Page 70 of Undeniable Love

“I wasn’t uncomfortable, but you know how it is in a small town. People talk. And Gemma drove by and saw it and texted me almost immediately.”

“That’s why I didn’t rent one. I took an Uber and kept my hat and sunglasses on. I don’t think the driver recognized me.”

Rolling her eyes, she picked up their plates. “That’s a little dramatic.”

“I’m just trying to respect your boundaries, Luce. You’re not ready to tell your family about us, so…”

“Wait, and you are?” she asked incredulously. “Seriously?”

“Look, we already know that we’re going to catch some major grief from everyone, but…I’m tired of sneaking around,” he admitted, giving her a boyish grin. “I’m not ashamed of this relationship and I don’t want you to be either. We’re not doing anything wrong. And if our friends and family—well…my friends, your family—get angry, then that says more about them than us.”

Honestly, she was too stunned to speak, but the panic she felt threatened to choke her. That was probably why she blurted out…

“I don’t see why it even matters. We both know we’re just killing time here, thanks to Blake and his stupid freaking mouth.”

For a moment, Jax just stared at her like she’d lost her mind—and it sort of felt like she had.

“What are you talking about?” he carefully asked.

And since she’d opened that door, she had no choice but to explain herself. Sighing loudly, Lucy went and sat down at her little kitchen table. “Look, ever since our trip to the coast—and running into…you know…him—you’ve been a little different with me. And I get it, okay? He painted a terrible—and completely inaccurate—picture of me. So rather than pretending that everything’s just fine and wonderful, we should be honest about what we’re doing.”

There, she’d said it.

Slowly, Jax walked over and joined her at the table, letting out a long breath as he did. “You want honest, huh?”

Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure, but…

“I do,” she murmured with a curt nod.

Then he proceeded to take his time getting comfortable while—Lucy assumed—trying to find the words to tell her she was right without being a jerk about it.

Technically, she should be happy that he was being considerate, but she almost wished he would just be the bad guy so maybe the rejection wouldn’t hurt so bad.

And she knew it would.

Casual relationships never bothered her before, but she had a strong feeling that this one was going to really do a number on her. Even though she knew the score and knew there really wasn’t a way for them to be a serious couple…

Wait. Why can’t we be?

Oh, right. The long distance. Their careers. The fact that her family—her brothers—were all going to freak out.

“Let me start by saying that…you’re right. Running into Blake made me really think about things,” Jax began as he studied his hands instead of looking at her.

Well…crap. Here we go…

Jax looked up and saw Lucy pale and knew he was handling this all wrong.

Quickly, he reached across the table and took both her hands in his. “Okay, okay, that didn’t quite come out the way I meant,” he explained. “After we got off the elevator that day, I realized that I should have just punched him in his smug face right then and there. I should have protected you, and I didn’t. I’ve been kicking my own ass ever since because I feel so guilty. So…I’m sorry, Lucy. I’m really, really sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize and as much as I appreciate the sentiment, I don’t need you to protect me, Jax. I’m not weak. I can take care of myself.”

And yeah, she was definitely being defensive.

Sighing patiently, he gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “It’s not because I think you’re weak. It’s because you’re that important to me,” he said gruffly. “That asshole completely disrespected you, and I didn’t do a damn thing about it. It makes me feel like a coward.” Shaking his head, he muttered a curse before adding, “As much as I want to blame it on the fact that it was over in a matter of seconds, I think a small part of me was afraid someone like him would make it ugly and go to the press.”

“Oh.”

Another curse. “I panicked and I’m sorry. You mean everything to me. This isn’t casual and we’re not just like…killing time together. At least I’m not.” Jax knew he must sound a little needy, but…he was.