“Jax is back.”

“Huh?” Jax? No. He couldn’t be. He’d moved to God only knew where to find himself. He wouldn’t come back to Shaker. Other than his family, he had no ties. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. I saw him and was introduced to him.” Carter shrugged again.

“Huh.” She hadn’t expected him, but if he wanted to come home… fine. “With a girl?” That was none of her business, but she had to know.

“Nope. Just him. Dash’s pissed,” Carter said. “All I know is he’s home and alone.”

“Dash gets upset more often than not.” She sighed. “But Jax being home is his prerogative. Is that why you thought I’d leave? This is my job. I’m not letting him decide to fire me.” So he was back. So he’d probably opt to get involved with the family. So what?

“Everyone knows you and Jax were… close.” Carter blushed. “The rumor was he’d gotten you pregnant. It wasn’t a secret. One guy said he had pictures.”

“Christ.” Everyone knew the rumor, and she didn’t doubt someone had photographic proof of their relationship. “It was just a rumor.” She thanked God she was sitting down, or her legs would’ve given out. She couldn’t handle this.

“Right. You wouldn’t have gone pale if it was nothing.”

“Shut up.” He knew her too well. “I’m good, and he can live here. We’ll do our separate things.”

“You don’t care? What if there’s a girl coming later?”

“Then that’s on him.” She shrugged to hide her concern. A girl. Of course he’d have a girl. Jax, like every other Jordan, was handsome.

“Keep telling yourself you’re fine and maybe it’ll come true, but I doubt it.” Carter shook his head. “See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, and thank you.” She waited until Carter closed the door to sigh. Jax had returned. She had no choice but to face him eventually. Maybe he’d ignore her and forget she existed. Maybe his girlfriend was indeed following later and Emily wouldn’t have to worry about him. She couldn’t concern herself with a man in a relationship. She held on to those thoughts because she had nothing better.

Her heart belonged to Jax. He’d been her first love, first kiss… first time. He’d taken her to prom and been her partner in crime. Where everyone else saw her as the gardener’s daughter, Jax saw her as a person. She wasn’t a charity case in his eyes. According to his mother, Emily was nothing more than something to pass Jax’s time, and he’d done her a favor by taking Emily to the big dance. She knew better. She also knew Jax. He had a wandering soul. Why would he come back to the family compound when he could explore the country?

But he had come home.

For how long, she wasn’t sure.