Page 58 of Furious
“Maybe…” Jax sighed. “No.”
“Have you considered that your friendship is something that has been helping her? She seems to trust you the most because she threatened me.”
That got a weak chuckle out of Jax. “She’s never done that before. She must like you.”
“Good, because I likeyou,” Tristan said, pulling him back in for a tight hug.
“I like you too.” He rested against Tristan’s warmth until the guilt subsided a little, wishing he could stay there forever, but Ollie knocked on the door far too soon.
“How’s it going?” Jax’s heart was in his throat, but Tristan kept an arm around him, grounding him.
“She knows that she needs to go back into treatment. In a weird way, I think she wanted permission.” Ollie seemed sad but resolute, and Jax hoped that this hadn’t caused him too much grief, because he felt guilty enough already. “I called my therapist and there’s a bed at the place I went to. She wants to say goodbye before she leaves.”
“Thank you for doing this. For talking to her.” Jax left Tristan’s hold to hug Ollie. “I should’ve done this sooner.”
“Don’t think that way. If you had talked to her sooner, then she wouldn’t have come here and decided to try again.” Ollie stated. “She adores you, Jax. She’s here because she wanted to meet me, but also because she feels safe with you.”
While that didn’t lessen the guilt, it increased Jax’s happiness. Clearing his throat, he pulled back, smiling at Ollie. “Thanks. You’re officially the best brother-in-law in the world.”
“I’d do it for anyone,” Ollie stated seriously. “Now, let’s not keep her waiting.”
How about a massage after your first day as head chef?
Laughing, Jax took off his glove to type, holding it between his teeth.
From Hot Bearded Guy? Y E S.Since Tristan’s place was closer to The Pointe, Jax had decided to stay there all weekend, and they’d carpooled to the wedding hall. But Jax had an ulterior motive; he found comfort in keeping Tristan close. He was like a human beta blocker, and Jax could use all the help he could get running things over the next three days.
Good. And remember, I’m here to back you up.
Jax couldn’t help but smile, sending back a filthy photo.
I’m saving this,Tristan replied a moment later, and Jax cackled, sending him another and then putting his phone away as Ollie strode into the walk-in.
“Do you need extra help tonight?” Wrapping his arms around himself, he shivered next to Jax. “I can assemble The Squad!”
“The Squad?” Putting his glove back on, Jax gave Ollie a smirk and then continued to check the inventory, counting under his breath.
“TheSquad,” Ollie scoffed playfully. “Me, Li-Li, Rain, and you. We’re all besties now.” He beamed through his trembling, and Jax wrote the final total down on his clipboard, assuming that Li-Li meant Liam.
“Ah.” His old self would’ve laughed, but why did he care what his old self used to do? He hadn’t been part of a friend group in a long time.Hopefully, he’d absorb more of Tristan’s calm so he didn’t scare them off like his old friends. “But isn’t it weird that I’m dating Rain’s stepdad?”
“You’ve already had brunch with him and Mason,” Ollie smirked, letting Jax know that there was no such thing as a private life. “Do you really think he cares? He’s just happy that Tristan’s happy.”
“Good.” Jax couldn’t help but smile like a lovesick idiot. “And thanks again for talking to Mae. I feel a lot better knowing that she’s getting help.”
“Oh, she definitely is.” Ollie’s eyes widened. “She’s working with my therapist and Katrin takes no prisoners.”
“I think she’ll like that.” Jax raised an eyebrow. “She’s more direct than I am.”
“Yeah, I saw her threaten Tristan.” Letting out a laugh, Ollie began to hop up and down to stay warm.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m good for now.” Jax gestured toward the door. “If I’m in the weeds, then I’ll have you assemble The Squad, okay? Go warm up.”
“Okay!” Ollie kissed his cheek and then flew out of the walk-in. Comfortable in his jacket, gloves, and hat, Jax finished inventory, double-checking everything. He and Tristan had arrived early to make sure the day went according to plan, and now he felt cautiously ready.
Thankfully, he didn’t have to worry for long because once the rest of the staff showed up, the first few hours were a whirlwind, and The Pointe’s kitchen ran almost too perfectly under Jax’s hands. In a strange way, he felt exhilarated, high on adrenaline, and his suspicions started to ease.
Until his headset went missing.
