And they probably hated me too now.
Whatever venom my stepbrother spewed was, clearly, about to be the opinions of these girls I’d had a pretty good time with today. My next thought was to dart for the hills until December literally came over.
And put her arm around me.
I froze, not knowing what to do. She stood there, completely confident with my stepbrother in both our faces.
What the…
The sudden stance flared Jax’s eyes like nothing else, his jaw clenching. “What the hell, Em?”
She jerked her chin in my direction. “This girl is my new friend. The girls and I hung out with her today.”
Obviously flummoxed, Jax’s lips opened and closed like a fish. He started to say something else until December pulled me closer.
“We had a good time with her, and she’s great. We’ve also invited her to go sailing with us.”
“Sailing?” Eyes heated pools, Jax’s fists physically paled as they clenched at his sides. “Like hell she’s going sailing with us.”
“Well, that’s up to her, isn’t it?” December stated, dropping her arm from my shoulder. “Now, you don’t have to like it. Hell, I don’t care if you like it. She’s my friend. Not yours and you will respect my friends.”
I’d never seen my stepbrother so maddened, like he literally looked liked Bruce Banner before he changes into the Hulk. He grabbed a handful of his hair before swinging his gaze over to his boys’ direction. He launched a finger at December. “Royal, come get your girl.”
And come he did, but I noticed he didn’t pull her away. He stood between them, stood between us. He encircled an arm around December’s waist, fingers clasping her waist. “Jax…”
“I don’t fucking believe this.” Jax actually chuckled, but there was no humor there. “You’re joking, right?”
“I’m going to ask you nicely not to do this. Not to make me make a choice between…” Royal shook his head. “Just don’t put me in that kind of predicament. With you and Em? It’s not right, and you know it’s not.”
“What about the predicament you’re putting me in, bro?” he asked, getting up in his face. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
“Well, do you?” Royal questioned, sighing. “Because in all honesty, Jax, I think we’re all kind of confused what you’re trying to do here.”
The other guys said nothing, their girls standing beside them, but there was an understanding there from Jax’s friends. Knight and LJ both stared at Jax, nodding slightly, which only made Jax’s jaw clench more.
“I don’t have to explain anything to you guys,” he said.
“You’re right. You don’t.” Royal slid hands into his pockets. “But today was supposed to be an easy day. Just let it be. We can all go sailing. Hang out?” Royal folded fingers behind Jax’s neck. “Just be easy.”
I had no idea who this guy was to think he could talk to Jax in the way he did. He couldn’t possibly have seen the man I’d endured, the bastard. The brute. My stepbrother had made my life nothing but hell.
Jax’s attention flickered in my direction, and the craziest thing happened when Royal let go of him.
He backed off.
Like literally backed away, bouncing his basketball. He caught it, shaking his head.
“Whatever,” he said, then looked at Royal. “Just keep her the fuck out of my way.”
My lips parted as he bounced that ball again, another sigh on Royal’s lips as he watched his friend walk away. Royal jerked his head in the direction of Knight and LJ and like soldiers, they took their girls and headed off after Jax. Royal did too, but not before passing a look at December.
She said nothing, frowning, and though he did too, eventually he let all that exchange be.
“I’ll meet you in the room to change,” he said. “Don’t take too long. I don’t need to hear any more from him.”
December nodded, hugging her arms, and even though the majority of the party left, that didn’t put me any more at ease. December bent down for her bag, but before she could go, I sprinted over.
“I don’t think I should go,” I urged. “Besides, I already got stuff planned anyway.”