Aiden just grins, looking like he doesn't have a single care in the world. "Why not? I like when she gets feisty. She's fun to roll around with when she's angry."
With a growl, Tristan launches himself at Aiden and within seconds, the two are rolling around on the mat, angling for better positioning so they can finish the other with a submission. I just roll my eyes and start walking toward the bag room at the back of the gym.
"For the record, I saw you and Hailey coming from a mile away," Aiden says in a tight voice. But he doesn't say anything more because by the time I glance at him over my shoulder, Tristan is on his back and choking him with a forearm on his throat.
"Tap out, motherfucker, and admit my girlfriend could hand you your ass," Tristan hisses.
I just shake my head and leave them behind. With every step closer to Remy, my nerves grow and tangle in my stomach. I swallow nervously.
When I finally open the door to the bag room and step inside, I experience the full force of Remy's frustration—the sounds of her hitting the heavy bag are nonstop and so loud that by opening the door, I've filled the whole gym with them. I can't even hear the guys taunting each other over Remy's punches.
It doesn't take her long to notice me. When she does, she throws a few more shots before finishing her workout. She just stares at me, breathing heavily and waiting for me to say something.
"Hey," is the only thing I manage to choke out.
A heavy breath rushes from her lungs. "Hey," she says quietly.
I swallow nervously. "Can we talk for a minute?"
She just nods and pulls her gloves off. She grabs a bottle of water and takes a few swigs before joining me on the steps that lead me down to her.
We sit like that for a little bit, neither of us knowing what to say or how to start it. And even though I know I'm the one that needs to open with an apology, it still takes me a few moments to initiate the conversation.
"I'm sorry," I blurt out. "I know I should've talked to you first. There's no excuse for my behavior, and honestly, I'm not sure why I didn't. The only thing I can think of is I got a little Hailey-crazy." I could tell her that Hailey wanted to wait to tell her the news herself, but that feels like I’m throwing her under the bus. And if anyone is going to eat Remy’s wrath, I’d rather it be me.
At that, Remy breathes a heavy sigh—and if I didn't know better, I'd say it almost sounds relieved. "Just tell me, is this casual for you?"
I startle and turn toward her. "Are you serious, Remy? Fuck no."
She winces at that. "Yeah, I figured," she mutters. Then she sighs. "I don't know if that makes it better or worse."
I'm still staring at her in shock. It takes me a moment to compose my thoughts because there are so many confused ones bouncing around my brain right now. "Just to be clear, what... what exactly are you upset about? Is it because I didn't ask you beforehand? Or because I slept with her?" That makes her wince again, but she still doesn't say anything. And when another, more painful thought occurs to me, my heart drops. "Do you not think I'm good enough for her?"
That seems to startle her. She turns to me in surprise, her wide eyes taking in the hurt in my expression and immediately causing her to soften. "Of course not," she says quietly. "You're my best friend, Jax, and the best man I know. How could I think you're not good enough? Even for Hailey?"
Her confession eases the tightness in my chest, but only a little bit. "So then what is it?"
She sighs and looks down at the water bottle between her feet. After a moment, she admits, "I just... I don't think she's in a good place after Steve. I won't pretend to know what she went through or what she needs now, but the last thing I want to see is her accidentally making you a rebound."
The idea shocks me enough that I freeze. "Just because I'm her first guy after a long-term relationship doesn't mean I'm a rebound."
"It's not just because you're the first guy, it's also because it'sso soon. She's still so fragile. And if I know you at all I know you're helping her with all the shit in her head but... I just don't want to see you become a crutch for her. She needs to fix herself on her own." Remy shakes her head. "Just... do me a favor. I know you both better than you know yourselves, and after what I saw on Saturday, I know this thing is important enough to both of you that you won't give it up, but... just don't get too serious too fast, okay? Give her enough space to heal first."
I'm still in shock so all I can do is nod. The idea that my help might be a hindrance hadn't really occurred to me.
"Yeah, okay," I mumble.
Remy smiles at me but I can't help thinking it looks a little sad. And that hurts, so instead I choose to focus on the fact that Remy and I just made peace after our first fight in several years.
"So, are we good?" I mumble awkwardly.
This time, her smile is warm. "Yeah, Jax, we're good. We'll always be good. You're my brother."
I smile at that. Remy's only ever called me her brother a handful of times when she's gotten emotional, but it hits just as hard every time. I throw an arm around her shoulders and hug her against my side, knowing she's two seconds away from making some kind of sarcastic comment to lighten the mood. I kiss her temple. "Love you too, Remy baby."
Sure enough, the affection and teasing nickname that she hates are enough to snap her back to her alpha bitch persona. She rolls her eyes and shoves me away from her, but she can't quite hide the small smile on her lips.
"So. I'm the best man you know, huh?" I tease with a grin. "What about your boy toy?"