Without Doubt by Cj Azevedo Read Free Book Online Page A

with Jax a
secret from Declan until this very moment if I hadn’t made such a
spectacle about Rachel. I just screwed myself.
    I turn towards the door and Jackson is right
in front of me, picking me up and twirling me around. As soon as he
puts me down, his lips are on mine. This is a normal greeting from
him. I don’t see him often, but he acts as though we’re a couple
when we’re in the same town. I’ve never had any other guy around
that I had to worry about this situation, so I’ve always just gone
along with it. But now I’m extremely uncomfortable. I feel a ton of
eyes on me, eight of which belong to Greyden, Luca, Keegan, and
worst of all, Declan.
    “ Happy Birthday, baby!”
Jackson says as he pulls back but keeps me wrapped in his
arms.
    “ Jackson, what are you
doing here? I thought you couldn’t get out of work!” I ask quietly,
feeling very uneasy. Jackson’s face makes me feel horrible for my
reaction. He drove seven plus hours to surprise me and I ask what
he’s doing here? Ugh, I’m a horrible
person. I stand up on my tiptoes and give
him a sweet kiss to try and relieve some of the guilt I just
acquired. “I’m sorry Jax; I’m so happy you’re here. Thank you! You
just surprised me is all…”
    “ That was the point, babe!
Hurry up and get your things, I’m late and we have a reservation to
get to.”
    “ Ok. I have some clothes
Marla gave me so I can just change here real quick.”
    I’m sure Jackson’s picked up on the fact
that I’m acting really out of character. He leans in to whisper in
my ear, “Is he here?”
    I let tension drop from my shoulders and let
out a relieved breath. I just nod my head.
    He squeezes me tightly before whispering,
“So will he beat the shit out of me if I grab your ass?”

Chapter 7
    Declan
     
    I watch numbly as some guy claims Ava. There
isn’t much I can do about it. I rushed Talon off the phone just in
time to see her reach up to kiss him. I have no idea who he is, and
she’s so never as much as mentioned a close friend that she would
be kissing right now. I was already pissed that I didn’t know
today’s her birthday and then to have this prick come in and sweep
her off her damn feet… let’s just say I’m using every technique
I’ve ever learned to calm the hell down.
    “ Who the f—” I stop myself
and take another breath before rephrasing and continuing. “Who is
that?” I’m gritting my teeth, seething and speaking to no one in
particular.
    Dustin is standing close enough to hear me
so he speaks up. “That’s Jackson,” he says as if I should know the
name.
    Considering I talk to Ava several times a
day every single day of the week, it looks like I probably should
know who this dude is. Just like I should have known it was her
birthday.
    “ Who the fuck is Jackson?”
Greyden asks for me, since I’m obviously still trying to work out
the scene in front of me.
    Jackson whispers in her ear and she silently
nods. He shares a big smile with her before leaning in and
whispering again, this time looking right at me. He might just be
looking at our group in general and not singling out me, but he is
definitely checking all of us out. Before he can pull back from
Ava, she laughs and pushes him back.
    “ Ava hasn’t explained Jax
to you, Declan?” Dustin asks incredulously.
    “ Nope.” He isn’t making
her case any better. I can’t take my eyes off of them.
    “ You should probably wait
for her to explain. I won’t do it any justice.”
    Just then, the happy couple starts toward
us. I’ve finally calmed myself down, for the time being, at least.
If she brings him over here and continues kissing him, it’s going
to take a whole hell of a lot more than my breathing techniques to
keep me off the fucker. As for right now, if she wants to keep me
as insignificant enough to not explain someone to me that is
apparently very close to her, then I won’t give her the
satisfaction of getting all worked up over it. I’ll keep my