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He kisses her forehead then whispers, “I love you. I’m sorry…for everything. I promise I’ll do better.”
Fuck, if that doesn’t make me feel ten times worse. Jackson has done a lot of shitty things, but he owns up to his mistakes, and he’d do anything for her, including quit hockey.
Yet, here I am, giving her what little I can spare when it’s clear she needs more.Theyneed more. I have all this guilt and fear burning inside me. For fucking up with Jax. For not providing for her. For not protecting them both. All of it, tearing at my soul every day.
“I know. I love you.” Her words are full of confidence. Something between them has changed.She’schanged. Maybe because she knows, without a doubt, that he returns her feelings—another thing she lacks with me.
Aurora is forced to hold back, although I can read her like a book. She gazes at me with adoration, clings to me as if she needs me, and submits to me as if she’s mine.
But she doesn’t share those sentiments with me. She thinks I’m not ready for them, and I made her feel that way. I told her as much.
Jackson might be a hothead, but he never lets a moment go by without telling her he loves her or misses her or whatever puppy-love bullshit he’s on. Except it’s not puppy love or bullshit. He wears his emotions on his chest for all to see.
I refuse to be a sappy, lovesick fool, and my bond with her may never compare to his, but Aurora and I sharesomething.
She goes to kiss him, but before she can, I wrap my arm around her and pull her away. “Enough. You’ve been with him for a week. It’s my turn.”
Jax crosses his arms over his chest. “You had her last night.”
Their flight arrived late, and all I got was a sleepy Aurora. Not that I’m complaining—I’ll take her in my bed in any shape or form.
“We were sleeping.” I give him a half-hearted glare. “And only for a few hours before you woke us, seeking attention.”
He shoots me a cocky smirk. “You’re lucky I wasn’t in bed with you. I thought about it many times.”
Jesus, he’s not lying. He has no boundaries.
In response, I lean down and capture Aurora’s lips, flipping him off with one hand and cupping the back of her head with the other. Unspoken words linger on the tip of my tongue, but it’s not the time, not while her boyfriend is mean-mugging me, no doubt.
Breaking the kiss, I brush my fingers through her hair. “I’ve missed you so fucking much. Spend the night with me.” Then, I add, for him to hear, “Just us.”
He shakes his head. “Not happening, asshole.” Given his ridiculous smile, he’s enjoying this.
I slump my shoulders and glower. “You always going to be a cockblock?”
“Your cock has done enough, homewrecker.”
It’s hard to keep a straight face with Aurora’s giggles and the way he grins at me.Grins, as if we’re best friends. As if he didn’t shove me, his eyes filled with rage and loathing, only a few weeks ago.
“I’m being serious, dickhead. We have a lot we need to talk about.”
He motions between us. “So talk. Fuck for all I care, but she’s sleeping with me.” He echoes my words, lowering his voice to mock me.
I amnotfinding this jackass funny.
Shit, I am, and I’ve never been more annoyed with myself.
“Don’t test me, Jax. I’ll bend her over the table while you eat your Lucky Charms.”
“That’s disgusting, Coach. I’d never eat Lucky Charms.” That damn smart mouth of his.
“I’m going to kill you,” I say with a chuckle. I can’t help it.
Jackson
Our girl tipsher head back, laughing—reallylaughing. This is the happiest I’ve seen her in a long while, and I’veneverseen Coach this happy.
That sums it up. It’s decided. We are now in a relationship, and there’s no arguing otherwise. It’s fate.