“How about we stop for brunch?” Lilly asks, breaking into my thoughts.

“Sure,” I agree, and we hurry to get into the car.

*

“Perfect timing, looks like the guys just got here too,” Lilly says, looking in the rearview mirror. Turning my head, I look through the back window, seeing Cash is driving Jax’s truck and Jax is driving a white Range Rover. After we stopped for brunch, where I ate waffles, eggs, and a fruit salad, I vowed I would start my diet tomorrow. Then we went to the DMV and I got a new driver’s license before heading to the bank for a new card.

Getting out of the car, I open the backdoor. As soon as I do, Hope is out and running towards Jax, yelling, “Ax!” at the top of her lungs. She stops midway and spins in circles, showing him the purple tutu his mom bought for her while I was in the salon. She got it from a woman named Liz’s store, called Temptations.

Smiling, he picks her up, saying something that makes her laugh before setting her back on the ground and walking toward me. Suddenly, yelling, “Catch, babe!” tossing something to me.

Catching a set of keys I hold them out in front of me, frowning. He already gave me the house key this morning, so I have no idea what these are for. “What’s this?” I ask, holding the keys out toward him.

“I got you a car.” He smiles bigger, jerking his head over his shoulder towards the white Range Rover parked behind his mom’s car.

“You got me a car?” I repeat just for confirmation as anger and something ugly turns in my stomach.

“I know you’re gonna need some wheels to get around, so—”

“You did not buy me a car,” I murmur, looking from the car to him then back again.

“I did.” He grins.

“Yay, Mama! You got a car!” Hope cries, dancing around me.

“I cannot believe you,” I hiss, throwing the keys at him, which he catches before they smack him in his stupid face. “I’m not a charity case.”

“Uh oh, Mama’s mad,” I hear Hope say from behind me as I storm toward the house. I’m angry, but I also feel extremely vulnerable. So much so, I feel my throat closing up with tears.

Not wanting to be rude, I turn to look at Lilly, who is frowning at her son. “Thank you so much for taking me today,” I croak out.

“Anytime, honey,” she says gently. I nod and wait until Hope catches up to me to go into the house and close the door, wishing I knew how to change the code so I could lock Jax out. Going to my room, I make sure Hope is settled while I start to put away my laundry.

“Ellie, I need to talk to you for a minute.” Jax says lightly tapping on the door.

Gritting my teeth, I get off my bed, making sure Hope is distracted by her doll before opening the door and stepping into the hall then to the side when Jax takes a step towards me.

“I never said you were a charity case,” he says, and the urge to punch him in the stomach hits me so hard I have to fist my hands at my sides to keep from doing just that.

“I never asked for a car, and if I wanted a car, I would have found a way to get one for myself.”

“I’m just trying to help you, Ellie.”

“Well don’t, and please take the car back, Jax,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I bought it cash, so you’re gonna have to suck it up and accept it.”

“I’m going to have to suck it up?” I repeat, just to make sure I heard him correctly.

“It’s paid for.” I have no idea how much a car like that costs, but I have a feeling it’s a lot of money, and there is no way in hell I would take a car like that from anyone. Definitely not from an almost stranger, even if he is just trying to be nice.

“I don’t want it. Take it back.”

“Too bad, it’s yours,” he growls at me. Yes, growls, like he has the right to be pissed off at me for not accepting it.

“We’re done talking,” I announce, turning and walking back into the room, hearing him growl again as I shut the door. I don’t even care if it seems like I’m acting like a child throwing a temper tantrum. I’m thankful for his help, but no way in hell am I taking a car from him. And he can’t make me, I think immaturely as I walk to the bed and plop down next to Hope, deciding then the only way Jax and I will be talking again is when he takes the car back to wherever he bought it from.

Chapter 3

Jax

My head lifts as the backdoor opens and Ellie whispers, “Jax?” loudly, stumbling into the kitchen. She’s holding onto Wes, whose body is bent almost double from her weight.

“What the fuck happened?” I ask, getting off the stool I was sitting at, working on a case for a client while waiting for Ellie to get home so we can talk, whether she wants to or not.

“Her, July, and all the sisters and cousins decided to have an impromptu bachelorette party at the compound,” he says, chucking when Ellie says something about loving July and going on runs with her.

“And you didn’t think to call me?” I growl, pulling Ellie away from him and tucking her into my front, smelling tequila mixed with her sweet scent.

“Sorry, man.” He shakes his head. “July told me if I called I wasn’t gonna be sleeping in bed with her tonight. I’ll do a lot of shit, but no way am I taking the couch over some shit that’s not my concern.”

“I’m not talking to Jax,” Ellie cuts in, looking at Wes then up at me, pointing a finger then going cross-eyed when she stares at it, muttering, “I’m not talking to you.”