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“No,” she said, surprised. “No, I don’t want that.”
He took a puff from the cigarette, looking back at her. “Teags. Is this better than your family finding out about Eric? Honestly, I feel like your mom would throw a party if we told them this was a sham.”
She pressed her lips together. “What, so I can admit that I’m just silly little Teagan still? That I can’t fend for myself in the real world any better than I could when I got into the exchange program in high school? When I went down to North Rock and let Joshua coerce me into something stupid? That I’m just a naïve little bird, still unable to fly on her own?” Her lips were trembling, and her words were harsh in her throat as she fought to keep the wobble out of her voice.
“No, no… no… God, is that what you think of yourself?” he asked, reaching out with one arm to slip it around her shoulders. He tugged her flush against his side. He was warm, and she knew she shouldn’t really lean into the comfort right now, not when they were alone and she could read into his actions.
“Isn’t that right?” she asked, leaning into his warmth anyway. “Isn’t that what I am?”
“No,” he answered. “No, you’ve a good heart inside you, Teags. You want to find the best in people. That’s a wonderful trait. Makes you a wonderful person to know. If more people were like you, then… well…” He took another drag, careful to blow it in the opposite direction of her face. “People like Eric wouldn’t find a foothold.”
“Or people like Eric would have a banner year because they could take anything they wanted and no one would stop them,” she replied glumly.
He turned to face her, his cigarette still comically extended as far away from them as he was able. She could feel him looking at her, but she was focusing on one of the concrete garden gnomes. She couldn’t look at him right now. All she wanted was to bury herself under a blanket, away from everyone else. “Listen to me, Teagan. I won’t make you look at me, because I can tell you don’t want to. So listen. After the shit Joshua put you through, after growing up with a mother like that, after Eric doing everything he did… you’re still an absolute pleasure to be around. Youstilllook for the best in people. You can stillseeit. That’s what so fucking spectacular about you, Teags. You can look at me and see someone trying their hardest, not every single mistake I’ve ever made. You’re fucking amazing, love.”
His words made her feel warm. And he leaned forward then and stubbed the cigarette out on the garden gnome’s nose, leaving a soot spot that made her giggle. “Come on, let’s go have dinner, darling.”
She stayed where she was, smelling the acrid smell of the smoke and knowing they’d both be reeking of it when they went back inside.Ifthey did. Maybe they could just leave now… she’d be fine with that.
“We could just go,” she murmured. “Grab dinner once we get back to my place.”
“Nah, I think this is important for you. And it’s not very Madden of you to retreat from your problems.”
“Maybe Maddens should retreat more often.”
Jaxon chuckled. “You wouldn’t be Maddens then. Come on. I can take whatever your mom can dish out. I’ve had my ciggie.”
She snorted and started towards the door. He reached down and grabbed her hand before opening the door for her. “After you.”
“Thank you,” she said. And meant it. She just hoped Jaxon could read between the lines.
Chapter Fourteen
They were the last two to sit down, and to his credit, Jaxon was the perfect gentleman. He thanked Cassandra for the meal and remarked on how nice it smelled. He did everything short of falling at her feet, and she didn’t give him a second look. She straight-up ignored his presence, deciding instead to turn towards Owen and address him instead.
Everyone else was dead silent. Even Andrea, who was notorious for her outspokenness. She did shoot Teagan a sympathetic look, which when coming from Andrea, felt sort of nice.
Dave was in her corner as well, smiling at her before asking Jaxon how work was coming on his house.
Jaxon was about to bring up the plumbing incident when Cassandra deftly interrupted him. “Owen, why don’t you ask Teagan how she’s been? Hmm?”
“That was rude,” Teagan began. “Jaxon was talking.”
“Was he? I didn’t notice,” Cassandra replied, spearing a potato with her fork and biting down. “By all means, Jaxon. Continue.”
“No, no, it’s fine. Dave had asked me a question and--”
“Owen?” Cassandra turned back to Owen, who looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him up.
“Teagan?” He asked. “Alright?”
“Perfectly fine, Dad. Everything’s great.”
“Good. Glad to hear it,” he smiled and then turned to Jaxon. “Finish telling us about the house, you sounded like you were about to hit on something interesting there.”
Teagan’s eyes widened, and she searched out Shea, whose face looked identical.
Owen had cast his lot. And it wasn’t with Cassandra for once.
