Before You (Before You #1)(27)

Chapter Thirteen



Every time Bre turned around at her grandma’s house, she found Jax waiting patiently at her side as she spoke to her grandmother’s friends. She didn’t know how she could have made it through the day without him. He helped arrange the food and performed all the tasks that the fog of grief prevented her from realizing needed to be done.

As the last few people trickled out of the house, Sara grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses, and pulled her onto the front porch to relax. Sitting on a cornflower blue rocking chair, Bre closed her eyes and sipped the rosé. Nothing beat the intense afternoon Colorado sun and smell of the pine trees to help her to relax and unwind. LA was nice, but the mountains of Colorado were better.

“Where’s Jax?” Bre asked Sara without opening her eyes.

“Helping Cam’s mom and dad clean up.”

“Thank God. I don’t think I can face putting all that food away. I don’t know what I’m going to do with it. Did you see some of those crazy casseroles? Where do people come up with those combinations?”

Sara tapped her fingers on the wooden porch railing. “So, your mom didn’t show…” Sara said, letting the sentence hang in the air.

“Nope, but I’m okay with it. She would have found a way to make the day about her or cause a scene.” Bre rocked back and forth in her chair, controlling the rhythm with one foot.

“I don’t know her very well, but you’re probably right,” Sara responded softly.

Neither Bre nor Sara said anything for a few minutes and Bre refilled her already empty glass.

“Are you going tell me what the deal is between you and Jax?” Sara asked quietly.

Bre shifted in her chair. “Nothing. We’re just friends. He’s in Cam’s band.”

“I gathered that, but that doesn’t explain why he’s here and Cam’s not.” Sara crossed her ankles in front of her as she leaned against the railing.

“Cam had some band business and he had to work. Jax and I are friends, so he offered to come.”

“Are you sure that’s it? Because it looks as though there’s more to it than friendship. Cam’s supposed to be your boyfriend and I can’t imagine him cleaning up your house or entertaining your grandmother’s friends.”

“Jax is being nice. That’s it!”

“Okay. I get it. We don’t have to talk about it today.” Sara pushed away from the railing and straightened the folds in her dark blue chiffon dress. “I need to go. I have to drive back to Denver today, but I’ll be back with all my things next week. I hate to put more stress on you, but we need to sign a lease this week.”

“I know. I promise that I’ll pick a place in the next couple days.” Sara walked down the wooden front steps toward her car. “Sara,” Bre called out. “Thanks so much for everything. I couldn’t have made it through the past week without you.”

A huge smile spread across Sara’s face, highlighting the dimples in both her cheeks and Bre grinned back at her. “That’s what friends are for. You don’t have to thank me.”

Twenty minutes later, empty wine glass in hand, she went inside to help Jax and Cam’s parents finish putting away the food, and find out what Jax planned to do tonight. The house was relatively quiet, but she heard them moving around in the kitchen. Her cell phone buzzed loudly in her pocket. Seeing a text message from Cam, she sat down on the sofa.



Sorry I couldn’t be there. I sent Jax in my place and I knew my parents would be there. Call me before you go to bed. I love you.



Frowning, she shut off her phone and tossed it on the coffee table. She didn’t want to talk to Cam tonight. He might think that sending Jax and his parents in his place was reasonable, but she didn’t agree.

“Bre?” Cam’s mom said as she walked out of the kitchen. “I’m beat. Todd and I are going to head home.”

Bre stood up and hugged her. “Ellen, thanks so much for coming and helping clean up.”

Ellen stepped backed and clasped Bre’s hands. “Of course. You’re like a daughter to me. I wouldn’t let you do this alone.” Ellen’s eyes searched Bre’s and then she cleared her throat. “Is everything okay with Cam? I didn’t realize he wasn’t coming.”

Bre looked down, avoiding Ellen’s eyes. “I didn’t know until Jax told me before the ceremony started. I guess he had some stuff to do for the band and work, so he sent Jax.”

“Sweetie, I’m really sorry,” Ellen said, shaking her head in sympathy. “That’s not an acceptable excuse. I’ll talk to him. Straighten him out.”

“No,” Bre interrupted. “You don’t need to scold him.”

“I won’t, but a mom can always give her son direction, and he needs to realize that life is about being there for the people you love when they need you. You needed him today, and he didn’t make you a priority, but his friend did. That says a lot.”

Bre’s stomach knotted, and she ran her palms down the sides of her dress. She didn’t want to discuss Jax with Cam’s mom. “I’m sure he’ll make it up to me.”

Ellen smiled. “Maybe, but there are some things you can’t take back once you put them in motion.” She kissed Bre on the cheek. “Goodnight. Call me if you need anything.” Ellen turned toward the kitchen and yelled, “Todd, we need to give Bre some space. Let’s go.”