AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re welcome. And thanks, I’m glad you liked the food.” Noah turned away to add more lemonade to the jug and pulled a few more beers from the freezer. Turning to Jax, he added, “Can you bring the two kinds of ice cream and the box of cones, please?”
Jax knew what Noah was doing and he didn’t like the way it darkened his mood, like rain clouds over the sun. Maybe he was still irritated with his dad?
“Hey,” he reached out a hand to stop Noah from leaving. “It’s okay. Your dad is fine.He just…”
“Doesn’t have a filter?” Noah interrupted him. “I know. Must be an old people thing.”
Jax chuckled. “Can we talk soon?”
Noah’s eyes caught the evening light streaming in through the kitchen window, sparkling like diamonds. He seemed to be deciding what, if anything, to say, then closed his mouth and nodded, taking the things he had in his hand out to the others.
“Who wants ice cream?” he called out, knowing the boys would come running. When they stood next to him, he gave them exactly what they asked for. “Anyone else want some ice cream?”
His father asked for one scoop in a cone and then he took a seat, pouring himself some lemonade. Desultory chatter followed while they watched the boys play frisbee with the dog. The backyard wasn’t really big enough for an outdoor party as well as playing with the dog, but Jax’s soul eased into the joy of being outdoors in pleasant company.
“When are you leaving to take up your new position, Jax?”
“I’ll be gone in three or four weeks, sir.”
“Has my boy been showing you thesights?”
Jax could see Noah cringing and he hurried to answer. “We only just caught up, sir. We did spend some time at the festival lastweekend.”
That was enough of a distraction as they talked about how the event had changed over time. Then Annie declared herself ready to go.
“It was great to hang out with you guys,” she said once her husband had helped her up. “The boys had a great time, and I’m sure they’re going to want more play dates with Klinger.” She reached out to shake hands with Mr. Santiago. “It was good to meet you, sir. Once this little munchkin is born,” she rubbed her belly, “we’ll have you all over before you head back down toFlorida.”
“I can live with that.” Alvaro shook her hand gently, before turning to say something meant only for Jax in his ear.
Noah walked with them to the front door and watched as Jim helped his wife into the front seat of his truck. Jax held back and when Noah finally looked at him, he could feel a fine tension stretching between them like spider webs, fragile yet tensile.
“I had a good time, Noah, and even though your dad put you on the spot, you don’t have to take me anywhere. I’llbe fine.”
Color bloomed in Noah’s cheeks, raising a corresponding warmth in Jax’s chest that he fought to keep from traveling any further south. He had forgotten how Noah’s blushes telegraphed his embarrassment or arousal, yet they turned him on regardless of the reason. He wanted to capture the warmth between his palms, to deepen it with kisses that would build a fire between them.
“It’s not a problem. I have lessons most days, though I’m often free in themornings.”
“I’m at your disposal, as long as you won’t mind me bringing the boys along sometimes. Annie is about to pop, poor thing, and she needs all the rest she can get, but with two rambunctious eight-year-old boys, that’ll be hard to do.”
“We can do kid-friendly things if that’s whatyou need.”
Was that disappointment that Jax was seeing in Noah’s eyes? Did he want them to have alone time? How would that even happen, since they both lived with other people in each house? And why would he want that anyway, since it was clear that he was conflicted about how to bewith Jax?
“We can do whatever you like, Noah. I’m not fussy. If you’d prefer, we can wait until Jim gets home and then go where you want toshow me.”
Noah smiled. “Most of the places I’d like to show you aren’t open after six. But we can always talk about that. You’d better go.” He looked over Jax’s shoulder. “They’re waitingfor you.”
Jax wanted to stay. The need to talk to Noah, to get rid of all the ugly feelings, the anger and hurt, had been burning inside him all afternoon, but short of inviting him out and finding some place where they could be alone for that conversation, he had to let it go. For now.
“Okay. I’lltext you.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Jax wanted to kiss him. Badly. He clenched his fists to stop from reaching for him and stepped away. Noah’s gaze was a searing flame licking against his spine, lighting him up as he settled into the back seat of the truck withthe boys.
“I had a great time, Jax.” Annie’s voice dragged him away from his thoughts. “Your friend is a sweetheart, and his dad is a hoot.”
“Yeah, they’re nicepeople.”
