Chapter 6
Jax
“What the heck happened lastnight, Jax?” Dallas dug his fork into the giant omelet in front of him. “I’ve never seen you get all googly-eyed like that before, but the second Liv walked in you turned into a giant weirdo.”
I sat across from him and Cash in the cafe on the ground floor of the hotel. Our server seated us in the rear corner, while Brady and a couple of the other security guys stood guard a few feet away in case any curious eyes tried to interrupt us. Luca was still in his room, no doubt having entertained a guest, and Derek had rented a Harley and set off on an early morning ride through some Tennessee hills.
“I’m not gonna lie, you shocked the hell out of me.” Cash glanced over at me curiously before cutting into the fluffy stack of pancakes on his plate.
“If I’m being completely honest, I shocked the hell out of myself.” I took a drink of my latte, savoring the feeling of the caffeine rushing through my system. I only managed to get about an hour of sleep. Even after I got back to the hotel, I couldn’t get my brain to shut off. Liv’s beautiful face was already etched in my mind as if I’d known her forever. I knew I was acting damn near crazy, but I couldn’t help it. I felt like I was being pulled into a current, and I wasn’t sure if she was going to let me sink or help me swim.
“So? What happened?” Dallas prodded me.
I filled them in on the night before, beginning with how captivated I’d been when I first saw Liv, to taking her home and asking her to have dinner with me. They listened intently, and when I finally fell quiet, they both studied me for a moment. “You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”
Dallas shook his head and chuckled. “Man, I’ve known you’re nuts. That’s not news.” I wadded up my napkin, throwing it at his head, and Cash laughed.
“I don’t think it’s crazy,” Cash said tentatively. “I guess my question is, do you think she’d even consider letting this be anything more than a friendship?”
“I honestly don’t know,” I admitted. “I know there’s a connection there. I know she feels it too, but the age thing really freaked her out.”
“I don’t think the age thing is a big deal.” Dallas shrugged. “I think she could get over that with a little time.” He pressed his lips together, hesitating.
“What is it?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
He chewed the inside of his lip. I got the distinct feeling he was trying to choose his words carefully. “I don’t want to be a downer, but let’s say she does get past the age difference. Man, this life isn’t for everybody. That’s one of the reasons so many of us are single, or we end up dating people in the industry. Not everyone likes having their entire lives under a fucking microscope. Not to mention having to choose between being apart or living on the road. It’s a lot.”
“It is,” Cash agreed. “But don’t let that stop you. When it’s right, it’s right. Somehow you find a way to make it work.”
“I’m really not trying to discourage you, man.” Dallas’s face softened. “I don’t want to see you get hurt, and I can tell you’re already crazy about this girl. I’ve never seen you like this, so it worries me a little. I don’t want you to get attached and things not work out.”
“I agree.” Cash nodded. “I think you have to go into this knowing she may never let it go beyond friendship.”
“Even if she does, you could still face a completely different set of challenges,” Dallas added.
“I know.” I sighed. “I do know that. I can’t explain it, but I think she could be worth the risk of getting hurt.”
“Where are you taking her?” Cash asked.
“That’s a good question,” I said. “I was thinking I might go over to her bakery in a bit and surprise her. Maybe I can get her to have lunch with me too.”
“Mind if I tag along?” Cash asked quickly.
“You want to see Ella?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing her,” he replied casually, averting his gaze. “I’ll have Brady take us.”
“I can drive,” I offered.
“Negative, Ghost Rider.” Cash smirked. “That Lamborghini isn’t exactly inconspicuous. We’ll need to be a little more incognito at this hour. I’m dropping the car at the rental place on my way to the airport, remember? My flight is at seven, and I don’t want you to lose track of time.”
“Where are you headed? I don’t think you said.”
“I’m going to spend some time with the in-laws, but I’ll be back in a couple of days.” His face fell a bit. Part of me wanted to reach across the table and hug him.
“No way are you two jerks leaving me here.” Dallas leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I want some of these cupcakes. Are you guys ready?”
“Actually, there’s something else I need to talk to you guys about,” Cash said.
