Page 23

CHAPTER 23

AWKWARD ON AISLE TWO

JACKSON

T heo looks like shit.

I mean, he’s as handsome as he’s ever been but…

He looks like shit.

And I’d be a dirty fucking liar if I said there wasn’t some perverse part of me that was glad to see him looking so terrible.

But I’d also be a liar if I said looking into his eyes didn’t make me want to… well, be me.

I’m not a spiteful person. I don’t enjoy going out of my way to be hateful toward others. It’s not who I am, and it’s not who I want to be. Which is why I say, “Listen, Theo…” His eyes widen as I play with the handle of my shopping cart. “Let’s just forget everything that happened last year, okay? I’m finally feeling like myself, and we’re obviously going to be seeing a lot of each other. It doesn’t pay to try to avoid one another.” A flash of disappointment crosses his face. “We can be amicable, right?”

He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his ears. “Right.”

“Good.” I smile back at him. “So, we’re having our annual back-to-school party tonight. And if you’re not busy feel free to?—”

He shakes his head. “I’m good. But thanks for asking, though.” Gesturing to his cart he adds, “Gotta meal prep. Busy day tomorrow.”

Thank god.

“Right. Well, I’ll see you around?”

His eyes search mine, and it takes all of me to not get lost in them. “Yeah. See you around, Jax.”

With that, he turns his cart and walks away. And when I don’t follow after him, I can’t help but pat myself on the back.

Good job, Jax. Good job.