Dare To Play (Dare Nation #3) - Carly Phillips Page 0,30

a sip of her coffee, Macy nodded. “He was trying to show Hannah how lucky she was to have had me there for her after Lilah left. Because he knew what it was like to have a parent who wasn’t there for him.”

Eyes wide, Bri said, “I’m stunned. He never talks about our father or how he treated him.” She wrapped her hands around her mug and studied Macy as if she was seeing something new and unique, and Macy squirmed in her seat.

“But Jaxon had those inadequate feelings reinforced by a woman in his life after Dad, and I just don’t want you hurt by having hopes of changing him. Not that I would betray him by explaining. That’s between the two of you if he chooses to confide in you.”

Macy nodded in agreement, glad her friend hadn’t tried to ply her with information about Jaxon’s past. “Whatever happened with Jaxon and this other woman, I’d rather hear it from him than you. But I appreciate the warning.”

Not that she liked thinking about Jaxon and any other female. The thought caused her stomach to twist in jealous knots. Not a good sign. But she wouldn’t admit as much to Bri.

“I just care about you.” Bri rose and put her mug in the sink. “I was going to check out a new kickboxing class. Want to come?”

“I’d love to.” Macy was grateful for the change of subject. “Just let me change and I’ll be right back.”

She headed for her room, glad Bri had asked her to join her. She needed to exert some energy and get sappy emotional thoughts of falling for Jaxon out of her head.

* * *

Tuesday morning, Jaxon headed over to the gym to meet Linc, and after a competitive game of hoops, he showered and dressed in his jeans and a black tee. The locker room was empty, and he glanced at his friend, who was packing up his duffel bag. Throughout the game, Jaxon had gone back and forth on how to tell Linc his news. And now that they were alone, the time had arrived.

“Got any plans now?” Jaxon asked because he had a stop to make and could use some help.

Linc glanced up from zipping his bag, his blond hair falling over one eye. “Nope and I don’t have to be home until dinner. Why?”

“Feel like going shopping with me for an engagement ring and wedding band?”

Linc began to choke and Jaxon slapped him on the back.

“Sorry. I thought you said you wanted to go shopping for an engagement and wedding ring,” Linc said.

Jaxon couldn’t help but grin at his friend’s reaction. “Yeah … well, remember I mentioned Austin and Bri thought me settling down was a good way to calm management and restore faith in me?”

“Yes, but you said no way in hell.”

“That was true until I met a woman who needs the stability of marriage, too. A woman I like, have chemistry with, and who agreed to marry my sorry ass.” Jaxon picked up his bag and lifted a hand so the duffel hung behind his shoulder.

“Did she also agree to an open marriage? Because I can’t see you doing this otherwise. I mean, there’s no way you’ll marry someone and not get laid.”

“Actually she agreed to a real marriage, so that takes care of that.” He started for the door when Linc spoke.

“Wait. You’re going to be faithful to one woman?”

The shock in his friend’s voice would have made Jaxon burst out laughing if someone hadn’t walked into the locker room. “Let’s take this outside,” he said, wanting privacy.

Usually they used the gym at the stadium, but sometimes they didn’t want to take the forty-minute ride there and they hit up a local place instead. They strode through the main area where all the equipment was located, passing people who stared at their familiar faces as they headed out into the blazing Miami sun. Luckily no one stopped them for a picture or an autograph.

Jaxon headed to his car and Luke joined him at his vehicle.

“You’re serious?” his friend asked, his expression one of disbelief. “Who is it?”

“Damn serious. It’s the woman who got caught leaving my house and became a social media sensation.”

“A groupie?” Linc asked, disgusted.

Jaxon shook his head. “Hell no. She’s special. Macy is smart, gorgeous, and she’s got her hands full with her fifteen-year-old sister.”

Linc had narrowed his gaze at the word special. Jaxon picked up on that and realized his slip. But it was true.