Page 8 of Jaxon

"Shit. Was I loud?"

"Sounded like sweet music to my ears."

I elbowed him. "Now I'll have to sneak out to avoid them."

He dropped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. "You're not leaving me, are ya?"

"I think we had this conversation. And you heard the officer. He was looking for you. Obviously, Alex is back on shore and making a big fuss." I looked at Jax. "Officer Pugsley?"

His smile was always guarded, but it was still amazing. "Yeah, poor Adams. He went to school with us. Mike had flaming red hair and freckles, and he was a round little guy, so people called him Pugsley, like Pugsley Adams. The name stuck."

"Poor guy." I twisted slightly. "You didn't bully him, did you?"

"Nah, the opposite. Griffin and I sort of took him under our wing. That stopped the bullies fast. My mom always told us 'if you're on the side of bullies, you're on the wrong fucking side.'"

"Good for her."

"Worked in our favor. My cousins and I aren't exactly model citizens, but Adams is really cool about looking the other way when we do something wrong."

"Like kidnapping someone's girlfriend?"

"Uh, excuse me, missy, but I think you climbed onto my WaveRunner willingly."

I cuddled closer. "I sure did, and I'd do it again. And as much as I'd like this day to go on forever, I better pull my clothes back on—oh shit, I mean my bikini and head out. I need to find Alex and cool down his temper before you get into trouble."

"Well, let me just say that I think that's a terrible fucking plan. Seriously, you need to dump that prick."

"I agree, only it's sort of complicated." I pushed up from the mattress and picked up my very skimpy bikini. "Argh, next time I jump over a boat railing I need to remember to pull on my coverup … and shoes."

The floor creaked as Jaxon stood from the bed. It still took my breath away to see him reach full height. "I'll give you a sweatshirt, but I'm afraid my shoes are big enough for you to sit in—like a canoe."

"I'll take the sweatshirt."

Jaxon walked to a small closet and pulled out a black hoodie. He dropped it over my head, and we both laughed as I got entirely lost inside of it. It came nearly to my knees, and the sleeves hung way past my hands. Jaxon rolled each sleeve back until my hand finally popped out of it.

I hugged myself and took in the soapy scent. "Hmm. I like this." I smiled up at him and noticed he looked sad.

"You should stay with me," he said.

I reached up and touched his face. "I think if you knew more about me, you'd be happy to see me out the door."

"Impossible," he said.

I hopped up on my toes and kissed him lightly. "Just so you know—I won't forget this day … ever."

Jaxon pulled on his shorts, and we walked out of the room in silence. I was already feeling the weight of walking away from him, and I was expecting it. I knew he wasn't going to be an easy man to leave behind. Still, I wouldn't have changed a thing about this day.

"I'll give you a ride to—where are you staying?" he asked.

"Uh, I can just walk to the bus stop. I don't want to get you in trouble."

Jaxon took hold of my hand in the entryway. Faded floral wallpaper hung off the walls in strips and an old chandelier, complete with heavy crystals all crusted with dust, hung over our heads. "Stop worrying about that. I need to make sure you get home safely. I'll get my keys."

"I'll just have you drop me off at the Oceanview Marina. I'm sure Alex has taken the boat back to its slip." I sensed his profound disappointment when he realized I was going back to Alex, but I wasn't going back with open arms.

Jaxon walked back upstairs, and I headed out to the porch. His brother, Crusoe, was smeared in black paint. He looked up from his hand painted sign "Fuck You, Walsh" with a proud grin. "It's sweet, simple and to the point," he announced.

Theo was in the front yard doing some impressive tricks on a BMX bike. He balanced on the back wheel and rode it like a unicycle up to the steps. The front tire came down on the bottom step, and he straddled the bike. It looked miniature beneath his tall, athletic frame. They were certainly a breathtaking bunch, the Stones.

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