CHAPTER 248: DRAMA

Jax sat on the couch with Mari curled against his side, her head resting on his shoulder and his arm draped protectively around her as they both watched a movie on the television.

They were snuggled close, whispering and laughing now and like they were the only two people in the house.

The sound of footsteps echoed, and then Venita walked in with Chad beside her. Diva trailed behind them, her face sour when she saw Mari snuggled against Jax.

Mari’s eyes lit up the moment she saw Chad. Her smile was wide and warm. "Chad!" she called, springing up a little. "I’ve missed you so much!"

Chad chuckled, shaking his head. "You have? Why don’t you look it?" He asked as he walked over and sat next to her.

"Why are you sitting here when there are other seats around?" Jax asked, pulling a giggling Mari closer to himself.

"Because I want to sit next to my little mermaid," Chad said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I missed you too, little mermaid."

Mari laughed softly, her hand pressing against his arm in playful affection.

"You shouldn’t be laughing that way when another guy is kissing you," Jax said, making her laugh even more.

Venita stood near the armchair, her eyes narrowing with irritation at both her brothers who seemed to have been charmed by the little witch.

Diva didn’t like what she was seeing either. She hated seeing Jax looking so happy and cozy with Mari, and she didn’t like that Chad was acting all friendly with her rival.

Diva stood stiff beside Venita, and scowled at Chad like he was a traitor. How dare he smile and joke with Mari?

Venita folded her arms. "So, Jax... are you just going to sit there and ignore me? No hello for your sister?"

Jax didn’t even spare her a glance. His voice was cool as he responded. "I plan to keep ignoring you until you get your head straight and behave like I expect my sister to."

Venita’s mouth fell open, ready to argue, but before she could, the doorbell rang.

Chad turned his head. "You expecting someone, Jax?"

Jax stood, sliding Mari’s head gently off his shoulder. "Yeah. I am. Be right back," he said, kissing Mari’s cheek, and she grinned as she watched him go.

The others glanced at one another, whispers of curiosity in their eyes.

Chad leaned closer to Mari. "You know who he’s expecting?"

Mari smiled lightly. "You’ll see soon enough. Just wait."

"Are you just going to watch Jax and let him get involved with her? Someone he knows nothing about apart from the fact that..."

"Stay out of their business, Venita. It’s not as simple as you think," Chad advised.

"What do you mean?" Mari asked curiously.

Chad grinned. "You’ll see soon enough. Just wait," he said, and she giggled, amused he was using her line back at her.

Jax returned, followed by a man in a white coat who was carrying a medical kit.

Chad blinked in surprise, and Venita’s brows shot up as they both wondered why the man was there.

Diva looked from Jax to the man and back again, wondering if the man was there because of her.

Jax gestured toward the stranger calmly. "This is a phlebotomist. He’s here to take a blood sample."

Diva instantly stiffened. She tried to smile, but it looked strained. "Oh... uh... I’m just going to go upstairs to rest. I’m not—"

"No," Jax cut her off harshly, his tone cold like ice. "He’s here for you. You told me you couldn’t make it to the hospital. So the lab came here. Sit down."

Diva’s throat bobbed as she swallowed. "I said I was tired. I’m not up for tests right now."

Venita frowned, confusion in her eyes. "What test? What’s going on? Are you ill?" She asked Diva.

Mari tilted her head. "Don’t tell me you don’t know your bestie’s claiming to be pregnant for your brother."

Venita whipped her head toward Diva, eyes wide. "You’re pregnant?"

Diva opened her mouth, but no words came.

"Oh-oh." Chad leaned back on the couch, his eyes resting on Diva. "If it’s true that you’re claiming to be pregnant, then you need to get tested right now so we can confirm it."

Diva crossed her arms, her chin high. "I’d rather we go to the hospital. For all I know, Jax could ask this man here to make the result negative. I don’t know him. I can’t trust him."

Mari laughed softly, shaking her head. "You’re not making sense. Why would he do that? If you’re truly pregnant with his baby, everyone will know in a couple of months anyway. There’s no reason he’d want to hide something that can’t be hidden."

Jax’s eyes locked on Diva, cold and unyielding. "I asked that we go to the hospital. You refused. And honestly even if you had agreed, I wouldn’t have taken you to my doctor. Because you go there too. And I know you could get someone to falsify the results there."

The phlebotomist shifted awkwardly, glancing around at the tense faces and wondering whether he should excuse them, sit or keep standing there.

Chad turned to Venita. "Ask her to sit down and take the test. End this now."

Venita looked at Diva, her expression doubtful. "Just do the test, Diva."

Diva’s voice rose, shaky but defiant. "I said I’m tired. I need to rest."

The phlebotomist spoke politely. "It will only take a couple of minutes. Just a quick draw and I’ll be gone. You won’t even feel it."

"I don’t want my blood taken!" Diva snapped, her eyes darting. "Not now!"

Her hands clenched into fists as everyone’s eyes bore into her. She tried to think of more excuses, but nothing came.

"I’m leaving id you won’t let me be," she said, heading for the door but Mari stood, her face serious as she blocked Diva’s path.

Diva flinched.

"You’re not leaving, Diva," Mari said firmly. "Not until you get tested. I’m not letting this uncertainty spill into my birthday. I want Jax’s full attention tomorrow, not half of it wasted worrying about whether or not you’re telling the truth."

Venita snapped, "Everything doesn’t revolve around you. Stay out of this, bitch!"

Chad’s voice cut in immediately. "No, Venita. You stay out of it if you’re not going to ask Diva to take the test."

Jax nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

Venita hesitated, then looked at Diva again. "Do the test. Stop making this worse."

Diva’s chest heaved. Her lips trembled. "I won’t sit here and let you all bully me! I’m leaving!"

She spun toward the door, but Jax’s voice rang out, hard as stone. "If you walk through that door without taking the test, don’t ever step foot in this house again whether or not you’re truly pregnant. And Venita, if you support her in this nonsense, the same goes for you."

Diva froze, tears springing to her eyes. She turned back, her voice breaking. "I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve being treated this way simply because I love you."

Jax folded his arms, his eyes dark. "You keep underestimating me, Diva. If you think I’ll fall for your tears, or your lies, you’re wrong."

Chad rose with a sigh, pinching his nose. "Can we stop wasting time? Diva, just admit you’re not pregnant. You’re not the type to make such a careless mistake unless it’s deliberate. And you wouldn’t be stalling this way if you were truly pregnant. I’m hungry. I’m going to find something to eat," Chad said as he rose and walked off toward the kitchen without looking back.

Venita’s gaze softened on her best friend. "Diva... take the test. Or just tell me the truth."

Diva’s breath hitched. Finally, she dropped her face into her hands. "I’m not pregnant," she sobbed. "I thought maybe if I said so he’d take me back."

The room was quiet except for her crying.

Jax turned to the phlebotomist with a nod. "You can go. Sorry for the inconvenience. I’ll pay for your time."

The man gave a tight smile, packed his kit, and left.

Jax looked at Mari then, his eyes softening. He tilted his head at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I told you so."

Mari grinned, relief flooding her face.

Venita quietly led Diva out of the house.

Once the door closed, Jax pulled Mari into his arms. He held her close, his voice low against her ear. "Thank you for being mature about all this."

Mari smiled into his chest, her arms tightening around him. "You better make my birthday worth it."

"I will," Jax promised, kissing her softly.