Page 19 of Shared By Her Brother's Best Friends

Max is happily digging into his plate of egg rolls, dumplings, and fried rice, paying little attention to the adults. Mason chose a Chinese restaurant for dinner, much to Jax’s surprise. It makes me proud that my little man enjoys trying new foods and isn’t a fussy eater.

“She was Adam’s friend, really. They grew up here together and went to the same school Max and her kids now go to. Jacob and I moved here when I was sixteen, that’s when I met Adam. He was sweet, he knew I was new in town and had no friends, I was painfully shy, so he was kind to me, my only friend. Jessica didn’t pay much attention to me to start with, I was just this kid who Adam chatted to occasionally. But then when I was almost eighteen our friendship became something more and by nineteen, I was pregnant with Max.”

Jax raises his eyebrow in clear disapproval, but he doesn’t say anything about me and Adam. Instead, he says, “I’m surprised your brother didn’t kill him.”

“Oh, I think he would have if he’d known more. By the time he realized we were dating it was too late, Jacob was in jail for some stupid bar fight. I was eighteen and alone. When Jacob got out, I was pregnant and engaged. He certainly wasn’t happy and made sure Adam knew what would happen if he hurt me. But the damage was done. We got married and moved away shortly after Max was born, to San Diego. We didn’t see much of Jessica or my brother after that. I think Jacob was probably one of the reasons why Adam wanted to move so badly, he didn’t want my overprotective brother breathing down his neck,” I say with a shrug, taking a bite of orange chicken.

“Seems like you could have used overprotective. Given how things turned out,” Jax grunts.

I glance at Max, making sure he’s not listening too intently, he’s merrily kicking his legs and chowing down still, humming to himself happily while he eats.

“Yes. There are a lot of things about my life with Adam I wish were different. But I don’t regret it. Max is the greatest gift life ever gave me, I wouldn’t change a single thing if it meant I wouldn’t have him in my life.”

“You’re a great mom,” Jax says, smiling at me and leaning over the table to squeeze my hand, looking as surprised as I am by the gesture before quickly pulling it back. He clears his throat, taking a sip of his drink, “So why did you move back here?”

“I didn’t have any friends in San Diego, and after Adam died, there was nothing for me there anymore. I’d never been happy there. I don’t really have friends here either I suppose, but Jacob was here. He’s the only close family Max and I have left, it seemed right. When we got back, and Max started school I became reacquainted with Jessica. She’s been a godsend, helping out with Max.”

Jax grunts disapprovingly, “And I’m sure she never lets you forget that.”

“She’s just old fashioned sometimes, thinks that women should stay at home to care for the kids,” I say defending her, even though I know Jax has a point.

“Well, not all women have the luxury, do they.”

“Mommy, I’m full, can I get dessert?” Max interrupts our conversation.

“Eat some more of your broccoli, then you can.”

Max pulls a face and looks at Jax for back up. Jax holds up his hands, “Don’t look at me kiddo, do as your mom says!” he says with a grin.

After we’ve finished our meals, which Jax insisted on paying for, we can no longer put off going home. Jax has kept the guys informed of what’s happened, so they don’t worry about where we’ve gone. But they’ll no doubt question why we’re taking so long if we stay out longer, the last thing we need is them riding in here, guns blazing thinking there’s a problem. So reluctantly, we load back into the truck and head home.

***

Once we get to the safehouse, I’m hoping I can just avoid speaking to Mason altogether and go straight to bed, using Max as my excuse. However, luck isn’t on my side today since I notice my brother’s motorcycle, gleaming in all its glory parked in the driveway as we pull up. Great, the last thing I need is my brother noticing something’s off between the guys and me and figuring out what happened.

Jax and I exchange nervous glances—clearly, he’s thinking the same thing. “I take it Jacob didn’t tell you he was coming tonight?” I ask.

“Nope…”

“Well, let’s hope it’s just a random house visit. He may actually kill you guys otherwise,” I joke. At Jax’s stricken expression, I add, “I’m kidding. Or at least, I hope I am.”

“You’re not going to…”

“Heck no! Trust me, the less he knows the better,” I reply, glancing back at Max, grateful that he’s nodded off. Kids this age are like sponges, the last thing we need is him repeating something he overheard.

Jax nods, relieved, before looking back at Max. “Want me to carry him in for you?”

I shake my head, “It’s okay I can do it.”

Jax looks at me skeptically, eyebrow raised. “Emma you gotta be one hundred and ten pounds soaking wet. Let me help. Please.”

“Fine.”

We get out of the car and Jax lifts Max out of his seat with ease, Max stirs slightly before settling back to sleep, his cheek resting on Jax’s shoulder. The second we open the door Jacob comes running over, the guys close behind.

“Where the hell have you been? Do you care to explain what the fuck happened today?” Jacob demands, scowling at me.

“Shh, Jacob, Max is sleeping,” I reply, trying to buy time and wondering if ‘what happened’ refers to me being late to collect Max, or we’ve got bigger problems, and it means he knows about me and the guys. “We told you, we went for dinner on the way home from collecting Max from Jessica’s.”

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