Page 18 of Hot Girls Read Book Club

“No, I mean…” She hesitates this time. “He’s just the last person I’d picture showing up for something like this, you know?”

“Jax likes reading. Surprisingly, he really loves romance.”

The words sound ridiculous even to me. He’d probably hate hearing me say them. The town’s macho, man’s man mechanic surely has a reputation to uphold.

Becca and Rachel share another look that I can’t decipher. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck begin to rise because it’s clear there’s something going on here that’s completely over my head.

“How well do you know him?” Becca asks.

I smile, thinking about all the little moments that add up to equal my entire relationship with the man in question. I bite my lip to hide my smile. “Pretty well, I think.”

“Huh.” Becca hums, and something about the way she says it makes my stomach twist with nerves.

“Huh, what?” I cross my arms.

Rachel shifts uncomfortably.

“I mean… everybody knows who Jax is.”

“Okay?” I wait.

Neither woman says anything.

“Okay?” I repeat, gesturing with a hand for them to continue. Obviously, there’s something they want to say but are holding back for some reason.

“Look,” Rachel sighs, relenting. “Maybe he’s changed.”

My smile disappears completely.

“Changed from what?” I ask.

The silence stretches between us, the tension in my belly coiling tighter and tighter with every passing second. I need one of them to say something that means something before a panic attack fully sets in.

What could they possibly have to say? I’ve spent the better part of the last two months in Jax’s orbit, either in person or via text conversation. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever met.

“I’ve just always heard that Jax is trouble,” Rachel finally says, looking toward Becca.

“My brother said he’s always had a temper,” Becca confirms with a subtle nod.

“A lot of people talk about him,” Rachel adds carefully. “Not usually in a good way, either. Especially not after all the drama when his ex-wife left him.”

“She cheated on him with a doctor a couple of towns over.” Rachel relays with wide eyes. “When Jax found out, he lost it. Like, really went off the deep end. Drinking, sleeping with random people from the bar, fighting almost every single night.”

“I heard he put the guy Samantha left him for in the hospital,” Becca tags on, talking more animatedly with her hands.

I stare at them, unblinking, trying to absorb what they’re telling me, but the words don’t fit. They don’t fit the man who brings me coffee every morning with a crooked smile. They don’t fit the man who kisses my forehead before heading off to work. They don’t fit the man who asks for permission before touching me.

They don’t fit Jax.

“People exaggerate,” I say a little too quickly.

“Like I said, maybe he’s changed.” Rachel halfheartedly agrees, though she doesn’t sound the least bit convinced.

I glance back toward the truck.

It’s still sitting there, but Jax hasn’t gotten out yet—strange. He’s usually early for book club, especially these past couple of meetings.

I lift my hand and wave again, bigger this time.