“I cannot confirm nor deny that,” Jax replied, and Tristan took a moment before letting out a bone-weary sigh.
“I’m sorry.” The words came from the depths of his soul, and Jax could feel their sincerity. “I don’t know how much you heard-”
“Most of it,” Jax interrupted, his voice soft. This wasn’t like him. He should be outside scaring Eve away for good, but Tristan had done that instead, showing off his newfound strength, and Jax couldn’t help but marvel at it.
“Oh…” Tristan cleared his throat, the guilt in his gaze taking over. “Jax, my past, my ex, caused you a lot of pain, and almost ruined your career. I can’t make up for that.”
“You act like you’re responsible for Eve and Derrick, likeyoucame up with the plan.” Why was Jax the calm and rational one here? It was like Tristan’s actions and proximity had sealed up the wound in his heart, and while it still ached a bit, that could be solved with more closeness and conversation.
“But if I hadn’t given her money, then this wouldn’t have happened.” Tristan put a hand over his brow, shading his eyes. “And if I hadn’t met her that morning, you wouldn’t-” His breath hitched on a sob he couldn’t stifle. “You wouldn’t have been lying there alone.”
“Tristan…” Jax looked up under that hand, and tears trailed down Tristan’s cheeks. “You still came for me. I was hurt by what happened, but I understand now.”
“I will never keep anything from you again.” Tristan quickly wiped his cheeks. “I promise.”
“I know you won’t.” Jax had forgiven Tristan already, but he could tell that it would be a while before Tristan forgave himself. Taking a few seconds to build up his courage, Jax stayed locked on those light-brown eyes. “So, did you mean what you said?”
Tristan started, immediately knowing what Jax meant, and his teary gaze glimmered.
“Yes.” He stepped closer, bridging the slight space between them. Jax could tell that he wanted to reach out, but he probably felt too afraid, so Jax held out his hand instead.
Tristan looked at it and let out a shaky half-sob as their fingers entwined. Jax’s vision blurred with tears too, because he’d missed Tristansomuch.
Looking up from their joined hands, Tristan stared deeply into Jax’seyes, baring his soul.
“I can’t believe that I thought I loved Eve, because what I feel for you isn’t even close. It’s in a different galaxy, a different universe.” He pulled Jax’s hand up, kissing the back of it. “I love you so deeply that I feel like we’ve met before.”
“You feel it too!” Jax exclaimed as reality narrowed down to just the two of them. “You’re familiar, like this isn’t the first time we’ve been in love.”
Tristan’s mouth fell open, and Jax realized that he’d just said it indirectly. So, he’d better say it again.
“Yeah, I love you too.” He bit his lip, suddenly shy as Tristan’s fingers grasped his tightly. “And it killed me that you ran off that morning, because to me? You’re basically perfect.”
Tristan snorted.
“Shut up, don’t make me punch you too,” Jax managed to grin. “Youareperfect, and the only thing that was holding us back was your lunatic ex. But youreallysolved that problem.”
“I had to clear your name and get Eve out of everyone’s lives.” A hesitant smile bloomed across Tristan’s face. “You still wanting me afterward? I couldn’t let myself hope.”
Moving in close, Jax stood on his toes, pressing their lips together, and that simple, sweet kiss dampened some of the adrenaline, because it felt like home.
They parted with a click, and pink bloomed enticingly along Tristan’s cheekbones.
“Yes, I still want you. But we should probably ease in,” Jax stated, wondering if that was even possible, because if his back would let him, he’d cling to Tristan for the next decade.
Tristan nodded solemnly, but the glee in his wobbly smile betrayed him. “Agreed.”
Jax looked at the chair that Eve had been sitting in. “I have so many questions.”
“And I owe you answers.” Tristan gently swung their joined hands.
“Okay…” Jax took a breath. “How did you figure it out? And how did you manage to put this together?” Jax waved his free hand around the office, the floodgates opening. “How did Eve and Derrick meet? Do you think she’ll bother us again?”
Blinking at the onslaught, Tristan let out a small chuckle. “Hang on, hang on. Um, I went for a hike, and I stopped on the way home for pizza. That’s when I saw them sitting in the window of a bar.”
“Are you kidding?” Jax snorted, amused. “Wow, that’slucky. And unlucky for them.”
Tristan barked out a laugh, running a hand through his hair. “I guess so. Honestly, at that moment I wanted to call you-”
