Sea Breeze 01 - Breathe

her and leaving her here, available for some other guy to experience what I’d just experienced—or more. I felt my chest tightening, and the urge to grab her in my arms and run off with her somewhere no one could find us was overwhelming.
    Sadie’s hand cupped the side of my face. “Did I make you mad?” she asked softly.
    I had to get this under control. She didn’t understand the sudden rage pumping through my veins. I’d kill another guy if he touched her. That sounded unfair, and it also sounded impossible, but if I ever saw another guy touch her, I would lose my mind.
    “You could never make me mad. I’m just thinking about things that upset me, and I shouldn’t. I’m here with you. And all I want to think about is how I got so damn lucky.”
    Sadie grinned up at me. “That’s silly. You’re the untouchable rock star. I’m just a girl. The world would see it as me being the lucky one.”
    The world didn’t have a clue. I was normally a selfish bastard when it came to girls and relationships. I didn’t want them around unless I was in need of some relief. I didn’t care about their feelings, and I didn’t have time to cuddle them and make them feel needed. If a girl wanted me, then she got nothing more than me physically. I wasn’t into anything more. Until now. Until Sadie.
    I didn’t have words for her. I couldn’t explain to her what an absolute ass I’d become. The guy she knew was the guy I’d once been. The guy I’d been before the world knew my name. She had found me and reminded me of what it felt like to be real. To care. To need. I slipped my hands around her waist and lowered my mouth until it hovered over hers. “You saved me, Sadie. You may not realize it, but you did,” I told her before claiming her mouth.
    SADIE
    Ms. Mary started fussing over me the moment I walked in the door. Jax smiled and enjoyed it immensely as I assured her that Jessica and I were both fine.
    “Girl your age havin’ to run her mama to the doctor in the middle of the night ain’t right, I tell ya. You’re too young to be sleeping in a waiting room all by yourself.” She turned and pointed her spoon at Jax. “You should have been there. What good are you if you ain’t there when she needs you?”
    “Ms. Mary, he didn’t know about it either. I didn’t call anyone. You can’t blame Jax for anything.”
    Ms. Mary let out a loud “hmph” and started stirring her pot of cheese grits again. “Well, you should’ve called him. He would’ve come. You’re too young to be alone in hospitals. Crazy people out there.”
    Jax took my plate to the table, then crooked his finger for me to come sit down. I sat beside him.
    “I didn’t think about calling anyone. I’ve been taking care of my mother for a long time now. It’s no big deal.”
    Ms. Mary spun around and pointed her spoon at me. “And that’s not right. Who takes care of you?” She waited for my answer, and getting none, she nodded. “That’s right, no one does. You don’t know when to ask for help because you never had anyone to ask before. Well, now you do. You got a boy right there who looks like he would drink your bathwater if you asked him, and you got me and Mr. Greg and Marcus. Take your pick. Just stop trying to do it all alone.” She let out a deep sigh and turned back to her stove.
    Jax squeezed my hand. “She’s right. Call me.”
    I smiled at him, and he grinned.
    “And, yes, if you want me to, I’ll drink your bathwater.”
    I laughed out loud and shook my head. “You’re crazy.”
    “About you.”
    My heart skipped a beat, and I took a deep breath to calm down. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you. She’s right. I’m not used to asking for help. But it’s nice to know I have people around me who care. This is all new to me.”
    Jax leaned over and whispered in my ear, “No matter where I am, I’ll always be there when you need me.”
    I shivered from his warm breath against my skin and nodded, but I didn’t meet his gaze. I needed to get my heart out of my eyes first.
    Marcus walked in as we were finishing our breakfast. He stared at me when he stepped into the kitchen. “Is your mom all right?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    He gave me a forced smile. “Good,” he said, and walked to the laundry room to get dressed.
    I turned to Jax as he finished his juice. “I need to get to work too.”
    He frowned, then stood up and took both our plates to the sink and rinsed them. I went to get my apron, and Ms.