Steve's expression finally settles on anger. He opens his mouth to most likely snap at me, but a quick glance to the side has him shutting his mouth. His nostrils flare and his fists clench in an effort to restrain himself.
He stalks over to the door but pauses before he actually steps over the threshold. He turns to face me, and in this close proximity I can clearly see the fury flashing in his eyes, can see his true colors finally coming out to play. Right now, he really does hate me. And I can tell before he even opens his mouth that he can't leave without trying to win the final word, without cutting me deep with something truly vicious.
"I always knew you were a dirty whore," he snarls. "I don't know why I even bothered with you. Good luck ever finding someone better than me. You and your shitty sister can have fun fucking the brainless assholes. Maybe you can enjoy a nice orgy like you've always wanted—"
He doesn't get another word out. I am so goddamntiredof being shit on by this man. I never want to hear another insult from him again.
So I cock my fist back and fire it straight at his chin.
The force of my punch knocks him back. He doesn't fall down, but he stumbles through the doorway and barely manages to catch himself on the other side. As he reaches a hand up to touch his chin, I can see the dazed look in his eyes and mentally pat myself on the back for a shot well-placed. I could've broken his nose, but Steve values brain over appearances so I went for the knockout button on the chin, instead.
"You know what I've always wanted to tell you, Steve?" I say thoughtfully. He blinks a few times as he tries to focus on me. "I want you to leave here knowing that I never regretted that threesome in high school. I actually enjoyed it ten times more than I ever did when you would stick your little dick inside me."
He just stares at me, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
"I just wanted you to know that," I shrug. "Goodbye, Steve."
He's still staring at me in shock when I slam the door in his face.
I look up to see Jax, who is nervously waiting for my reaction.
"Baby," he whispers, placing his hands on my hips and glancing between my eyes as he takes stock of my well-being.
I let out a shaky exhale in an effort to let go of any residual negative feelings. And again, I just feel tired—proud, but tired.
I stand up on my toes so I can wind my arms around Jax's neck and bury my face in his warm skin. He already knows what I need so he grips under my thighs and winds my legs around his waist. He squeezes me tight to his body.
"Come home with me?" he murmurs in my ear. "I need to make sure you’re okay. And then I want to worship at your feet all night long." I nod quickly. I feel him walking but I refuse to pull my face away from his neck and his comforting scent, so I can't really tell where we're going. When he tries to set me on the island, I protest and tighten my grip on him.
"What… is happening right now?" My sister's voice cuts through the fog in my brain.
I look up to see her standing in the hallway, staring at Jax and I in shock.
"Not now, Remy," Jax says stiffly.
His order seems to snap her out of the daze she's in. She turns her trademark glare on Jax. "You didn't think to tell me first? How long has this been going on?" She drags a hand down her face in frustration. "Goddamnit, Jax! She's mysister!"
I watch Jax's face crumble with guilt. Being treated like a little girl is enough to set me off, but hearing her blameJaxwhen he's been nothing but a goddamn saint makes me see red.
Just as I'm about to snap at her with words that I already know are going to be too cutting, Tristan grips his girlfriend's chin and turns her to face him.
"Remy," he admonishes quietly. "You don't get to make decisions for Hailey. She's a grown woman, and Jax is yourbest friend. If you're going to trust anyone, trust them. They can make their own choices." He shifts his grip to the side of her neck so he can stroke her cheek with his thumb. "Plus, Jax accepted us without a single complaint. You're being a little hypocritical right now."
At that, Remy's cheeks flush and she looks down at her feet, looking properly chastised. She sneaks a guilty peek at Jax and I.
"I'm sorry," she whispers. "I’m just surprised. And you're mysister." She looks down at her feet again as she mumbles, "We already know I'm a little overprotective. My mama bear instincts are shot today."
That makes me laugh, even though it sounds wet. I don't know when I started crying but when I touch my face it's definitely wet with tears.
The sight softens Remy. "I'm sorry," she repeats. "It's just a knee-jerk reaction when I see you with a guy." Her gaze hardens when she turns back to Jax. "But I'll tell you the same thing you told Tristan. Even though I love you like my own brother, I love Hailey more. So don't you dare hurt her. Because I'd hate to have to kill you after everything we've been through."
I let out another laugh as I bury my face in Jax's shoulder, relieved to feel the tension in the room immediately easing.
"I would never hurt her," Jax says gruffly. "You know that."
When I turn to peek at Remy, she's studying Jax with a stare that looks like she's trying to cut through his very soul to his deepest secrets. I feel Jax shuffle under her piercing gaze.
After what feels like an eternity, Remy just nods and says, "I know that."