Since I really didn’t want to talk about it, I shook my head, and Billie, she rose up too. She, at this point, hugged her knees, staring away at the ocean. But December… well, she didn’t let this go.
Crossing her legs, December did nothing but sigh. “Can I offer you some advice, Cleo?”
Since I could use some, I sat up. “I’ll take it, but I feel like this situation is beyond it.”
I mean, even they didn’t know what his deal was and they’d basically said that.
December frowned. “I’ve known Jax for a long time. Well, not super long, but long enough. Right now, he’s acting out. He’s pushing you on purpose to see how far he can take it.”
That wasn’t unknown to me. He’d pretty much said that. I shrugged. “What do I do about it?”
“Well, for starters, don’t let him win.” She tilted her head. “These boys can be beasts when they’re up in their heads. But that’s all this is. He’s going to see he’s wrong about this. Wrong about you?”
Did she know something? I thought to ask, but before I could, Jax reappeared, Knight and Greer in tow. Well, more like Knight was chasing Jax. Jax’s friend currently had nothing on but a sheet around his waist. I assumed nothing since he was covering himself. He had it cinched tight in his thick fist, the top curve of his ass hanging out while he stumbled over himself to chase after Jax. “I’m going to fucking kill you, you asshole!”
That’s when I realized Jax had something in his hands, what appeared to be clothes as he shook his hips at his friend. He chuckled. “Come get it, big daddy.”
Knight’s eyes shot open, and Greer palmed her face. She, at least, had her bathing suit on. Completely flushed, she attempted to tie her other bikini strap. “Knight, let it go. I’m sure one of the other guys have something you can wear or something.”
He wasn’t listening, snarling as he stomped around deck in a sheet while Jax darted away from him like a jackrabbit. Knight would get close, but Jax would jut out of reach in quick time. In another dash of escape, Jax climbed up on the boat’s rails, holding onto part of the boat to steady himself. “Not u
ntil you call me daddy too, big guy.”
Jax fanned his eyelashes at Knight, and I might have smiled had I not been internally freaking out about where he stood. He was quite literally on top of the guardrails. This wasn’t a high jump, but he could stumble and fall or something. Maybe even hurt himself if he hit the water wrong.
The boys’ other friends, on the other hand, were roaring. Especially LJ who was completely losing it in laughter. He slapped his leg, and even Royal was chuckling behind his hand. Royal waved Jax’s down. “Come on, Jax. Quit playing and give him back his shit.”
Some debate appeared in Jax’s eyes. “I don’t know. I feel like he should apologize for calling me an asshole.”
Knight snarled. “Fuck you.”
To which Jax quickly danced Knight’s clothes over the edge. Knight’s jaw dropped open and started to rush Jax again before Royal pulled him back. Royal eyed Jax. “Jax…”
“I’m still waiting for my apology.” He smirked. “I was merely passing by and—”
“Like fucking hell you were!” Knight grunted. “This fucker kicked the door open while Greer and I were getting dressed, and had my girl been naked, we wouldn’t even be talking right now.”
“Still waiting for that apology.” Jax cuffed his ear, and rather than continue playing the game, Royal came over. He took the clothes from Jax, then tossed them back at Knight.
“There,” Royal said. “You have your clothes. Now squash this shit.”
“You better sleep with one eye open, fucker,” Knight growled, but did retreat when he stalked away. Greer had made it over to the circus at this point, and he took her, the pair charging below deck. Meanwhile, LJ finally calmed down enough to speak, wiping the tears out of his eyes.
LJ smirked. “I think you just stopped World War Three, bro.”
“Right.” Royal rolled his eyes, then passed a look at Jax. “And get the fuck down before you do something stupid and kill yourself.”
“Yes, father,” Jax stated, and when he did appear to get down, I discovered the current state of my breath.
And how I hadn’t realized I’d been holding it.
I literally couldn’t breathe until my stepbrother started to make his way down, and with the excitement over, LJ and Royal left him to it. The two headed back to their girls who were now up with me. I think the events in question brought great humor to both December and Billie. They were still laughing and talking about it when LJ and Royal made their way over to them.
“Always got to be the center of attention,” Royal stated, grabbing December. He tipped his beer back. “I swear, we can’t go anywhere.”
He really did sound like a father, like he cared, and I might have listened to the group’s conversation had I not had my eyes still on Jax. It appeared he’d stopped his descent from the rails because he currently was standing on them watching me.
He had his smirk on me, his smile nothing but wide. Standing, he closed his eyes.