Jax stood up. “Grant, it’s getting late. We should get you to bed.”
Daisy and Jim hugged Grant once more.
“Good night, honey,” Daisy purred before turning to me. “Come on, Madison. Let me make you some hot chocolate before bed.”
My dad slapped Jax on the shoulder. “Good night, Jax and Grant.”
I LOVED the panic that ran across Jax’s face as he digested the words, realizing I was heading into Daisy’s house, not his.Iwas making him as crazy as he was making me. My brain didn’t fully comprehend it, but it felt pretty damn cool.
“Madison, can you tuck me in?” Grant kissed Funny Bunny and put him down. Jax’s arm shot in the air like he had just achieved an important victory, but he quickly dropped it by his side when he realized what he’d done.
I bit my cheek, enjoying Jax’s discomfiture as his eyes darted about to make sure no one picked up on his joy at having me in his home at night. “Sure.”
Jax kind of shuffled Grant and me out of the stable and shut the gate. “Alright then, good night, everybody.” He hurried us along, no doubt fearing I’d either get called back or simply just change my mind.
Daisy clapped her hands. “I know; I’ll whip up some hot cocoa and bring it on over for everybody before bed.”
I heard air woosh out of Jax, and it tickled my funny bone.
“Great, see you in a few.” I laughed.
Daisy and my dad took off to their house, and we headed to Jax’s truck. Once Grant was in the back seat, Jax and I stood outside for a moment, and then he turned to me with a conspiratorial look.
“Come back over later, after the whole stupid hot chocolate thing, okay? We could hang out a bit.” His eyes flickered.
“I don’t know if I’m capable of successfully sneaking out. Being quiet isn’t really my thing.”
His brows rose. “I’ve noticed.”
If it wasn’t for the cover of darkness, he would’ve seen the redness crawl up my neck to my face, and then, of course, he would have made fun of me for it, and that was getting old. I couldn’t help my coloring. I opened my door and crawled inside. My brain was screaming that if I snuck over later,itwould happen tonight. I had zero self-control when it came to Jax. Was I ready for that?
A few minutes later, Daisy and my dad arrived, with a large thermos of her magical hot chocolate, while Grant and I got out our snacks.
“Who’s up for Spaghetti Os?” I sang.
Daisy filled mugs on the counter. “I noticed several empty cans in the trash and wondered what was up with that.”
Grant giggled. “MadisonlovesSpaghettiOs. But it’s okay, they have five grams of protein.”
My dad chuckled. “Is that right?” He looked at me with bemusement. “I don’t remember your mom ever preparing anything out of a can when you were growing up.”
“Oh, she would never.” Even the thought of my mother’s face, seeing me slurp down cuisine from a can, was enough to bring on giggles. I made a mental note to crack open a can the next time we were in the same room just to delight in her reaction.
Grant finished his Doritos and cocoa when Jax chimed in. “Alright, Grant, it’s time to hit the hay.”
Grant cheered. “I can sleep in the barn?”
“No, dude. That means your bed.” Jax stood up. “Come on.”
Daisy pulled him in for a kiss on the cheek, spurring him to wrinkle his nose in displeasure. “Good night, sleep well.”
Grant shot up the stairs and disappeared out of sight while Jax grabbed his phone from his pocket and held it up.
“By the way, Mom, why are you using WTF in all your texts? It’s weird.”
She laughed. “It’s not weird! I’m an optimistic person. That’s how I feel.”
Jax popped a brow. “Ido notthink that’s how you feel. What do you think WTF means?”
