Yes. When it came to Jade McKenzie and the way she took charge with planning, she flourished. This was her element and he was rather impressed.
“I’ll take all of that back to Livie,” Jax said once Jade finished. “I’m sure she’ll be all for it. Maybe you two can talk tomorrow and bring Melanie up to speed, get her ideas as well. I’ll get back with Sophie on a time and day.”
“Let me know,” Jade replied. “I’ll get my guy on that model of the airport ASAP, and I’ll personally drive to pick it up.”
“Perfect.” Jax came to his feet and blew out a sigh. “
Well, I’ll be heading home. I just stopped when I saw Cash’s truck still here, so I figured I’d discuss this face-to-face instead of text.”
“I need to get going as well.” Jade cast him a glance but quickly looked away. “Good night, guys.”
“’Night, Red.”
She walked out, and Cash grabbed his keys off the desk, ready to go home. Though the idea of leaving didn’t hold much appeal now. He’d been much happier several minutes ago, when Jade had been panting against him and the evening held more promise.
“Tell me you’re not screwing with her.”
Cash jerked his attention to Jax, who stood in front of the door, arms folded and a narrowed stare shooting across the room.
“Screwing in which way? Figuratively or literally?”
Jax took a step farther into the office. “Don’t. Livie will kill you if anything is going on between you and Jade. Damn it, man. Can’t you just leave one woman alone?”
“Nothing is going on between Jade and me.”
He’d never lied to his cousin before, but he had to respect the deal he’d made with Jade. He should probably stop to analyze the fact that he’d just put his temporary relationship with Jade over that with Jax, but those thoughts would probably scare the hell out of him, so he pushed them aside.
“Didn’t look like that when I came in.”
Cash shrugged. “Not sure what you thought you saw, but we’d been discussing her working here instead of a half hour away.”
C’mon. Couldn’t Jax just go back to his wife and daughter? Of all the times he didn’t want to talk about a woman, this one ranked at the top.
“I know you, Cash.” Jax continued to stare, as if trying to analyze Cash’s every movement, every word, to uncover the truth. “Jade is sticking around Haven, at least for a while, and she’s Livie’s best friend. If the two of you start fooling around, things will be awkward for everyone when it ends.”
Why the hell was everyone hung up on when this would end?
More importantly, why did those verbal concerns piss him off? He was the one who didn’t want long term or anything resembling a relationship. Yet he didn’t even want to consider giving Jade up.
Cash had to put his cousin’s fears at ease. “I swear, man. Jade and I aren’t dating or looking at messing with the harmony of the group. Is that what you wanted to hear? Don’t bring this up again or the others will start wondering. There’s no need to have Jade all angry, thinking I told you something.”
Jax stared for another minute before nodding in agreement. “Fine. I believe you.”
The weight of guilt settled heavily on his chest.
“You heading home, or do you want to head over to Taps?” Jax asked.
“I think I’m heading home. It’s been a long day.”
Jax narrowed his brows. “Everything all right?”
“Just the same old shit with my dad, then several things going on here. Nothing a cold beer and a good night’s rest won’t cure, but I plan on having my beer in the comfort of my recliner.”
Jax started out of the office and Cash followed. He clicked off the light, shut the door, and locked it behind him. The music from the front of the gym continued a steady beat but still couldn’t drown out the clanging of the metal weights.
“You know Tanner and I are always here if you need us.” Jax fell into step with Cash as they stepped out the back door. “There’s no need for you to always handle things on your own.”
“Maybe not, but I’m more comfortable that way.”