The ride back to Lena's house was quieter than before, but not in an uncomfortable way. The air still carried the warmth of shared laughter, lingering adrenaline, and something unspoken that neither of them was ready to address.
Jaxon drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. "So, are you ever gonna tell me what you almost said back there?"
Lena glanced at him, debating. "Probably not."
Jaxon smirked. "Now I have to know."
She just shook her head. "Too bad."
He chuckled, but there was something else in his eyesâsomething that told her he knew. He might not have the words for it, but he knew.
As they turned into her street, Lena spotted Ethan's car parked in the driveway, and her stomach tightened.
Jaxon noticed her hesitation. "Want me to come in?"
She scoffed. "Yeah, because that would help."
He grinned. "Fair point."
She reached for the door handle but stopped. "Hey, Jax?"
He raised a brow. "Yeah?"
She bit her lip before saying, "Tonight was... fun."
A slow, genuine smile spread across his face. "Yeah, Carter. It was."
She nodded, stepping out of the car. Before she could close the door, Jaxon called after her. "Try not to miss me too much."
She rolled her eyes but didn't fight the small smile on her lips. "Don't hold your breath."
Jaxon watched as she walked up the steps, pausing before going inside. Something in his chest twistedâsomething he wasn't ready to name.
As Lena entered the house, she barely had time to process the night before she spotted Ethan sitting on the couch, arms crossed. His gaze flicked to the oversized hoodie she was still wearing. Jaxon's hoodie.
His expression hardened. "So, that's where you were?"
Lena swallowed. "Ethanâ"
He stood up, shaking his head. "I waited here because I wanted to talk to you, Lena. But clearly, you had better things to do."
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. "I don't even know why I bothered." He turned, grabbing his jacket from the coat rack near the stairs, leaving Lena standing there, heart sinking. This wasn't over. Not even close.
And tomorrow at school? It was only going to get worse.