Chapter 5: Rain and Regret
Lena woke in Jax's bed, his arm heavy across her chest. The room was dark, rain tapping the window again. His skin was warm, tattoos glowing in the faint light. She felt him against her—close, even in sleep. Last night replayed: his hands on her, his kiss, the way he held her after. Her body ached, soft and sore, but her mind spun. Sarah's voice echoed: What if he breaks you again?
She slipped out, careful not to wake him. His shirt hung on her, smelling of him—wood and warmth. She grabbed her phone. 2 am. A text from Sarah: Where are you? I'm mad but worried. Guilt hit her. She typed, I'm okay. With that guy. Back soon, and hit send, heart racing.
Jax stirred, eyes opening. "Sneaking off?" he mumbled, voice rough.
"Just checking time," she said, sitting by him. "Gotta go soon."
He sat up, pulling her close. "Stay longer. You feel too good to leave." His lips brushed her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
Her body wanted to say yes. "Sarah's mad," she whispered. "She thinks you'll hurt me."
He frowned, hand on her cheek. "I won't. I like you, Lena. A lot." His eyes were soft, his grip gentle but firm, like he meant every word.
Lena's heart flipped. She looked at him—his messy hair, the scar above his brow, the way his tattoos told stories. "Tell me something," she said, voice low. "About you. Not just… this."
Jax paused, then nodded. He leaned back, pulling her with him to sit against the headboard. "Okay. Grew up rough. Dad left, mom worked double shifts. Got these tattoos to remember fights I won—kept me strong." He traced a dragon on his arm, eyes far. "Never thought I'd want someone like this. But you… you're different."
Her chest warmed. "I'm scared," she admitted. "Last guy broke me. Sarah's seen it."
He took her hand, thumb rubbing her palm. "I get it. I've been hurt too. Ex walked out for someone 'safe.' But with you, I wanna try. Slow, if you need."
She smiled, tears prickling. "Slow sounds good." They sat there, rain filling the silence, hands linked. It felt big—bigger than sex, like trust growing.
"Let's do something," he said, standing. He grabbed a sketchbook from his shelf, pencils spilling out. "I draw. You try?"
Lena laughed, nervous. "I suck at art."
"Doesn't matter," he said, handing her a pencil. They sat on the floor, knees touching. He sketched a dragon, lines smooth and sure. She tried a flower, messy but it's hers.
He grinned, fixing her hand, guiding her strokes. His touch was warm, patient, making her heart race in a new way.
Hours passed, rain easing. Her flower looked better, his dragon fierce. "Not bad," he said, bumping her shoulder.
She leaned on him, tired but happy. "Thanks. This… feels nice."
He kissed her forehead, soft. "Good. Stay a bit more?"
She nodded, curling against him. Her phone buzzed—Sarah again. Come home soon. Guilt returned, but she texted, On my way, and stood. Jax walked her to the door, holding her hand.
"See you?" he asked, eyes hopeful.
"Yeah," she said, squeezing back. "Soon."
Soon it was bright, Lena got dressed for work, told Sarah she was leaving and off she went.
At work, she had a lot to do, crazy emails, her crazy boss just walking up and down looking for what to say and what not to say. Lena couldn't wait to be done, really exhausting.
Soon it was lunch break, she texted Jax; Hey baby, work's so stressful, hope you're doing alright.
A quick response from Jax: Sorry about that, and yeah I'm doing alright. Want me to give you a massage after work?
She blushed really hard. The message made her body shiver, making her drip a little down there. she thought about his warm arms around her and more. She squickly texted back.
I'd love that, so after work?
Door's open sweetheart, can't wait. he replied.
It was already 6.pm, work was over for the day.
Lena left work, heart light. The day dragged—emails, boss' stares...but Jax's text pulled her: Can't wait. Door's open.
She headed to his place, eager to draw, to feel his hand guiding hers and not to forget, the massage.
She got to his apartment but was surprised the door wasn't open as it usually was. Not really bothered, she opened the door.
Inside, the apartment was warm, sketchbook on the table. A woman stood by the bed—tall, dark hair, eyes sharp. Lena froze. "Who are you?" the woman asked, voice cold.
Lena's stomach dropped. "I'm Lena. Jax's friend," she said, voice small, sadness creeping in.
The woman smirked. "Oh, he's keeping female friends now? I'm Ella, his girlfriend." He's not home, he went out to get some stuffs, wanna wait for him? She asked, smiling.
Lena's world spun. Girlfriend?? Tears burned. She couldn't text Jax, couldn't breathe. She rushed out,in tears, rain soaking her, tears mixing with water. Her heart broke with every step home.
Jax returned, bags rustling. No Lena. He texted: You not here yet? No reply. He called—straight to voicemail. Worry hit. Ella lounged on the couch, flipping through his sketchbook. "Some girl was here," she said, casual. "Tried to mess with her a bit. Didn't know she'd cry like a baby. Sorry."
Jax's face turned red. "You did what?" he yelled. "That was Lena!!! Why would you?" He paced, mad and lost. She cried? Fuck, ellaaa,he screamed."Where is she?"
Ella shrugged. "Dunno. Didn't mean to hurt her."
Lena burst into her apartment, tears streaming. Sarah rushed over, catching her as she fell. "He's a cheat!" Lena sobbed. "I didn't know. He's got a girlfriend, Sarah!"
Sarah held her tight, stroking her hair. "I knew it, babes. I told you. Shh, it's okay." Her voice was soft but firm, anger simmering. Lena cried harder, Jax's touch feeling like a lie.