The sunscreen's initial chill quickly faded, and with the sun beating down on us, I wanted something to cool me down. But it would've been silly to go jump in the water after applying all this sunscreen since it would just wash right off. Looking around, I spotted an ice cream stand across from the water slides. I'd suggested it earlier just to get the band off the scent of what was between Jax and me, but now it really did sound like a good idea. "Ooh I'd love some ice cream right now. Let's go get some."
Jax shook his head slightly. "How about some funnel cake instead?"
"No way, it's too hot for that. Come on, let's cool off with some ice cream."
He studied my face with discerning eyes and after a moment said, "Fine, let's go." He grabbed my hand and we headed over to the ice cream stand.
I leaned into Jax as we strolled past teenagers playing with water guns. "I'm so relieved we don't have to hide us being together anymore."
"Yeah, I'm relieved too," he said, his eyes darting around at the ice cream cones that people had in their hands.
I impatiently stepped to the back of the long line. People walked away from the counter with big swirled curlicues of vanilla and chocolate soft serve, making my mouth water more and more with each one I saw.
"I can't wait for mine—it's been ages since I've had some soft serve. I think I'm going to get the vanilla-chocolate swirl. How about you?"
"Vanilla," he answered immediately. "I want vanilla."
"That's surprising. I definitely would've pegged you for more a chocolate sort of guy."
He shifted on his feet and rubbed the back of his neck before stopping and flashing me a grin. "You should know by now that I'm full of surprises."
"It's true. And I like your surprises, they're sweet and thoughtful." I crossed my arms and stuck out my bottom lip. "It's stupid surprises like Connor yesterday that suck."
He brushed my damp hair behind my ear and looked me deeply in the eyes, comforting me with his warm gaze. "Forget about him, Riley. He's nothing. He's less than zero."
"I know, Jax. Thanks again." I stepped up on my tiptoes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "For everything."
We finally got to the front of the line and I ordered my ice cream. Jax paused for a brief second and then ordered a vanilla cone. When the server handed us our twisting towers of ice cream, Jax's face lit up.
As soon as we started walking away, I immediately started licking at mine, savoring its coldness and enjoying its sweet flavor. I couldn't help but notice that Jax was holding his cone in front of him and watching it intently.
"If you don't eat it soon, it's going to melt all over your hand," I teased him.
"I'm appreciating it," he said still staring at it. "It's not every day you get a chance to appreciate a perfectly shaped ice cream cone."
"Shouldn't you be appreciating it with your mouth instead of your eyes?"
He finally looked up and turned to me with soft eyes. "Ice cream's a lot like childhood. It goes by so fast that before you get a chance to appreciate it, it's gone forever. All that remains is dirty hands and fleeting memories of lost innocence."
I grinned, savoring the cold sweetness of the ice cream in my mouth. "I'm having a hard time imagining you as anything close to innocent."
"We were all kids once," Jax said quietly. He paused for a moment before he returned my smile with a little smirk and took a lick of his ice cream.
A cold trail of melted liquid crept down my hand, so I returned to enjoying my treat before it was all lost to a fleeting memory too.
We walked back to where the rest of the band was relaxing. Sky was still tanning on a lounge chair by the pool while Chewie and Kev ran around squirting each other with their water guns. I was amazed at how much energy Kev and Chewie still had to run around like little kids.
Chewie chased after Kev, who jumped over Sky reclining on a lounge chair. "What the hell?" Sky yelled. "Can't you two go play your games on the jungle-gym with the other kiddies?"
Kev stopped in front of Jax, and then Kev turned to face Sky. "Sorry, just trying to get away from the Abominable Chewman."
While Kev was standing there apologizing to Sky, Chewie took aim and fired away. Kev ducked. Chewie's watergun stream sailed over Kev's head and hit Jax's ice cream, knocking it off the cone and splattering it across his bare chest.
The look of childish innocence on Jax's face immediately vanished. His nostrils flared and his chest heaved as the melted ice cream dripped from his pecs to his abs.
Kev stood up, looked at the mess on Jax's chest, and his face scrunched up. "Whoa, Jax, sorry about that. Who would've thought Chewie's aim would be that good?"
"What the f**k, man?" Jax tossed the empty cone at Kev. "I just got that ice cream and you ruined it—you f**king ruined it."
"Jax!" I cried, but before I could stop him, he grunted and angrily shoved Kev.
Kev stumbled back a few steps. His arms came up to balance himself, but his foot hit the edge of the pool and he tumbled backwards into the water, sending up a splash in his wake.
My jaw dropped. Sky ripped off her sunglasses, and even Chewie looked shocked as they rushed over to help Kev. Sky shook her head and turned to Jax. "What's wrong with you? It's just some ice cream."
Kev pulled himself out of the pool, refusing anyone's help. "What a dickbag. Jeez."
Jax blinked his eyes repeatedly, as if awakening from a daze. "It's—fuck it, I need to get out of here." He turned and headed toward the exit, leaving me with my mouth hanging open in shock.
I felt compelled to apologize on behalf of Jax. "Sorry, Kev," I said, putting my hand on his wet shoulder and smiling apologetically. "Are you okay?"
"Thanks, I'm fine," he grunted, his pride still sore. As far as I could see, the only part of him that was hurt. "It's not your fault. I don't know what the hell got into that ass**le."
"Has he ever done anything like this before?" I asked as Chewie handed Kev a towel.
Kev wrapped it around himself and Chewie shook his head. "No—I mean he's always been moody, but all of us got along pretty well."
Sky nodded in agreement. "This is the first time I've seen him this upset over something so stupid. I don't know what's gotten into him."
I sucked in a deep breath and pinched the bridge of my nose. I was deeply concerned about Jax and the way he acted. It just didn't make any sense that a guy like Jax would get so upset over something as trivial as spilled ice cream when we were having so much fun just a little while ago.