Page 132 of Don't Think

I fell in love here.

I stepped way out of my comfort zone.

I grew, and not as a mom, not as a nurse, but just… asme.

This place reminded me who I am.

Jax leans in and kisses my temple, his arms pulling me into his chest. I breathe him in, trying to lock his scent in my memory. Something to hold onto when he’s not just a short drive away. At least for now. It’s just a few weeks until he can visit.

“I guess we should hit the road before we get stuck in traffic,” I murmur, not really wanting to move.

The corner of his lips twitch into a small smile, and he tucks a loose piece of hair behind my ear. “Whenever you’re ready, love. No rush.”

I lift my head and look up at him. “Promise you’ll drive safely?” My voice is already shaky, the nerves creeping in again.

He holds up his pinky, grinning. “Pinky promise.”

I let out a soft laugh and wrap my finger around his. He pulls our hands to his lips and kisses the top of my finger, holding my gaze.

My eyebrows pinch together. “Wait… youkisspinky promises?”

“Obviously,” he says with a playful shrug. “It seals the deal. Or at least that’s what my niece told me.”

I smile and reach up, resting my hand against his cheek. The familiar roughness of his stubble brushes my palm, and I press my forehead against his, taking a slow, steady breath.

He slides his hand to the back of my neck, his thumb tracing slow circles at my hairline

Tears sting the backs of my eyes, but I blink them away and reluctantly whisper, “I’m ready.”

After a tearful goodbye with Nora—most of the tears coming from her and Ana, since thank God they finally made up—we make our way to the driveway. But something tugs at me, pulling me to a stop. I turn around.

The house.

The place where I fell in love.

Where I finally let myself breathe. Feel. Heal.

So many memories packed into just a few weeks.

Then the sound of gravel crunching pulls me out of my thoughts. I glance over and spot a sleek black sports car pulling into the driveway. Jax and I both stare while Gareth climbs out, slides off his sunglasses, and hooks them onto the collar of his shirt. He leans casually against the car, eyes flicking our way.

“You guys heading out?” he calls.

Jax gives a quick nod. “Yeah.”

“Cool. Safe trip. I’ll see you at the studio tomorrow, yeah?” Gareth says as he starts up the path toward Nora.

Jax’s brow tightens just a bit. “Uh, yeah. I’ll be there,” he mutters, sounding guarded.

I glance up at him, frowning. “Hey,” I murmur, tipping my head toward Gareth. “You sure everything’s okay?”

He gives me a tight smile and shrugs. “Yeah. I just… don’t really know how we’re supposed to record without a drummer.”

My eyes go wide while I glance between him and Gareth. “Wait—what do you mean without a drummer? Did Casey quit?”

He lets out a heavy sigh and slides his arm around my shoulders while we start walking toward the car. On the way, he fills me in on everything. On how he went to their hotel room yesterday, and how things blew up. The disgusting things Casey said, the fight that ended with Jax getting slammed into a glass coffee table, and how he walked out without even knowing if the band was still standing.

I bring my hand to my mouth, shaking my head slowly. “Jax, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to cause—”