The corners of his lips quirk. “So, we’re back to Jaxon, then?”

I flash him a cheeky smile. “What? You think just because you saved me, I’m gonna stop teasing you?”

He rubs his lips together contemplatively. “No … but I thought maybe, since we kissed, you might.”

“Oh.” Awkward silence stretches between us, and I rack my mind for something to say.

“I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable,” he quickly says. “I just thought … I wanted to … I needed to …” He shakes his head and sighs. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay with what happened between us. I mean, the kiss. I know you said you were okay with it, but then we were interrupted, and I never got to make sure you were okay after the kiss.” His cheeks flush slightly. “But yeah, anyway …” He stares at me expectantly, waiting for me to say something.

“I’m okay with the kiss,” I tell him truthfully. “I mean, I’m not a kissing expert, but it felt nice. Like really, really nice.”

“I’m not really a kissing expert, either,” he admits, sitting up straighter and rotating his body toward me.

“What?” I can’t keep my shock concealed.

Embarrassment crosses his features. “Yeah, I know it’s a little weird.”

“It’s not weird. At least, not to me. I just thought that you had a serious girlfriend? You know, that girl in the hallway that you had us run away from.”

“We weren’t that serious. Or, well, I guess that was sort of the problem.” His gaze drops from mine and guilt masks his expression. “If I’m being real, I wasn’t that great of a boyfriend. I was distant, and I’m sure it was frustrating for her. And I feel bad for that, but I’ve had a very hard time connecting with people.”

“Except for Hunter and Zay?”

“Yeah, except for them.” He pauses. “And that girl who was my friend when I was younger.”

“The one you lost?”

He nods, his eyes welded to mine. “She was one of my best friends.”

I force down the lump welling in my throat. “I’m so sorry, Jax. I really am.” Taking an inhale through my nose, I reach up and place my palm against his cheek. “I know what that pain feels like, and I hate that you’ve felt it.”

“I hate that you’ve felt it, too,” he whispers, his gaze dropping to my lips. “I’ve never felt this comfortable talking to someone in my entire life.” He wets his lips with his tongue. “I want to kiss you again.”

My breath falters from my lips. “You do?”

He nods then leans in—

“So, when it comes to booze choices, we’re super limited,” he informs us.

Jax swiftly leans back, and I damn near pee my pants from the interruption.

Yeah, can you say awkward?

“We’re out of almost every …” Hunter trails off as his blue-eyed gaze lands on us. “Why do you guys look flushed?” he questions suspiciously.