“I’m not that bad,” I argue, but it comes out weak, even to my own ears.
“Bet,” he counters, retrieving both our axes.
My jaw clenches as I take mine from him. “Even if thatwere true—which I’m not saying it is—it doesn’t matter. She’s made it clear she doesn’t want anything serious.”
“And you’re okay with that?” he challenges. “The tables being turned on you?”
I hesitate, tapping the eye of the axe head against my palm. “It’s complicated.”
“Always is,” he replies, clapping me on the shoulder with a laugh. “Now, are we gonna throw or talk about our feelings all night?”
“Dick,” I mutter, making him grin even wider.
I line up my shot, trying my best to focus on what’s in front of me instead of the woman who’s going to be sleeping under my roof for God knows how long. The thought of her in my house, in my space, makes something possessive flare in my chest.
The hatchet flies, hitting the bullseye with a solid thump.
“You know,” Ryder says casually as he steps up to the line again. “If those guys really are headed this way, we should be prepared.”
“How so?”
“I still have connections with a few of my Marine brothers. Guys who would know how to handle a situation like this.”
I consider his offer for a moment. “Let’s see what Dylan digs up first. If things escalate, we call for backup.”
“Fair enough,” he nods.
After a few more rounds, we call it a night.
When I get home, I sit in my truck, gathering my thoughts. Sasha’s living room light is on next door.
Having her stay with me is for sure the right call, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about it. Not because I’m worried about keeping my hands off her, but because having her in my space, in my life, feels significant. I tried talking her into coming over tonight, but she wasn’thaving it.
Taking a deep breath, I grab my keys and head inside. Whatever this thing is between us, first thing tomorrow morning, I’m going to have to face it head-on.
My morning routinefeels off knowing Sasha is coming over soon. I’ve scrubbed the whole house, changed the sheets in the guest room, and now I’m sitting on the couch, knee bouncing while I wait for her to text that she’s on her way over.
When my phone finally buzzes a little after nine, I nearly jump out of my skin.
SWEET CHEEKS
Heading over in 5
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my heart as it starts to race. This is ridiculous.
A soft knock forces me out of my downward spiral, and I jump up to answer the front door.
Standing on my porch with a small duffel bag slung over her shoulder, Sasha looks a little on edge. “Hi,” she says, offering a tired smile.
“Hey there.” I step aside to let her in. “That all you’re bringing?”
She shrugs as she brushes past me, stepping inside. “My house is literally right next door, Jax. If I need anything else, I can just run over and grab it.”
I lock the door behind her, double-checking the deadbolt. “Okay. Let me show you around. The guest room is upstairs.”
She follows me up the stairs, and I can’t help but notice howquiet she is. Usually, she’s full of energy, but this morning she seems subdued. I don’t blame her—finding out your ex might have gotten you mixed up with the mob would fuck with anyone’s head.
“So this is my room,” I say, pushing open the first door at the top of the stairs.