Lucy

Lucy was beaming on the car ride home. Conner said the details she and Jaxon provided were enough to give them a sketch with a real chance of finding a match in the database as well as the make and model of the car to search for. He said he’d get back in touch as soon as he had more information.

Knowing she’d been able to take one step in the right direction had given Lucy a confidence boost. It was much harder than she’d thought to relive the accident, but she’d gotten through it. And she knew she owed that to Jaxon. His faith in her was astounding. Especially considering he barely knew her.

He’d been waiting outside the door for her when she finished with Officer Hart. And when she said she’d gotten everything she needed for her sketch Jaxon had scooped Lucy up and spun her around in a circle.

“I knew you could do it,” Jaxon said for the second time since they’d gotten in his truck.

He’d carefully settled her into the passenger seat and buckled her in. Now he was holding her hand as he drove back to campus. Lucy looked over to where Jaxon’s large fingers were laced through hers. Being in a moving vehicle still made her anxious and Lucy flinched every time Jaxon had to brake. She usually ended up grabbing the armrest or slamming the dashboard, so eventually Jaxon decided to just hold her hand—probably to keep her from beating up his truck. But she had to admit it calmed her nerves to feel his strong hand around hers.

“How long do you think it’ll take before Conner gets the results of his facial recognition search?” Lucy asked.

“I’m not sure. But I’ll pester him about it tonight,” Jaxon replied.

“We should do something to celebrate,” Lucy said.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. How about ice cream and wine?”

Jaxon laughed. “Really? Ice cream and wine? Smalls, I think I might need to teach you how to celebrate properly.”

“What’s wrong with ice cream and wine?”

“Besides it sounding horrible?”

“Hey,” she said, giggling at the way Jaxon’s eyebrows knitted together in disgust.

“And aren’t you on painkillers? No alcohol allowed.”

“Fine, how about ice cream and pizza?”

“That, I can get on board with,” Jaxon replied, grinning.

Each time he smiled like that Lucy felt giddy. It was like Jaxon somehow managed to fit Christmas morning and birthday cake into each perfect pearly white grin he offered. And Lucy couldn’t stop herself from smiling back. It wasn’t fair. How did her heart stand a chance against a smile like that?

At the precinct, Lucy had noticed Conner had the same gorgeous smile, but he seemed to realize the power it held and kept it under wraps unless he was trying to get something he wanted. Jaxon, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to his hypnotic smile. Lucy wanted to tell him to put it away before she forgot how to string words together. But the fact that Jaxon didn’t seem to know how disarming his looks were only made her like him more.

“Thank you,” Lucy said finally.

“For what?”

“For being there for me today. For everything you said . . . and shared,” she added. “It really meant a lot.”

Jaxon stopped at the next light and looked over at her, his blue eyes lighting up like sapphires as a ray of sunlight caught them. “You’re welcome.”

“And I’m really sorry about your mom.”

Jaxon looked away.

Lucy instantly felt she’d hit a nerve. Perhaps she didn’t really know him well enough to pry, but he’d helped her through some of the worst few days of her life and she wanted him to at least know she was there to return the favor. “If you ever want to talk about it . . .”

Jaxon met her eyes again, and squeezed her hand. “Thanks.”

Lucy held his gaze. “So, it really gets easier?”

Jaxon rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. “I promise it does.”

Shivers raced up Lucy’s arm and she bit her lip. Jaxon’s eyes fell to her mouth and Lucy’s heartbeat sped up. Good Lord, just one look and her whole body suddenly felt hot. What the hell would it feel like if he actually kissed her?

The sudden ringing of Lucy’s cell phone echoed through the truck making her jump, and breaking the spell she’d been under. Jaxon focused his eyes back on the road while Lucy fished her phone out of her pocket. When she saw the name on the caller ID her heart sank. Alex.

Shame colored her cheeks. Had her mind completely melted? She shouldn’t be thinking about kissing another boy when she had a boyfriend. Lucy quickly accepted the call hoping her voice wouldn’t betray her deceitful mind. “Hey, Alex.”

“Where the hell are you?”

“I’m on my why back to the dorms now, why?”

“Because I’m at your dorm waiting for you. I’ve been here for over an hour.”

“Um, why?”

“Because I’m your boyfriend and I’m trying to do something nice for you.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were coming over. I had to go to the police station today.”

“Well thanks for telling me. I filled your entire dorm with flowers and I just thought it would be nice if you showed up to see them even though the surprise is completely ruined now.”

“Alex, how was I supposed to know you were going to do that?”

“I don’t know. Check in with me. I need to get you scheduled for some airtime. You haven’t been in any of my videos lately and my views are taking a hit.”

Lucy rolled her eyes. That’s what this was about. His stupid social media views were all he cared about.

“You’re still coming to my exhibition game, right?”

“Yes Alex, I said I’d be there, so I’ll be there.”

“You better. The game starts at one. I’ll need you to meet me there at noon so we can do the press meet and greet together.”

“Wait, what do you mean meet you there? Aren’t you going to give me a ride?”

“No, I’m going a day early with my agent to meet with some team reps.”

“But how am I supposed to get to San Diego? I can’t drive with a broken leg, Alex.”

“Oh, right.”

Had he seriously forgotten about that?

“I don’t know, Luz, hire a car.”

“Alex—”

“Lucy, this game is a big deal for me. I’m announcing the two pro team offers I’ve narrowed it down to. All the press is going to be there. I need my good luck charm by my side. Tell me you’ll be there.”

“I will, but—”

“Good. We’ll talk soon.” Then Alex hung up.

Lucy disconnected the call and stared at the road ahead trying to keep her feelings locked up. Only a few more months and she’d be free.

Jaxon

The silence stretched out between them until Jaxon couldn’t take it. He didn’t want to pry but there was no denying that he’d overheard the disheartening conversation Lucy just had with Alex. Jaxon didn’t like the tone of it at all, or the way Lucy’s brightness dimmed as soon as she saw Alex’s name on her caller ID.

“What’s in San Diego?” Jaxon finally asked.

“Alex has an exhibition soccer match there.”

“That’s a two hour drive each way. More with traffic. Do you really think you’re up for that?”

“No, but I owe him.”

Anger swept through Jaxon so swiftly he pulled his truck over into a parking lot. “Lucy, let’s get one thing straight. You don’t owe anyone anything. And any guy who makes you feel like you do is a prick and doesn’t deserve you.”

Lucy swallowed hard, her hazel eyes wide.

“I don’t think you should go to this game, and not because I think Alex is a jackass, but because you shouldn’t push yourself physically with an injury like that,” he said pointing to her leg. “But it’s your decision. And if you want to go, I’ll give you a ride. You’re not taking a freaking cab to San Diego.”

Yeah, he’d heard the whole damn conversation, and he didn’t care if Lucy knew it. It was more important she knew she didn’t have to settle for a shitbag like Alex.

“I can’t ask you to drive me all the way to San Diego and back.”

“You’re not asking. I’m offering,” Jaxon growled.

“Okay,” she said in an uncertain voice.

“So it’s settled. I’ll drive you if you decide to go?”

She nodded and a bit of the anger that had instantly consumed Jaxon ebbed. He knew he needed to cool it, but listening to someone talk to Lucy the way Alex had made Jaxon want to punch something. Lucy was a sweetheart, and she’d obviously been putting up with this kind of crap for far too long if she didn’t realize how wrong it was.

Before he said something he’d regret about wanting to smash Alex’s face in, Jaxon put his truck back in drive and eased onto the road. He offered Lucy his hand again and she took it. The moment her tiny fingers slipped between his, the tightness in Jaxon’s chest began to loosen.

He was protective over her, so what? Anyone who’d saved her life would be. At least that’s what he told himself.