“Can you send that to me?” Karma asked. It would be nice to have a memento of their time together.
“Yep, now let’s get out of here.”
Karma called her dad when she got into the truck to put his mind at ease that she was in fact still in one piece. And then they made the long drive back.
“Is it pathetic that this might possibly be the best day of my life?” Karma asked, her face still flushed.
Jax glanced over at her as if trying to see if she was joking or not. “No, that’s not pathetic at all. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun either,” he admitted.
“What are we going to do next on the list?” Karma scooted toward the middle of the seat. It was like he was a magnet, and she couldn’t resist the pull. She had to be as close to him as possible.
“I’ll look over it tonight. Where did you get the list anyway?”
“Off the Internet,” Karma said sheepishly.
“You didn’t make up any of it?” he asked, taken aback.
“Well, I added number one.”
Jax shook his head. “I’ll be looking at this list with new eyes now.”
“You have to admit there are some good ones on there.”
“There are a lot of good ones on there,” Jax agreed.
“Especially the skinny-dipping.” Karma grinned.
“True, that’s one of my favorites. Have you ever been?” Jax asked.
Karma shook her head no. “What about you?”
“I’ve been a few times.”
Karma was surprised to feel jealous. Of course he'd been skinny-dipping before. I mean look at him. If she had a body like his, she’d walk around naked all the time.
“A bunch of the guys would strip down and go for a swim after boxing practice.”
“Guys? You’ve gone skinny-dipping with guys?” Karma’s eyes widened. That was not at all what she was expecting.
“Sure, it’s not a big deal. Guys are always walking around the locker room naked.”
Did they? Showed how much she knew. In the girls’ locker rooms they were rarely fully naked. Mostly they just walked around in bras and panties.
“So never with a female?” Karma asked, tilting her head to look at him. She didn’t know why she was pushing the issue. It was probably something she’d rather not know.
Jax drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Hmm, well once at summer camp, I think I was like fifteen, guys and girls went skinny-dipping. Let’s just say I’m glad it was dark or I would have embarrassed myself.”
It took Karma a minute to get what he meant. “I’m sure that’s true about most teen boys.”
Jax smiled and her heart melted a little more. Soon she would be nothing but a puddle in the seat. “So you were a boxer?”
“Yep, All State. Boxed a little in college but had to stop.”
“Why?” Karma knew absolutely nothing about boxing. But the thought of him sweaty and kicking the shit out of someone was sort of a turn-on. Okay, that was an understatement.
“Brain rattled around a few too many times.”
“Oh. That doesn’t sound good.” Karma looked over at him, concerned. Scratch the turn-on. Nope, still pretty freaking hot. Maybe that’s why she always felt safe around him. He gave off an air of confidence and strength. Like he wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything.
“I’m fine. What about you, did you play any sports in school?”
“Yeah, right. I’m not what you would call athletic.” Karma snorted.
Jax saw a sign up ahead for Best BBQ in Town. “Hungry?”
“Starved.”
Jax pulled in and they jumped out of the truck. A perfect ending to an amazing day.
Chapter Sixteen
Jax had no idea what to get for a girl he hardly knew on her birthday—but he felt like he had to bring something since she’d invited him to her family get-together. What the hell gift that something was, he had no clue.
He picked up the phone and called his sister Janice. She was the shopper of the family. If anyone knew it would be her. “Hey, sis, got a quick question for you.”
“All right, but make it fast. I’m kinda busy over here trying to wrangle a toddler into the bath.”
“Well, I recently met this girl, and I’m going to her family birthday party, so I need to bring a gift. But, I don’t want anything too over the top or something totally lame. Any suggestions, because I’m all tapped out over here.”
“Let’s back up for a moment. You met a girl? Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s only been a few days.”
“A few days and you want to get her a present?” He could hear the disbelief in her voice.
Jax leaned against the doorframe, already regretting his decision to call his sister. “You don’t think I should?”
After a slight pause, his sister continued in a hesitant tone, “I mean, I guess you could bring her chocolates or something. But don’t go overboard and get her jewelry this early… that would be totally creepy.”
“Well, I definitely don’t want to be creepy. I don’t even know what to wear. I don’t want to show up in jeans, and they’re dressed to the nines.”
“Jackson, what in the world is going on? I haven’t seen you act like this about a girl since Sandra Watkins when you were fifteen years old.”
Why had he called his nosy sister? He should have figured it out on his own. “It’s no big deal. I just didn’t want to be rude, that’s all.”
“Uh-huh—well, good luck. And I expect to meet this mystery girl sooner rather than later,” Janice said. “Wear khakis and a white button-down. Can’t go wrong with that.”
“Yeah, we’ll see. Thanks for the advice.” Jax hung up the phone, frustrated. Maybe he should just forget about bringing anything. It was probably a stupid idea anyway. It really was way too early for gifts. But something about the girl made him want to knock her off her feet. He had less than three weeks to accomplish the impossible task.
After taking a shower he put on the only pair of khaki pants he owned, and pulled a white T-shirt over his head. He thought the button-down was too much so he grabbed a navy blue polo shirt instead. Janice was right, he was acting like a schoolboy. He looked at himself in the mirror with disgust; polo shirts really weren’t his style at all. He tore off the polo and settled with the plain white T-shirt.
A couple of hours later he was once again ringing Karma’s doorbell. She opened the door with a sweet smile. Jax’s eyes wandered appraisingly over her from head to toe. She wore a white sleeveless dress that scooped low at the chest and came a couple of inches above her knees. Her feet were bare, and her toes were painted pink. Jax had to force his eyes back to her face. All he could think about was the other night when his hands ran up her inner thighs and her soft moans. Jesus, he needed to pull himself together. He cleared his throat. “You look great.”
She curtsied with a grin. “Why, thank you. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Happy birthday, by the way.” Jax pulled out the box of cupcakes from behind his back. “I know you said you liked to eat so thought you might like these cupcakes. My mom always made cupcakes for us instead of a cake.”
Karma grabbed the box and opened it up. “Oh my god! Red velvet is my favorite. Dad and Matt will devour the others. Come on in.”
Jax entered the foyer. Her dads were in the living room and stood up to greet him. “Nice to see you both again,” Jax said.
“Glad to have you back,” Garrett responded with a warm smile, and Matt nodded in agreement.
“Dad, look at the cupcakes!” Karma shoved the box under her father’s nose.
Matt reached in and grabbed a chocolate one and started taking it out of the foil. He had a really bad sweet tooth.
Her father gave him a look, but Matt just smiled while shoving half the cupcake in his mouth.
Dad rolled his eyes.
“Did you bring your appetite with you
like Matt over here?” Garrett asked, shaking his head at Matt, who had already downed the entire cupcake.
Jax was never one to turn down free food. “Always.”
“That’s what we like to hear!” Matt grinned, and then smiled up at Garrett. “I made one of Karma’s favorites today.”
“Matt loves to cook,” Karma explained. “He’s amazing, everything he makes is to die for.”
Matt’s face flushed at the compliment.
They made their way to the dining room table, where they devoured the best lasagna Jax had ever had. He was in heaven. He didn’t get enough home cooking living on his own, and at the fire station they mainly relied on takeout.
Halfway through the first movie the doorbell rang. Karma jumped up to answer, and a woman breezed through the door. She was tall, close to six feet with the heels, with legs that went on for miles, flowing blonde hair, and a hundred-watt smile. She was drop-dead gorgeous—seriously wet dream material.
“Surprise!” the woman yelled and twirled, her dress coming up and leaving little to the imagination with her lacy white thong.
“Mom, what are you doing here? I thought you were doing another stint at Betty Ford or whatever clinic of the month.” Karma’s voice was laced with sarcasm. Jax was surprised she would talk to her mother that way.
“And miss my little girl’s birthday?” The woman pushed past Karma and clicked across the hardwood floor. Karma trailed behind her with her shoulders slumped.
What an odd exchange.
“You had no problem missing the last three,” Karma said, clearly irritated.
The woman turned back toward Karma with a hand on her hip. “Shush, honey, you know we don’t talk about the past. Stand back let me get a look at you.” Karma’s arms hung loosely to her side, and she backed up. She looked like a little kid that was about to get scolded.
“That dress looks ridiculous. I see you still have a little too much on the hips. You should really see your father about that. He could fix you right up a little lipo and maybe a nose job at the same time. Get it over with all at once. It would do wonders.” She tapped her finger to her lips. “Maybe even a boob job.”
Karma didn’t say anything. She just brushed past her mom and back into the living room with a huff.
Jax couldn’t believe what he was hearing. No wonder the girl had no confidence. He had to stop himself from getting up and confronting the woman. He didn’t care how good she looked, he couldn’t stand hearing someone talk down to Karma like that. And the fact she was her mother made it a thousand times worse.
Garrett cleared his throat and stood up. “Isabella, a call to let us know you were coming would have been nice.”
“Where’s the surprise in that? So what’s going on, any big plans?” She rubbed her hands together, grinning.
Garrett looked at Karma’s mother wearily. “We’re staying in and watching movies.”
“On her birthday?” Her eyebrows drew together.
“Yes, on her birthday. If you were ever around you would know we do the same thing every year.”
“Well, that’s just boring. We should go out to a nice nightclub.”
“You’re welcome to stay if you want, but we are staying in,” Garrett said firmly.
Isabella made her way into the living room. “Matt, you’re looking wonderful. Did you do something different with your hair?”
Before Matt even had a chance to answer she turned her attention to Jax. Karma had come back and sat next to him. “Well, who is this handsome young man?”
Karma groaned loudly. “Mom, this is my friend Jax. I’m sure you have better things to do than hang out with us.”
“Nonsense, scoot over.” She wedged herself between Jax and the end of the couch.
He was very uncomfortable. What in the hell was wrong with this woman?
“Friend? What kind of friend?” Her eyes trailed him up and down, making him very uncomfortable.
Jax didn’t think; he just reacted. He reached over and grabbed Karma’s hand, giving it a light squeeze. “We’re dating.”
She leaned over Jax, her hair tickling his face, and he tried to press himself further into the couch.
“Dating? Karma, how could you keep this from me?”
“Gee, I wonder, Mom.” Her lips twisted. A dark bitterness lay beneath her words.
Isabella’s eyes roamed down Jax’s body again like a cougar ready to strike, and he squirmed a bit. Isabella placed her fingertips on his forearm. “I’m sorry but I just have to ask. Why are you dating my daughter? Is because of the money?”
“Wh-what?” Jax asked, incredulous.
“Guys like you don’t date girls like Karma. It’s just how it is.”
Jax looked over at Karma. Was this woman for real? Karma’s face was a bright shade of red, and she had tears in her eyes. Real tears. Her beautiful gray eyes were glossy and mortified. He turned back and met the woman’s gaze. “I’m dating Karma because she’s kind, beautiful, makes me laugh, and everything about her drives me completely crazy,” Jax said, surprising himself and, obviously, Isabella.
“Karma?”
“Yes, Karma! And from the sounds of it, maybe if you took a little time to get to know your daughter you might see that too.”
Isabella’s turned, mouth agape, to look at Karma’s father. “Garrett, are you going to let him talk to me like that?”
“I’d say he’s spot on Isabella, and he’s welcome in my house any time he pleases. You, on the other hand, need to go. How dare you come in here and try to ruin her birthday. You really are a cold selfish bitch!”
Isabella looked around, her mouth still hanging open. She pushed herself up to standing, brushed down her dress, and landed her eyes on Karma. “I really just wanted to spend your birthday with you.”
“Maybe next year,” Karma said in a detached tone.
Garrett took her by the arm and led her to the door. She walked out with her head held high without even glancing back at her daughter.
What a freaking piece of work, Jax thought. She deserved to be tortured for destroying Karma’s self-confidence.
“Yeah, so that’s my mom, sweet, isn’t she?” Karma had dropped the mask back in place, and tears were no long evident.
“I don’t even know what the hell to say about that bullshit that just happened.” Jax looked over at Matt for help.
He just shook his head and held up his hands. “I can’t go there. I get too worked up. That woman is a vile snake,” Matt said, and Garrett placed his hand on Matt’s shoulder. “Sorry, Karma, I shouldn’t have said that. She’s still your mother.”
“It’s the truth, no need to apologize.” Karma rolled her eyes and laid her head back on the cushion.
Garrett stood back up. “Why don’t we take a break and have those cupcakes. I got ice cream, we can make root beer floats.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Karma stood and plastered a smile on her face, but Jax knew it was a front. His sisters would be a blubbering mess if anyone had said anything so cruel to them, let alone their own mother. He had no idea how she was holding it together. Then it hit him—years of practice, he thought bitterly.
Jax waited until Garrett and Matt entered the kitchen, leaving them alone. Jax grabbed Karma by the elbows and pulled her close. “I meant every word I said.”
She buried her head in his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. She didn’t say anything, but the way she squeezed him tightly said enough. He smoothed her hair down kissed her on the forehead before they joined her dads in the kitchen.
Chapter Seventeen
Whenever Karma’s mother was around, she felt like a hollowed-out version of herself. And to have Jax in the same room made the feeling that much rawer.
Why wouldn’t she ever be good enough for her mother’s approval? And why the hell did she have to insult her in front of Jax? It was bad enough she’d had to deal with her mom’s snide remarks all her life, but for her to do it in front of him was unforgivable. Karma w
rapped her arms across her chest. What she really wanted to do was run to her room and cry herself to sleep. But she had to put on a front and somehow make it through the rest of the evening.
Her eyes flicked over to Jax. He looked up at the same time, his lips quirked up. She still couldn’t believe he’d defended her to the wicked witch of the west. She had to admit the look on her mom’s face was priceless. It sort of dulled the edge of the humiliation. His words were so sweet. He’d sounded so sincere, but as much as she wanted to believe him, she still had doubts. Her mother was right—men like Jax didn’t fall for girls like her. He was perfect in every way, and she was a broken disaster. As much as she tried to hold herself together she was always so close to cracking.
“Karma.” Jax nudged her arm softly. “Your dad is talking to you.”
She looked up and blinked her eyes a couple of times, pulling herself back to the present. “Sorry, what did you say?”
Her father turned back to look out the window before speaking again. “I just said it looks like a storm is headed this way.”
“Is it?” Karma loved storms; they relaxed her for some reason. She took a sip of her root beer float—cold and creamy with just the right amount of ice cream. “This is great. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I think it’s time for your present.” Garrett looked over at Matt, and they shared a secret smile.
Karma had no idea what they got her this year. They kept it tight-lipped. Usually, she was dying to know but after the incident with her mother, she really wasn’t in the mood for presents. But she couldn’t disappoint them.
“What is it?” Karma sat up straighter and gave them her undivided attention.
“Well, we had a hard time deciding this year. I mean you are twenty now,” Matt said with a gleam in his eye. He loved surprises. It was sort of his thing. During Christmas, he’d hide presents around the house instead of under the tree. Made for some fun times and also huge messes that her father grinned and bore to humor Matt.
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