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“I had the dining room set up for dinner, so we can eat in there. Thank you so much, Jax, I still feel awful about this. I wish you’d let me pay.” She is ridiculous. I know this isn’t a date, but honestly, I like that I bought dinner for her. She shouldn’t feel bad about it. I put the bag on the table and take out the containers.
“Stop already. I wanted to do it, so let it go.” She lightly laughs and shakes her head. She takes the bag from me and places it on the floor before sitting down. I sit down opposite her where the other plate is set. “I got chicken and broccoli, but there is a lot of other things, so just take what you want.” We both make our plates and start to eat.
“Oh my God, this is delicious. Where did you get it?” I finish what is in my mouth and smile at her.
“I found this new place, China Kingdom. It’s only about ten minutes from here. They make some great food. Blake and I have eaten there a few times since they opened.” She moans when she takes another bite, and I need to concentrate on my plate because that sound is getting the attention of my cock, and that is not where this is supposed to be going.
“They will end up knowing me by name. This is really good.” She laughs as she takes a sip of her wine. “You never did tell me, because of the burning food and all, if your brother is married?” I give her a tight smile and chug back half of my beer.
“He was engaged, but he walked in on her and his best friend one day, so needless to say, he ended that. It’s been hard for him.” She puts her fork down, reaches over, and takes a hold of my hand. Fuck, it’s just like the first time I shook her hand. I feel like it belongs.
“I’m so sorry. That must have been horrible for him and you. I know you told me how close you are.” She really does get me. I squeeze her hand.
“He was better than me, because I would have beaten the shit out of his friend. He let him walk out of the house. I don’t like seeing anyone I love hurting, so yea, it was hard for me too.” She pulls her hand away and gets back to eating.
“You haven’t mentioned your parents. Do you have a relationship with them?” I fucking hate talking about my parents. They never did anything for me or Brody. They were always too busy and not busy in the way of trying to support us. They wanted to be rich, and they did everything and anything to make that happen. My mom tried modeling, and my dad tried acting. They tried selling real estate, flipping houses, and even selling drugs. They never gave a shit about us; we did nothing but take their money. I haven’t spoken to them since I graduated high school. Brody talks to them occasionally, and I don’t have the heart to tell him it’s because they are looking for money. They both tried to contact me after I started modeling, so I changed my number.
“No, I don’t have a relationship with them. They are selfish assholes who didn’t have time for their own kids. It’s better this way. They are toxic.” She looks at me and shakes her head.
“Damn, Jax, I’m so sorry. You’ve suffered so much, I honestly don’t know what to say.” I fill my plate with more food and shrug my shoulders.
“It is just shit I had to deal with. If anything, I’d say having to deal with it all helped make me who I am.” Once again, I tell her something I never share. The only people who know about my parents are Brody and Blake. “What about you? Are you close to your parents?”
“I never met my dad, but yes, I’m close with my mom. She inspires me with all she gave up to raise Braden and me. Shit, sorry.” She looks at me with pain clear in her eyes.
“Kallie, don’t feel bad that you had a great mom. I’d never want anyone to suffer the way we did. Please, tell me about her.” She pushes her plate away and finishes off her wine.
“She’s just a great woman. She always put us first, worked her ass off to provide for us, and supported me just as much as Braden did with my dreams. I don’t know if I’d have made it this far without the love and support of my family.” That’s exactly what she deserves, nothing less.
“Having the support of your family is amazing. I’m lucky I have that with Brody, and even though Blake is a pain in the ass, he’s just as much my brother as Brody is. I’m grateful to have them support me.” She pulls her legs up on the seat and wraps her arms around them.
“Blake is a piece of work, but he seems like a great guy. Speaking of, did you know he and Brinley are out to dinner tonight?” I laugh as I finish my dinner.
“Yes, I did know that. Are you finished?” I don’t know exactly what kind of person Brinley is, but Blake is one hell of a player, so I hope this doesn’t fuck up this friendship we are trying to build here. I’ll beat the shi
t out of him.
“Yes, I’ll clean up. Don’t even think about it. You’ve done enough for the dinner that was supposed to be for you.” She gets up and takes our plates to the kitchen, and I close the containers of food. When she gets back, she puts them all in the bag they came in and carries that to the kitchen as well. I follow her with my empty beer and her wine glass. “You take this food home with you because it will go to waste here. It’s only me.” I can’t imagine living by myself, it seems like it would be lonely.
“Why do you live alone? You didn’t want to live with Brinley?” She laughs and hops up on the counter.
“Honestly, it doesn’t bother me. Yes, it definitely gets lonely sometimes, but I manage. Brinley and I would kill each other if we lived together. She’s my best friend, but we are total opposites. I have my beliefs and she has hers. We argued about just that earlier.” I lean on the counter next to her and cross my arms looking over at her.
“What beliefs are those?” She tucks her hair behind her ear and smiles.
“I told you I don’t date or sleep with models, never have, never will. She is the opposite, and it pisses me off because I know all too well how that can fuck up your career. I worry about her.” I wink at her and smirk.
“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t done the same thing. Like you are saying though, I’ve seen what it can do to a career, so I’m careful now.” She gives me a tight smile, and I want to fucking crawl in a hole. Why the fuck would I tell her that? She probably thinks I’m some male model slut now. That is definitely not the impression I want her to have of me.
“I know it happens. I see it all the time, that’s not what I’m saying.” She turns her head and looks directly in my eyes now. “You know that saying, you don’t shit where you eat, well, that’s how I feel about it. I’ll never understand it, but like I said, that is my belief.” I laugh at her analogy. Yep, she thinks I’m a male slut, and honestly, how can I argue it. I’ve slept with a lot of women, models or not.
“Listen, I’m not saying I’m proud of what I’ve done, but it has happened. I don’t want you to think less of me for it.” She looks at the floor and tucks her hair behind both ears.
“I don’t think less of you, and honestly, what would it matter if I did?” I slap my hand on my chest getting her attention. When she looks over at me, I dramatically clench my chest.
“I, Jax Burke, solemnly swear to never sleep with another model again from here on out.” She laughs, which is exactly what I was going for. Even though she thinks I’m bullshitting her, I am going to put a stop to it. She made a valid point; not to mention, I want her total respect. “And for what it is worth, it would matter.” It’s like I can’t stop myself from speaking the truth when it comes to her, but it does matter. I can’t explain it, I just met her for Christ’s sake, but it matters.
“You sure you sleep around with models, because you’re kinda corny?” We both burst out laughing, and she starts to yawn.
