Chapter 22
Bentley
There are no words for the level of anger I feel towards Nate Ryan. I watch Jax shuffle off to the bedroom, and I know he’s completely and utterly broken right now. Forget what he was like when we first met; this level of damage dwarfs that by a million percent. When Jax first told me about his family, I thought he had to be joking. They sounded so perfect. And to be honest, I hoped they were like that, that Jax wasn’t lying—but to have this happen? I know what it feels like to not have the support of the people you love. It straight up sucks, and the last thing I ever wanted for him was to experience that. Well, at least we’ve got each other.
I scoop up Buttons, who barely takes a break from her purring, and walk towards the bedroom. I said to Reed that I’d never ask Jax to be something he’s not, and I meant it. The bedroom is dark and gloomy, but I still manage to locate Jax on the bed. I drop Buttons on the mattress, and she immediately walks up the bed to settle on the same pillow as him. I slip in and hold him. At my touch, he breaks down.
No, this isn’t who my man is, and I’ll be damned if I leave him like this.
I squirm in my seat nervously. I have no idea what Jax would think if he knew I was here, but I made a vow I wouldn’t ask him to be something he’s not, and this is the only way I can think to let that be true. With Mav’s help, we tried to shop Jax around, see if anyone was willing to take him on. To me, it should’ve been a no-brainer, Jax being who he is and all. Unfortunately, it appears that Nate Ryan’s influence outstrips eight, with the promise of many more, Extreme Games medals. While the teams we approached were sympathetic, they wanted to stay on Nate’s good side even more. I thought these guys were supposed to be strong, fearless. Turns out they’re nothing but pussies. My only saving grace was that all of this was done behind Jax’s back and so he remains blissfully unaware. But now, this is my only option; this is Jax’s only option if he wants to continue to do what he loves.
Fifteen minutes after we agreed to meet, Dean Toms strolls into the café. Even the sight of him gives me the creeps, but what choice do we have?
“Bentley,” he says as he takes a seat.
“Mr Toms,” I reply.
“Please,” he says, giving me what I assume he thinks is a charming, but comes across as sleazy, smile, “call me Dean.”
I nod. “Dean.”
“I have to admit, I was expecting your call a lot sooner.”
I shrug. “We wanted to make sure we were exploring all our options.”
“And then you realised you had none, except me.” I swallow hard. Not only am I loath to be dealing with scum like Dean Toms, the fact that he knows about what Mav and I were trying to do makes my stomach lurch. He laughs and pats my hand. “Never mind, Bentley, my dear, all’s well. You’re here now.”
“Jax needs a team,” I say. There’s no point beating around the bush; we both know why we’re here so there’s no game to be had. “He’s been declared fit and healthy. He’s back training, and he wants to compete again.”
“But he can’t do that without a team,” Dean finishes. I nod.
“And you want me to take him on, when every other team out there won’t and go up against someone who, frankly, I think has way too much power and influence over the sport.”
“You don’t strike me as the type to bow down to intimidation,” I say, giving him my best coy smile.
He laughs. “Oh, you are good.”
“Let’s not fuck around,” I say. “I’ve done my research on you. I know you have the connections to make Jax’s profile skyrocket.” Dean sits back in his chair, studying me. “I also know that to most people in the industry you’re viewed as a joke. You’re flashy, with not a lot of substance or any real great talent. Wanky but harmless I think were the words used.” At this, a sneer comes over his face. “But again, you have connections, sponsorships, there’s money behind you, and that’s impressive. I know you want Jax,” I say. “I don’t blame you. He’s a star, there’s no doubt about it. Jax needs a team, you need legitimate talent. It’s a win-win.”
“Oh, you think so, huh?” he asks.
“No,” I reply, shaking my head. “I know it is. You can play around and say that Jax is down and out and desperate for a team, but you’re just as desperate to make it to the big time. Being a show team is all well and good, but you want more, don’t you, Dean? You want to see your name up in lights on the world’s biggest stage, and you can’t do that with your current roster. But you could do it with Jax.”
He sits and considers for a while, but I know I have him. I know what drives men like him, and it’s always the same. Money, power, prestige. “Say I do take Jax on—”
“Quit playing like this isn’t already a done deal,” I say, and get a hearty laugh in response.
“—how do you propose explaining this all to Jax? Given he isn’t here, I assume he isn’t in on all of this.”
“That depends,” I say, “on what sort of deal you’re going to give him.”
Dean leans back in his chair and rests his folded hands on his potbelly. “It’s simple. I’ll launch him into the stratosphere.”
“And back his qualification to the Extreme Games?” I ask.
He waves a hand. “Of course.”
“Anything he wants or needs he gets, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“And in return?”
“All I ask is that Jax take the DeanStars wherever he goes. That he’s a good representative of our team, and he doesn’t forget that when no one else would stand up to Daddy dearest, I was there for him in his time of need.”
Ugh, the slime factor with this guy is off the charts. But the image of Jax at home, barely able to get out of bed most days, he and Buttons hiding away in the bedroom, so listless and depressed, runs through my head. I’m doing this for him. I have to remember that. “I’m sure when Jax is back at the top of the drop in, he’ll remember,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Good,” Dean says clapping his hands. With that, he gets up to leave. “This is a good thing, Bentley,” he says. “It’s going to be fantastic for me, but it’ll be everything for Jax.”
I nod. Sure, I just have to remember that when I tell him what I’ve done.