Saving Jax by Ramona Gray Page B

Court confirmed.  “Dad texted me ten minutes ago and said they had just left.  We should hurry.”
    Julie squeezed her arm and gave her a small smile.  “Okay, Mel?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why wouldn’t she be?”  Court frowned at them as he opened the door and lifted Julie into the truck.
    Julie just shrugged as she slid to the middle and Court helped Mel into the truck before slamming the door shut.  As he crossed in front of the truck, Julie gave her a tentative smile.
    “Maybe he won’t be there.”
    “Yeah, maybe.”
    “Do you want him to be there?”
    “I don’t – I don’t know,” Mel said honestly as Court opened his door and climbed in.
    She stared out the window as Court backed out of his parking spot and headed down the street.  If Jax was there she would be polite and not think at all about what it had been like to have him inside of her.  He was bad news and she would do the smart thing and stay away from him.

Chapter 6
     
    “Damn, little brother, I didn’t think you’d wear a suit.”
    Court grinned at Cal before clapping him on the back.  “You said it was fancy.”
    Mel glanced around as Cal kissed Julie on the cheek.  The club was smaller than she had imagined and it was decorated in dark red and grey.  A bar, long and curved with a shiny wood top, was directly in front of them and rows of liquor bottles lined the shelves behind it.  About twenty tables were scattered around the room, most of them filled with couples and small groups, and a small stage with an even smaller dance floor was at the front of the room.  There was a jazz band, all of them men and all of them wearing tuxes, playing and she jumped a little when Cal took her arm.
    “Hey, Mel.  You look nice.”
    “Thanks, Cal.  So do you.  Are mom and dad here?”
    He nodded.  “Yes.  Come with me.”
    She took his arm and followed him across the room to the corner furthest from the stage.  It was a bit quieter there and she smiled at her parents as Cal helped her out of her jacket and pulled her chair out for her.
    “Butterfly, you look so pretty.”  Her mom kissed her cheek.
    “Thank you, mom.  Is that your new dress?”
    “It is,” Darla confirmed.  “Do you like it?”
    “I love it.”
    “Thank you.”  Her mom turned to smile at Court and Julie.  “Hello peanut, hello jelly bean.”
    “Jelly bean?”  Court said.
    Her mother grinned.  “It’s my new nickname for Julie.  Do you like it?”
    Julie smiled happily at Darla.  “I love it, Mrs. Thomas.  Thank you.”
    “Oh goodness, call me Darla,” her mom said cheerfully.  “How’s that scarf coming along?”
    “Good.  I’m almost finished,” Julie said as a waiter, he was dressed in a tux as well, approached them.
    “Good evening.  My name is Randall and I’ll be serving you this evening.  Could I interest you in a wine list?”
    “Randall, this is my family,” Cal said quickly.
    Randall smiled politely.  “Then a bottle of our best on the house is in order.”
    He unfolded Mel’s napkin and placed it on her lap before doing the same for Julie and Darla.  He gave a slight bow and disappeared as Cal rested his hand on the back of Court’s chair.
    “Are you going to join us, pumpkin?”
    “I can’t, mom.  I’m working.”  Cal glanced at the door as a couple strolled into the nightclub.  “But I’ll check in on you in a bit, alright?”
    “Alright.  Have fun, pumpkin,” her mom replied before picking up the menu.
    Melanie scanned the room nervously.  She was not looking for Jax, she told herself and ignored the trickle of disappointment when she didn’t see him.
    “Son?”  Bill was staring at Court and Court gave him a strained smile.
    “What’s up, dad?”
    “Do you have a migraine?”
    He hesitated before nodding and Darla reached across the table and squeezed his hand.  “Oh, peanut.  You shouldn’t have come tonight.”
    “I’ll be alright.”
    “He had so many migraines as a boy,” Darla said