by Brooke May
“He’s the one who started it.”
What are we, second graders?
“Owen, you are the one who is always starting something with someone here. Back away and find something else to do.”
“Jax, are you okay?” Looking up at the towering man behind me, I give a single nod as my jaw flexes.
“Yeah, I think I’m going to go see if there is anyone to play basketball with.”
“I’ll go with you.” Beaming down at me, he lets go of my chair, and together, we head off to the court while Owen continues to be reprimanded by the other therapist.
Luckily, enough people are in there to form a game of three-on-three. Moving around the half court and hurling the ball to other players was far better than getting my ass kicked out of this amazing gym by hurling something heavy at Owen’s head.
By the time the other team gets to fifteen points, I have sweat pooling in places that no man should have happening after playing a round of basketball. Chugging some water, I make my way back out to the main room and nearly choke on all of it when Len comes into my line of sight.
With wide eyes, I whip my head from one side of the room to the other. I don’t find Owen anywhere, at least from my perspective.
Recovering quickly, I hurry over to her and slide to a stop in front of her before she can get too far into the building. I’m hidden behind the high desk for now, so if Owen is in the locker rooms, he won’t be able to see me.
“Jax.” She hisses in surprise, her eyes widening as well and sweeping around the room just like I did.
“I know, Owen will be here any moment so I’ll be quick.” I lift a hand to silence her. “First off, I want to know why you didn’t get ahold of me.” I pause to give her time to answer.
“I got busy. Dealing with Paige and Parke isn’t easy.”
“That isn’t good enough.” My head shakes. “You could have texted me. You have my number.”
“And you have mine,” she tosses back.
I ignore that jab. “What’s the deal, Len? I thought we hit it off. You said you saw me …” I let it drift away.
“Ow …” She beings to speak, her shoulder slowly dropping as she releases her breath.
“Owen?” I supply, leaning forward with intrigue.
“Owen would just ruin anything I may establish with you. He always does whenever I find someone I’m interested in. Not that it happens often.” She ends in a mutter.
“That’s not fair to you.” I feel a little stupid to point this fact out.
“I don’t want him to get hurt, Jax.” The sadness in her voice matches her expression. I feel bad for confronting her with this.
“So he can hurt you instead?”
Her sadness doesn’t last long. I see a steel wall forming between us as her eyes harden. “You wouldn’t understand, Jax.”
“Explain it to me then.” I try to block her, but seeing her eyes widen alerts me that Owen must be approaching. “Go out with me. Just as friends. Please?”
“I … You … But Owen …” She snarls, but it isn’t a mean one. “Fine, but just as friends.” She points down at me with meaning.
“Good. I’ll talk to you later.” Grabbing her hand, I quickly kiss it and make a tactical retreat.
Chapter Nineteen
“Please tell me someone recorded the two of you?” Levi bends in half with a howl of laughter as I sum up my evening.
I manage to score my first date in a long ass time with a woman I am extremely interested in, and he is more engrossed with the wheelchair fight I got into with Owen.
“That’s what you get from all of that? I get a date, and you want to know if there is footage of my goddamn fight?” Running a hand through my hair, I realize how long it has gotten, and that I need to get it cut.
“Well, yeah. That must have been fucking hilarious.” I’m surprised he has the ability to talk with how hard he is laughing. “Shit, maybe I could see if they have it on the security cameras or something.”
“Levi!” Barking at him does nothing to stop the laughter. Shaking my head when he doesn’t stop, I turn around and head back into my kitchen. When I got back home, I felt like I was finally on cloud nine like I should have felt after the weekend’s event. My happiness was briefly sidelined when I came in and it wasn’t Axle who was slamming around the apartment in his usual after work grouch fest, but Levi raiding my fridge for something. I’m not sure what he was after because he came back empty-handed.
“I’m sorry, Jax, but I can’t get the image out of my head. Why didn’t you just punch him?”
“I didn’t really want to hurt the guy.” Grabbing my water bottle, I take a nice long drink. “He’s just being protective of his sister. I get that, but fuck, he doesn’t need to be so overbearing.”
“Sounds like he needs the pole pulled out of his ass.”
“Something like that,” I mutter. “I won this battle, though, because Len agreed to go out with me.” I can’t stop my smile from beaming at the thought.
“As a friend,” he so kindly points out.
“Details.” Waving him off, I’m suddenly worried about Axle. It isn’t like him to be home this late. “Have you heard from Axle?”
“Yeah, he stopped by quickly and changed before he headed to his gym.”
“That good of a mood?” Axle is the type that no matter what is pissing him off, he manages to focus all of his frustration on working out his body. He’s all about self-punishment rather than inflicting it on others. When I really got to know him and learned of his temper he somehow manages to keep under tight lock and key, I thought he would make a great fighter. Boxing, MMA, whatever, Axle has the build and the ability to do just that, especially with how much he works out his body, but motorsports are more his speed.
At least they were.
“Worse, I think. I’m not totally sure, though. He only grunted at me when we passed in the door and then he was gone.” Falling into a chair at the table, Levi makes himself at home as if he lived here with us. I don’t know what I’m making for dinner, seeing as there are no leftovers anywhere in the house.
Quickly thinking of something to throw together that will be enough for the three of us, I start the oven and begin to put a meal together with the steaks I just bought the other day. The silence flows around the kitchen before I feel the need to discuss Axle a little more.
Now, I don’t make a habit of talking about anyone behind their back, but Levi and I both were there to see the change in Axle, and we would love to see him get back on a bike.
“How do you think he did this weekend?”
“At the event?” I nod. “I think the itch is starting to get to him.”
“If he wasn’t so bullheaded, he could have been out on the track with the other racers.”
“Right?” Levi barks a laugh. “I think it was a step in the right direction, though, Jax. You got him to the event.” He makes a noise before continuing. “What about that Bartin chick?” He blows out a breath. “If I was surprised to see Axle near a track and bikes again, then I can’t tell ya how it was seeing him drool over a woman like he was on Saturday night.”
Levi continues to talk as I season the steaks and put them in the oven before I boil the water for the potatoes. But he talks about Axle and Paige, who were apparently getting busy on the dance floor while I was being mesmerized by the two-toned beauty.
And remembering that, my giddiness takes hold of me once more. You know, the kind of built-up energy that you just what to scream for some unknown reason while frightening everyone around you?
Yeah, that’s how I feel for finally scoring a date with Len.
Even if it is just as friends.
I’ll take what I can get until she relents and declares us dating on more explicit terms.
I would seriously be dancing around the kitchen right now if it wasn’t for my obvious reasons. Instead, I allow myself to do a little jig in my seat from where Levi can’t see me because he’s staring up at t
he ceiling and talking nonstop.
The man loves to hear himself speak. At times, it can be annoying, but at moments like this where I’m not even listening to him and thinking about Len, I don’t mind. I can’t stop thinking about her, and I’ve only been around her on a few short occasions. I’m addicted, and I’m nowhere near satisfied with just having her going on a friend date with me.
“I always thought he would just end up with Megan.” Tuning back into Levi, I add the potatoes to boil.
“And I thought you would die alone with the clap and crabs as your only companions.” Jetting up a brow at him, I wait for the laughter to follow.
“Me too, Jax. Me too.”
“That’s just sad.”
“Not as sad as thinking of you being all lonely and only having women pity fuck you.” His harsh words don’t sting like someone outside of our group may think. It’s the truth, and it’s a bitch to think about.
“Yes, it is.” Picking my water bottle back up, I take a long pull from it. “But maybe my hellish fate of being single will change after my date with Len.”
“You make it sound like being single is a death penalty.”
“To you, it’s heaven, but for me, it’s hell. Levi, I see the happiness my sister has with her own family. I don’t race anymore and have a great job. I want a woman to love me with her whole being and be by me as the years go on, to give me kids, and to push my chair when my arms slowly grow weaker and weaker with age.”
“Shit, man, I didn’t know …” He trails off, looking away from me with a rare somber expression.
“It’s okay. I mean, if I were still able to race, the story may be different, but since I can’t have that anymore, I want a life with someone other than you and Axle. Sorry, but you two aren’t the prettiest things to look at.”
“Ha. Ha.” My attention is drawn away momentarily until my head whips back with Levi’s next words. “You know, you could see if you are capable of quad racing.”
Chapter Twenty
Len: I’ve always wondered what turtles look like without a shell.
Stifling a snort of laughter, I cup my mouth with my hand to keep it locked in. I’m supposed to be focused on the meeting Mr. Landon called for this afternoon. I should be back down in my office, finishing up the final touches to the bonfire.
I feel slightly stressed about having this event so soon after another. This impromptu meeting was called an hour before work let out for the day, and I still have so much to do.
But now that I have appeased Michelle by telling her I’m going out with Len, she is back to talking to me and being more helpful than ever. She is doing everything I need to get done while I’m up here.
“Jax?”
“Hmm?” Looking up from my silenced phone and just one of many messages I have received from Len since last night, I discover Mr. Landon looking at me as well as the others around the boardroom table. “Sorry.” I cringe, unsure what else I’m supposed to say.
“It’s all right. We know you have a lot on your plate at the moment.” Mr. Landon chuckles. “I was asking how the bonfire is coming along.”
“It’s going along great. Everything will run perfectly this weekend.” I know everything will be okay by the time the weekend comes around. I have a good team who helps me, but it doesn’t mean that I’m not a wreck here at work to get this together.
He may run an event company, but Mr. Landon rarely makes an appearance at any of them. Unless it is a massive race with hundreds of sponsors and racers there, he tends to let the younger employees have all the fun.
“Wonderful.” Slapping the table, he turns back to the notes in front of him and begins to ask the next person.
My gaze goes back to my phone as I bring it back to life. A smile creeps back onto my face as I stare at the message and think of something to type back.
Me: Sometimes, I go to the library to sniff old books.
I’m enjoying getting to know her in this way. All day, we have passed random things back and forth. I keep waiting for her to say something about our friend date, but she hasn’t said anything yet.
Len: Weirdo.
Containing my laughter, I turn back to focusing on the meeting until it is over.
I couldn’t get out of the boardroom fast enough. I want to avoid meeting anyone’s gaze to stop them from talking to me. For the first time since I came to work here, I’m ready for the day to end.
“Is everything set?” Rolling up to Michelle’s desk, I catch her right as she hangs up her phone.
“For the day, at least.” She sighs, falling back into her seat. “How was the meeting?”
“Hmm? Oh, good.” I’m staring at my phone again. Something that I never do at work. I know this is going to drive Michelle crazy, but I’m not really in the mood of caring right now.
“You didn’t pay attention, did you?”
“No.” Blanking out my screen, I continue into my office with the hope she won’t follow me.
“Oh no, you’re not getting away with this.” I’m not fast enough because she comes in after me. “You took your phone to a meeting. You never do that.”
Coming around my desk, I pull up to my computer just as my phone lights up with another message.
Staring at it, I don’t want to answer it with Michelle still here.
“No man stares at his lap looking that happy for no reason.” I can hear her eyes rolling. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“Yeah, okay.” Waving her away, I try to put my phone away. I should focus on work, but I can’t do it.
Len: Meet me at 6:30 tonight.
Me: Where?
Her answer comes back quickly with an address and to wear something comfortable. I’m going to have to rush home and change. That means I won’t have the opportunity to work out this evening.
So sad I’ll have to miss seeing Owen today.
Not.
Me: I’ll be there.
Putting away my phone, I get back to work so I can leave as soon as possible. And that is another first for me. Getting my final email sent off, I leave my office within five minutes. Michelle already has her purse slung over her shoulder and is waiting for me.
“I told you so.”
“You know because of your smitten-sensing abilities?”
“You know me so well,” she teases. “Where are you taking her?” Pressing the button for the elevator, she stands back for me to go first when the door opens.
“I’m meeting her somewhere. And before you ask, I don’t know where we are meeting. I just have a time and an address, so I better hurry home and get changed to get my ass there.”
“I hope you have fun, Jax. You deserve someone who fits you perfectly.” Patting me on the shoulder, she follows me out and leaves me at my van while she takes off down to her car.
I’m home within a half hour and find the apartment devoid of the jolly grouchy giant. Even though the man hasn’t been that bad in the past couple of days, I can only presume that it has to do with Len’s dark-haired racer friend.
Changing into some jeans and a loose brown Henley before pulling on my boots, I’m only left with twenty minutes to get to the address Len gave me and still be on time.
Plugging the address into my phone’s GPS, I load myself back into my van. Winding my way through the city, I’m getting closer and closer to my destination, but I’m most definitely going to be late with how bad traffic is.
And then I’m in front of a small building with a huge field behind it with different inflatables scattered around it.
The sign on the building reads Jon’s Paintball Park. How does she expect me to do anything paintball related when I need both hands to move myself around?
Chapter Twenty-One
How am I supposed to shoot and move at the same time?
It isn’t like I can pull from a stock of wheelchairs. I have two, this one and the spare I keep just in case. And that one sure as hell doesn’t have a motor on it either.
My conf
usion doesn’t stop there. Pulling into the parking lot, I don’t see a single open handicap spot anywhere. For the first time since seeing this place and the power of confusion it has over my mind, I notice the entire lot is filled with handicap accessible vehicles.
“That’s why I can’t find a spot.” Getting closer to an empty one, I make sure I back in so I can unload easier.
“You made it!” Just as I’m touching down on the ground, Len springs from behind my van. Her body is encased in loose jeans and a hoodie, leaving me slightly disappointed. “Do you have a hoodie? Because you’re going to need one.”
Her grin is contagious.
“Yeah, could you reach in there and grab one for me, please? Pardon the mess; my giant detailer has been slacking off on me lately.”
“It’s okay. My apartment would match.” Brushing against me, the faint scent of engine exhaust and something fruity passes under my nose. It isn’t a combination I would have found alluring on anyone, but on her, it makes my mouth water.
The memory of how wonderful her lips felt against mine, her body nestled against me as we kissed–
“Jax?”
“Yeah? Sorry.” Shaking my head, I look at her as she hands over one of my many hoodies that have found a home in my van.
“I said, you might want to put this on now.”
“Thanks.” Moving behind me, she starts to push me to the entrance. “I have to tell ya; I’m a little confused about why you wanted to go paintballing.”
“I thought you might, but you’re going to have a lot of fun, or at least, I hope you do.” Her excitement beats back my confusion. I can’t help it. It’s catching and I really hope I’m going to enjoy this as well.
“I hope so, too.”
The doors automatically open for us. It’s a modern convenience, but no one knows how much so until they have to struggle with holding a door open and pushing yourself through.
“There is a local group who contacted Owen a while back, but he never seemed interested. I kept their information just in case he ever changed his mind, and since he hasn’t, I thought of you.” Looking up at her, I watch her small shoulders shrug under the massive hoodie.
