Page 123 of First in Line

“I’ve been okay. Work has been intense, so it’s kept me distracted.”

“How did your parents react to the breakup?”

“I haven’t told them.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. They’ll ask a thousand questions, and I’m not ready to answer them yet.”

He blows on his coffee before taking a small sip. “And you? What did your mom say?”

“Uh… she was sad. She thought we were good for one another.”

He offers me a dubious look, not fooled. “She’s probably relieved. She never really liked me. Thought you deserved better.”

“I don’t know where she got that idea. We were a good match, Nate. It just… wasn’t in the cards for us after all.”

He nods, pensive, and I pick up my coffee. We’re silent for a moment, and he’s likely reflecting on our two and a half years together, just like I am.

When the doorbell rings this time, I have no idea who it could be. Intrigued, I put my cup down and walk over to the door.

Words fail me when I discover who’s behind it.

How… How can he be here? He’s supposed to be in Austria tomorrow. But he’s on my porch instead, smiling like a proud idiot about his surprise.

My heart is in a frenzy, elated by his unexpected visit. Has he been missing me as much as I’ve missed him?

The only thing I can think of saying is, “What are you doing here?”

“I thought I would—” His eyes lock on a target behind me, and his joyful expression immediately falls into something that resembles anger. “What ishedoing here?”

When I whip around, I find Nate right behind me. “Oh, he was just—”

“I have every right to be here, you know,” Nathan protests, coming closer.

“Not anymore. She broke up with you.”

“And shedivorcedyou.”

Jax doesn’t like that at all, his face stony and closed.

“Who do you think you are?” Nathan continues, unaware he’s stepping into dangerous territory. “You may have been with Evie first, but I was with her for two and a half years. I have history with her, too.”

“Nate, please—”

“Well, I’ve been the one with her this past month, and trust me, she hasn’t missed you.”

“Jackson!” I scold him.

Nathan squeezes past me, joining him on the front porch. “What’s your fucking problem?” he mutters.

What is going on?! Nate was fine with the breakup moments ago, but somehow, seeing Jackson show up brought out the worst in him. As for Jax, his territorial behavior is ridiculous. He should know there’s not a chance that I’d return to my ex-fiancé. Not after everything that happened.

They’re close to one another, their demeanors aggressive. The difference between the two men has never been this striking. Jax is taller than Nate, and his rigorous training makes him far more muscular, too. If this turns into a fight, Nathan will lose. And Jax might end up in jail for battery.

“My problem is that you have no business being here,” Jax seethes. “You missed your shot, now stay the fuck away.”

Frustrated by the ridiculous display of testosterone, I ask, “Should I get a ruler so you two can figure out who has the biggest one?”