“Thank you for fighting.” Slade brushed some hair out of her beautiful eyes.
“Thank you for giving me something to fight for,” she whispered against his lips.
******
Caroline was busy trying to catch up. She hadn’t done anything with her house during the marathon wedding, and school would be starting soon. She had to make this place livable. She was tired of sleeping on the floor. She had tried to get another roofer out for another quote, but so far with no luck.
A large truck lumbered down the hole-riddled driveway. Caroline looked out the window before opening the door.
As soon as she walked out the door, he jumped down from his truck. “I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong address.”
“Caroline Fitzpatrick?” he called out, looking up from paperwork.
“Yes.” Caroline nodded, placing her hands on her hips.
“Nope, got the right address.” He tossed the clipboard back inside the cab of his truck. “Now, where do you want me to put all this stuff?”
“Listen, I didn’t order anything.” Caroline walked closer. “What is it?”
Three motorcycles came barreling down the driveway. Jax pulled next to the truck and got off his bike. “Sorry, I wanted to be here before the truck pulled in.”
“You know about this?” Caroline walked closer, still confused as to what was going on.
“Hey, mister, where you want me to put this stuff?” the truck driver asked Jax this time.
“Over there by the house.” Jax pointed to where he wanted it to go.
“Whoa!” Caroline stopped the guy. “What’s going on?”
“You need a new roof,” Jax said, then pointed to the truck. “You’re getting a new roof. Guys, help him out so we can get out of here,” Jax shouted to Blaze and Hunter.
“Wait a minute!” Caroline shouted. Blaze and Hunter dropped the skids of shingles they were carrying and the truck driver turned off his small forklift. “I didn’t order this.”
“No, I did,” Jax replied, shouting back at the men. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Stop!” Caroline shouted right back. The men grumbled and cursed, dropping the skid and even the truck driver got in a few curses. “How much was this stuff?”
“Not nine thousand, I can tell you that.” Jax turned to yell at the guys again, but they waited, staring at Caroline.
She gave up. Jax was hardheaded and he wasn’t going to leave here until what he ordered was off the truck. Hopping out of the way as Hunter and Blaze passed, Caroline couldn’t do anything but watch.
“You going to the party tonight?” Blaze asked as he passed.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Caroline frowned, actually wanting to go, but knew she shouldn’t. “I’ve got a lot to do here so probably not.”
“Ah, come on.” Hunter walked by, carrying more than the guy on the forklift. “This is kind of a going-away party for me.”
“Going-away party?” Caroline followed Hunter where he put his load down. “Where you going?”
“Guess my little stunt of letting my wolf out on the City Hall steps wasn’t such a great idea.” Hunter snorted. “I’ve been ordered home to face the consequences.” Hunter passed her.
“Do you have to go?” Caroline was a little sad that Hunter was leaving.
“When your Alpha calls, you go.” Hunter stopped and walked backwards until he was next to Caroline. “Why, you going to miss me?”
“Hunter.” Jax walked by and threw him a dirty look as he carried a stack of wood. “You may not make it back home if you don’t get your ass in gear and help.”
Hunter winked at her then took off. “Never fear, Caroline dear, I will be near if you ever have a need.”
Jax turned quickly hitting Hunter in the head with a board. “Oh, my bad.” Jax’s evil grin clearly indicated he wasn’t sorry at all.
Once everything was unloaded and Jax signed saying the material was delivered, the truck backed out.
“You guys go ahead.” Jax wiped his hands on his jeans. “We’ll be there in a few.”
Once Blaze and Hunter were gone, Caroline looked behind her at all the material. “How much do I owe you?”
“I don’t know.” Jax shrugged. “You ready?”
“To hear how much I owe you? Yes, I am.” Caroline stood, waiting.
“No,” Jax said slowly. “To go to the party.”
“No,” Caroline said just as slow. “I have too much to do here.”
“Everyone’s expecting you. It would be rude for you not to show up.” Jax tried not to grin in victory. “Very rude.”
“Dammit!” Caroline almost stomped her foot, but didn’t. Instead, she stomped her way into the house to change for the damn party. If she was anything, it wasn’t rude and the ass was right; it would be very rude.
******
Jax could tell Caroline was happy she had come. She was sitting and laughing with Pam and Nicole. He absolutely loved her laugh. Staying away from her would be safer for her, but he was a selfish son of a bitch and didn’t want to stay away, couldn’t stay away from her.