Before You (Before You #1)(80)

She didn’t have a clue. He didn’t know what deal Jax made with Katie, but based on his actions this morning Jax wouldn’t let Bre go without a fight. “You should call him. Ask him to explain,” Cam said.

“I don’t know if I’m ready to talk to him yet. I have to think.” Bre stood up. “Can I use your bathroom? I want to clean up my face. I’m sure I look like a complete mess.”

“You look beautiful, raccoon eyes and all, but you can use the bathroom. You don’t have to ask.” Cam smiled faintly, taking in her beautiful face and her amber eyes that never failed to steal his breath.

“Thanks, Cam, for everything. I know this is hard for you.” Bre put her hand on his shoulder and gave him a sad smile.

“Do you want to get something to eat?” he asked, changing the topic. He didn’t want her pity.

Bre’s stomach growled. “Jax wanted to have dinner together when I got back to his house.” She shook her head. “I don’t think I can go back there now, not yet, anyway.”

“Let me take you to dinner, my treat.”

Bre looked torn.

“It’ll buy you some time to figure out your next move.”

She rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands, then sighed. “All right.”





Chapter Thirty-One



Bre promised she’d be back by 6:30 PM, and it was almost eight. He shoved the dinner he’d prepared, now completely burnt, into the sink. The smell of overcooked chicken saturated the air.

He picked up his phone from the kitchen counter, looking to see if he’d missed a text or voicemail from her. Nothing—just a bunch of calls and texts from Katie that he had no intention of returning anytime soon, if ever.

Bre had been gone for two hours, and it felt like an eternity. He couldn’t even imagine how he’d feel when she left for Aspen tomorrow. If he had his way, one of them would fly to the other every weekend. He had no intention of letting months or weeks pass before he saw her again. He found the woman who he wanted to spend his life with and not seeing her for months or weeks wasn’t an option.

His phone rang in his hand, and he looked down at the screen. Cam. He hesitated, then answered the call. He didn’t want another confrontation with Cam, but he was worried about Bre.

“Hello,” Jax said, leaning against the kitchen counter with his ankles crossed.

“Jax,” Cam replied. The noise in the background made it tough to hear his voice.

“Why are you calling?”

“I’m at a restaurant with Bre.” Cam didn’t say anything for a moment. “Do you love her?”

“Cam, what’s this about? Is Bre okay?”

“Just answer the question. Do you love her?”

“Yes,” Jax responded. “More than I could have ever imagined.”

Cam exhaled loudly. “Katie said you two are engaged.”

“What?” Jax yelled into the phone, pushing his body away from the counter.

“Is it true?”

“Fuck, no. I would never marry her.”

Cam didn’t say anything.

“What’s going on?” Jax asked, his voice alarmed.

“Even if your dad offered to back the band? Get us signed? Would you marry her then?” Cam shot back.

Jax stiffened. When his dad and Katie had stopped by to discuss taking his relationship with Katie to the next level and how he could help the band, Jax hadn’t even considered it for one moment. He loved Chasing Ruin and wanted the band to succeed, but that didn’t mean he’d ever agree to shackle himself to Katie. He knew hooking up with Katie was a mistake. It gave his dad and Katie hope that he would cave, but it would never happen. He’d rather play at every dive bar in California for the next ten years than agree to that. “Never.” He responded through clenched teeth.

“Are you sure about that, because that’s not what Katie told Bre.”

His stomach flipped. “Wait—Bre knows?”

“Yes. Katie told me about it, and I thought Bre should know.”

“Why would you believe Katie? You know she’s always twisting the truth.”

“Because she showed me the engagement ring, and I don’t exactly have a very high opinion of you right now.”

“What ring? I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about?”

“Katie had big shiny ring engraved with K&J Forever. Does that ring any bells?

Jax picked his keys up off the counter and started walking toward the door. “Where’s Bre? Does she believe this crap?”

“I’m not telling you anything until you explain the ring.”

“I didn’t get her a f*cking ring. I can’t explain it. Maybe she bought it for herself. I don’t know,” Jax said through gritted teeth.

“Really?” Cam scoffed. “That’s all you have to say? Call me back when you have a better answer. She leaves tomorrow morning. Maybe you can get your shit together before then.”

“No. Wait,” Jax pleaded. “What did the ring look like?”

“I don’t know. Silver colored, big circle diamond with diamonds all over the band, too.”

“Shit,” Jax said, scrubbing his face with his hand.