Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

I swallow back the lump in my throat. “I agree. But seeing as it’s already a plan in progress, do you want to play a game with us?”

“I’m not a kid. I don’t play games.” His jaw clenches.

“Okay…” I stare down at the Cards Against Humanity box. “Well, I think Elías invited some of your friends, so we’ll be out in the living room if you want to join us.”

“I won’t. I was in the middle of a phone call when you interrupted. If you’re done now, I’ve got to go call my dad back.” His eyes close, but not soon enough.

I catch the redness in them, the sheen he attempted to hide with his bad attitude.

I can’t believe I’m considering this but has Jax been crying? I’d almost think I made it up, except when he opens his eyes again, they have a puffiness to them I’ve never seen before.

Holy shit.

Guilt consumes me for interrupting him when he is clearly having a rough time. “I’m sorry if I bothered you during something important. I was trying to see if you wanted to hang with us, but I can tell it’s not a good time for you.”

“Even if my friends are coming over, I want to be left alone right now.”

His avoidance of his friends tells me everything. A year ago, Jax was all smiles and known for being most likely to close a club down. The male in front of me is a ghost of that person. He’s become a man who seals himself off from the world instead of sharing his burden. And a small voice in my head wants to be the person for him. The same insane voice finding him attractive in the first place.

“Okay then. If you need to talk later, you know where I live.” I point a thumb over my shoulder toward my bedroom.

He offers me a tight smile before closing his door. I turn on my heel. The image of Jax, upset and sad, pulls at my heartstrings from all different directions.

I step into my room to find Elías lying on top of my bed.

He offers me a weak smile. “I’m guessing that didn’t go as planned based on your frown.”

“I don’t understand him.”

“Did he have a reason for his mood this time?”

“Something about me disrupting a call with his dad.”

Elías gazes at the ceiling and lets out a grunt. “I don’t know why something feels off.”

“Probably because he is off.”

“Well, sucks for him. His friends are going to have fun with us while he pouts in his bedroom.”

An hour later, our living room is filled with laughter. Liam, Noah, Maya, Sophie, Elías, Santi, and I sit around a coffee table centered in the living room.

Everyone seems like they are having a good time, even without Jax. Besides Liam asking about him thirty minutes ago, no one mentions his absence. Maya and Sophie spent the better part of the hour including Elías and me in every conversation, never making us feel like outsiders.

“‘This is the prime of my life. I’m hot, young, and full of poor life choices,’ Damn, who knew I was such a catch.” Santiago reads off his winning card set.

“When you describe yourself as a catch, that’s usually a bad sign.” Noah takes a swig of his beer.

“I think he’s been learning a thing or two about cockiness from Noah. Save him from a life of eternal damnation, Maya. Don’t let him fall into the same trap as your boyfriend.” Liam dumps the unchosen cards in the box.

“I’ve tried. My mother has tried. Even our local priest gave him a speech about being humble.” Maya jokingly grimaces at me.

Noah tugs Maya into his side. “I even talked to him. No one likes a cocky asshole unless you’re Maya. She loves me despite all my assholery.”

Santi presses a palm against his chest and flutters his lashes exaggeratedly. “There’s hope for us all.”

The door to Jax’s bedroom opens. He makes his way toward the couch, nearly tripping over his feet. “So, everyone’s out here having a good time.” Jax slurs his words. He drops onto the couch and shuts his eyes.

Liam narrows his eyes at his friend. “Why don’t we get you to bed? You don’t look too good.”