Before You(32)

Ellen stepped backed and clasped Bre’s hands. “Of course. You’re like a daughter to me. I wouldn’t let you do this alone.” Ellen’s eyes searched Bre’s and then she cleared her throat. “Is everything okay with Cam? I didn’t realize he wasn’t coming.”

Bre looked down, avoiding Ellen’s eyes. “I didn’t know until Jax told me before the ceremony started. I guess he had some stuff to do for the band and work, so he sent Jax.”

“Sweetie, I’m really sorry,” Ellen said, shaking her head in sympathy. “That’s not an acceptable excuse. I’ll talk to him. Straighten him out.”

“No,” Bre interrupted. “You don’t need to scold him.”

“I won’t, but a mom can always give her son direction, and he needs to realize that life is about being there for the people you love when they need you. You needed him today, and he didn’t make you a priority, but his friend did. That says a lot.”

Bre’s stomach knotted, and she ran her palms down the sides of her dress. She didn’t want to discuss Jax with Cam’s mom. “I’m sure he’ll make it up to me.”

Ellen smiled. “Maybe, but there are some things you can’t take back once you put them in motion.” She kissed Bre on the cheek. “Goodnight. Call me if you need anything.” Ellen turned toward the kitchen and yelled, “Todd, we need to give Bre some space. Let’s go.”

Todd walked into the room and pulled Bre into a tight hug and whispered into her ear. “Ellen and I love you. Don’t forget that. You’re not alone.”

“Thanks,” Bre said, her voice trembling as she stepped out of his embrace. “I love you both.”

Todd put his arm around Ellen’s shoulder. “Goodnight, Bre. I’ll stop by in the next couple days to fix the kitchen faucet. It’s dripping.”

“Thanks.”



***



Jax walked out of the door of the kitchen into the living room and stood beside the sofa where Bre sat reclined with her legs tucked underneath her, her eyebrows furrowed from long nights and stress. Affection and tenderness for her bubbled in his chest and he realized he was smiling just watching her. God, he’d missed her.

When a minute or so passed without Bre acknowledging his presence, he cleared his throat.

“Sorry,” Bre said, a sincere smile spreading across her face. “I didn’t notice you. I was lost in my thoughts. There’s so much to take care of, I don’t know where to start.” Bre sighed. “It’s completely overwhelming, physically and emotionally.”

“You’ll be fine. You’re strong, and I’ll help you any way I can. Don’t think for one second that you’re alone. If you need me, you have an open invitation to call anytime of day,” Jax said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“You mean I can call when I can’t sleep in the middle of the night or before my early morning run?” Bre’s eyes danced with mischief.

He loved seeing the smile on her face. She didn’t deserve the shit Cam did to her, even if she didn’t know about it. It sucked. “It’s an open invitation.”

“Hm… well, seeing as I don’t have your phone number, that’s kind of an empty offer.” Bre laughed, shifting to face him.

Jax tried not to react, but he couldn’t help noticing how her dress rode up her thighs, exposing her toned legs that he loved so much. He missed looking at them in the short wetsuit that he gave her the first day they surfed together. After seeing her in it, he couldn’t imagine anyone else wearing it, so he told her to keep it.

His eyes traveled up her legs, over the delicate curves concealed by her black dress, but he remembered what they looked like all too clearly. She wore her long brown hair up, and a few wayward strands danced in front of her amber colored eyes. Her eyes looked sad and fatigued, but they were still the most captivating eyes he had ever seen.

“If you want my number, all you have to do is ask,” Jax whispered.

He braced one hand on the arm of the sofa. If he tilted his head to the side, he was certain he could see her panties, and with that thought, his mouth suddenly became dry.

Her lips twitched and she arched an eyebrow. “You’re the one who asked me to call you. I think you’re using your lines on me again to get my number”

Jax smiled and leaned toward her. “If you say so.”

Bre cleared her throat. “So what are your plans?”

“What?” He blinked, oblivious to her question.

“Where are you staying tonight?” she prompted.

Right. What were his plans? “I don’t know. I didn’t make any reservations. Do you have any suggestions?”