by J. L. Perry
Quickly gathering her things, she stands. ‘I’ve gotta go.’
‘Okay.’
‘Oh, Sophia asked if you want to come over for dinner again tonight.’
‘Sure, I’d love to.’
She leans across the table and plants a soft kiss on my cheek. ‘Great. Can I get a lift with you again?’
‘Of course.’
She smiles. ‘As soon as I finish I’ll come to the shop. Bye, Jax.’
‘Bye.’
She rushes out of the café. I just sit there smiling like a damn idiot. I put my hand over the spot she just kissed. I’m pathetic. It was an innocent peck, but a kiss nevertheless.
I’m only back in the shop twenty minutes when Candice comes barrelling through the door. My heart drops the second I see tears streaming down her beautiful face.
‘Christ. Are you okay?’ I ask as I round the counter towards her.
She falls into my arms and sobs against my chest. ‘My boss screamed at me in front of my client for being late back from lunch. I just lost it, Jax. She’s such a cow. I’m sick of the way she treats me, so I told her to shove her job up her arse and walked out.’
I have to suppress my smile when she says that. I run my hand down her back to comfort her while she sniffles.
‘Do you still need a receptionist?’
‘Hell, yes.’ This time there’s no stopping the smile from forming. I hate that Candice’s boss upset her, but things couldn’t have worked out better if I’d planned them myself.
JAX
‘YOU NEED TO TAKE AT LEAST ONE DAY OFF A WEEK,’ CANDICE says as I look over the diary. ‘You work too hard, Jax. I’m worried about you.’
Her comment makes me smile. She’s been working here for almost two weeks now, and I couldn’t be happier. Candice has slotted in perfectly, just like I knew she would. My trusty sidekick. She runs rings around Moody Mandy. My other employees and our clients all love her, which doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. She’s an easy person to love.
Sophia blew a gasket when we arrived home for dinner the night Candice quit, but calmed down once Candice explained what happened. She hadn’t realised how horribly her boss had been treating her. That’s when the mama bear reared her head.
‘Is that why I have a clear calendar on Tuesday?’ I ask, grinning.
‘Uh huh. As of next week, Tuesdays will be your day off.’
‘Is that so?’ She’s been looking after me from the day she started, and I gotta say, I love it. It’s nice to have someone care for you and look out for your wellbeing. It’s not something I’m used to.
‘It’ll do you good. You can take up golf or something.’
‘Golf? I don’t think so. You’ll never catch me in a pair of those ridiculous pants.’
She snickers from beside me because she knows damn well that’s not something I’d ever be interested in. It’ll be good to have some time off, though. I can sleep in or catch up on the things I never find time to do.
I place a chaste kiss on the side of her head. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
My gaze moves to the door when the buzzer chimes. It’s Jason, my next client.
‘Hey,’ I say as he approaches the counter.
‘Hey, Jax.’ I’ve been working on his full-arm sleeve for over a month. He’s a bit of a wuss, so I can only do a small patch at a time. It’s going to look wicked once it’s finished.
I get instantly annoyed when his gaze moves to Candice—I know that look.
‘And who do we have here?’ he asks, extending his hand.
‘I’m Candice, Jax’s new receptionist,’ she replies, reaching across the desk to shake his hand.
Is it wrong that I want to pry their hands apart? I’d be naive to think guys wouldn’t hit on her—she’s beautiful. Having to witness it though, and pretend I’m not affected by it, is gonna be tough. In my heart, Candice still belongs to me. Maybe having her here isn’t such a brilliant idea after all.
‘Well ain’t you a pretty little thing?’
I clear my throat when Candice drops her head and a blush creeps onto her cheeks. He used the same line on Mandy when she was working here, but it didn’t bother me in the slightest. This does. A fucking lot. I don’t mind Jason, but to be honest, he’s a bit of a tool. He’s always big-noting himself, bragging about all his connections and female conquests. He never stops talking about himself, actually. I usually tune him out before our session is over. I’m certainly not one to judge him on his philandering ways, because I sleep around too, but I’ve never been the type to kiss and tell or brag about it.
Jason finally lets go of her hand, but leans into her. ‘Please tell me you don’t have a boyfriend.’
I’ve never been a violent man, but in this moment, I seriously want to knock him the fuck out.
‘Yes, she does,’ I cut in before Candice has a chance to answer. She gasps as her head snaps in my direction, but I resist the urge to look her way. I know her well enough to realise she’s unhappy with my comment, but I don’t give a shit. There’s no way in hell I’d let her go out with this guy. Not only is he a manwhore, he associates with bikie gangs. Well, he says he does. He could be full of shit, but that’s a chance I’m not prepared to take. I give him a look that says, shut the fuck up. I’m relieved when he doesn’t say another word.
There’s an amused smirk on his face as his eyes lock with mine. ‘Are you ready for me, boss?’
‘Yep.’ I’d love to smack that look right off his smug head. It’s the first time I’ve ever had violent tendencies towards one of my clients. Why does this woman bring out the best and absolute worst in me?
I see him wink at Candice out of the corner of my eye when I turn to walk to my studio. Fucker. I may have to press extra hard on the needle today.
••••
‘What the hell was all that about today?’ Candice snaps the moment we lock up and head down the street to my place. They’re the first words she’s spoken to me since the incident with Jason. She obviously waited until we were alone so she could serve me my balls on a platter.
I’ve been having dinner at her house every weeknight since she started working for me. When we finish up for the day, we walk back to my place to collect my car. Candice, Sophia and Maddie live about a ten-minute drive away, in Ultimo.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ I reply, shoving my hands into my pockets.
‘Bullshit, Jax. You tried to cock block me.’
She’s right, I did. But her comment infuriates me nevertheless. The thought of her even wanting to be with someone in that way messes with my head. I have no right to stand in her way, but she can do so much better than that cockhead.
Inhaling a frustrated breath, I stop walking and face her. ‘He’s not the right guy for you, Candice.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, really.’
‘Since when did you become the boyfriend police? You had no right to say what you did today.’
‘I was only looking out for you. Can we just drop it?’
‘No. I won’t drop it. You can’t tell me who I can and cannot go out with, Jaxson Albright.’
Oh shit. She usually only uses my full name when she’s really pissed.
‘He’s a cock. He treats women like shit, plus he has connections. I don’t want you involved with a guy like that.’
‘What type of connections? He didn’t seem like the “connections” type.’
I almost want to laugh at her comment. Is there such a thing as a connections type?
‘Just connections, all right? You don’t need to worry about it. Just stay the hell away from him.’
Her eyes narrow as her hands bear down on my chest, shoving me. ‘Connections, my arse. You’re just making that up.’
‘It’s true.’ Sure, there was an ulterior motive for what I did today, but I was looking out for her as well.
‘Bullshit. The only connections he has is at McDonald’s—when
he’s connected to their free wifi.’
As mad as I am, this time I do laugh. Candice has always been quick-witted, with the best comebacks.
‘It’s not funny, Jax. This is my life you’re fucking with.’
When I see the tears glistening in her eyes, I feel like an arsehole for making light of the situation. This whole friendship thing is going to be harder than I thought. I was a fool to think things could go back to the way they were.
‘I’m not trying to fuck up your life, Candice, I’m looking out for you. There’s a difference.’ I turn and continue walking down the street. I can’t have this conversation with her—it would only end badly.
No words are spoken the rest of the way, not even once we’re in the car heading to her house. I ended up buying my dream car—the 1967 Ford Mustang I’d always wanted. It’s a fucking gem. I love it. It needed a bit of work when I got it, but it went for a good price. A steal actually. The old guy I bought it from had no use for it anymore. To him it wasn’t a classic, it was just an old car. One of my clients is a mechanic, so we did a trade. I did his ink for free, and he got my baby running in tip-top condition. I had all the interior re-covered. All it needs now is a shiny new paint job, and it’ll be as good as new. When I have some spare cash, I’ll get it done.
My head is spinning on the drive to Candice’s house. I love having her with me during the day, and then playing happy families with her, Sophia and Maddie at night; they’ve welcomed me back into their lives with open arms. For my own sanity though, I think I need to put a bit of distance between us. If I don’t pull my head in, I’ll end up losing her again. I can’t let that happen.
She’s still staring out the window when we pull into her driveway. I have to make things right. When I see her reach for the doorhandle, I place my hand on her knee.
‘Candice, wait. I’m sorry.’
Turning in her seat, she faces me. The hurt I see in her beautiful blue eyes tears me up inside.
‘I shouldn’t have said what I did today.’ This is going to be hard for me to say, but it needs to be said. I take a deep breath before I continue. ‘I know we’re just friends and I have no right to interfere, but please not with Jason. You deserve better than a guy like him.’
It would be selfish of me to stop her from finding happiness. I only wish I was that type of guy to give her that, but I’m not. I’d only end up disappointing her, like I did my own family, and like I did when I left her without saying goodbye. It’s what I do best. I’ve never been with the same girl more than once, and I’m pretty sure I don’t have it in me to commit, so I’m not about to risk everything with Candice again on an uncertainty.
She sighs, and her gaze drops to her lap. When I see her wipe under her eye, I know she’s still upset. Everything in me wants to pull her into my arms, but we need distance—that’s the only way we’ll survive this. Comforting each other was what got us into this mess in the first place.
I wait for her reply, but it never comes. Reaching for the doorhandle again, she gets out of the car. ‘Are you coming in?’ she asks.
‘I don’t think it’s a good idea. Tell your mum I’m sorry.’
‘Fine.’ She slams the door before running across the lawn towards the house.
I sit there and watch until she disappears inside.
‘Fuck.’ I bang my hands on the steering wheel. I hope I haven’t ruined things again.
••••
I feel like shit when I leave for work the next morning. My head hurts like hell. After leaving Candice’s, I had a meeting with my old friend Jack Daniels. I polished off three-quarters of a bottle before I eventually crashed. I needed the escape—reality can be a bitch sometimes.
When I arrive at the shop, my shitty mood intensifies when I see someone has sprayed Arsehole across my front shutters. I know Candice would never do something like that. Well, I hope she wouldn’t. It could’ve been that psycho Moody Mandy. She did call me an arsehole the day I fired her.
‘Fuck,’ I mumble under my breath as I scrub my hand over my face. I don’t need this shit today.
I google a local graffiti removal company on my phone when I get inside, jotting their number down on the notepad on the counter. I’ll get Candice to call them when she gets here. That’s if she shows up.
Thankfully, a few minutes later she pushes through the front door. I feel immediate relief.
‘Morning,’ I say, giving her a look that hopefully conveys my apologies for yesterday.
‘Morning.’ She gives me a weak smile in return as she stows her bag under the counter. It’s not the greeting I’d hoped for, but she’s here and that’s a start.
‘Can you give this number a call after nine?’ I ask. ‘Someone spray-painted “Arsehole” on the front shutter last night.’
‘What? Who would do that?’
I shrug, because I have no clue.
‘Do you think it was kids?’
‘I doubt it. They usually use a tag.’
‘Guess I’m not the only one you’ve pissed off recently then.’
‘Guess not,’ I reply dryly.
Candice pulls her purse from her bag. ‘I’m gonna go and get a coffee, I’ll call them when I get back. Do you want one?’
‘I’d love one.’ I pull my wallet out of my back pocket and hold out a twenty-dollar note, but she waves it away.
‘I think I can afford to shout you a coffee, Jax.’
‘Candice,’ I call out when she reaches the door. ‘Are we okay?’
‘We will be, as long as you don’t pull another dick move like you did yesterday.’
‘I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.’ That’s the most honest answer I can give her. I’ll always protect her, because she means the world to me. If a situation arises and I need to step in, you can be damned sure I will. I see a smile tug at her lips before she turns and goes out the door.
As the day progresses, nothing much changes. Candice is polite, but it’s plain to see she’s still pissed off. Women. I don’t think I’ll ever understand them.
I’m in my studio when she knocks on the door at the end of the day.
‘I’m heading home. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘You don’t want a lift?’
‘No. I’ve asked Sophia to come and get me.’
I give her a casual smile, trying not to let her see I’m hurt by her brush-off. ‘Oh. Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Bye, Jax.’
‘Bye.’
Fuck. This is worse than I thought.
CANDICE
‘HEY SWEETIE,’ SOPHIA SAYS WHEN I CLIMB INTO THE CAR.
‘Hey.’ I give her a weak smile before turning and reaching into the back seat, running my hand affectionately down Maddie’s leg. ‘Hey, baby girl.’
‘Jax!’ Maddie screams as she points out the window at the tattoo parlour.
Turning back around in my seat, I look out my window. He’s standing behind the glass door, watching us. His hands are shoved in the pockets of his jeans, and the look on his face only serves to make me sadder. I feel bad about the way I’ve been acting today, but I’m hurt. I’m not even interested in stupid Jason. What upsets me the most is the fact that Jax doesn’t want me, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have me either. That’s so unfair. I turn away from the window.
‘Take me home.’
‘Are they tears in your eyes, baby?’ Sophia asks as she places her hand on my leg. ‘Did you two have a fight?’
‘No. I’ve just had a crappy day.’ I didn’t tell her what happened yesterday, I lied and said Jax had to head back to work, and that’s why he couldn’t make dinner.
‘You didn’t say anything to him, did you?’
‘What? No, of course not. There’s no point. Things are best left the way they are.’
She gives my leg a comforting squeeze before putting the car into drive and pulling away from the kerb.
‘Jaaaax!’ Maddie screams.
Damn this whole situatio
n to hell. Reaching into the back seat, I gently rub Maddie’s leg to soothe her as I clench my eyes shut, trying to stop my own tears from falling. Poor Maddie. I can’t believe how quickly she’s taken to him. She’s not usually good with strangers, especially men. Being surrounded by only women will do that I guess. What is it with Jaxson Albright and his spell on us poor unsuspecting Crawford girls?
After we eat, I give Maddie a bath. She always makes me smile. I’m not sure how I would’ve survived the last few years without her. She’s my happy place.
‘Read, Sissy,’ she says once she’s dressed in her pyjamas. Toddling to her shelf, she grabs her favourite book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and hands it to me. I’ve read it to her so many times she knows it off by heart.
Lifting her off the ground, I nuzzle her chubby cheek. ‘Let’s go downstairs and say goodnight to Mummy, and then I’ll read to you.’
‘No Mummy—Phia.’
‘Yes, Sophia.’ I laugh. There’ve been times over the years when I’ve wished Sophia would let me call her mum, but it’s just a title. Sophia’s a mother in every sense of the word—she’s proved that over and over again. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for me, or for Maddie.
••••
I step off the bus and head down King Street towards the tattoo parlour. I choose not to drive to work. Finding somewhere to park in Newtown, is pretty much impossible. If I don’t get a lift home with Jax, Sophia picks me up. She’s not comfortable having me travel on public transport at night.
I made a decision as I lay in bed last night; it’s time to let this thing with Jax go. The look on his face as we drove away last night hurt my heart and I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. I don’t want to put a wedge between us. I’ve let him suffer enough. When and if I’m ready to start dating, he needs to respect my wishes.
As long as my heart still pines for him though, I can’t see that happening.
It’s going to be a good day, I tell myself. Positive thoughts and all that. I love my new job, but more than anything I love being around Jax.
I get that familiar flutter in my stomach when I see Jax ahead. I stop walking and hide behind a street pole to watch him cross the road. I feel like a stalker, but I’m curious to see what he’s up to.