Breathe (Sea Breeze #1)(32)

“I’m sorry you couldn’t call me, but it makes me happy to know you missed me too.”

He laughed. “I didn’t just miss you. I obsessed over what you were doing and if you were okay and who you were talking to. I realized I am going to have a really hard time when the summer is over.”

He stopped, and I turned to him.

“I have a charity event I have to be at next week. They are auctioning off some of my things, and I have to be there too. I want you to come with me.”

My heart hammered in my chest. Going with him into his world wasn’t something I ever expected to do. “I don’t know. I have work and Mom.”

“Please, for me. Don’t make me go again without you.”

I turned away from his pleading eyes. They made me want to promise him anything. “Jax, I won’t fit into your world. I don’t have any clothes to wear to something like that, and I have no idea what to say to people or how to act, and the cameras will make me a nervous wreck.”

He stepped up behind me, pulled me up against him, and rested his chin on my head. “You will be dressed by my personal stylist, and you won’t have to speak to anyone but me. Yes, the cameras will be going, but all you have to do is smile. I’ll never leave you alone, except when I have to sing, and then you can stand backstage and wait for me.”

I wanted to make him happy. I wanted to know every part of his life, but it terrified me. “I don’t know,” I whispered.

We stood there for a long time without words.

Finally, he turned me around to face him. “Please, I need my air.”

My resolve crumbled, and I nodded. “Okay, I’ll talk to Mom.”

His earnest face broke into a grin, and he kissed me again. He held back, and it made me want to press closer. He pulled back before I could press him.

“You taste so good,” he whispered. He ran his fingers through my hair and curled a strand around his fingers. “I love your hair,” he said softly and continued playing with it.

My face burned with an incredible heat.

“Too late. I’ve already seen the blush. Stop trying to hide it from me. I think it's adorable.”

* * *

Chapter Ten

Ms. Mary started fussing over me the moment I walked in the door. Jax smiled and enjoyed it immensely as I assured her that Jessica and I were both fine.

“Girl your age havin’ to run her mama to the doctor in the middle of the night ain’t right I tell ya. You’re too young to be sleeping in a waiting room all by yourself.” She turned and pointed her spoon at Jax. “You should have been there. What good are you if you ain’t there when she needs you.”

“Ms. Mary, he didn’t know about it either. I didn’t call anyone. You can’t blame Jax for anything.”

Ms. Mary let out a loud “hmph” and started stirring her pot of cheese grits again. “Well, you should have called him. He would have come. You’re too young to be alone in hospitals. Crazy people out there.”

Jax took my plate to the table, and then crooked his finger for me to come sit down. I sat beside him.

“I didn’t think about calling anyone. I’ve been taking care of my mother for a long time now. It’s no big deal.”

Ms. Mary spun around and pointed her spoon at me. “And that’s not right. Who takes care of you?” She waited for my answer and getting none, she nodded her head. “That’s right, no one does. You don’t know when to ask for help because you never had anyone to ask before. Well, now you do. You got a boy right there who looks like he would drink your bathwater if you ask him, and you got me, and Mr. Greg, and Marcus. Take your pick. Just stop trying to do it all alone.” She let out a deep sigh and turned back to her stove.

Jax squeezed my hand. “She’s right. But I would prefer it if you call me.”

I smiled at him, and he grinned. “And, yes, if you want me to, I will drink your bath water.”

I laughed out loud and shook my head. “You’re crazy.”

He nodded. “About you.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I took a deep breath to calm down. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you. She’s right. I’m not used to asking for help. But it is nice to know I have people around me who care. This is all new to me.”

Jax leaned over and whispered in my ear, “No matter where I am, I will always be there when you need me.”

I shivered from his warm breath against my skin and nodded, but I didn’t meet his gaze. I needed to get my heart out of my eyes first.

Marcus walked in as we were finishing our breakfast. He stared at me when he stepped in the kitchen. “Is your mom all right?”

“Yes, thank you.”

He gave me a forced smile. “Good,” he said and walked past me toward the laundry to get dressed.

I turned to Jax as he finished his juice. “I need to get to work too.”

He frowned, and then stood up and took both our plates to the sink and rinsed them. I went to get my apron, and Ms. Mary shook her head.

“No, Mr. Greg needs you outside more than I need you in here. He’s battling his arthritis today. He won’t admit it, but I can see it on his face. Go help him.”

I nodded and looked back at Jax to say goodbye before I left.

He smiled at me. “I have a song I'm working on, and sitting out at the gazebo today sounds like a perfect place to be creative. I will see you in a few minutes.”