Dirty little secrets

Chapter 23

Ava

Dinner was finally over, plates clattered into the sink while Mom and dad argued over who got to load the dishwasher this time, their voices overlapping in that annoying married way where everything sounds like a joke but isn't, and Chloe was whining about how the pasta was too al dente or whatever bullshit she pulled to sound fancy, Riley snorting beside her trying not to laugh. I pushed my chair back quiet, hoping to slip out without more questions about this damn trip, but Jax's eyes were on me the whole time, burning holes, and I knew he wasn't buying any of it, especially after that blowup earlier where he called me out in front of everyone like a total d**k.

"Ava," he muttered under his breath as I stood, grabbing my wrist before I could dodge, his grip tight enough to make me wince but not yell. The others were distracted Mom laughing at something dad said, Chloe scrolling her phone, Riley shooting me a quick 'what the f**k' look but not intervening yet. He yanked me toward the stairs, not hard but insistent, like he owned me or some s**t, and I stumbled after him, hissing "Jax, let go, asshole I thought we were finally over this!! ," but he didn't and I guess we weren't, he just dragged me up the steps two at a time until we were in the hallway, away from the noise.

He shoved me against the wall once we hit the landing, not rough but close, his face inches from mine, breath hot and smelling like garlic from dinner. "What the hell, Ava? Will you really go on that trip? You think I'm stupid? That's with him, isn't it? That f*****g professor, admit it! . Why else would you suddenly need to 'clear your head' right after running to his office?"

I tried to twist away, but he leaned in heavier, pinning me with his body. "Jax, back off. It's none of your business."

"Bullshit it's not." He went for a kiss then, lips crashing into mine forceful, no buildup, just demanding, his hands on my face holding me there. I froze for a second, then pushed at his chest. "Stop… "

He didn't, kissed again, harder, trying to force his tongue in, but I clamped my mouth shut, shoving harder. "Jax!"

Third time he lunged, even more aggressive, like he was trying to prove something, his body pressing full against me now, and that's when I slapped him, hard, palm stinging across his cheek, the crack echoing in the hall.

He reeled back, hand to his face, eyes wide and hurt. "f**k, Ava!"

"Don't you ever force yourself on me like that again," I snapped, wiping my mouth, heart pounding from anger and that weird leftover buzz from earlier with the professor. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

He rubbed his cheek, looking down, voice dropping to this pathetic whine. "I'm sorry... I just... I'm jealous, okay? Why does he get to take you on a trip? Why him and not me? We're... we're us."

I laughed, bitter and short, crossing my arms to put some space between us. "Jealous? God, Jax, grow up. We're step-siblings, that's it. We f**k around sometimes, yeah, but that's not a relationship. You have your life Chloe, remember? The girl you're supposed to be with? And I have mine. You don't get to claim me just because you're pissed someone else might."

"But he… " Jax started, voice cracking, eyes getting shiny like he might actually cry, and damn if that didn't twist my gut a little, seeing him all broken like that after his tough-guy act.

"No buts," I cut him off, softer now because yeah, it sucked, but I wasn't backing down. "We're not exclusive, Jax. Never were. You came in my mouth this morning without even letting me finish, remember? And now you're throwing a tantrum because I want to go away for a bit? Pathetic."

He sniffed, leaning against the wall, deflating. "I know... I f****d up this morning. But a trip with him? That's different. That's like... real."

"It's not your call," I said, stepping back. "Let's just go down, play nice, okay? Don't make this weirder."

He nodded slowly , wiping his eyes quick like I wouldn't notice. "Fine. But this sucks, Ava."

"Yeah, well, life sucks," I muttered, sarcastic as hell, and headed down the stairs first, him trailing behind like a lost dog.

Back in the kitchen, everyone was chilling now, Mom and Mr. Harlan wiping counters, Chloe giggling at something on her phone, Riley eyeing us both as we walked in. I grabbed a glass of water, acting cool, like nothing happened. "So, dessert anyone? There's ice cream left."

Mom smiled, oblivious. "Sure, honey. You okay? You look flushed."

"Fine," I said quick, forcing a grin. "Just hot up there."

Jax slid into a chair, all casual now, but his eyes were still red-rimmed. "Yeah, we were just talking trip stuff. Ava's got it all planned, right?"

I shot him a warning look, but nodded. "Yep. All set."

Dad chuckled. "I'm so glad, I thought they will struggle adjusting as siblings but they got to fit in quickly. Good. But call us, yeah? Daily."

"Promise," I lied, scooping ice cream to avoid eyes.

Mom smiled at the corner, “Isn't our little family just perfect?”

And we all smiled, little does she know about the the dirty little secrets.

We ate quickly, small talk bullshit about work and school, everyone playing normal, Jax forcing laughs at Dad's jokes, me nodding along, but tension thick as hell under it.

Soon enough, parents finished up, Mom yawning. "Alright, we're heading up. Night, kids."

Mr. Harlan clapped Jax on the shoulder. "Don't stay up too late."

They shuffled upstairs, doors clicking shut, and then it was just usme, Riley, Chloe, Jax lounging around the table, awkward silence hitting fast.

Chloe perked up first, scooting her chair closer to Jax, batting her lashes like a cartoon. "So, Jax, you free tonight? We could watch that movie you mentioned. The one with the hot guys."

He glanced at her, then his eyes flicked to me, locking hard, and I saw it, the petty spark. "Yeah, sure, Chloe. Sounds good."

She leaned in more, hand on his arm, flirty giggle. "Cool. You're looking extra cute post-dinner, you know?"

Riley snorted beside me. "Subtle, Chloe."

But Jax didn't break eye contact with me, pulling Chloe onto his lap suddenly , her squeal half-laugh half-surprise. "Come here," he muttered, then yanked her in for a kiss, deep, no hesitation, his mouth devouring hers like he was starving.

It was all tongue from the start, his sliding in wet , swirling around hers, sucking it lightly then harder, lips moving messy and loud, her moaning into it as he tilted her head back with one hand in her hair, the other gripping her waist. Their tongues tangled visible for a second when they shifted, slick and aggressive, him biting her lower lip before diving back in, the kind of kiss that screamed 'f**k you' to the room, wet smacks echoing.

And the whole time, his eyes stayed on me, staring right through the kiss, challenging, hurt mixed with triumph.

I froze, spoon halfway to my mouth, pissed boiling up hot and fast. "What the f**k, Jax?"

He broke the kiss for a breath, Chloe dazed and grinning, but he kept staring at me. "Problem, Ava?"