Wrecked (Dirty Air Series Book 3)
Wrecked: Chapter 27

Caleb is absolutely enamored by Jax. I expected Jax to be involved and nice to Caleb, but he goes above and beyond to make his fan experience the best aspects of F1. The tattooed man who invades my thoughts showed me a sweet side of himself that he keeps hidden from the world.

While I planned a fake race with old F1 cars for Caleb, Jax went out of his way to plan other outings. He introduced Caleb to Liam and Noah during a surprise lunch. Even our dinner, while under the guise of taking me out, was really to make Caleb’s last night with Jax memorable.

Basically, Jax is so swoon worthy, I’m susceptible to falling over from a light breeze.

After dinner, Jax calls his tattoo artist to open up his shop while I call Caleb’s mom to check if she approves of his decision. She emails me a scanned copy of a signed consent form, supporting the plan.

I spend most of the car ride listening to the two of them discuss F1 gossip and statistics. Something about Jax this week is different. I’m not even talking about the recent incident of shoving his tongue down my throat and making me come.

He seems…happy. True happiness unlike anything I’ve seen from him before. I don’t know if spending time in London makes him feel more at ease or if it’s the break away from the F1 pressures.

Part of me is waiting for everything to go wrong. But a bigger part—a stupidly hopeful part—is wondering if he will stay like this for the rest of the season.

God, I hope so. This version of Jax is one I like more and more by the day.

Our car stops in front of a modern storefront, ending my thoughts.

“Ready?” Caleb offers me his hand as he exits the car.

“This is a crazy idea.” I grab onto his extended hand.

“The best ones start out that way.” He gives my hand a kiss before letting it go.

Seriously, I don’t know where this guy learned his moves, but he amps up the charm by the hour. I replace the whole display hilarious.

We enter a chic office I’d never associate with tattoos. A modern chandelier hangs above us, highlighting the welcoming waiting room.

“This place is awesome,” I whisper to Jax. My eyes linger on the way his black button-down shirt clings to his arms, emphasizing muscles I was clutching onto the other day. Ones I want to trace my tongue across.

Jax’s fingers lift my chin up before he winks. Busted.

My cheeks flush before I scan the accent wall to our left.

“The wallpaper is made up of designs Alan did. Maybe if you look long enough, you’ll replace one or two of mine.” Jax shrugs.

“No way! That’s amazing.” I check out the different patterns as Caleb and Jax review the paperwork.

I get lost in the designs, loving the mix of colors and art the owner created. My fingers hover over a snake that looks familiar. “Found one!”

“It looks creepier when it’s staring at me like that.” Jax walks up to my side, heat emanating from his body.

I tug at his hand without thinking. An electric rush surges through me, like someone is holding a sparkler to my skin. “The snake slithering through the skeleton bones is what makes it creepy.”

He stares at my hand touching his. “Why?”

“It’s morbid.”

His lips turn down. “I got it in honor of my dad.”

And now I feel like shit. “I didn’t mean to—”

A small smile tugs at his lips. “I’m teasing you. Like Caleb said, the King Cobra used to kick ass back in the day. This is my tribute to him.”

“And the bones?”

Jax’s fingers intertwine with mine. “Well, that’s more of a badassery thing. You wouldn’t get it.”

“You’re the last person who needs tattoos to prove how badass you are.”

He tilts his head at me. “Was that a compliment?”

I roll my eyes while grinning. “Don’t get used to them.”

“Jax, stop hitting on my date. Let’s go!” Caleb waves at us from the hallway.

Jax looks like he wants to say something, but I tug on his hand. We follow Caleb to the back room where Jax’s tattoo artist, Alan, sets up his supplies.

Caleb settles onto the main chair while Alan preps his skin. Jax and I sit next to each other in the cramped corner. My body becomes aware of his proximity, with his legs brushing against mine.

Desire tugs at my stomach when Jax laces his fingers together with mine again. His thumb rubs over the thin bones of my hand, evoking goosebumps across my skin.

“That’s really what you want, mate?” Jax eyes the sketch of Caleb’s tattoo.

“Yup.”

Jax nods at Alan, fighting a smile. “Give the kid what he wants.”

Caleb sits through the pain, making jokes as Alan inks the letters. The process is rather short. Our new friend shows off his tattoo located on the inside of his arm where I usually get blood taken out.

I trace around the red skin to avoid hurting him. “‘No rain, no flowers.’ Interesting choice for someone your age.”

“It’s my mom’s favorite quote.”

“And the location?” I tap a vein.

“I thought it would be nice to have something strong to look at during my next round of chemo.” Caleb’s response causes my vision to blur.

He shoots me a wobbly smile. “Don’t cry over me, love. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.”

“Hey, don’t steal my nickname for her.” Jax wraps an arm around my shoulder, tugging me into his side.

Jax’s simple possessiveness has my heart working overtime to keep up.

“I’m guessing that’s all.” Alan begins to pack up his supplies.

“Wait,” I blurt out. “I want a tattoo.”

“You want a tattoo? You?” Jax’s head jerks back.

“Is it that hard to believe?”

“To be honest, yes,” Caleb chimes in.

I scoff before turning toward Alan. “I want a small one.”

Jax raises a brow at me. “You sure about this?”

“Yes.”

Jax shrugs before taking a seat with Caleb across the room. I’m grateful he doesn’t ask me any more questions because I’m afraid I’ll lose my nerve.

I show Alan the design I want and where I want it. It may seem childish and stupid to anyone else, but to me it symbolizes everything I want to become while embracing the broken parts of myself.

Alan cocks a brow at me. He pulls out his iPad and sketches the design, making it identical to the photo I showed him.

“Perfect.”

“And to double-check, you want it here?” He taps the side of my middle finger where a jagged scar remains from many years ago.

“That’s right.” I offer Alan my hand and he gets to work with the transfer paper.

He prepares the skin. The buzzing sound echoes off the walls. I flinch when the needle touches my skin, hissing at the unexpected pain.

Alan frowns. “Sorry. It’s going to hurt.”

“Caleb didn’t even wince. How’s that possible?” My eyes bounce between all the men in the room.

“I get stabbed all the time with needles.” Caleb shrugs.

Jax squeezes Caleb’s shoulder in the sweetest gesture. The way Jax looks at Caleb has me forgetting the pain for a second. “That’s what makes you the toughest guy I’ve met.”

Caleb laughs as if Jax said the funniest thing ever. When Jax doesn’t laugh in return, Caleb’s eyebrows pinch together. “Oh, you’re serious?” His voice echoes his confusion.

“Of course. Any person who has dealt with the shit you have and still wears a smile every day is a badass in my book.” Jax lets go of Caleb’s shoulder.

“Whoa. You’re giving me all the feels.” Caleb readjusts his glasses.

Jax shakes his head. “I’m serious. In some ways, I look up to you.”

My heart threatens to explode from my chest. I didn’t expect Caleb’s visit to impact Jax as much as it has, but I’m grateful Jax connected with someone who battles his own struggles day after day. Caleb carries himself with strength and positivity, and it’s something I think Jax can learn from with time.

“Well, uhm, thanks.” Caleb’s cheeks flush as he looks down at his new tattoo.

Jax drags his chair to the side of the bench, and grabs onto my unoccupied hand. “Finger tattoos hurt more than some other ones. Squeeze my hand whenever you’re in pain. It’ll be over sooner than you know it.”

My mind focuses on his touch rather than the burning sensation. “Wow. How did you cover your entire body in these?”

“Pain is only temporary.” Jax offers a tight smile.

Alan gets back to work. I clutch onto Jax’s hand like a lifeline, concentrating on his thumb rubbing against my skin soothingly. Caleb chats with Alan while I remain entranced by Jax.

I look into his eyes, catching him staring at me. Fighting the urge to turn away, I allow myself to give in to the moment. His eyes darken as they roam over my body, lingering on my chest before meeting mine again.

Go me for picking the green dress tonight. The look he sends my way makes the strapless bra all the more worth it.

“Fuck. You’re really something else. Beautiful, inside and out, which is painfully cheesy to say.” He brings my hand up to his face and presses his lips against the fragile bones. My body burns with want as I focus on my reaction toward him rather than the needle prodding my skin.

I scrunch my nose in mock disgust. “Who knew you lacked any flirting skills?”

“That’s because he usually doesn’t have to work for it since women fall into his lap. Give him a run for his money,” Caleb says over the buzzing of the needle.

“Does the kid ever know when to shut up?” Jax mumbles under his breath.

“Nope. I started talking at a year old and never stopped. My mum threatened to buy me a muzzle.”

Alan gives me the all-clear to move off the bench, ending my moment with Jax. “I haven’t had a request from that movie before.”

My vision becomes fuzzy as I assess the mocking jay pin covering the scar from the night of my parents’ deaths. I attempt to hide my emotions, but Jax grabs my hand and assesses the dainty tattoo.

“Interesting choice for a first tattoo.”

“Big Katniss Everdeen fan, I take it?” Caleb bumps his shoulder against mine.

“Hmm.” Quite the opposite. But I can’t ignore the connection I have to the story, seeing as it’s one of the last memories I have of my dad.

Jax helps me up from the bench.

“Anything for you, mate?” Alan points the needle at Jax.

He shakes his head. “No. I’m good today.”

Jax ignores my request to pay for the tattoo. He covers the costs of everything and leads us to the exit. We all stop, staring at the pouring rain, not replaceing our town car in sight.

“Shit. Let me check on the driver.” Jax pulls out his cellphone and walks back inside, leaving us under the awning.

“Hey, Caleb, have you ever danced in the rain?”

He shakes his head. “Nope.”

“Is it okay for you to be in the rain for a few minutes?”

“I like the way you think. Plus, I never say no to a lady.” He beams.

I grab onto his hand and drag him into the storm. The rain beats against our skin as I play a random song on my phone. Caleb grabs my hand and spins me around.

Is it reckless for Caleb to expose himself like this? Yes.

Is it worthy of his own snow-globe moment? Absolutely.