by Nicole Dykes
“Yeah, I got that. Leaving me to protect me, is the worst thing you could ever do to me.”
I move my hand to the stubble on his cheek, “I’m so sorry.”
His lips brush mine, “Don’t be. Just don’t do it ever again.”
I nod my head and we kiss until he breaks it by pulling away casually, “I’m going to Brooke and Dylan’s tonight for dinner. Will you come with me?”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Yes.”
“As friends?”
He shakes his head, “Hell no. As an official couple.”
The thought of telling people that we are together, cementing our relationship, sends a thrill through me. I really want that. “But…”
“Charlotte, Dylan knows, that means Brooke knows. Dylan has my back no matter what.”
“They must hate me.”
He laughs at that, like it is a completely insane notion, “No, they don’t. Trust me, as far as they are concerned. You are now a part of this crazy ass family.”
“Just like that?”
He chuckles again and pulls me to him. His large arm wraps around my shoulder again, my head resting on his. “Just like that. The Monroes are just that way. I think it all started with their mom, Sylvia.”
“Dylan’s mom?”
“The kids’ mom and his step mom, but she was the only mom Dylan ever really knew. Anyway, Sylvia would take in anyone. When I first met Dylan in college, I was pissed off at the world. I wasn’t fun to be around, but when I went to his house for the holidays Sylvia took right to me. Made sure I was comfortable, not as a guest, but as instant family. It was fucking strange, but in a good way.”
I smile at that. He’s really not holding anything back from me anymore and it warms my heart to know that. “She sounds amazing.”
“She was. She’s missed, but Brooke kinda came right in, she didn't take the place of Silvia, but managed to somehow semi-fill the void and make things okay for the kids again.”
“They are great kids. And Brooke and Dylan are amazing. I can’t imagine them being okay with this. I can ruin their lives. Lives that they had to scrape back together.”
“I promise, it’ll be okay. You’ll see tonight.”
I nod, “Okay. I trust you.” I kiss his soft lips again, “Always.”
Last night when I told Jackson that I loved him, I could sense fear. I meant it, but I don’t want to upset him. I understand that he’s not ready to say it back even though I’m nearly certain he feels the same.
He’s been so amazing with me. I can be patient with him.
That night we are standing outside of Brooke and Dylan’s front door. I straighten out my skirt. I’m tense and feel really nervous going to dinner with the Monroes. I know that Jackson said they will be okay with me joining them tonight, but I just don’t know how that is possible.
Jackson takes my hand in his, “Relax.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t touch. Give them time to warm up to the idea of us.”
He grins and removes his hand from mine, but then wraps his entire arm around my shoulder, pulling me safely next to him.
Before I can argue, Cassie Monroe opens the door, “Jax! Finally! Do you always have to be late? I’m starving!” Her eyes go to Jackson’s arm across my shoulder and her eyebrows quirk, her lips curve into a coy smile, “Ah. So this is happening, now? I wondered how long it would take.”
Jax laughs and drops his arm, taking my hand again and leading me inside, “Cool it.”
Cassie just laughs and we all walk into the dining room everyone is already seated at the table. We must be late. Brooke stands up from her seat and greets me with a warm smile, “Charlotte, it’s so good to see you.”
She seems to really mean it. “Thank you so much for having me in your home again.”
“Anytime, Charlotte. Please take a seat, everything is ready.”
Jackson pulls a chair out for me to sit in, I take it and he sits next to me. It’s quiet as everyone starts to dig into the amazing dinner Brooke has prepared.
It’s awkward, everyone’s eyes seem to continue to drift to Jackson and myself. The elephant in the room.
The youngest boy, Michael is the first one to break the silence, “So you guys are dating now?”
Dylan gives him a stern warning, “Michael. Be quiet.”
He looks irritated by his dismissal and then Jackson says, confidently, “Yeah, we are dating.”
The adorable Gabby perks up, “I thought Charlotte is married?” She turns to Brooke who is sitting next to her, “Married people can date?”
Brooke smiles patiently at her and shakes her head, “Um…no. This is different.”
Alex who is sitting next to her fiancé, looks over at Jackson with clear irritation, “And how is this different?”
Her fiancé, Stephen shakes his head like he is used to Alex speaking her mind. Jackson looks her dead in the eye, “It’s different because Charlotte’s marriage has ended.”
Gabby, bless her, curiosity looks over at me, “So you aren’t married anymore?”
I don’t think it’s my place to explain any of this to her, although I’m sure most children are aware of divorce in this day and age. I give her a simple answer because the day my husband hit me, the day I left, that’s when my marriage ended. “No.”
“So you actually filed for divorce or you just promised to?” That comes from Alex.
Clearly, I’m not the only that picked up on the hostility in her tone because Luke says, “Damn, Alex. Chill out.”
She looks over at Luke, “Really Luke, you are a partner in Tricked. You are really cool with all of this?”
Luke runs his fingers through his thick hair, “Yeah, I am. If they really care about each other. There’s no fighting it anyway, Alex.”
He shares a sweet, secret smile with his girlfriend Hannah.
Jackson grips my hand under the table, “Alex, if you have a problem we can talk about this later.”
Alex just can’t seem to let it go and asks Brooke, “So you knew about this and didn’t tell me?”
“Well I’ve been a little busy lately, Alex. I thought I would let Jax tell you.”
She shakes her head and her fiancé rubs her shoulder with one hand, I’m sure trying to calm her down. “Well Jax and I don’t really talk all that much anymore. He’s been busy ruining his life and all of yours. Everyone is just sitting around acting like it’s no big deal.”
I can feel the tension coming from Jackson’s body next to mine, “What the hell is your problem, Alex?”
“I just told you.”
Brooke rubs her temples with her fingers, “Alex, calm down. This isn’t really the time.”
“You’re right.” Alex gets up from the table and walks outside to the backyard.
Dylan looks over at me, catching my attention, “Don’t worry about her. She doesn’t handle change well.”
“She’s acting like a fucking teenager.” Jackson says.
Gabby points her finger at Jackson, “Um! You aren’t supposed to say that word.”
Everyone gets a small laugh at that and Stephen stands up from his chair, “I’ll go talk to her.”
I let go of Jackson’s hand and stand, “Actually, if it’s okay I will talk to her.”
Everyone’s eyes dart to me and Luke is the first one to say, “You don’t want to do that. She’s scary when she’s pissed.”
Everyone nods their heads including Jackson.
“I know that I’m not her favorite person, but I care about Jackson and want to try.”
Jackson grins up at me, “If you need backup, yell.”
I smile and shake my head and walk out the back door with everyone’s fearful eyes on me as I leave the dining room.
Alex is sitting on metal chair that sits by the large pool outside, closed for winter. I take a lounge chair next to hers, “Why are you out here?”
“To ask you the same thing.”
She rolls her ey
es, “Charlotte, it’s nothing personal. I don’t want to talk.”
“I think it is very personal. I know that you and Jackson have been friends for a long time and that you are protective of him.”
She points toward the house, “Those people in there, they mean everything to me and then you come in and threaten it all.”
I nod my head, understanding what she is saying, “I know. And I tried to fight it, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”
She turns to me, coldly, “Not even your husband?”
Maybe I don’t owe her anything in some people’s eyes, but in mine I think I do. Jackson is one of her best friends. A man that she has been intimate with and cares for. Brooke has been her friend for a long time and they are like sisters. Alex is fiercely protective of them all, “No. Looking back, I’m not sure how I ever thought what I had with my husband was love. Jackson made me feel things I never thought were possible.”
She scoffs at that, “I bet he did.”
“Bravery, courage, confidence in myself. True love.”
That seems to get her attention, “You love him?”
I nod, “Yes. And I know a part of you does too.”
“I’m getting married to the man I love. Jax is a friend, a very dear friend.”
“I understand that. I’m happy for you and I know Jackson is too. So as his friend, I hope you can be happy for him.”
“You are going to cause him so much pain.”
I lean back in the chair, “I know. That’s why I tried to walk away last night.”
“So you already tried to leave him?”
I nod my head. I have a feeling that this group doesn’t have many secrets from each other. If I want to gain their trust I need to be open and honest. “I did. My husband has threatened to destroy his business and reputation if I don’t leave him. I tried, but Jackson wouldn’t let me go.”
“Yeah, well he’s a stubborn ass.”
I smile, “Thank God. I didn’t want to. And I will never run from him again. We are stronger together, but I’m going to do everything I can to protect him. Protect all of you.”
Alex sits up, leaning closer to my chair, examining my face. There are lights around the pool, that have the backyard well-lit so we can see each other clearly. I keep my face calm. “Damn.”
“What?”
“You really do love him. And I want to hate you.”
“I don’t blame you.”
She smiles, “So you are getting a divorce?”
“Yes. I already filed the papers. It’s his move now, but I won’t back down no matter what.”
She nods. “I’m not in love with Jax. Just so that’s clear. I’ll always be a little jealous when it comes to him, but him and I just aren’t right for one another. I just never expected him to date anyone seriously. I can see why he picked you though. It’s the same reason I need Stephen. We're wild. And you guys can ground us.”
I raise an eyebrow over at her, “What do you mean exactly?”
She continues in her brutal honesty, “When I met Stephen, I had thought I wanted Jax, but then everything just clicked. He seemed like the boring pick to Jax, but really he was just the person that made me whole. I was terrified to accept his proposal because he was almost too perfect for me. I thought I needed drama for passion, but there is passion in our lives without constant bickering. That's who you are for him and I see it now.”
“I understand that too.”
She shakes her head and leans back in her chair, “Well damn, I guess Jackson Garrett is actually going to have a plus one to my wedding. That is if Stephen will forgive me for my outburst. Of course, we have talked about all of this several times and he seems to totally understand. He’s incredible.”
“I see the way he looks at you. I have no doubt he will.” I smile happily over at her.
It may be a long road with Alex, but I’m willing to put in an enormous amount of work to make Jackson happy.
If she’s important to him, and I know she is, then she’s important to me.
Chapter 42
Jax
“What the fuck can they possibly be talking about?”
Dylan peeks out the kitchen window at Alex and Charlotte sitting in the backyard, “Well they are laughing so they must be talking about the size of your cock.”
“Trust me that’s no laughing matter.”
He grins and Brooke hands me a newly dried plate to put up into the cupboard, “Really guys? Dick jokes? How old are you two? Twelve?”
Dylan who is on washing duty laughs at that and kisses her on the neck.
No one else is in the kitchen with us. After dinner, Luke and Hannah split, Gabby and Cassie went to their own rooms to work on homework and Stephen went with Michael to play some “awesome” new game. Those two really have a lot in common.
I watch Charlotte and Alex talking in the pool area, “Seriously, maybe I should go out there.”
Brooke shakes her head, grinning. I think she’s enjoying watching me sweat, “Look, those two need to work it out. It sounds like Charlotte is going to be around a lot and we all know that Alex isn’t going anywhere.” She points outside, “They are laughing. That’s way better than I thought that was going to go. Let them talk.”
“I don’t understand what the fuck her problem with Charlotte is.”
Dylan shakes his head like he doesn’t get it either, “I think she’s in love with you.”
Brooke smacks his chest with her wet hand, leaving a wet spot on his shirt, “She’s not in love with Jax. It’s just the finality of it all. Everything is changing.”
“She’s getting married.” I add.
“Yes, she is. I just don’t think any of us saw this happening so quickly with you. And now it’s like the final nail in the coffin of what used to be. It’s a good thing, but it’s hard.”
I look to Dylan, “Don’t you ever get tired of this shit?”
“What? Her being right about everything?”
“Yeah, that.”
He laughs, “Oh yeah. It’s totally annoying.”
I put away the last dish and Brooke smacks him again, before he wraps her into a big bear hug. “You both love it. Where would you be without me?”
Dylan whispers loudly in her ear, “I don’t want to think about that.” He speaks louder, “Will you please go upstairs and soak in a tub. Read. Relax.”
Poor guy.
“Yes, I can do that. I have some casefiles to read.”
“Brooke… We talked about this.”
She rolls her eyes and pulls away from him, hands on her hips. “I know. It’s not like I’m rushing out to physically work on a case. I’m just going upstairs to read.”
“Casefiles. You are working crazy hours for an eight, almost nine-month pregnant woman.”
“I’m not going to change who I am, Dylan. I care about all of these people.”
“Will you at least read them in the tub?”
Brooke smiles and kisses his cheek, “Deal.”
She says goodbye to me and walks, more like waddles, up the stairs.
“That fucking woman is going to kill me.”
I laugh at that, “Yeah she just might. Or Cassie will.”
He groans at that, “Fuck. She’s actually been fairly pleasant since that night we caught her at the bar. I know something else will happen though.”
I keep one eye on the backyard. “Yeah well, just keep doing what you are doing. Cass is a good kid. She’ll be fine.”
He pats me on one shoulder, “And everything will be fine with the shop.”
“I hope so man. He has pictures of Charlotte and I.”
“Fucking?”
I shake my head, grinning, “No. But it looks bad.”
He shrugs, “It’ll still be fine.”
I nod my head, “I’m going to go break this shit up. I can’t take it anymore.”
He laughs, “Good luck.”
I walk outside and over to Charlotte and Alex who immedi
ately stop talking and look at me. Both giggling when the see me.
Were they talking about my cock?
This is weird. “Everything okay?”
Alex stands up and gives me a quick hug, “I’m sorry. I was an ass. Don’t hurt her.”
With that strange fucking statement, she leaves and I sit next to Charlotte on her lounge chairs. She’s bright and cheery, “Hi.”
I kiss her lips, quickly, “Hi. Are you okay?”
She laughs, “I’m great. We just needed to get everything out in the open.”
“So everything is okay?”
She nods, “She loves you.” I raise one eyebrow in confusion and then she adds, “Not like that.”
I had a feeling that wasn’t it, but I’ll admit that sentence freaked me out for a minute. Alex and I would be just like Emma and I. Alex, is strong, opinionated, and sometimes way too jealous for her own good. It would most certainly end in disaster and I think she knows it now too.
Charlotte then says, “She’s protective of you and the family. She was worried I was going to wreck that. Just like I am.”
“You haven’t ruined anything.”
She smiles, placing her hand on my chest, “I’ve messed everything up and rearranged your life.”
“In the best fucking way.”
She kisses me again, resting her forehead on mine, “Yes. I feel the same way. And I explained that to Alex. She gets it.”
“Well damn. I’m glad you talked to her. Let’s get out of here.”
She nods, emphatically and we leave quickly to drive back to her condo. We barely make it inside before tearing into one another.
Tuesday morning, I wake up in Charlotte’s bed again. I’m here way more than my own place now and it’s the way I like it.
Yesterday was the deadline Nicholas gave her to go back to him. He didn’t call incessantly like we both expected. He didn’t call at all.
The day passed by with nothing significant happening, but we are both tense bracing ourselves for the worst.
No matter what happens, we are in this together.
Charlotte sits up, wearing the t-shirt I wore yesterday and stretches her long arms above her head. “Good morning.”