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“You two have some explaining to do,” Jax rounds on us and I jump guiltily out of Baxter’s arms. We exchange a quick glance and I hope to convey the message to him to keep his gob shut. I needn’t have worried though; weirdly, Baxter has always had my back.
“Sure thing, guys,” Baxter says. “What do you want to know?” He sits on the sofa and pulls me down into his lap. He’s definitely being more touchy-feely than normal. What I don’t understand, is why?
“Are you two an item?” Rebel grinds out from between clenched teeth. I feel Baxter shaking with silent laughter behind me. I can’t help but lean back into him.
“Not at the moment,” Baxter replies. I whip around to face him and give him a WTF look, but he winks and whispers for me to trust him. And I do. “But you never know,” he adds.
“And...were you dating before?”
“I wouldn’t call what we did ‘dating’, but whatever.” Baxter shrugs. He places his hand on my thigh, too high, and gives it a squeeze. Something flutters in my stomach. Rebel’s blazing stare tracks his every move. It’s hard not to tense up under Baxter’s unusual touch, but I have to trust that he’s helping me somehow.
“Are you Phoenix’s father?”
“Did you hear her call me daddy?” Baxter counters with a raised eyebrow. “But can you please keep your voices down, we don’t want Nix asking questions and the walls are paper thin in this place.”
Shit. Did he just...holy crap! Did he just imply that he might be Phoenix’s father? My heart starts to pound and my palms clam up. Why would he do that?
“How are you two so friendly?” Jax furrows his brows.
“We’ve been friends for years. Cordelia and my grandfather are old...friends.” Baxter’s voice is heavy with emphasis and Thorn makes a gagging sound.
“Ew, old people shagging. That’s gross!”
I’m sat, balanced precariously on Baxter’s lap, worrying about how the hell I’m going to get these guys to leave, when Ace comes back into the lounge.
“She’s sleepy,” he tells me with a smile.
“Okay, guys, I need you to go so that I can get Phoenix into bed.”
“Of course!” Thorn rises to his feet, Ace is already putting his coat on. Rebel, Jax and Baxter seem to be stuck in some sort of three way standoff, none seem willing to break eye contact first.
“Erm, hello?” I wave my hand back and forth in front of Baxter’s face. “A hand please?” I guess we have some sort of charade to keep up.
“Absolutely, babe,” he tells me with a wink. He jumps to his feet and heads towards Phoenix’s door. “I’ll tuck her in and read her her usual bedtime story while you see the guys out. Then we can share a bottle of wine and catch up once she’s asleep.” I know it’s a ruse, but there’s no mistaking the suggestion in his voice. A vein in Jax’s temple throbs and Rebel looks about ready to explode as I say goodbye and practically push them out of the door.
“When can we see you again?” Rebel asks on the doorstep.
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, Reb,” I say softly.
“We still need answers,” Jax insists.
“I don’t know what more I can tell you.”
“Please,” Rebel begs and my resolve crumbles instantly.
“Okay. Text me. We’ll sort something out,” I barely finish what I’m saying when Rebel captures me into a giant bear hug and squeezes me tight.
“Night, Princess.” He kisses my cheek and I melt.
“Night, Reb,” I whisper quietly. I wave them off down the path and then turn back into the lounge, surprised to see Baxter’s already sitting on the couch with two large glasses of red.
“What about Phoenix?” I ask.
“She’s already fast asleep in bed. I think Ace tucked her in and just came out as a ruse to get everyone to leave. I owe him one.”
Me too, I think, plopping down on the old sofa and reaching for the glass from Baxter.
“What the hell was all that about?” I ask him.
