CHAPTER 174: CRUSH

Jax didn’t knock on Chad’s door. He pushed the door to Chad’s room open like he owned the place, which, technically, he did, and found Chad sprawled shirtless on the bed, arms folded behind his head, eyes half-shut in fake peace.

Jax raised a brow. "We need to talk," he said, not minding that Chad had said he wanted to sleep.

Chad cracked one eye open, grinning like a kid caught with his hand in a cookie jar. "About what?" Chad asked sweetly.

Jax eyed him. "Mari said you kissed her."

Chad blinked. Then both eyes opened, and his grin widened. "And you are here to punch me for kissing her?"

Jax angled his head. "Does that mean you kissed her?"

"Hm. Why are you asking me that? Do you not trust her?" Chad asked, raising a brow.

Jax sighed. "I don’t. She’s a very mischievous person and likes to create drama. So, I can’t take her word for it. Did you?"

Chad chuckled as he sat up on his elbows. "I did. I kissed her."

"Why would you kiss her?" Jax asked, glaring at Chad. Even he had not kissed her, yet Chad had done that.

Chad chuckled and swung his legs off the bed. "Relax. Okay?" He held up both hands like he was surrendering. "It was just a brush of the lips. No tongue. Nothing intense. More like a friendly good morning."

Jax folded his arms. "Really?"

"Yep."

"So, why did you kiss her?"

"Do you want an apology, or an explanation?"

"An explanation."

Chad stood and stretched, taking his sweet time before answering. "She hugged me from behind and called me baby. What was I supposed to do? I figured you two were a thing— at least that’s what Diva made it sound like. So I thought, why not play along? You’d kiss your baby good morning with a kiss, wouldn’t you? I mean, shouldn’t you give me some credit for not going further than that?"

Jax’s eyes narrowed. "She’s not my baby."

Chad grinned. "Well, I thought she was. And seeing how you’re here glaring at me for kissing her, I think she is on her way to being your baby. She’s smart though. I didn’t expect her to catch on so fast."

"She caught on because she knew I wouldn’t kiss her," Jax said, and that earned him a raised brow.

"You wouldn’t kiss her, huh? But you’d let her sleep in your bed and make out with her thinking she was Diva?" Chad asked, smirking as he remembered how incredulous that had sounded when Diva told him about it.

Jax glared at him. "Chad!"

Chad laughed. "So tell me how you mistook the little mermaid for Diva when they are nothing alike? Oh, don’t. I remember. You were dreaming of the girl, who isn’t your baby. Yet."

Jax groaned and rubbed his temple. "Is there something Diva forgot to tell you?"

Chad laughed. "Nah. I don’t think she left anything out. I just enjoy seeing you squirm." Then, more seriously, he asked, "What’s going on with you two?"

"Nothing," Jax said flatly.

Chad gave him a long look. "Then why did she end up in your bed?"

"Didn’t Diva tell you that she sneaked in when I was asleep?" Jax muttered.

Chad’s eyes sparkled. "Oh? Do you think she’d sneak into my bed too if I leave the door open tonight when I sleep?"

Jax scowled. "Why would you want her in your bed?"

Chad shrugged. "Maybe because I like her."

Jax stiffened. "You like her?"

"Yup. She’s cute and fun," he said with a grin.

"I thought you were against her being here," Jax asked, scowling at him.

"I was," Chad said easily. "But you brought her anyway. So now I have no choice but to get along with her."

Jax sighed. "I wish Venita was that reasonable."

Chad turned serious. "Venita is reasonable. There’s nothing wrong with her not wanting Mari here. Venita is scared. You can’t blame her for not wanting to lose her brothers like she lost her father."

"No one is losing anyone. You can’t keep blaming Alex for what happened to Dad. He did nothing wrong..."

Chad nodded. "Alex had no business asking you to watch over his daughter after what happened to our father. If Dad could be murdered just for refusing to tell them about where and how to find Alex, imagine what happens when they find out we’re hiding Alex’s daughter here."

"Alex is actively working to put an end to this. No one’s going to find out," Jax said confidently.

"I hope not," Chad said quietly. "For all our sakes."

Jax sat on the edge of the dresser. "We have this life because of Alex. Dad owed him. We owe him, too. Dad would have wanted us to do this. You know that."

"Dad would have wanted us to be safe," Chad said, and then changed the subject, "so, how has it been? Does she know yet that you’re working for her father?"

Jax shook his head.

"Yet she is being so cozy with you? Her kidnapper? She’s crazy," Chad said with a chuckle.

"Very crazy," Jax agreed. "She’s... a handful. Mari. She wears me out."

Chad smirked. "I don’t hear any complaint in your voice, though. Or do you want me to take her off your hands?"

Jax frowned. "I didn’t say I was complaining."

"Exactly," Chad said, grinning. "So how does it feel?"

"How does what feel?" Jax asked with a raised brow.

"Having your crush living under your roof? Does she know how you feel about her?"

Jax froze. "What are you talking about?"

Chad leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "You think I wouldn’t know? I took one look at her face and I recognized her. She’s the one in most of those paintings you keep hidden away in your studio. You’ve been painting portraits of her since you saw her three years ago."

Jax looked away. "She just has a good face for portraits."

Chad scoffed. "Really? Has she seen the paintings yet? Why not let her see them and tell her that? You used to send her paintings on her birthdays, right? Does she know you’re the one?"

Jax glared at him. "Don’t cause any troubles. Don’t say a word to her or anything."

Chad grinned. "When do I ever cause trouble?" Then, more carefully, he asked, "So, I guess now that she is here you are done with Diva for good, right?"

"Yes."

Chad nodded. "Good. It’s about time."

Jax’s gaze sharpened. "It’s about time? Why would you say that? You liked Diva."

"I liked Diva as Venita’s bestie," Chad agreed. "But I never said I liked her for you."

Jax blinked. "What do you mean?"

Chad’s tone was even. "You were a simp for her..."

"Simp? I never simped," Jax cut in defensively.

"Yes, you did. You took whatever scraps she tossed you and acted like it was enough. I hated watching you settle for that crap. We both know you’re not that type of guy. And we both know each time she was with another guy your feelings were hurt and she didn’t care. I’m glad you decided not to be exclusive with her simply because she decided she is ready to settle down," Chad said, and Jax sighed.

"You never said anything."

"There was nothing to say. It was your decision. You know I believe in letting people make their own mistakes. And I also believed at the end of the day you’d do the right thing," Chad said with a shrug.

"What did you tell her after she told you about Mari?" Jax asked, and Chad grinned.

"I told her I’d come see things for myself and talk some sense into you. So, that’s what I’m doing. Telling you to not ever get involved with her again," Chad said, and Jax chuckled.

"It’s good to have you back. I missed having you around," Jax said, and Chad chuckled.

"I’m sure you did. Now. Get out. I need sleep. I’m jet lagged."

Jax stood. "When you wake up we will talk about all you did with my name..."

"Chill. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. Just enjoying the perks of being the identical twin of a celebrity, who doesn’t want to be one. We can’t let the fame go to waste, so I have to do my best by being your face out there while you’re being a loner in here," he said, and Jax chuckled.

"I guess I should be thanking you for it," Jax said dryly.

"You’re always welcome. Don’t mention," Chad said, and Jax laughed.

"Just don’t try anything with Mari again. No kissing. No touching."

Chad raised a brow. "What if she kisses and touches me?"

"Don’t let her."

Chad laughed. "Alright. I’ll try."

Jax walked back to the kitchen, his thoughts swirling. He didn’t even know what emotion he felt. Frustration? Confusion? Jealousy?

Mari was still there, seated on the island, sipping from his cup of coffee like it was a normal morning.

When she saw him, her lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Did you two fight?" she asked, voice light as she looked him over. "I guess not," she said, noting he looked perfectly okay.

Jax poured himself another cup of coffee. "Was there a reason for us to fight?"

Mari blinked innocently. "Didn’t you storm out because Chad kissed me?"

Jax met her eyes calmly. "He didn’t force you. You hugged him. You consented. So it had nothing to do with me."

Mari tilted her head. "So... you don’t care if I kiss Chad?"

Jax took a sip of coffee. Shrugged. "It’s your choice. You’re free to do whatever you want," he said as he looked at her over the rim of his mug.

Mari’s grin faltered. Her brows furrowed. "Fine. I will. Maybe I’ll just ask him to be my fuck buddy."

Jax didn’t respond but his Jaw clenched and his eyes darkened.

Mari could feel the storm brewing in his silence as he set down his mug slowly and approached her.

Mari raised a brow when Jax stopped in front of her, and gazed down at her. "Chad and I are one. Don’t play any games with Chad, Maribel."

"So, you do care," She said with an innocent smile.

"Don’t mess with me, Mari," he warned, and somehow the look in his eyes made her heart race.

"What will you do if I do?" She asked in a daring tone.

"Why don’t you mess with me and find out?" Jax asked, and she smiled.

"With all pleasure," Mari said with a grin.

This was going to be fun.