Ecstasy

“Zara,” he says softly, turning toward me, keeping his hand right there, right under mine. “I think you need help.”

I close my eyes and groan. “Not you, too,” I say, a

I clench my thighs together, eyes still closed as I lie on the bed.

“I am your friend,” he assures me, his voice low and soothing. “I am your friend. And tonight, I think you should just sleep this off, okay?"

I let go of his hand and drop my own by my side as I look at him again. His eyes are a dark blue. Like the ocean.

The ocean reminds me of Alex. And his dad. And his mom.

And how he left me.

“I miss him,” I say suddenly.

Jax’s eyes soften. “Who?” he asks quietly.

I stare at the ceiling again, my face flushing. “Alex,” I admit. “I miss him.”

Jax’s hand moves just the slightest bit on my stomach, like he’s reassuring me. “Do you?”

I nod without looking at him. “Yeah.” I bite my lip. “I miss him so much.”

A moment of silence, and then Jax says, “Where’s your phone, babe?”

I pull it out of my back pocket, lifting my hips a little and secretly hoping Jax will move his hand down my pants, but he doesn’t.

I hand Jax my phone, uncaring why he wants it.

He takes it, and I just keep staring at the ceiling. “Was Alex good to you?” Jax asks me.

My lower lip trembles. I nod again. “He was so good.”

Jax sighs. “I did some digging for you.”

My stomach clenches. I don’t take my eyes off the ceiling.

“About that party.” Jax blows out a breath, presses a little harder against my skin, but he’s still so gentle. “I don’t think it was him, Zara. I don’t think he did the bad thing.”

I feel tears well in my eyes. “Me neither, Jax. Me neither.”