Page 43 of Thrown Off Balance

“Ok,” Sophia lets out a dramatic sigh. “That is pretty cool. Thanks, Daddy.” She wraps her arms around Peck’s waist and stands on her tippy toes to kiss him.

“Ew, please don’t call him daddy. That’s gross.” Jax fake gags, but both him and Cody grimace like they’re going to be sick.

“Oh my gosh! He’s the daddy to my babies.” She scowls at them while motioning to her stomach.

“Yeah, but the babies aren’t even born yet and I just… I can’t listen to you call Peck ‘Daddy’. Just don’t do it around me!” Jax does a full body shiver.

“What are you even doing in my bakery?” Sophia plants her hands on her hips and glares at her brother.

“Sloan wanted to visit and Peck wanted to show off his secret doors.” He shrugs before grabbing a cookie off the table and popping it in his mouth.

“Jax!” Sophia and Cody both scold him at the same time.

“What?” He mumbles around the food.

“You’re supposed to be eating healthy!” Cody shakes his head.

“You can’t eat my stuff unless you’re paying for them!” Sophia shoves him in the chest, but he doesn’t move an inch.

“I’ll pay. Jeez, what’s the point of having an amazing baker as your sister if she won't let you steal one little cookie,” he mutters under his breath as he whips a twenty-dollar bill out of his wallet and slaps it down on the counter.

“One cookie doesn’t cost twenty-dollars, Jax.”

“Well, I’d happily eat twenty-dollars’ worth of cookies but I'm afraid you’ll yell at me, Mom.” Jax rolls his eyes at Cody, who’s watching his every move. “Keep the money for the peanuts.” He waves off her concern about the money.

“Sloan, let me show you the front of the shop. You can buy whatever you want and Jax can pay for it.” Sophia links arms with me and smirks at Jax as we walk past him. I'm shocked when he doesn’t say a word, but there’s amusement filling his eyes.

Chapter 23

Cody

We drove by Sloan’s apartment again on our way home from the bakery. Jude was still waiting outside, but this time he was sitting on the steps to the apartment. He looked furious.

Jax did a great job at distracting Sloan and I don’t think she saw Jude, she just knows his car was still there. At a red light, I shot off a text to Uncle Mason, Maddox, and Peck.

Cody: He’s still here.

Uncle Mason: He’s definitely unwell. Vic’s keeping his eye on him. He’ll report back if anything changes. I wouldn’t drive past her apartment again. We don’t want to risk him noticing the same car going by multiple times.

Maddox: Jax’s SUV isn’t flashy, but he might notice the dark tinted windows. Not many people can get tint that dark without getting pulled over by the cops a lot.

Peck: Keep her at your house. We’re visiting Jude’s dad this afternoon. There’s no telling how he’s going to respond.

I blow out a long breath as I read the texts. Jax and Sloan already went inside the house. I told them I’d be inside in a few moments. I don’t know what I'm supposed to do. I feel like keeping her here is dangerous, but he doesn’t know where we live.

Cody: Are we safe at our house?

Uncle Mason: Pauly’s already stationed outside your house. You probably drove right past him without noticing him.

Cody: Gray minivan?

Uncle Mason: That’s him… Did you notice him or just noticed a car? He’s normally pretty good at blending in.

Cody: There’s never been a car in front of my house. That stands out to me, but wouldn’t to anyone else.

Uncle Mason: Good. Lock your gate and keep all doors and windows locked, especially the door between the garage and kitchen. I don’t trust this guy. He’s going to do something drastic; I can feel it in my gut. I’ll call you after I talk to the dad.

I blow out a long breath and shut the garage door. I'm going to be on edge until I get this call from Uncle Mason. I’ll protect Sloan no matter what, but I'm not sure what that’s going to entail.