Second Chance Vow

I watched them leave before grabbing a box of condoms. We hadn’t had sex yet. I could tell Kinley was getting impatient, waiting for me to make a move soon, so I figured it was better to be prepared just in case. I didn’t know why I was holding back, when we’d done everything else. I just wanted to make it special for her.

Fuck, I really did turn into a pussy.

Shaking my head, I paid for my stuff and then dropped Autumn and Julian off at our house. Julian was watching Autumn for the rest of the day while my parents were at work.

I was surprising Kinley with balloons, gifts, and a cake for her birthday. Knowing it was the first time she’d experience anything like this.

By the time I made it to her house, it was after three ,and I knocked on her door.

Completely caught off guard…

When Jax opened it.

—Kinley—

“Christian!” My eyes lit up, taking in his huge display of birthday balloons. “Geez, did you leave any in the store?”

“What are you doing here?” he asked, nodding to Jax.

Shit.

“It’s my best friend’s birthday, Christian. Where else would I be than with my girl?”

Christian stepped up to him, and Jax didn’t hesitate, standing taller. Not backing down.

“She’s not your girl, asshole.”

“Whoa!” I wedged myself in between them. This was me in the last year, having to constantly play referee when they were around one another. “It’s my birthday! You guys don’t get to pee on me today.”

Their stares never wavered from each other.

“Come in,” I said to Christian, opening the door wider for him to walk through and making sure Jax was still behind me.

It wasn’t like Jax couldn’t carry his own with Christian. I didn’t want it to get to the point where fists were flying.

As soon as we all walked into the kitchen, Christian’s eyes shot to the half-eaten turquoise cake Jax had brought me that morning with the blown-out candles lying beside it.

“What?” I asked, taking in his sudden harsh expression.

His glare cut to Jax. “Did you know she’s never had this?” Before his gaze snapped to me. “Because if he did know, then this wasn’t just a coincidence. He’s trying to show me up.”

“Christian, he’s my best friend.”

“I’m supposed to be your best friend.”

I winced. “Please don’t be this way.”

“If you knew she’s never celebrated her birthday, then why now?” he accused Jax. “Huh? You’ve been best friends for the last five years. Why the fuck now? Unless you’re trying to prove a point to me?”

Jax snidely smiled. “I don’t have to prove shit. I know where I stand in her life. Can you say the same, boyfriend?”

“Enough!” I intervened. “I’m tired of having to choose sides with both of you. This is ridiculous. We can all celebrate together.”

“Why now?!” Christian roared.

“I didn’t like celebrating my birthday before this year!” I declared for Jax. “You’ve changed that in me. Your whole family has. I wanted to celebrate my birthday for the first time with both of you. Is that a good enough answer for you?”

“I can’t believe you don’t see what he’s actually doing, Kinley. It’s fucking obvious.”

“I’m not doing shit,” Jax argued. “Instead of asking me if I knew, which I did, I’ve been trying to get her to celebrate her birthday since I met her. But what you should be asking yourself is why you’re so fucking insecure about it?”

It happened before I even saw it coming. I swear I blinked, and Christian’s fist was slamming into Jax’s jaw.

“No!”

Jax flew back, catching himself on the kitchen island.

With wide eyes, my hands flew to my face. This wasn’t going to end well, that much I knew. I lunged toward Jax to help him, but Christian grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“What the fuck? You’re going to him?”

I abruptly turned around. “You’re the one who hit him!”

“No shit, and I’ll do it again.”

With his hand on his jaw, Jax moved it around, scowling, “I’d like to see you try.”

“I just did!”

“You fucking sucker-punched me, you bitch!”

“Please stop!” I begged. My heart was pounding profusely. Two of the most important people in my life hated each other with the same love I had for both of them.

This was the last thing I wanted to happen on a normal day, let alone my birthday.

“Get the fuck out!” Jax ordered. “You’re not wanted here!”

My stare flew to Jax. “What?! I want him here!”

“You want me or him, Kinley?”

“Christian!” I exclaimed, staring at him now. “That’s not fair!”

“You want to know what’s not fair, Kinley? That he’s purposely doing this to make us fight, and you can’t see it!”

“No, he’s not,” I affirmed. “You don’t know him like I do. You’re just being unfair.”

“Fine,” Christian bit out. “I’ll fucking leave.” His vicious expression tore back to Jax, glaring him down with a look I’d never seen before from him. “But don’t for one second think we’re done here. I’m only leaving because I love her, and if I don’t, I’ll lose her…”