He laughed, blue eyes twinkling at the memory. “He’s still pissed about that.”
“Bastard can hold a grudge.”
The copper-headed man glanced in my direction like his ears were burning. After a beat, I averted my eyes.
“I shouldn’t be surprised by the engagement,” Jackson said, watching the beaming couple by the bar who’d been adorably happy all night, “but it still feels surreal.”
“How so?”
“It feels grown up, and sometimes I still feel like a bumbling kid, unable to figure out my role in this world.”
I frowned. “What are you talking about? You’ve never been bumbling, Jackson. You’re the smoothest person I’ve ever met. Even as a teenager. You reeked of confidence. I remember those days back in school when I was really a mess; lost and trying to make a statement. You’d ease up to me, lay a hand on my back, and it was like having the strongest person in the world next to me.”
He looked at his hands but I saw the dimples on his cheeks that gave away his smile. “That was a different time.” His eyes met mine. “There was a lot at stake.”
“And there isn’t now? Not with your business and reputation?”
He shrugged. “Those things are nice, but none of them fill the hole.”
The hole.
I didn’t ask him to explain it because I had the same one.
“So how do you think Hayden’s really doing?”
We looked over at him, sitting at the table, leg propped on another chair. He and Ginger were involved in a conversation but it wasn’t hard to miss the rings under his eyes. “It’s been a hard adjustment. He probably should sleep more. The doctor said no screen time at all, but I’ve caught him a few times on his phone or watching TV. He’s bored. I get it, but it’s the best way to heal.”
“I keep catching him rubbing his forehead. Headaches?” I asked.
“He won’t really admit it, but yeah. It’s obvious.” Jackson leaned closer. “And his temper. God. He’s almost unbearable.”
“I’ll come by soon if you think it will help.”
“It will help Oliver, that’s for sure.”
Glancing over at the bar, I
caught Anderson still watching us, lines tugging at his mouth. I sighed heavily and nudged Jackson’s foot with my toe. He followed my eyes and looked over his shoulder. “Should we make him jealous, like the good ol’ days?”
“That’s not funny.” Although it was, a little, and I laughed darkly. “Shit. Maybe I do need that drink.” To get through the night, I didn’t add.
Jackson nodded and stood, giving me a hand to help me out of my chair.
So, I had a drink and then two more. I was finally relaxed enough not to care about the dirty looks Anderson had been giving me all night. It was a relief when he and Oliver took Hayden home. I watched his tall, broad frame exit the front door and said, “What’s Anderson’s problem, anyway? He certainly isn’t making this situation any easier for anyone.”
Jackson snorted. “Nothing new. Just trying to control the world and all the variables in it.”
“He doesn’t like me talking to you.”
He looked over my shoulder. “No, and I’m pretty sure I’ll hear about it later, too.”
“What’s he afraid of?” My tongue felt loose and my arms limber.
“That I’ll do something stupid.”
Liquid courage compelled me and I took a step closer, outside appropriate boundaries. His eyebrows raised in response. “We’re adults, Jax. We can do what we want without Anderson’s judgment. Fuck him if he thinks we can’t be left alone to have a simple conversation. We’re moving on, right? Doing this for Amber. For Hayden. We’re adulting.” I frowned into my drink, realizing it was empty.
Jackson leaned against the wall and brushed my hair over my shoulder. Inside I froze. The move…it was intimate, sweet…familiar. Outside, where my limbs were loose, I didn’t step away.