Until Jax(2)

Tears fill my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I refuse to let these people hurt me anymore. I wasn’t surprised my mom told my aunt what happened or that she didn’t care. My mom stopped caring about me when my dad died, when she no longer had to pretend my brother and I mattered to her more than her next high.

“I’m on my way. Please tell Hope I’ll be there soon.”

“I gotta work tomorrow night, so keep that in mind,” she says right before the line goes dead. Setting the phone in its cradle, I rub my eyes.

My family is what most of America would classify as trailer trash. I hated that term growing up, but we were poor and lived in a trailer. There was a time in my life when I was okay with the kids at school calling me that, because I knew I might’ve lived in a trailer and been poor, but at least I had my family. Then, when I was seven, my dad died in a coal mining accident, leaving my older brother and me alone with my mom, who had an addiction to pain pills. Even though she was sick long before we lost my dad, we never suffered because of it. My dad always made sure we had food and clothing. We didn’t have much, but we had each other. After he passed away, we lost everything.

“You’re awake.”

Looking over my shoulder at the open doorway, my gaze connects with Jax’s concerned one. I don’t know what to make of him. I still don’t understand how someone who has just met me could show me more care in just a few hours than the people I have known my whole life ever have.

“I need to get to Hope,” I say, placing my fingers on my throat, which I’m just noticing is dry and scratchy.

“I know, baby. I’m gonna take you,” he says, stepping into the room.

Baby? Why do I like that? Why do I get warm all over every time he calls me that?

“Thank you.” I close my eyes in relief then open them, saying, “I’ll pay you back as soon as I get home.”

“No,” he rumbles, making me jump, which seems to cause his jaw to grind. “I mean that’s not necessary,” he says gently, shoving his hands into the front pockets of his jeans giving me a chance to really look at him.

I wasn’t kidding when I said he’s a giant. His shoulders are so wide I’m pretty sure I could fit twice between them. His hips are lean, his thighs thick, and his legs are long.

His head is covered in a ball cap, drawing attention to his eyes that seem hazel in the dark, and he has an angular jaw, full lips, and an almost perfect nose that has a slight tilt to it. “My mom and dad are here. Mom brought you some clothes if you want to change before we leave,” he informs me, taking a step towards me then stopping and pulling his ball cap off his head, giving me the opportunity to see his dark brown hair for the first time, which is short on the sides and longer on top.#p#分页标题#e#

Standing and running my hands down the front of my dingy jeans, I look over his shoulder into the hall, where there’s a woman with red hair standing next to a man who looks like an older version of Jax. The moment my eyes connect with hers, she steps into the room.

“Honey,” the woman calls softly, “why don’t you go wait in the hall with your dad while I help Ellie get changed?”

“Mom.” He shakes his head, not taking his eyes from me.

“Come on, bud,” the man, who I’m assuming is his dad, says, stepping slightly into the room.

Jax pulls in a breath then releases it, looking at me like he doesn’t want to leave. Weirdly, I don’t want him to either.

“I’ll be right outside,” he says after a couple beats.

“Sure,” I whisper, fighting myself from going to him and begging him to stay.

“You can come back in once she’s dressed,” his mom tells him softly as he moves past her out of the room.

Once the door is closed, the room becomes even darker, but then the light comes on, causing me to squeeze my eyes closed in surprise.

“Oh crap, I’m sorry. I didn’t even think,” the woman mutters, and I see through my closed eyelids when the room goes dark once again.

“It’s okay; you can turn it on.”

“Are you sure?” she prompts.

“Yeah.” When the lights turn back on, it takes just a moment for my eyes to adjust, and when they do, I watch Jax’s mom step closer to me.

“I know my son didn’t introduce us, but I’m Lilly, and you’re Ellie, right?” she asks, studying me.

“Yes,” I croak out and she frowns, walking to the bed. Picking up a pink cup off the side table, she brings it towards me, holding it out for me to take.

“Just take sips, honey,” she says gently, with her hand under mine like I might drop the cup. “Is that better?”