Jagged Harts, page 23
That seems to be all she wrote for Chad. His body drops to the mat with a resounding boom despite the noise in the room. The second he hit the floor the whole room erupted. Dax immediately stepped away from Chad like he was on fucking fire.
Good job, babe.
Dax throws up his arms in celebration when he is officially announced as the winner, and I scream my fucking head off for him. He must be able to hear me because his eyes flick to the side and lock on mine before he winks at me. Dax jumps out of the cage and accepts his congratulations as he walks towards me.
“Nicely done, Mr. Hart,” I say in my most flirtatious tone.
He gives me a panty melting smile, before he sweeps me up into a sweaty bear hug. He starts carrying me around the room like I am a trophy that he just won. I shout at him, demanding that he put me down, but I don’t really mean it. In this moment there is no where I would rather be than in this man’s arms. I am so fucking proud of him.
I am wiping down some tables at work one night when Dax comes in through the front door, head whipping around the room until his eyes land on me. A huge smile breaks across his face and he runs up to me before picking me up spinning me around as he kisses me. I chuckle against his lips as he deepens the kiss. Thankfully the place is pretty dead so there aren’t many people around to see Dax’s form of greeting, except of course Marcus who is bartending.
“Dax! She is working. Can you at least save that stuff for when she clocks out?” Marcus’s voice is more resigned like he knows that he is asking too much from Dax. The acceptance of it all makes me chuckle.
I have passed by Marcus a couple of times at the house, but we haven’t spent much time together outside of work. I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think that Marcus has a problem with us together which is a huge relief since he is really the only family that Dax has left and one of the most important people in his life.
Dax slowly puts me down before turning to him.
“Sorry Unc, but I just got an amazing phone call.” He smiles at him before swinging his gaze back to me. “Cameron called. He has a fight scheduled for me after New Year’s. If I win, there will be another one after that and so on and so on. Bree, he says that if I keep up this steam then I could get a shot at the title one day!
“Oh my god! Dax! YES!”
Now it’s me who jumps him. He catches me as my legs wrap around his waist and I pepper his face with kisses. Dax has had two more fights since that first one that I went to. Both times I was front and center for, screaming my head off in support of my man. Both times he annihilated the competition.
Marcus comes around and clasps Dax’s shoulder and I begrudgingly climb out of his arms. Dax turns to Marcus as they share a short man hug.
“That is awesome, kid. I’m so proud of you. Where will the fight be?”
“This one is in Birmingham but if I move onto more, who knows.” He looks over to me and smiles. “Looks like I may have the chance to cross the state line soon.” He winks and I laugh as he wraps me up into a hug.
“I am so proud of you, babe,” I murmur into his chest before he pulls me back to look at me.
His smile is big, and his eyes shine with excitement that his dreams are coming to life. He looks ready to say something and opens his mouth slightly before he closes it and gives me one more kiss. He talks with Marcus and me for a bit while we work and eventually he heads home.
I am so excited for what this means for Dax. He has worked so fucking hard for this and even though he had to conquer some obstacles he is doing it. He just had to get out of his own way. Seeing him go after his dream makes me feel like maybe I could do the same. I just have to figure out what that dream is, I guess.
It’s the last day of classes before winter break and I am so fucking ready. Finals have been kicking my ass but thank fucking god, I just finished my last one and am now headed back to my room to grab my bag. Dax convinced me to stay at his place over break instead of hanging out in the dorms. Marcus is going out of town to visit his new secret girlfriend’s family so we will be completely alone for break. I am really excited to have that much uninterrupted Dax time. I could pass on the holiday part.
I am walking down my hallway when I stop dead in my tracks and see something completely unexpected outside of my door. Cole. He is standing there with his shoulders hunched and hands buried into his jeans. He has a nervous expression on his face and when he looks up at me, I have the sudden urge to run up and hug him. I have missed him more than I realized. I tried not to think about him, but it’s been hard without my best friend. I slowly walk up to him and stop a couple feet away from him.
“Hi, Aubrey,” he says softly.
Aubrey not darlin’. It’s just a subtle reminder that we will never be able to get back to being the old Aubrey and Cole. It’s probably for the best but it fucking sucks all the same.
“Hi,” I reply in an equally gentle tone.
The tension in the air settles around us as the silence stretches. Cole just stands there staring at me like he is not quite sure how he got here to begin with.
“Do you want to come in?” I ask finally.
He nods but doesn’t say anything. I unlock my door and open it for him, but this is Cole, and he could lose his southern gentleman card if he let me hold the door for him, so he takes it from my hand and gestures for me to go in first.
When he comes in and shuts the door he just stands right in front of it facing me with his hands reburied in his pockets. I stand in front of him not sure what to do or say. He finally speaks after a little while.
“I am heading home for the break.”
I smile at the thought of how happy his family will be to see him.
“That’s awesome. I am sure Renée is excited to have you back so soon.”
“Not soon enough in her opinion,” he offers with a halfhearted chuckle.
“Can’t blame a mama,” I mimic in my best Renée impression. We both laugh a little more genuinely at that and I give him a small smile. “Well, tell them all I say hi and Merry Christmas.”
He nods. “They asked if you were coming. They wanted you to come. My sisters adored you at Thanksgiving and loved that braid you showed them how to do with their hair. The whole family wanted to know why you wouldn’t be coming.”
“What did you tell them?” I ask, suddenly nervous at how his family’s opinions have probably changed about me now.
He shrugs. “The truth. That I am in love with you, and you are in love with someone else.”
I blow out a heavy breath as I look up to him regretfully.
“Cole I-”
“It’s okay,” he says interrupting me. “Really, it is. I was upset and needed space, but I miss you. I miss our study sessions that consisted more of movies and ice cream than actual studying. I miss talking to you about literally everything. I miss working with you. I just…miss my best friend.”
I take a small step forward, crossing my arms across my stomach in attempt to stop the rolling feeling that has begun ever since I saw him in the hallway.
“I miss you too. This has been really fucking hard for me. I have tried to give you your space, but you have no idea how many times I picked up the phone just wanting to hear your voice or tell you a story about something stupid Kayla did or something that happened at The White Oak. Then I would remember that we aren’t friends anymore…” I trail off as I wrap my arms around myself even tighter.
“I don’t want that, Aubrey,” he says shaking his head. “I want us to be friends. I will get over my feelings. I don’t want to lose you from my life.”
I smile and nod my head.
“I don’t want that either.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a black box with a bow on top. His hand nervously spins it around in his palm before looking up to me.
“I got you something,” he says offering it forward. “Merry Christmas.”
Fuck. Well now I feel like an ass. I cringe as I look from the box to him.
“Cole, I-I didn’t get you anything. I’m sorry. I didn’t-”
“Aubrey, I don’t need anything. It wasn’t really planned. I just saw it and thought of you. Don’t over think it.”
Slowly, I reach out to take the box from him. His eyes watch me carefully and my heart thunders in my chest as I carefully open the box. My breath catches when I look inside. Laying against the cream leather interior of the box is a stunning silver necklace that has what looks like a bird pendant with the feathers made up of dozens of tiny red rubies. I look up to Cole in surprise. This thing is way too nice. There is no way I can accept this.
“It’s a phoenix,” he says quietly. “They are supposed to be the symbol of new beginnings. I figured since that is what brought you here it was fitting. I was also hoping that we could have a new beginning.”
Despite my best efforts, my eyes start to water as I throw my arms around his neck, hugging him close to me. His arms almost immediately wrap around me and hold me tight. I feel him let out a long exhale and I have a feeling that this is as much of a relief for him as it is for me. I lean back and he smiles at me before taking the box out of my hands.
“May I?” He asks gesturing to put the necklace on me.
I nod as he pulls it out while I spin around, lifting my hair out of the way for him. He clasps it together and lets it drop. It hangs around my neck at the perfect height settling in the center of my chest. I look down to admire it and look up to see that Cole is staring at me with an intense look. Fuck. Can we really do this? Just pretend that his feelings aren’t there? I want to say yes but the way that he is looking at me, with so much love and care, makes me think otherwise.
“Just friends?” I ask hesitantly.
He gives a small sad smile and nods.
“For now.”
I sigh heavily.
“Cole.”
He chuckles softly but it isn’t exactly a happy sound. It sounds more remorseful than anything. Slowly, he steps forward and places a chaste kiss on my cheek.
“Merry Christmas, Aubrey.”
Cole holds his lips against my cheek as he murmurs to me before he carefully pulls away, looking down at me with those sad expression filled eyes before he turns and walks out the door.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
AUBREY
I pull up to Dax’s house an hour later just as he makes his way outside. Betty gives her own greeting in the form of a backfire noise as Dax comes up to my door. He shakes his head and chuckles as I get out of the car.
“Damn, I should have just gotten you a new car for Christmas. Then we could have junked this scrap metal.”
I slap my hand over his mouth quickly as I hush him.
“Shh, she will hear you and if you hurt her feelings, she won’t start for me.”
We both laugh as I drop my hand before Dax bends down to press his lips against mine. I smile into him and wrap my arms around his neck as he slightly dips me backwards. Fuck. I have been with some good kissers, but Dax motherfucking Hart blows them all out of the water. We break apart eventually and he smiles down at me happily. His eyes flick down to my neck as he cocks his head slightly. I guess he noticed my new present.
“I haven’t seen this before. It’s nice,” he comments as he holds the pendant between his fingers.
I nod and decide to be honest about where it came from. God knows I already keep enough to myself. I can open up about this stuff.
“Cole gave it to me for Christmas.”
Dax drops it in a flash and rips his hand away like the necklace physically burned him. His brows furrow and an irritated look crosses his face.
“Excuse me? When the fuck did this happen?”
I roll my eyes and shrug at his sudden attitude.
“About an hour ago. He came by and said that he wants to be friends again.”
I turn around to grab my bag and the bag that has Dax’s Christmas present in it. Dax yanks my bag out of my hand and slams the car door with a hollow laugh.
“Yeah, sure. Friends. Who the fuck does that little shit think he is? He knows that you are my girl, and he gets you fucking jewelry? I should fucking kick his teeth in!”
My brows dip as I feel my own anger starting to rise inside of me.
“No, you shouldn’t. He is my friend, and he gave me a Christmas present. Babe, we need to get something straight right the fuck now. I am your girlfriend, but I am not your property. I will be friends with anyone I want. You have to accept that and trust that I would never do anything to hurt you or our relationship.”
“I trust you just fine. I however don’t trust Mr. Just Friends to keep his fucking hands to himself.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head before opening my car door, tossing the bag in my hand back inside haphazardly before I snatch the one Dax is holding and toss it in as well.
“Okay, well I am fucking done with your jealous bullshit. I am just gonna hang on campus for break. Let me know when you are done being a prick.”
I lower myself into my seat and go to shut the door when his hand stops it. Despite how much I would love to swing the door shut and crush his stupid fucking fingers, he is too strong. Dax stares at the ground for a few moments, silently stewing before he brings his eyes up to mine.
“I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “You are right. I can’t control who you are friends with. It’s just…fuck. You are fucking everything to me, Bree, and he wants you. You hanging out with him again makes me nervous as fuck. It makes me scared fucking shitless that maybe he could take you away from me.”
Honesty drips from his words and it’s the worried expression in his eyes that make me get out of the car and step into his arms.
“Dax, we were good friends for a while before he ever admitted he had feelings for me. He never tried anything then and he won’t now. I am not going anywhere, and no one is stealing me. The only person that could get rid of me is you.”
He hugs me tight and nods his head, burying his face into the crook of my neck as he blows out a deep breath.
“If he pulls anything, and I mean fucking anything, I will stomp his ass into the motherfucking ground,” he grumbles into my hair.
I let out a sharp laugh as I shake my head.
“Deal.”
The next couple of days are a mix of Dax and me working out at the gym or in the garage and fucking like rabbits, but you won’t hear me complaining. Dax surprised me the first day I stayed over with an early Christmas present of a new pair of UFC regulated gloves. They are dark purple and black, and I fucking love them. Dax and I are sparring lightly one day in the garage when he speaks up.
“Hey, baby?” He asks as he picks up his water bottle before throwing me mine.
“Hmmm?”
“Have you ever considered teaching self-defense classes? I mean, you are really good, obviously. I think more women should be able to defend themselves in dangerous situations and I think that you could be that person to teach them.”
I look at him thoughtfully and nod.
“I agree. I have never really thought about it honestly but it’s not a bad idea. I would love to have the opportunity to do what others did for me.”
“Which is?” He pushes.
I know he has been dying for me to open up to him, but it is so fucking hard to let down the walls that I built up so high. What if he looks at me differently? Worse, what if he pities me? I couldn’t handle that. But he deserves more. So, I decide to let him in, even if it is just a little bit.
“Take young girls in that don’t know how to defend themselves and give them the skills they need to survive.”
“Survive?” He questions softly.
My eyes beg him to not push anymore and thankfully he doesn’t. He just pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head tenderly.
While my head is tucked under his chin he whispers into my hair, “Someone attacked my mom, and she couldn’t defend herself against him. That is how she died.”
Stilling my breath, I don’t dare move a muscle. Dax never talks about his mother, he never brought up the cause of her death and based on how close they were I imagine that it is still too painful for him to think about let alone talk about with others. I am not sure if that is all he has to say about it, so I just stand there, silently holding him, allowing him time to continue if he wants to.
“She was working late at The White Oak. Her and Marcus used to run it together. I begged her for the car one night because I wanted to go to some party. She finally relented and said she would walk home. It was only a quarter mile walk to work from our house. One that she had done a million times before. If I would have known what was going to happen, I never would have taken the car. I-I never thought in my wildest dreams that anything would happen to her.”
His breath catches as I feel his lips press against the crown of my head.
“He tried to mug her. She wouldn’t give him her purse and so he stabbed her. Left her bleeding out in the middle of the street. By the time someone found her and called the paramedics it was too late. The worst part is that I didn’t even find out until the next morning. I was too fucked up at the party. Marcus called me about fifty fucking times and every single one went unanswered. I was partying while my mother was dying because I insisted on having the car. Then Marcus was dealing with the death of his sister all on his own because I was passed out drunk.”
He spits the last part out with disgust. I can tell just in his voice that he is disappointed in himself, that he feels in a way responsible. I hug him tighter before he pulls back to look at me. I see watery tears building up in his eyes as he brushes a loose piece of hair behind my ear.
“I wish that someone would have trained her, shown her how to defend herself. She never listened to me and would never have let me show her anything. Maybe, if she would have taken a class or something she could have gotten away. Maybe she would be here to this day.
“She died not far away from where I first met you, where that piece of shit grabbed you. I didn’t even know you, but I had this overwhelmingly urge to protect you, like I wish someone could have for my mother.”
