ahead of her clearing a lane with his wide shoulders. When they got to the ticket counter Jaxon requested a wheelchair while Lucy waited in line to pick up her tickets.
“They’re under Alex Alvez,” she said. “Can you check again?”
The guy behind the counter shook his head. “I’m sorry miss, I don’t have you on the list.”
“But he always leaves me tickets in his box.” Did Alex not have a box at this stadium?
“I don’t know what to tell you,” ticket guy said.
Jaxon walked up behind Lucy, pushing a wheel chair. “What’s wrong?”
“I think there’s been a mix up with the tickets,” she replied.
“What kind of mix up?”
“The kind where you don’t have any, move along,” a guy in line behind them shouted.
“Chill,” Jaxon growled and the guy simmered down, seeing Jaxon wasn’t to be messed with.
“I don’t understand,” Lucy said. “Alex always leaves me two tickets.”
“You did tell him you were coming, didn’t you?” Jaxon asked.
Lucy felt her cheeks burn. “I thought I’d surprise him.”
“Look,” ticket guy said. “I don’t have you on the list for Alex Alvez. You can purchase tickets or you can try to get in touch with him and see what the mix up is. But I’ve got to keep the line moving.”
“We’ll buy two tickets,” Jaxon said handing over his credit card.
“You don’t have to do that,” Lucy argued, but ticket guy was already swiping the card.
“Sorry,” Lucy said once they were out of line with their tickets in hand.
“Don’t worry about it. We’re here, we might as well go in.”
Lucy glanced nervously at the crowd funneling into the stadium. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
“You ready to do this thing?” Jaxon asked gesturing to the wheelchair.
She nodded and let him take her crutches while she settled in the wheelchair. Lucy felt a bit ridiculous being wheeled up the concourse ramp, but she had to admit it beat trying to manage on her crutches. Plus, feeling Jaxon at her back calmed her nerves.
The fact that Alex hadn’t left her tickets unsettled Lucy. He’d never done that. Then again, she’d never told him she wasn’t going to show for one of his games. He must have been even more upset than she’d suspected. It worried her, but also solidified the fact that coming to the game to show her support was the right decision. No matter where their relationship was, Lucy never wanted Alex to feel like she wasn’t in his corner.
“So, any idea what section Alex’s box is in?” Jaxon asked when they got to the club level of the stadium.
“I don’t know. Look for a Nike banner. They’re his sponsor.”
An attendant motioned for Jaxon to stop, telling them that wheelchairs weren’t permitted past the concourse tunnel that led to the stairs and tiered seating. Jaxon parked it and walked alongside Lucy as she hobbled up to the railing of the packed stadium on her crutches.
Finding Alex was not going to be a problem after all. His smiling face was plastered on the jumbo screens as some pretty sportscaster interviewed him.
“There he is!” Lucy smiled excitedly. Not that she really needed to point that out to Jaxon. He’d have to be blind to miss Alex’s twenty foot face.
Jaxon scanned the stadium looking for where they were filming. “Up there,” he said pointing to a press box balcony where bright lights were aimed at Alex and a team of reporters. They were discussing his decision to narrow down the pro-team offers he was considering.
Excitement filled Lucy’s chest, driving her forward. “Come on,” she said hobbling up the wide tiered stairs toward the box as quickly as she could. She’d been worried she’d miss this part. She’d been with Alex every step of the way, and even though soccer wasn’t her passion, Lucy couldn’t deny how proud she was of him for making it in such a competitive career. She knew how hard he worked and she was happy see him one step closer to realizing his dream of playing professionally.
Lucy vaguely thought she heard Jaxon calling her name from behind her, but she was so focused on her footing and getting to the press box before Alex made his big announcement that she didn’t stop. She kept her eyes on the ground listening to the sportscaster and Alex over the stadium sound system.
“As I’m sure you’ve guessed from the packed crowd, we’re all quite anxious to hear what teams you’ve narrowed your choices down to, Alex.”
“Who do you guys want me to pick?” Alex asked playing to the crowd who began cheering for their team of choice.
“Have your fans influenced your decisions at all?” the reporter asked.
“Of course. You know how important my fans are to me. I always take their voices into consideration. You guys are number one in my heart!” Alex shouted and the stadium went wild.
“Speaking of number one in your heart? Can we expect a special someone to be joining you for your pregame good luck ritual?”
“I’m here!” Lucy shouted, finally looking up. She was only a few rows below the box now.
“Actually, yes,” Alex drawled. “I’d like to introduce you all to someone very special to me.”
Lucy beamed. Alex must’ve spotted her! She stopped hiking and grinned up at him, ready to wave. But then the bottom dropped out of her world as Trista McAllister stepped into the spotlight next to Alex looking like a million bucks in a white dress, her blonde hair perfectly straight. She grinned at him, pink lips glossed to perfection and then she kissed him!
“And who’s this?” the sportscaster asked after the murmurs from the crowd died down.
Lucy was surprised she could even hear over the betrayal pounding in her ears.
“This is Trista McAllister,” Alex replied. “She’s been a big help to me lately and she’s going to be helping me unveil my top team choices today.”
Trista waved to the applauding crowd, holding both hands above her head to make a heart.
“A new good luck charm to usher in a new era?” the sportscaster asked.
Alex looped an arm around Trista’s slim waist and grinned. “You might say that.”
Lucy thought she was going to be sick. She felt like a complete idiot. Here she was killing herself to get to this game thinking Alex was heartbroken that she wasn’t coming, but in reality he’d replaced her just as easily as if she’d been an old pair of socks.
Tears started to well in her eyes and her blurry vision caused her crutch to skid off the unevenly spaced steps. It shot out from beneath her and she went down hard, as her crutches bounced noisily down the stairs.
The crowd around her gasped at the commotion and stadium attendants rushed toward her. She heard Jaxon yelling at someone from far below, but Lucy was too busy squeezing her eyes shut against the pain and embarrassment flooding her senses.
“Look!” someone cried. “It’s Lucy Adams!”
Lucy cracked an eye open completely mortified to find her own face staring back at her from the jumbo screen. The camera crew had found her.
“Lucy?” Alex’s voice echoed through the stadium.
The jumbo screen cut back to his face. Alex was staring in Lucy’s direction. He moved to the edge of the balcony looking over the edge like he was contemplating jumping. But then Trista appeared at his side. She put a hand on his jersey, smiling like the Cheshire cat.
Jaxon
Jaxon was stuck at the bottom of the stairs arguing with a stadium attendant who wanted to see his ticket. Lucy had rushed ahead of him and he tried to call her back but she didn’t hear him. Then in a blink of an eye he felt his world turn on its axis. Trista’s conniving face graced the big screen. She and Alex kissed. Then a loud crash drew his attention above him. That’s when he saw Lucy go down.
Instantly, Jaxon shoved the stadium attendant out of his way, sprinting up the stairs two at a time. In the corner of his vision he saw Lucy’s crumbled body displayed on the jumbo screen. What kind of assholes exploited this?
Jaxon locked his eyes on Lucy, but she was looking over her shoulder to where Alex and Trista were now staring at her. Alex looked shocked, but Trista, she just looked pleased. Jaxon gritted his teeth and pushed himself through the crowd now gathering around Lucy.
“Hey,” he said crouching next to her. “You okay?”
When she turned to look at him there was so much hurt in her eyes. She nodded but clearly she wasn’t okay. She whispered to Jaxon. “Can we please go?”
She didn’t have to ask him twice. Jaxon scooped Lucy into his arms and carried her through the crowd, ignoring the fact that some bastard was pointing a camera in their face so the whole ordeal could be broadcast on the jumbo screen.
Lucy buried her head in Jaxon’s neck and he felt her hot tears soak into his shirt. A team of stadium attendants were trailing them. One held her crutches and another was pushing a wheelchair trying to talk Jaxon into putting Lucy in it. But there was no way in hell he was about to let anyone pry her out of his arms. She was shaking and his heart was hammering with so much anger he wasn’t sure how to quell it. All he knew was that he wanted to keep her safe, and that meant with him.
By the time he reached his truck, their entourage had dispersed. Only one lone stadium attendant sullenly followed them carrying Lucy’s crutches. Jaxon told the guy to throw them in the back as he helped Lucy into the truck. The guy hung around like he was waiting to be tipped or dismissed. Jaxon ignored him and got in the truck.
The Accidental Boyfriend: A YA Contemporary Romance Novel (The Boyfriend Series Book 7) Page 17
