Page 57 of The Devil in Blue Jeans
Gunner barked a loud laugh. Until his laughter faded. “Are we still on for tonight with the girls?” he asked.
Good question. Jaxon shrugged. “I need to go see Charly. She’s not answering my calls. I’ll let you know.”
Eli lifted a knowing brow at him. “What did you do?” he asked.
“Why do you think it’s something I did?” Jaxon retorted.
“Because we know you,” Gunner replied with a shrug.
Jaxon snorted. Even if he knew they were right that he often made a mess of things without even trying sometimes, he didn’t want to admit it. He said goodbye to them and left for his truck.
Driving down empty roads and scenic routes, Jaxon couldn’t help but wonder what he had done to upset Charly enough to ignore him all day. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to like the answer.
When he finally pulled into downtown, luck was on his side with a parking spot not far from the bar and he parked at the curb. Exiting his truck, he was met with a bouquet of scents. He could smell the coffee emanating from the nearby café and the aroma of freshly baked bread from the local bakery. He waved at the locals he passed, soon entering through the bar’s front door.
He felt like he was walking straight into positive energy and a sense of empowerment as ‘90s music played through the speakers. Throughout the crowded bar, he found celebrating women and a banner that read: Divorced AF, and Jaxon immediately understood he was in for a stormy night ahead. Every single woman looked his way like he was the enemy. And to them, he probably was.
Though nothing could have prepared him for when he reached the bar, finding Willow and Aubrey behind it.
Both were glaring at him, and not like the other women there. This felt personal. “Where’s Charly?”
“Busy,” Aubrey said. “Go away.”
He bristled and looked to Willow, only to find her glaring daggers at him now. “Willow—”
“Don’t Willow me,” she snapped, folding her arms across her chest. “What is wrong with you?”
He frowned. “What exactly have I done?”
Aubrey looked on the verge of throwing something at him. She placed her hands on her hips and snarled, “Do we really have to explain it to you?”
Jaxon glanced between the two, feeling like he’d entered a combat zone. “I’ve tried calling and texting Charly all day, but she hasn’t responded and I came to talk to her,” he explained. Was that what had them ready to send him out to the sharks?
Willow scoffed, while Aubrey propped her hands on the bar and scowled at him.
“Does this sound familiar?” Aubrey said venomously. “Oh, Billy—how could you sell my bar to these women without telling me of their plan? How can I buy the bar back if I can’t weasel my way into one of their hearts to get her to change her vision? You’re so slimy, Jaxon Reed.”
Willow nodded in agreement.
Jaxon took in every word, feeling like each one was a smack to his face. He remembered that day. He’d been angry after realizing the bar he’d built was being turned into something not fit for the town. “It wasn’t like that,” he said gently. “I had my back up then when I first came into the bar. I didn’t know any of you.”
“Is that supposed to make this better?” Willow asked.
Jaxon cringed. “No, I guess it doesn’t.”
Right at that moment, the door to the back room opened and Charly stepped out carrying a box of craft beer. When she spotted Jaxon, she barely registered he stood there. Without even acknowledging him, she placed the box on the bar top and quickly turned away to return to the back room.
“Charly,” he called over the music, desperation now tearing through his chest.
She stopped, visibly sighed and slowly turned around. “I can’t talk now. I’ll come by your place after I’m done tonight.”
The loud voices, the god-awful music, it all faded around him as his world narrowed on her. He moved closer to her, wanting to take her in his arms and beg for forgiveness. “Please let me explain...”
But before he could finish, she backed away from him and shut her eyes tightly. When she opened them again, she wore a stone-cold expression. “We need to talk, Jaxon, but not now and not here. Please do as I say and leave. I’ll come to your house later.”
Jaxon felt himself nodding numbly, but what he really wanted was to remain there and plead his case. He kept his mouth shut though, knowing he needed to think this through before he said something to make it even worse.
He turned, catching Willow and Aubrey still glaring at him. “I just need to explain,” he told them, sure that she’d understand where he had been coming from.
