Page 48 of Coming In Hot
When I pull up to his apartment building, I’m just in time. He’s sitting on his bike, still idling, the engine rumbling beneath him as he takes off his helmet. The sun hits his profile just right, casting a golden glow on his skin, and for a second, I forget why I’m even here.
He notices me pulling in and flashes that grin—half teasing, half smug—like he won some bet with himself by seeing me show up. He knows I want something, and I’m sure he’s prepared to deny me, out of hand.
I put the truck in park and rolled down the window on his side. “You just getting back?”
He gives me a lazy once-over. “Yup. Went for a ride with some of the ALR guys. What’s up?”
For a second, I debate not telling him the reason, just ordering him to get in, but Jax doesn’t respond well to orders. Or lies. So I take a deep breath and lay it all out.
“My mom wants us to come visit,” I say, trying to keep my tone light, but there’s no hiding the slight edge in my voice. “She’s asking for you, Jax. She wants to see you again.”
He quirks an eyebrow, looking me over like I’ve just told him I’m planning a funeral instead of a visit. “Is that so?” He leans back on his bike, arms crossed. “And you want me to tag along? Why?”
I groan internally. This is going exactly how I thought it would. “She says…” I can’t do it—I can’t bring myself to repeat what she said. My tongue freezes up, preventing me from speaking.
But Jax is waiting patiently for an answer, studying me with that insufferable calm of his, like he’s just about to watch the train wreck happen in slow motion. Again, I consider lying, but there’s no point. She’d probably just repeat the absurdity when she sees him. There’s no escaping the embarrassment now.
I rub the back of my neck, looking anywhere but at him. “She says you seem like a nice boy. A sweet boy with a heart of gold, which in her culture, is the highest praise.” I say it fast, almost like I’m trying to get it over with, but I can already feel the heat creeping up my neck.
Jax’s eyebrows raise all the way to his hairline, and he does that thing where his lips curl into a teasing grin, and I instantly regret every word that just left my mouth.
“She sayswhat?” he asks, sounding like he’s trying to stifle a laugh.
I roll my eyes, already knowing where this is going. “She says you… connected.”
The smirk on his face widens, and I can’t decide whether I want to punch him or bury my face in my hands. “Oh, we connected, huh?” He turns off the ignition and climbs off the bike. With his helmet in hand, he takes a dramatic step toward me, lowering his voice just a touch, making me want to slap him even more. “What exactly did Iconnectwith, huh?”
I can feel my face flush, and I try to shove the words back in my mouth, but they just tumble out anyway. “She said you made arealconnection with her. Like, a deep one.”
Jax lets out a low whistle, looking almost impressed. “A deep connection, huh? Damn. I must havereallymade an impression.” He laughs, clearly enjoying the hell out of this, and I want to crawl under a rock. “So, what, now she’s trying to set me up with you or something?”
“I don’t fucking know, Jax. But I wouldn’t doubt it, so be warned. Just visit, smile, play along, be polite, and we’ll be done. That’s all I’m asking. Just this once.” I hold his gaze for a second, my frustration simmering beneath the surface. “It’s important to me. And it would mean a lot if you came.”
The silence stretches between us, and I’m starting to wonder if he’s going to say no. Finally, Jax sighs, his shoulders dropping. “Fine,” he says, rolling his eyes as if he’s annoyed, but there’s a softness in his voice that catches me off guard. “I’ll come. But only because I know what that just cost you. And because I can’t say no to your mom.”
My heart stutters in relief, and I almost want to let out a loud whoop of victory. Instead, I force a smile, trying to keep things light. “Thanks, man. I owe you one.”
Jax climbs into my truck. He drops his helmet at his feet and buckles his seatbelt. “Yes the fuck you do. Don’t think I’ll forget that.” He shoots me a sideways grin, a little smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “After all,” he grins sweetly, too sweetly, like saccharine. “We have adeepconnection.”
I want to crawl into a hole, but instead, I just sigh deeply and mutter, “You’re the worst.” I hand him the gift bag, and he takes it with a raised brow.
“What’s this?” he asks, shaking it gently.
“Just a little something for my mom. She’ll like it.”
His head bobs, expression softening. “I’m just kidding. You’re not so bad, you know.”
It’s almost like he’s trying to make a joke, but there’s something in his tone that makes it feel more like a compliment than anything else.
“It’s a shame your mom likes me best, though. Let’s go make her happy, then. But don’t think I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart,” he adds with a playful wink.
I roll my eyes. “Of course not. You don’t have a heart.”
Allison’s eyes pop wide when she sees Jax with me. I’ve never, not once in the six years my mom has resided here, brought a guest with me. I’m sure the entire staff will be gossiping about it before we even reach my mother’s room.
“Your mother is having a good day,” Allison beams. “She’s in the dayroom watching TV.”
“Thanks, Allison.”
