Without Doubt by Cj Azevedo Read Free Book Online Page B

face
blank. I quickly signal to Max for another beer to assist with that
particular expression.
    Ava walks up to us and I notice Jackson’s
hand on her lower back. “Hey guys, I wanted to introduce you real
quick.” She looks at the other guys first then finally makes eye
contact with me. She smiles but I’m not feeling it, so I just reach
around her to offer my hand to this Jackson guy.
    “ Hey, Declan James. How’s
it going?”
    Ava looks like she might pass out and
although I wouldn’t want her to get hurt; I sorta wouldn’t care if
she went down right now.
    “ Jackson Andrews. Good to
meet you, man. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He offers half a smile
and a firm shake.
    The guys, Dustin, and Max are all watching
skeptically.
    Ava clears her throat and looks next to me.
“Jax this is Greyden, Luca and Keegan.” She points to each one of
them as she says their names.
    Max has my beer set on top of the bar so I
nod towards Jackson and walk away from them to sit on my stool. I
down my beer in two swallows and ask for another one. Max obliges
without question.
    After a couple minutes of being left to my
thoughts, Jackson sits on the stool next to me. Max slides him a
glass of water before Jackson starts talking without looking at
me.
    “ Ava’s really into you,”
he says casually.
    What does he expect me to say to that? I
also thought that was true, especially after she just about got
into a fight tonight because some girl tried to order me a beer.
Jealous? That’s what I call it. I take another long swig of my beer
before pulling my lip ring in between my teeth. I think about how
opposite Jackson is from me. He’s about as preppy and clean cut as
a guy can get in a polo, khaki dress shorts, and boat shoes.
Fucking boat shoes.
    “ I’m sorry she didn’t tell
you about me. Ava and I go back a long way and we have a hell of a
history. She means more to me than anyone,” the guy says before
shaking his head and taking in a deep breath, “but I can tell by
the way she looks at you that what I have with her is
inconsequential in comparison.”
    The words he’s saying should mean more to me
than they do. They can’t pack a whole lot of meaning, though, when
she won’t agree to be mine. We’re just friends, she’s made that
crystal clear. Without looking at Jackson, I nod curtly at his
words. He stands and walks away and suddenly Ava is standing next
to me.
    “ I’m sorry,” she says
softly. She looks amazing. She has on an emerald green shirt that
only covers one shoulder, a pair of jeans that look like they were
made for her, and a pair of high-heeled sandals. She’s wearing more
makeup than I’ve ever seen her wear and while she’s perfect with
the little makeup she tends to sport, tonight the heavy eye makeup
and dark lips are screaming “sexy.”
    I set my empty bottle down and turn so I can
pull her in between my legs by her hips. She comes willingly. I
notice over her shoulder that Max, Dustin and Jackson are all
watching us discreetly. Ignoring our audience, I turn my hat around
backwards so she can look right into my eyes. “You don’t owe me
anything, Ava, and definitely not an apology. We’re just friends,
so you’re free to let random guys put their hands and mouths all
over you. No questions asked.” Am I being a douche? Yes.
    “ Jackson’s not a random
guy and his hands and mouth weren’t all over me. I’m sorry he
kissed me in front of you; he didn’t know you were
here.”
    “ Well… I’ve spoken to you
every day for the last couple of months and I’ve never heard you
mention him, so, to me, he is a random guy. Besides, contrary to the jealousy
you showed earlier, I’m not yours, Ava. You don’t have to
apologize, not even for him sticking his tongue down your throat or
for you kissing him like you’ve done it a million times. I’m good.
You better go, you’re going to be late for your date.” I try to
guide her backwards so I can turn back to the bar, but she