He rose and joined her.
She’d poured a bowl of cereal and milk and sat at the counter on a barstool. Though her eyes were still red, she’d cleaned up in the shower and her face was clear of black makeup.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked.
She shrugged and took another spoonful, the crunching sound loud in the silence.
Pulling the box over to him, he took a handful and popped some into his mouth. “Want to talk about it?” he asked her.
She shrugged again.
“I told you about my dad,” Jaxon reminded her. “He wasn’t father of the year, but I had my mother and my brothers and sister. You’ve got Macy.”
With big eyes, Hannah met his gaze. “What if I drive her away, too? My own mother doesn’t want me. Why would Macy?” She pushed the bowl away, only soggy cereal left.
Jaxon propped on an elbow and leaned close. “Has Macy gone anywhere yet? Or given you any indication that she doesn’t want you? She was willing to fight your mom for you. Doesn’t that prove to you how much she loves you?” he asked.
“I’ve been really shitty to her. I told her I’d rather live with my mom, but that was just because I was so happy Mom came back and I thought because she wanted me.” She rested her chin in her hands and let out a prolonged sigh.
His heart hurt for Hannah. It was hard enough being a teenager without adding in her own mother playing head games. “It’s not about you. You know that, right? Lilah’s the one with the issues. You’re going to be fine. You and Macy.”
And him?
Was that what he wanted? To make them a real family? Could he open himself up to the feelings he knew were in his heart?
“Thanks,” Hannah said, oblivious to his thoughts. “Do you love my sister?” Leave it to a teen to cut right to the point.
“It’s complicated,” he told her.
“Grown-ups make things complicated.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Yeah? And teenagers don’t?”
The smile he hadn’t seen all day returned.
“True. But I see how you look at Macy.” Hannah rose from her seat. “I have homework that’s due tomorrow. Gotta go do it.” Picking up the bowl and spoon, she walked to the sink and rinsed everything, dried it, and put it away before turning back to him. “Jaxon?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks.” Impulsively, she strode over and gave him a hug before ducking her head and running out, heading for her room.
He stared after her, the teenager and her mood swings a reminder of the life he could have if he told Macy he loved her and she felt the same way.
Right now? She no longer had a reason to stay married but she would, because she’d made a bargain and he still needed the pretense of a family life. Granted, a quieter one than they’d had so far. It wasn’t real. But it could be.
He could try and make things between them genuine. Turn their relationship into one without an expiration date looming in the future.
Head spinning, heart pounding, he picked up his phone to text Macy and see how things were going when the cell rang in his hand and Austin’s name flashed on the screen.
Austin. The same brother Jaxon had sworn he’d never be like. He’d believed he wouldn’t fall in love quickly like Austin had with Quinn. He’d thought he didn’t need or want someone in his life who could disappoint him the way Katie had. The way his father had.
And then came Macy.
The phone rang again, startling him out of his thoughts, and he answered. “Hey! What’s up?” He strode back into the family room as he spoke. “Did you keep things calm with management for me? I haven’t heard from anyone, so I assume what happened last night with the party will get swept under the rug?” he asked Austin, his manager.
“It’s been quiet … which can be good or bad,” Austin said, “but that’s not why I’m calling.”
Jaxon sat down and glanced at the television, which had the same movie from earlier playing on screen. His brother sounded serious, so he hit the mute button to avoid any distractions.
“What’s going on?” Jaxon asked.
“I’ve had some quiet interest in you, and Eagles ownership seems willing to talk to them. I wanted to give you a heads-up.”
He bolted upright in his seat. “Interest from who?” he asked, stomach churning.
Florida was his home. His family was here. His teammates were another type of family. He’d been here for years and had hoped to play here until he retired.
“San Antonio,” Austin said.
“Texas.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“They have World Series potential,” Austin reminded him unnecessarily.
Nobody knew the baseball landscape as well as Jaxon.
“And that’s the one thing you don’t have yet.” Another unnecessary reminder. Not to mention his age and time were ticking away for him to achieve that one goal. He’d all but come to terms with not earning a ring.
“I don’t know how I feel about this,” Jaxon muttered.
“You may not have a choice. I got a heads-up but San Antonio can be calling the Eagles as we speak. I’ll work on the best package I can get for you if it comes down to it. I’m sorry, man. You may have gotten married for no reason, on your end anyway. A trade may happen anyway.”
“I’ve got to go.” Jaxon didn’t want to have a conversation with Austin about marriage and Macy. He disconnected the call and tossed the phone on the sofa.
So much for thinking they could be a real family. If there was one thing he knew for sure, Macy and Hannah’s life was here. Hannah went to school here. He’d seen their reactions about potentially moving school districts in state. They weren’t going to pick up and go to Texas just to be with him.
And why should they?
This had been a marriage of convenience, not love.
