Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

Elena chuckles. “And homemade tortilla chips.”

“You’re the perfect girl. Marry me tonight. You cook, I’ll clean. Match made in heaven.” He smiles at her.

She shakes her head as a loud laugh erupts from her. “As sweet as you are, I’m not interested in a life behind bars. Sorry.”

“So, I have one last request before my time is over with you both.” Caleb fidgets with his bowtie.

I glance at him. “Strip clubs are off the table.”

Elena chokes on air. “Oh my God, Jax, stop it. You’re embarrassing him.”

Caleb holds his chin higher. “I want to get a tattoo.”

I eye him. “For real? But you’re only sixteen.”

“This is priceless coming from the guy who got his first tattoo at the same age.”

“That’s different. I had approval.”

Caleb rubs his bald head. “My mum will agree.”

My eyes land on Elena’s. “What do you say? Let’s grant his last wish from me?”

“I’d like nothing better.” The smile she shoots my way makes my heart constrict oddly in my chest.

Shit.

I don’t want to fall in love, but damn if her smile doesn’t make the crash landing worth it.

27

Elena

Caleb is absolutely enamored by Jax. I expected Jax to be involved and nice to Caleb, but he goes above and beyond to make his fan experience the best aspects of F1. The tattooed man who invades my thoughts showed me a sweet side of himself that he keeps hidden from the world.

While I planned a fake race with old F1 cars for Caleb, Jax went out of his way to plan other outings. He introduced Caleb to Liam and Noah during a surprise lunch. Even our dinner, while under the guise of taking me out, was really to make Caleb’s last night with Jax memorable.

Basically, Jax is so swoon worthy, I’m susceptible to falling over from a light breeze.

After dinner, Jax calls his tattoo artist to open up his shop while I call Caleb’s mom to check if she approves of his decision. She emails me a scanned copy of a signed consent form, supporting the plan.

I spend most of the car ride listening to the two of them discuss F1 gossip and statistics. Something about Jax this week is different. I’m not even talking about the recent incident of shoving his tongue down my throat and making me come.

He seems...happy. True happiness unlike anything I’ve seen from him before. I don’t know if spending time in London makes him feel more at ease or if it’s the break away from the F1 pressures.

Part of me is waiting for everything to go wrong. But a bigger part—a stupidly hopeful part—is wondering if he will stay like this for the rest of the season.

God, I hope so. This version of Jax is one I like more and more by the day.

Our car stops in front of a modern storefront, ending my thoughts.

“Ready?” Caleb offers me his hand as he exits the car.

“This is a crazy idea.” I grab onto his extended hand.

“The best ones start out that way.” He gives my hand a kis

s before letting it go.