“Guys, wait!” I scramble out of my seat and follow them.
“Don’t let Jaxon hear what you think about his marriage with Dahlia.”Ryder’s warning echoes in my mind, with flashing red lights and noisy alarm bells.
Olivia and Nova walk faster, and by the time I catch up with them, they’re already at Dahlia and Jaxon’s table.
Sensing our approach, Dahlia turns to us. Her warm expression fades, leaving behind a look of trepidation. I don’t blame her for being worried. Ever since she transferred to our school, she’s been singled out and bullied.
Jaxon sits straighter and scowls at Olivia and Nova, then settles his death glare on me. I shiver and almost trip on my own feet. Jaxon has always scared me. He’s had this personal vendetta against me, and I know it has to be because of the people I hung out with in school. I would hate me too if I were in his position.
“Hey, Jax.” Olivia awkwardly waves. “Been a while since I’ve seen you.”
Jaxon keeps his glare on me, not acknowledging Olivia, and I swear I’m about to catch fire. I avert my gaze and shift my weight on one leg.
“We should go,” I mutter.
Jaxon doesn’t want us—specifically me—here, and I don’t want to cause any trouble.
I slump when Jaxon finally tears his attention away from me and turns to Olivia. “Do you need something?”
Olivia shrugs. “Just wanted to say hi.”
Jaxon tilts his head, his flower earring dangling from his ear. I don’t blame him for being suspicious.
“Can we sit with you guys?” Nova grabs the chair opposite them.
“No,” Jaxon growls.
“Sure,” Dahlia says at the same time.
He swings his head toward her, eyes still narrowed and shoulders tense. Dahlia ignores him and smiles at the three of us. She seems genuinely excited about us being here.
“It would be nice to have some interaction with girls,” she says softly.
Jaxon doesn’t look away from her, but he watches our reactions from the corner of his eye.
Taking a calming breath, I sit in the seat directly across from her and smile. “Girl time is always the best.”
“Agreed.” Nova sits beside me.
“I like what you did with your hair,” Olivia says as she sits on my other side.
Dahlia touches a green-dyed lock, her smile growing. “Thanks.”
Jaxon watches Dahlia like a hawk, but I don’t miss the subtle upturn of his lips, as though he’s happy to see her have a good time.
“So,” Nova drawls with a smirk.
My stomach drops, and I give her a pleading look. I already know what she’s planning on saying because of her tone, and I want to yell at her to not say it.
She ignores me.
Dahlia raises both eyebrows. “So?”
Nova huffs and leans forward to rest her elbows on the table while cupping her cheeks with a goofy smile. “When did you and Jax tie the knot?”
Dahlia’s face falls, and the scared look returns in full force. Jaxon whips his head toward Nova and scowls at her, probably imagining ways to kill her if she so much as says something negative. It’s a miracle he’s giving her a chance to clarify her intentions.
“Last week,” Dahlia says hesitantly.
