Dare to Play (Dare Nation 3)

“You have a funny way of showing it,” Macy muttered. “Don’t ask me why but I’ll throw you one bone. If you get your act together and want a relationship with your daughter, it’s up to Hannah if she wants to have anything to do with you. I won’t stand in your way if you act like an adult and a parent. But I won’t let you jerk her around.” As much as Macy disliked Lilah, it wasn’t her place to keep Hannah from her mother.

Lilah nodded, clutching her drink in both hands.

Macy went on. “If you get in touch with Hannah again, it had better be for a real, genuine relationship. Otherwise disappear. For good this time.”

She strode out without waiting for an answer. Heading down the hall to the elevator, she shook her head. She’d always known the other woman had an agenda. And to think Macy had gotten married because Lilah assumed Hannah came with insurance money. If only Macy had known what Lilah wanted ahead of time, then she wouldn’t have married Jaxon.

Or fallen in love.

She drew in a deep breath. One half of their reason for being married was over. Her half.

Jaxon still needed the pretense of family life. And she wanted to stay married to him, but she also needed him to feel the same way about her that she did for him. She desired a real relationship and that started with honesty. Whether or not Jaxon could handle love and emotions was anyone’s guess.

* * *

While Macy went to deal with the wicked witch, Jaxon sat in the family room, keeping an ear out for Hannah in case she left her room and came looking for her sister. He watched an old action movie on the big screen and waited until he heard Hannah in the kitchen.

He rose and joined her.

She’d poured a bowl of cereal and milk and sat at the counter on a barstool. Though her eyes were still red, she’d cleaned up in the shower and her face was clear of black makeup.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked.

She shrugged and took another spoonful, the crunching sound loud in the silence.

Pulling the box over to him, he took a handful and popped some into his mouth. “Want to talk about it?” he asked her.

She shrugged again.

“I told you about my dad,” Jaxon reminded her. “He wasn’t father of the year, but I had my mother and my brothers and sister. You’ve got Macy.”

With big eyes, Hannah met his gaze. “What if I drive her away, too? My own mother doesn’t want me. Why would Macy?” She pushed the bowl away, only soggy cereal left.

Jaxon propped on an elbow and leaned close. “Has Macy gone anywhere yet? Or given you any indication that she doesn’t want you? She was willing to fight your mom for you. Doesn’t that prove to you how much she loves you?” he asked.

“I’ve been really shitty to her. I told her I’d rather live with my mom, but that was just because I was so happy Mom came back and I thought because she wanted me.” She rested her chin in her hands and let out a prolonged sigh.

His heart hurt for Hannah. It was hard enough being a teenager without adding in her own mother playing head games. “It’s not about you. You know that, right? Lilah’s the one with the issues. You’re going to be fine. You and Macy.”

And him?

Was that what he wanted? To make them a real family? Could he open himself up to the feelings he knew were in his heart?

“Thanks,” Hannah said, oblivious to his thoughts. “Do you love my sister?” Leave it to a teen to cut right to the point.

“It’s complicated,” he told her.

“Grown-ups make things complicated.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Yeah? And teenagers don’t?”

The smile he hadn’t seen all day returned.

“True. But I see how you look at Macy.” Hannah rose from her seat. “I have homework that’s due tomorrow. Gotta go do it.” Picking up the bowl and spoon, she walked to the sink and rinsed everything, dried it, and put it away before turning back to him. “Jaxon?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks.” Impulsively, she strode over and gave him a hug before ducking her head and running out, heading for her room.

He stared after her, the teenager and her mood swings a reminder of the life he could have if he told Macy he loved her and she felt the same way.

Right now? She no longer had a reason to stay married but she would, because she’d made a bargain and he still needed the pretense of a family life. Granted, a quieter one than they’d had so far. It wasn’t real. But it could be.

He could try and make things between them genuine. Turn their relationship into one without an expiration date looming in the future.