Jax rubs the back of his neck nervously. "They broke up. Hailey ended it."
My mouth drops open for the second time in five minutes, at the same time that Tristan stiffens next to me and mutters, "Good."
"Why didn't she call me?" I whisper in shock.
At that, Jax finally looks at me. "I don't know if she was going to call anyone. I called her when she didn't show up to Mom and Dad's party and that's when she told me. She was drunk as shit. I wasn't going to leave her alone in that house, so I picked her up and brought her here. She might still be passed out."
My heart drops as I gaze up the stairs to where my little sister is sleeping. I've always known Steve wasn't good for Hailey—and it's probably not a secret that I've pushed her multiple times to reevaluate her relationship with him—but no one ever wants to see a loved one in pain. I just hope she doesn't shed too many tears over the asshole.
"I'll go check on her," I say softly. Then I remember why Tristan and I are here, and I turn to Jax. "What're you doing today? Can you go to the gym with Tristan?"
Jax turns to Tristan with a confused look. "Training on a Sunday rest day? I figured you'd be done with that now that you're not moping over Remy."
I try to stifle my giggle as Tristan glares at his best friend. "I was not moping," he growls.
I squeeze his hand. "I ran myself ragged, too," I reassure him. Then a thought occurs to me and I perk up with a giddy smile. "Holy shit, I just realized I can go back to the gym now. I don't have to avoid you anymore. Thank fucking God, I missed punching Jax in the face."
Jax glares at me. "Fat chance you'll land anything," he grumbles. Then he turns back to Tristan and his questioning look returns. "So why are we going to the gym on a Sunday?" he asks again.
Now it's Tristan's turn to grin. "Because I have a fight in two weeks."
Jax raises his eyebrows in surprise. "Against who?"
"Kevin Holladay," Tristan answers smugly.
There's a moment of supreme shock, and then… chaos.
"HOLY SHIT, DUDE, WHAT THE FUCK!" Jax explodes. He shoots upright as he stares at Tristan in disbelief. "Jimmy got you a fight in the UFC?!"
He jumps up and shoves his friend, but Tristan just continues to grin. Jax makes a move to shove him again—clearly being unable to handle news of this size without any kind of physical outlet—but then he stops and frowns. "If you're fucking with me, man, I swear to God…"
Just then something creaks behind us and I turn to see Hailey coming down the stairs. I suck in a breath as I look her over and try to figure out how she's doing.
She's drowning in one of Jax's shirts and she looks exhausted, but it doesn't look like she's been crying. By first glance, I wouldn't guess that she's a heartbroken woman the day after a breakup.
"Why is Jax screaming at 8:00 in the morning?" she asks with an adorably sleepy smile. She stops on the last step and leans on the banister, waiting expectantly.
Tristan is the first to break our stunned silence. He clears his throat and says, "I got a fight in the UFC."
A pause, and then… chaos.
"HOLY SHIT!" Hailey screams. "Are youserious?! That's insane, congratulations!"
"Thanks," Tristan says with a grin. Then he turns to me with a skeptical look. "You know, I'm starting to feel a little hurt that my own girlfriend didn't react by screaming. Everyone else seems to think it's screech-worthy news."
I shoot him a glare and swat his arm, but from behind me I hear Hailey gasp, "Girlfriend? What the hell happened last night?"
I look back at her with a hesitant gaze. "I think I need to ask you the same thing," I say softly.
She swallows nervously but only nods in answer. I turn back to the boys with a quirked eyebrow. "So… gym? I'll stay here with Hailey. And you should call Coach."
My words snap them both into action. Tristan nods once and then squeezes past Hailey to get ready upstairs.
Jax moves to follow his friend but he stops next to Hailey on the first step. He looks like he wants to say something but instead, he just presses a kiss to her temple. "I'll be back later, don't go anywhere," he finally murmurs quietly.
Hailey looks up at him with wide eyes and nods, a faint blush staining her cheeks. I make a mental note to ask her about Jax's exceptionally protective behavior.
Jax continues up the stairs and for a second, Hailey and I just stare at each other.