Jax took a swing, and Lance went down like a bag of bricks, knocking over a few people behind him. My stomach dropped when Lance’s buddy took a quick step towards Jax and Austin appeared in front of me.
“Out of the way mother fucker, or we’ll tear you apart!” Austin yelled, pushing the guy in the chest and causing him to stumble back.
Liz shouted at the group. “Let’s get out of here!”
Once outside, Liz laughed. “That was awesome!”
My hands trembled as Jax looked over. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry about that.” I twisted my laced fingers anxiously.
“Don’t be sorry. I already had one black eye, so this’ll just even out my look for the wedding, right?” He grinned when we all reached the truck, Austin and Liz hopping in the back seat.
Liz and Austin were chatting away while I looked out the window and replayed the last five minutes of my life.
As we started to drive, “More Than a Feeling” by Boston played quietly on the radio—seems that Jax loves the oldies. I could hear Liz singing softly in the back seat. I looked back at the bar trying to memorize everything I could see.
I knew I would never hear that song again without remembering what had occurred that night. The electricity in the front seat, sitting next to Jax, and what I knew would go down as the most exciting week of my life.
Jax drove to Austin’s house to drop them off. It was right over the hill from Jax’s house. A small cabin with a fire pit out front and a porch with a few chairs on it. The truck stopped, and Austin opened his door.
“Anyone want to come check out my new hot tub?”
“Sure.” Jax opened his door and we all followed suit.
We walked through Austin’s house, which was surprisingly very nice. I would never have imagined Austin to be the feng shui decorative type. He had an enormous T.V. in the corner of the room and a big sectional. It looked like a bachelor pad with two perfectly centered and even pyramids of beer cans on the kitchen counter. Ireallywanted to knock them down but restrained myself, even though the beer buzz was on like Donkey Kong. I needed to focus on self-control.
We walked out the back door and were standing next to a huge hot tub. He pushed a button, and a waterfall in the corner came on, along with lights above us.
“Looks good, man.” Jax felt the water.
“So which one of you fellas’ are the best man Saturday?” Liz kicked off her shoes, pulled up her jeans, and sat on the corner of the hot tub as she dipped her feet in.
“Jim said we’re both best men, but we all know it’s really me.” Austin grinned.
“No way, I’m the best man. You’re delusional.” Jax laughed. Such a great laugh.
“Are you stoned again, Bro?”
Liz cleared her throat. “Well, I’m not being bossy, but I think we need to see who therealbest man is; we must know.”
Austin pointed at Liz. “I like the way you think.”
“A contest? I know it embarrasses my brother Austin here, but I can pretty much kick his ass at anything.”
Austin walked over to Jax and playfully pushed his chest. “Really? Yeah, the two black eyes are screaming otherwise.”
“Okay, a contest is required to sort this shit out, right, Madison?” Liz raised her eyebrows.
“Definitely. Something that leaves no doubt as to who the manliest manreallyis.” I laughed and couldn’t flippin’ wait for what was about to happen.
Jax chuckled. “I got it.” He suddenly howled as Austin shook his head.
“Really, dude?”
“It’s the only way.” Jax nodded his head.
I suddenly hoped it was some shirtless contest or maybe a dance-off. Yeah, a dance-off would be the coolest. I knew Jax would have a leg up because he could do the fantastic worm I witnessed in his living room and all. Could I be that lucky?
