“Just left,” he answered, resting his hand on his chin. “Need to borrow my car?”
And he slid his keys across the table, shocking me. No one drove Jared’s car.
But he was in a mood, Tate was drunk, and shit was wrong. And I couldn’t think about other people’s problems right at this moment, so I grabbed them and ran.
“Thanks,” I called.
Jamming out the front door, I climbed into Jared’s car, turned it on, and released the clutch as I pressed the gas.
And my angry shoulders sank when the car stalled.
New car, new sweet spot. I hate clutches!
Okay, not really. Turning the ignition again, I shifted my feet, feeling for it the way Jax had taught me, and finally took off. Accelerating quickly, I shot into second gear and then third, not stopping as I barreled onto the highway without even checking oncoming traffic.
Pushing in the gas, I shot into fourth and then fifth, barely noticing the trees flying by. Lord help any animal crossing the street, because the only thing lighting up the road were my headlights. There was no way I would be able to stop quickly.
I squinted, seeing the taillights of another car, and immediately recognized Jax’s NATIVE license plate.
Speeding up, I damn near climbed on his ass, letting him know loud and clear that I was here, before swerving around him and cutting in front of him on the road. He honked his horn and swerved, probably afraid I would hit him.
But I knew he had to recognize Jared’s car.
Jerking the wheel, I skidded to the side of the road, where I pulled to a stop.
I heard the gravel kick up under the tires and saw Jax had come in right behind me.
I pushed my hair behind my ears and turned off the car.
“What the hell are you doing?” I heard him shout from behind me, and I swung the door open, climbed out, and slammed it shut.
“You know what?” I shouted, charging up to him. “I had a clean-cut boyfriend from a good family. His mom made brownies, and his dad played golf with the mayor.” I shoved Jax in the chest. “He cheated on me!”
He stared at me wide-eyed as I pushed into his space again.
“And Shane dated the student class president,” I pointed out, advancing as he retreated. “He got straight A’s, wore cuff links to church, and his pants were always ironed.” I shoved Jax again, watching him stumble. “He was gay!” I yelled.
I bared my teeth and kept pushing him. “You know that football jock who’s on the cover of this magazine or that?” I jeered, shoving his chest again. “Well, he date-raped a girl in college. Or how about the mom you were jealous you didn’t have in the third grade?” I pushed him again. “Yeah, she’s on every antidepressant under the sun!”
He just kept backing up, speechless, with shock written all over his face.
“Stop being a fucking moron,” I growled, “and break the cycle, asshole!” I pushed him back again. “It’s all an illusion, Jax! There’s nothing wrong with you, and there’s nothing in this world better than you!” I cried, gritting my teeth and feeling the tears pool in my eyes.
“You saved me, and I love you!” Every muscle in my body was hot with fury. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me! The best thing in my life, jerk-off!” Completely worked up, I slapped him on the arm, seeing him wince but take it. “And if you don’t want me”—I slapped him again—“then stop taking care of me!” I ordered.
“Take your tuition money,” I snarled, shoving him again with all my weight, “and shove it up your ass!”
And I whirled around, marching back to Jared’s car as I swiped my hand across the tear on my cheek.
Asshole little shit.
But before I reached the car, Jax hooked my elbow and spun me back around.
“Come here,” he growled, and lifted me underneath my arms, holding me above him.
I gasped, looking down at him and seeing the veins bulging on his neck.
He smiled, excitement flashing in his eyes as he stared up at me. “I fucking love you, baby.”
My eyes rounded, and I whimpered at the shiver shooting straight from my heart down to my core.
“Huh?” My voice was barely a peep. Oh, my God.
He shook his head, surprise and happiness written all over his face. “I do. I love you, Juliet. And you’re right, okay?” He nodded. “You’re right. I thought I wasn’t good enough. I thought you’d wind up being sorry that I was in your life, that I wasn’t the man I was supposed to be, and I wouldn’t be able to make you proud. But I was wrong. We belong together.”
And he brought me down, crushing his lips to mine.
The moan came from the back of my throat, and I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tight.
He kissed the corner of my mouth and hugged me close, whispering against my neck. “I love you, and if you love me,” he breathed out, “and I’ve been good for you, and you’re not lying to me about that, then I’m keeping you. I’m fucking keeping you.”
“Jax,” I cried softly, letting my head fall back as he moved his lips over my cheeks and jawline. “I love you so much. Only ever you.”
His arms, still under mine, reached behind me and threaded through my hair, holding my face still. “Don’t go to Arizona,” he whispered against my mouth. “You belong with me, and I don’t want you more than ten feet away. Ever again.”
His soft lips melted into mine, playing with me in short, deep kisses.
“Okay,” I muttered between kisses, “but you have to stop paying for things.”
He backed me into Jared’s car, one hand holding my neck, the other skimming down my back to grab my ass. “How are you going to pay for college, huh?”
I kissed him again. “Loans.”
“College loans are slavery.” He kissed me again, pressing himself between my legs.
My eyelids fluttered, the wave of his heat hitting me hard. “If we don’t work out,” I gasped, “I’ll owe you money. So no.”
“And if we do work out”—he hoisted my legs up and around him—“it’ll become my debt. So no.”
I grinned, eating up his lips fast and hard. “Tomato, to-mah-to.”
I fired a trail of kisses across his jaw, fingering his nipple rings through his black T-shirt.
“Shit. You need to stop.” He twisted his head, his eyes closed and looking utterly undone. “You’re obsessed with those damn things.”
“Yep.” I lightly bit his neck, close to the bite-mark tattoo. “Oh, and I’m not doing any threesomes with Cameron,” I pointed out, laying down a stipulation of my own.
“I know.”
I nibbled his neck. “At least not for a while,” I clarified.
I felt his chest shake with laughter. “I love you.”
“So get me to a bed.”