Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

“Interesting indeed. Are you worried about her well-being?”

“Let’s not get into this right now. Are you going to help me or not?”

“Of course. Anything for my son who clearly doesn’t like Elena.” My mum rattles off a list of items I should grab.

Twenty minutes later, I enter our suite with two bags packed with shit women apparently need to make it through their time of the month. It didn’t take a genius to guess Elena’s favorite candy, seeing as she munches on it every week while working on that damn puzzle. I bought everything Mum recommended from top-notch organic sanitary wipes to some heating pad that apparently helps with cramps.

If I thought I was fucked with Elena before, today seals the deal.

I hesitate as I near her closed door. Mustering up the courage, I knock, hoping she finally opens.

Her muffled sigh carries through the door. “Jax. I’m not in the mood today.”

“Okay, well I bought you shit to make it through your bad day, so hopefully you’re in the mood for Reese’s Pieces.” If she doesn’t come out for that, then she needs to be rushed to the nearest hospital because she has to be dying.

Her silence chokes me. I never thought I’d be intimidated by the sound, but damn Elena fucks things up inside for me.

After a solid minute of standing by the door acting like a wanker, I consider giving up. As I move to place the bag on the floor, Elena’s door cracks open.

Elena’s puffy eyes feel like a blow to my chest. She traded her usual work attire for leggings and a huge sweater with Ed Sheeran’s tour dates on it. Her hair resembles something straight out of a porno, ruffled and unlike her. The whole ensemble is concerning, especially when her face flashes with shock as she checks out the bags I clutch onto.

I can’t describe the feeling inside of me. A mix of relief and pain, both at her clearly suffering and at her showing me she is at least breathing. “I bought you stuff.” I pass her the bags like a bloody idiot.

She stares at the items with bulging eyes. “You went to the store for me?”

“Not for you. I had to grab a new toothbrush and thought you might need a few emergency items. Can’t have you getting sick and shit before the Grand Prix because I need you in tip-top shape to keep up with me.” Way to not come off like a dick, Jax.

“Oh, right.” Her eyes close. “Well, thank you. This is kind of you.” She grips the handle of the door and moves to shut it.

Without thinking, I block it with my booted foot. “Wait.”

She rears back. “What?”

I rub the back of my neck. “Is something bothering you?”

“No.”

“The way you look begs to differ.”

“Wow, you really know how to make a girl feel special.” She attempts to push my foot out of the way. Her tiny purple-painted toes are no match for me.

“Well, if something is wrong, you can talk to me.” Because you’ve done a good job of that yourself. Moron.

“We might have kissed before, but we’re not friends. We don’t talk about feelings and personal stuff. You’ve made it pretty clear.”

Her shutting me out sucks more than I care to admit. I didn’t expect it to burn like a bitch, but I get it’s warranted. Being on the receiving end of a cold shoulder doesn’t feel too great. Lesson learned. Is this how others feel when I brush them off?

“Well, I’ll be here tonight if you want to talk or anything. Feel better.” I remove my foot. She shuts the door with a soft goodbye.

I park myself on the couch and text Liam that I need to cancel our plans. I tell myself I’m not in the mood to go out—that I’d rather watch the latest action movie than meet up with my friend. It’s not because I want to be around in case Elena needs me.

Right.

A knock on the hotel door an hour later stuns me. I open it to find Elías standing there, looking a little worse for wear. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Is Elena’s shitty mood because of this idiot?

“I brought dinner for Elena.” He lifts a brown bag marked takeout.