Page 39 of Will to Run

“How was Bill’s?” Hazel asks.

“Oh, you know. Bunch of idiots, myself included,” he says. “Gage is seeing someone seriously. Travis is going to break up with Lana. And Owen is thinking about moving to Colorado.”

I have no idea who these people are, but the girls are wide-eyed, staring at him.

“Those are huge scoops, Jax. Any details? Why are they splitting?”

They talk about these people, who I find out are from Amberheart, and just listen as they go back and forth about them. Jaxon keeps including me in the conversation, and I can’t get enough of how he pulls me in with his words and his eyes.

His smile, his swagger, his… his everything.

This freaking man.

As things wrap up, I realize I walked here and don’t really want to walk home. That’s a half-lie; I’d be fine walking, but I’d rather hitch my wagon to Jaxon tonight.

“I saw your car outside, Mol. And your cart, Hazie, but what about you, Del? How are you getting home? I have to head to Cayson’s to help him with something, but I can drop you off if you need it.”

The smile that spreads across my face is a hundred times bigger than it needs to be. It’s like he read my mind.

“I just walked.”

“Well, you can’t walk home! You’ll mess up your pretty purple toes.”

A giggle escapes my lips. A freaking giggle. Jesus, how embarrassing. But I can’t help the way my nose scrunches up with my smile.

I catch Molly waggling her eyebrows at Hazel and laugh that they’re witnessing this.

“You’d certainly be giving me a save,” I say.

“Let’s go, Tatroe,” he says, standing and holding out his hand to help me up. When I take it, I can’t help but notice the stark contrast to Tripp’s hands. I’ve never noticed hands before, but Jaxon’s hold an undeniable attraction. They are calloused and rugged; the hands of someone who works hard, but they come with a gentle touch that makes my heart beat faster.

After we say goodbye, Hazel sings There Goes My Hero and I glance behind me, shaking my head. Returning fire, I turn back to Jaxon and ask him loudly, “So tell me about River Ranch. I hear it’s interesting.”

“That fucking place?” he starts. “What have you heard?”

I turn back at Hazel, who is looking at me with a smile of disbelief, causing the three of us to laugh as Jaxon and I exit the room.

When we get to my cabin, he parks the car and turns to me. “Did you have fun today?”

“I did. It was great. I’m honored to have been part of the spa day. Plus, those treatments were delightful. Did you have fun?”

“It was good. Honestly, I enjoyed watching the sunrise painting come along as much as I liked hanging with my friends. How long will something like that take?”

“I vacillate between loose impressionism and classic impressionism, so it depends on how many details I add. For the sunrise, because I think it’s going to be pretty important, it’ll probably take longer than most.”

“Wow. I can’t wait to see it. Those teasers you were sending me last night have me excited to see the final piece!”

“You can come in to see it if you want,” I suggest. This is a bold move, asking for what I want without asking explicitly.

He closes his eyes and groans. “That is an invitation I would love to accept, but I have to get to Cayson. He’s got a late-night meeting with a lawyer. I can’t imagine what that costs, but he’s doing it, and I told him I’d watch the kids.”

“Oh, no, that makes sense. Totally fine…” I find myself speaking quickly, feeling rejected, even though I know it’s not rejection. At the same time, I wonder what the hell is going on with his brother.

“Can we rain check?” he asks.

“For sure!” I reply. “Thanks for the ride!”

I hop out before he can say anything back and rush to get inside.