Irreplaceable

“All right, later. And hey,” she said, her voice rising, “Tell Jax I said hi next time.” She laughed. “He’s cute.”

“I’ll be sure to let Caleb know you think so.”

“Oh shush, Caleb’s perfect and all mine. He has nothing to worry about, but I have to say, Jax has created quite a stir with some of the younger teachers at school. They look forward to the days he picks Oliver up from school. The guy’s as charming as his big brother, from what I hear.”

“Lovely.” I rolled my eyes. “Bye.”

She chuckled. “Bye.”

I settled into the couch, my legs stretched over the cushions, with Scout on my lap I closed my eyes and let the day’s events clear away.

The doorbell awoke me what felt like minutes later, but the sun setting through the window told a different story. Annoyed my time home was resulting in far too many naps, I sighed, setting Scout on the floor as I stood.

After a refreshing yawn and wakening stretch, I strolled to the door, unsure whom to expect. Logan had said he’d be over in the morning. Surprised, I was met with a red-faced Jax.

“Hey, Cassie. I just wanted to apologize for earlier. I knew you were stopping by and should have made sure I was finished fucking her by th—ahhh, SHIT!”

My eyes widened at his pain-laden scream as Logan stepped out from the side, grabbing Jax’s arm and twisting it around his back.

Jax hissed in agony and muttered, “I’m sorry, okay? Really sorry, and it won’t happen again, ever. I was just screwing around.”

“And?” Logan hissed in his ear.

“And the countertop is being sterilized by professionals first thing in the morning.” Jax let out a heaving breath when Logan released him.

“Damn, dude, you got it bad for her,” Jax grumbled, shaking out his arm.

“It’s fine, Jax. I’m over it,” I said, hiding my smile.

“See? I knew she was a cool chick.” Jax chuckled to Logan, than turned back to me. “It really was a douchebag move, but what can I say?” His shoulders rose. “You’re fucking hot, and the idea of you watching turned me on.”

Logan reached out, but Jax was already halfway down the driveway. I’d never seen anyone move so fast.

“Let him go,” I laughed, watching Jax turn back and wink. “I’m over it. Besides, I think he only did it to get under your skin.”

“Well, it worked. You shouldn’t have had to witness him…with some girl.” His hand reached up, kneading the back of his neck, his jaw set tight.

It was sweet seeing him so upset, defending my honor. I opened the door for him to enter and headed into the kitchen.

“I should expect it by now when I go over there. How many times did I interrupt you?”

His jaw clenched impossibly tighter, lips set in a firm line. “That was unfortunate, but a long time ago.” He stood beside me as I slid into a chair.

“Only a few months back.”

“Cassandra, it feels like another lifetime, and one I’d rather not bring up again.”

“Whatever. I thought you were going to bring the papers in the morning,” I said, motioning to the folder in his hands.

“I changed my mind.”

“All right. I don’t see why I had to deliver something to him if you were going to see him anyway.”

Logan took a breath, his expression suddenly bordering on irritated. “I needed him to do me a favor this afternoon—one that he has assured me went off without a hitch, but we shall see.”

“Okay.” I replied. Elusive, much? “So the loan was approved with no issues?”

“Of course.” He smiled with an authoritative confidence only he could pull off so effortlessly. “You need to sign next to every X.” He pulled the documents out of the envelope, setting them on the table and handing me a pen.

“Oliver wasn’t home, I hope,” I said after a few minutes, eyeing the contract. I couldn’t imagine Jax being that irresponsible.

“No, he was still out, thankfully, or Jax would have gotten it a lot worse from me.” He pulled up a chair and sat beside me. “Here,” he said, pointing to the first X awaiting my signature.

“I need to finish reading it first,” I replied, pushing his hand away.

“You don’t trust me?” His soft eyes drew me in when I glanced up, but the smile on his lips brought out a need to lean over and kiss him. He was so sexy when he was playful.

“For all I know, these are papers signing my soul over to you.”

“I tried, but it turns out the bank isn’t into selling souls.” He chuckled and smoothed back my hair that had fallen, creating a curtain between us.

I read through the first document and shot my head up when I saw the amount of the loan.

“I said ten thousand!”

“And I felt it wasn’t enough.”

“Logan, I’m not signing this!” I pushed the papers back to him and set the pen down.

“It’s only five thousand more than you requested. Now sign.” He pushed the papers back at me.

“What if I can’t afford the monthly payment due to that extra five grand?” I was not giving in this time.

“Then I’ll pay it for you.”

“No,” I sighed, reading down further. To my surprise, the payment wasn’t bad at all, and I wasn’t about to ask how he got it so low. “What’s this?” I tapped my finger on the line below it.

“Part of the arrangement as cosigner.”

I read it again, making sure I was understanding it clearly, then looked up to meet his firm gaze. “If I don’t pay it by the first of every month, it will be drawn from your account and paid in full?”

“Yes,” he said, as though it was nothing.

“I’m not going to win this, am I?”

“No. Now sign.” His lip curled up.

Beautiful, infuriating ass!

“Fine,” I grumbled, signing my name. “But if you pay this off, I am still paying you back, with interest, just like I plan to do for those medical bills.”

“I would expect nothing less.”

A grin grew over my lips as I looked up at him, extending the pen back to him. “Good.”

I stood and handed him the papers. “Thank you for your help—not that I needed it—but to be honest,” I said, looking down awkwardly, “I was terrified of using this house to secure the loan. I mean, I know I could have made the payments, but…”

“But things happen, and it’s how good people lose what they’ve worked their lives for. This is your home. I’ll never let you lose it.”

He cradled my chin and lifted my face to meet his eyes. I didn’t fight him when he leaned in and placed his lips on mine. It felt good, comforting, short and sweet—just enough to leave me craving more.

“You should go,” I murmured before stepping back as I cleared my throat, searching for my voice. “Or stay—”

“Soon, Cassandra.”

With that, he walked out, leaving me reeling. I couldn’t go much longer without him. All I could do now was head in for my second cold shower of the day.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Cupid

I smiled, peeling myself from the couch when a knock sounded at the front door. Luke was right on time, which was great, because I was starving. He promised to bring pizza and wine while I took care of the movies. The plan to spend Valentine’s at home, without romance, was exactly what I needed.