Page 85 of Kiss Marry Kill
“No. Just realized that I’ve never had a nickname. I like it.”
As he leaned in and kissed her lips, her eyes opened and something passed through them that made his heart pound. How had this happened? He wished, for the first time, that he didn’t have to leave on Monday. Tomorrow. This was their last day. Damn.
She broke eye contact first and when he turned his mother was standing by the door with a big smile on her face. “Hi, ma.”
“Jackson, honey, how are you?”
Jax brought his mother in for a hug. “And who’s this?”
“Ma, this is Megan Cruz. Megan, this is my mom, Silvia Irons.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Ms. Irons.”
“Please, call me Silvie. Come on in. I was starting to think you were going to leave without coming to visit.”
“Never, ma. You know that.”
“Do I? You leave tomorrow, for goodness sake.” she said, filling two glasses with iced tea. “Hope you came hungry. I made a roast, your favorite.”
“Smells delicious, Silvie.” Megan almost groaned. Home cooked in her family meant prepared by a chef, which was no substitute for good food made with love and butter.
“Ma makes the best food.”
“You’ll eat anything, Jackson,” his mother said.
“That is not true. Ask Megan. I wouldn’t touch her sandwich the other day, it was disgusting looking.” He wrinkled his brow and Megan shoved him playfully.
“It was not. I’m not much of a cook, but ketchup on a sandwich is not weird.”
“It is if it’s a grilled cheese,” Jax said, and his mother and Megan laughed, spending the rest of the afternoon chatting and having a nice and relaxing lunch.
* * *
It was still early by the time they had to drive back to Miami. The sun was right above them, the warmth enveloping them as the bike roared back to the city. Megan held on tight, her cheek on his back. She couldn’t remember a time she’d felt this way. It was scary, yet peaceful. Watching Jax say good-bye to his mother was emotional. Knowing that there was always the possibility he’d be hurt, or worse . . .
“You okay?” he asked as they walked into his house. “You’re quiet.”
Without much thought, she threw her arms around him and broke down in a sob. “Hey. What’s going on?” he asked, holding her tightly.
“My mind’s reeling with all things war . . .” she sobbed.
He moved back in order to look into her eyes. “Don’t think of those things. I’ll be fine.”
She wiped her face with the back of her hand. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it.” Her heart felt heavy. She’d never met anyone whose entire way of being was to enjoy life. Nothing more. Nothing less.
“Come on, I don’t want to see tears, let’s go empty out my fridge,” he said, with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“No, there’s one thing left to do that you can’t avoid anymore.”
”What is it?”
“Your father. The cemetery.”
Jax nodded. “But first let’s do something fun,” he said, an odd expression on his face.
“Stop avoiding.”
“I’m not. Come on.” He took her by the hand to his room and handed her one of his bathing suit bottoms and a T-shirt. “You didn’t happen to buy a bathing suit at the mall, did you?”
