Jax's P.O.V.
The door clicks shut behind my dad, and I feel the weight of the moment sink in. For a second, all I can hear is my heartbeat thumping in my ears.
I glance at Sam, whose face is a mixture of embarrassment and confusion. She's biting her lip, still avoiding my gaze, but I can see her trying to gather herself.
"Uh... that wasn't awkward at all," I joke, my voice too light as I attempt to cover up the tension, but my chest tightens. My mind is already spinning, trying to think of a way to smooth over what just happened. I won't let my dad ruin this for us—not now.
I can feel her eyes on me as I clear my throat, quickly trying to formulate a plan. "Okay, we just—"
But before I can say anything else, the door creaks open again.
My father steps back into the room, his expressi
