Page 61 of The Last Second Chance
But she didn’t hit him. She held out her hand, palm up. Cocky as a quarterback after a game-winning touchdown.
“I believe you owe me a hundred bucks.”
He owed her more than that. Jax took the cherry stem out of his mouth and fished out his wallet. He made a show of counting out the bills to the delight of the crowd.
He dropped the money into her waiting hand and watched her count it. Satisfied, she held up the cash. “Next round’s on Jax,” she called, sauntering away to applause. God, she was something. The girl of his dreams, the source of his torment. She was everything he wanted in this lifetime.
“Ooh! A cherry stem tying contest? Let me try.”
His mother’s voice had the effect on his fantasies of the arm of a record player yanked off of vinyl.
“Geez, Mom. When did you get here?”
Phoebe wore a chunky knit poncho the color of persimmons over dark, slim jeans She winked at him. “I’ve been here about an hour. I took over hosting duties and you’re paying me in wine,” she said wiggling an empty wine glass and heading toward Joey.
Franklin bustled in from the dining room a tub full of dirty dishes in his hands and a cheerful grin on his face. “Good crowd tonight, Jax,” he said as he headed into the kitchen.
“Where do you want us, Hollywood?”
Beckett slapped him on his shoulder. Carter was behind him, directing Summer to a table of Gia’s yoga students with strict instructions to sit her ass down and relax. Gia was answering the phone at the host stand while Evan and Aurora wiped down menus.
“Hi, Jazz!” Aurora waved cheerfully.
“What are you guys doing here?” Jax asked.
“We’re here for dinner,” Carter grinned.
“You might be waiting until breakfast to get it.”
Carter tossed an arm over his shoulders. “Just look at this place.”
They did. Dozens of Mooners spending their Friday night in a place they built, enjoying themselves with beers they brewed. Lila dashed past a notebook full of new orders and Joey called out a greeting to customers coming through the door behind them. Phoebe, wine glass refilled, was turning over tables like it was her super power.
He felt a little tickle in his throat. This was home and heart. People he’d known his whole life showing up just to support his family. And his family showing up without needing to be asked to lend a hand, break a sweat, and make sure that someone’s dream came true.
In this moment he loved them all, fiercely.
This is where he was supposed to be.
“Maybe this wasn’t the shittiest idea in the world,” Beckett said, pride evident on his face.
“This might actually work,” Jax agreed.
“I’ll table touch,” Beckett volunteered.
“I’ll expo,” Carter decided.
“I’ll bar back,” Jax said with a slow grin. And the three went their separate ways to make it all work.
15
It wasan hour before his brothers and their families could eat and another half an hour after that before Phoebe dragged him out of the kitchen and threw a bowl of chili in front of him.
“Take a break. Eat,” she ordered.
Wearily, Jax sank down on the chair. A beer appeared at his elbow, dropped off by a smiling Sunny. “Making bank tonight,” she winked, patting her tip stash through the apron pocket.
Phoebe took the seat across from him and smiled expectantly.
