"I miss you deeply, unfathomably, senselessly, terribly." — Franz Kafka
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Chapter 55
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Maggie

A light knock at my door tore my attention from the television, which had been streaming with reruns of some sitcom all week long. I hadn't paid the bit of attention to it.

I leaned up from the bed. "Come in."

I already knew who it was. Jax came with food, a beverage, and my pills and vitamins every morning, lunch, and dinner.

The knob turned, and in came my twin with said lunch. In one hand he held that, and in the other he had a beverage.

"Hey, baby sister." His smile was light with gentleness. "I made you some lunch." He placed it on my nightstand. "I made sure to sprinkle some extra bacon inside, just the way you like it."

It looked heavenly, but just like all of the other dinners, I'd have to force it down.

"Thank you so much." I painted on a smile, glancing between the sandwich and him. "I really appreciate this. You. Everything."

I did, very much so. Words couldn't even express the gratitude I held for him.

For the past week, I'd been staying here. Him and Tony had a spare room that Jax had already decorated for me. Glow in the dark stars, candles, my sheets. My favorite foods and snacks were already stocked in his kitchen, too.

Even when I had pretended to forget about him, he never forgot me.

I didn't tell him what happened with Luke, but I was sure he figured the most important parts out. I didn't want him to pick a fight with Luke, but it wasn't because of the physical part. If anything, I knew that, with his temper, Jax could definitely take him, but I didn't want the trouble to follow. That, or it was the fact that it would make me sick to my stomach to have to watch the two people I care about most fight each other. 

Kimberly and Raven had stopped by here, too. They had called only hours after everything went down before being at the doorstep the next morning with tissues, ice cream, and a bunch of chick flicks.

It had helped a bit. I was pretty sure Jax told them not to bring anything concerning Luke up to me, because they didn't. Instead, when I opened the front door, they were there with knowing looks, words of encouragement, and hugs to give.

I didn't want to bother Jax and Tony too much, and I definitely didn't want to intrude on their lives here, either. I didn't plan to, actually. I had enough in my savings, plus Lowen's debit and the things I bought with his credit card that I'd sell, to get my own apartment, so I was good there.

The morning after I came here, though, I had tried sneaking out to make it easier. I had no idea that Tony wakes up every morning for his workout, and on my way through the kitchen, he was waiting for me, then called for my brother.

Jax had to practically tackle me, and beg me not to leave. He reassured me that this was my home as much as it was his, and that I could stay without issue, or even move in. As pleasing as it sounded, I couldn't accept it. Not until the threat of our father, and his life was gone.

Jax had been here, and as amazing as ever. Even though I deserved none of it, none of him, he held me through the tears, the pain, the heartbreak, all of it.

When I woke up with tears in my eyes in the morning, he was right there to wipe them. When I was sick to my stomach more often than not, he was there to help with it. When the nightmares started back up, he was there to hold me through the terror until I fell back asleep. They hit even worse than before, now.

Even though I spent most of my time in the room sulking, him and Tony tried their hardest to include me in their movie nights, their nights out, their games, and jokes. It was draining, but I forced myself to join in just to stop Jax from worrying so much.

But, it was hard. It was so fucking hard.

With the reminders of Luke and I, the many, many texts and calls he had left me, the huge hole in my heart...it was all so gut-wrenching.

He had called me a number of times, especially at the time before my nightmares. As badly as I wanted to answer, I knew I couldn't and shouldn't. I knew how bad it would look if I did.

His texts had been just as ceaseless, begging and pleading to talk to me, how sorry he was, and how badly he wanted to fix it. I read every single one, but I didn't respond. His calls went the same way.

He even started to call Jax, who reassured him that I was okay. Jax said that that was the first thing he asked when he called, that and other questions of my well-being: if I'd eaten, if I were sleeping, and things like that. As badly as I wanted to answer myself, I had Jax do it for me.

I turned off my location to stop him from following me, too, but I was sure he figured out where I was if I weren't at the lake-house with the girls. Or, he had asked Kade and Levi to ask Kimberly and Raven.

Jax shook his head at my thanks, sinking down to the bed. "Don't thank me. You know that Tony and I love having you here." His smile warmed my icy stare as he grabbed my hand. "I've missed you so much."

My lips remained in a smile as I nodded. My hair was in a ponytail, but the loose strands were still grazing at my face, anyway.

Sweeping them back, I pulled the plate toward me. It would help stifle a conversation.

Most of my time here was spent with me in tears, or being sick to my stomach. I didn't even know it was possible to physically get sick from heartbreak, but then again, I'd never really experienced a real one before now.

My stomach turned as I stared down at the sandwich. Bile rose up my throat, but I tried to discard of it, since it would just be dry heaves. I had already thrown up this morning.

Jax studied me over, the concern in his eyes visible. "How are you doing?"

I chewed on a slice of salami for much longer than necessary. "Fine. Everything's been a little easier, honestly."

Not a bit. Not at all.

I missed Luke. His house, Fang, our arguments, his soft looks, his kisses, him. Everything about him, and about myself when I was with him. Us.

Except how he lied to me.

He had mentioned that there was more to the story, but I couldn't find a good enough explanation as to why or how he even went seeking for the information in the first place. I couldn't understand why he wanted to go that deep into my past without my permission, or knowledge, at least not without having malicious intent behind it.

I couldn't forgive him for that.

Even if his excuse added up, it wasn't fair. He had gotten to the truth before I could give it. Now, he had his own version and image of me, the one that the file gave him.

All along, I thought that he was seeing me for me. Not the one that I had tried so hard to forget. But, he saw her now, too.

And, I couldn't blame him if he didn't like what he saw. I knew he didn't, and as much as it hurt, it burned less if I admitted it before he could.

It was one of the things that kept me from giving the truth so easily. The embarrassment. The shame, and disgust.

I was so disgusted with myself, with my body, and how easily it had been ripped from my own grasp. How damaged it, I, was, inside and out. It was humiliating that he even had knowledge of her, of me and what had truly turned me into this hideous monster all along.

I didn't know to handle it with anyone else seeing it, too. Especially the someone who had seen me when no one else had.

Luke was just as disgusted and appalled, he had to be. And it not that, then he felt bad for me, and was simply doing me a favor. Either way, I knew that his feelings were based around her, not me.

Jax nodded. "You know I'm here to talk, Mags. About anything." He leaned closer, his eyes darting to the door with a shudder. "Even Tony's disastrous martini."

A small chuckle broke away from me at the reminder. "They weren't that bad." They definitely were, but Tony, in general, made up for it.

Jax laughed, but that was the last sight I caught before he was leaning in to hug me. I sunk against his shoulder just to embrace it.

Once we pulled apart, his grin made my mouth twitch. It was a miracle that I still had the ability to.

"Speaking of martinis, we're going out for drinks right after the play," he told me. "In celebration of my award-winning performance, of course."

My fingers tugged at a slice of pepperoni as I chuckled. "You haven't even performed, yet."

Jax was going to be the lead in the community play, tonight. He had been talking about it for months, now.

His laughter dwindled into a small smile. With a sigh, his shoulders fell before he scooted closer. "Mags."

"Mhm?" I hummed under a pepper slice.

His head tilted at me, an understanding glint finding way to his eyes. "Maggie, if you don't feel up to coming out tonight—"

I shook my head, immediately. We had had this argument a number of times over the past couple of days.

"Jax," I sighed. "You know there's no way in hell I'm going to miss seeing you up on that stage."

Heartbroken or not, I wasn't going to let that get in the way of supporting my brother. I never tried to miss any of his performances, and I never had before.

Jax searched my face for any doubt, but when he didn't find any, he nodded, reaching for my hand. "Are you sure? You know I can bring you some food back from the bar, and the performance will be live—"

"Jax, I'm not missing it, no matter what you say. I've been waiting to see you up on that stage for months, now."

His gaze lingered with uncertainty, but he nodded, anyway. "Okay." His sigh was drawled out as he kissed my cheek. "Well, go ahead, and get all dolled up, then. I wanna rehearse with the crew a bit more before it starts."

I chuckled. "I don't know why. You know those lines like the back of your hand, now." I had helped him rehearse so many times that even I knew the script, now. The choreography, too.

Before he stood, he snatched the other half of my sandwich, and took a bite. "Oh, dear baby sister, don't you know..." Grinning around his bite, he waved a hand over his face, his demeanor shifting to mirror the tone of his speech. "For perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

I groaned, picking up my last of the sandwich. "Shakespeare?"

He pointed to me, a silly grin on his face. "Vince Lombardi."

I pointed back to him. "You better shine tonight, superstar."

His eyes leaned at me. "When do I not?" With a laugh, he turned, yelling out behind him, "Like a diamond, baby! Like a diamond!"

I chuckled after him, shaking my head. I didn't doubt it. He was chosen as the lead for a reason, and whoever thought he didn't deserve it could kiss ass.

After I finished up the sandwich, I pulled myself out of bed for a shower. The play was scheduled to begin in two and a half hours, so I had to hurry.

I didn't want to bring Jax or his celebratory night down, so I'd keep up a façade until the night was over. Tonight was all about my brother, and it would remain that way.

By the time I finished getting ready, I was fighting with myself to stop from getting back into bed. It was a challenge to stay out, but the motivation of it being for my brother helped.

As I ran the lotion along my skin, I heard my phone beep from behind me. Another one followed up a second later.

Honestly, I was surprised it was even on; I hadn't really remembered to charge it these past few days.

My mind blurred at the next notification alert, as well as the realization that came with it. It was probably Luke.

Luke.

Shitfuckshit—

I told him about the play months ago, and even gave him tickets to come.

It was weeks, maybe days before I even moved in with him. We were hanging out at my apartment, and since Xander obviously wasn't going, Luke suggested he take his place, much to my surprise. Our seats were supposed to be right next to the others.

My skin blanched at the reminder. Fuck, how could I forget it?

I wasn't even sure if he remembered it, but if he did, then he probably didn't plan on going. I was sure he had better things to do than sit at a play, especially for a girl who he probably wanted nothing to do with, anymore.

If Luke was really finished with his plan, then that meant that he was finished with me, as well.

The worry remained, but I held onto that belief like it was all I hide. There was no way in hell he was going to waste his time there, not when he'd already gotten everything he wanted. He was free to do as he pleased now, without worry for or about me.

The messages were of Kimberly and Raven checking on me to see if I were okay enough to go tonight. I reassured them that I was fine, and that I'd meet them so that we could find our seats together.

I glanced up from my phone at another knock. At my call, the door opened.

Tony poked his head through, a large, radiating smile glowing on his face. "Hey, Mags. You ready to get going?" He threw a thumb over his shoulder. "Your brother's about to start baking those easy mix cookies if we don't get out of here soon."

Of course he was. Stress-cooking was Jax's thing, no matter how small or big the situation was. I had always sat up and watched him while he did, much to my hunger's satisfaction.

In the mirror, I checked over my lipliner once more. I had paired that with a a brown smokey look for my eyeshadow, mascara, and a bit of my lip gloss. For my outfit, I decided on a long sleeve, black mini dress, with nude heels. I didn't feel like attracting eyes tonight, so for jewelry, all I added was a silver bracelet Raven had left at Jax's when she stayed over.

I turned to Tony. "Let's get going before he has the whole house smelling like snickerdoodle."

"Agreed." Tony nodded, removing his rubber band from his wrist to tie his dreads back. "He's been snacking on those gift baskets for the past couple of minutes, you know."

My heart plummeted to my stomach. I forced a smile, despite how rough it was. Those gift baskets were from Luke.

I wasn't even sure how he found Jax's address, but ever since I left, he had sent so many stuffed animals, gift baskets, cards, and much else here. Everything. I had stopped checking after them, but I knew they were still being sent here.

Tony caught sight of my expression, his face falling with guilt. "Shit," he said, wincing at himself. "I'm sorry, Maggie—"

My head shook, immediately. This was his house, and I had no right to make him uncomfortable in it for my sake.

I tied my hair back, even though it was still fairly damp from the shower. "You're fine, trust me," I said, softly. "Let's get going, though."

Tony nodded, an encouraging smile on. He turned to leave, before he paused and shifted around to face me, again. 

I turned to look at him. "What's up?"

Tony crossed his thick, tatted arms over his chest, his gaze on the floorboard. "I know it's not any of my business or anything, but..." With a shrug, he stepped closer to me. "I know that you and your brother have had some bumps, lately. I know how skeptical you are, and have been of staying here, but, I just wanted to let you know..." His eyes raised to mine to mirror his honesty. "Your brother loves you, Maggie. More than me. More than himself. More than anything. He thinks of you with nothing but strength, and love. And, I see why."

His smile grew as he continued, "I've never seen him so detached from himself as I have after you two had that fight. These past few weeks, all he's done is talk about you. Cry about you. Question himself about whether or not you've been distant because of him."

My gaze fell at that, and pain soared right through me.

As much as I missed him, I hadn't taken the time to consider how our separation had affected Jax, mentally. All I considered was protecting him physically, and hoped that was good enough. Apparently, though, it wasn't.

"I wasn't even sure if he knew he was doing it, but most nights, he'd accidentally set a plate for you at dinner, play your favorite shows, cook your favorite dinners..." he chuckled, despite how saddened it was. "He just wanted to have something that could possibly get you back."

At that, the guilt nearly made my knees give out, the tears pricking my eyes. Knowing that he had been in pain this entire time tore me apart.

I sighed around, "I've missed him so much. I know that I don't deserve him. And I-I know that I should have visited sooner, but—"

"No, Maggie," Tony cut off, his tone empathetic. "I'm not saying this to make you feel guilty. I'm saying this, because..." he drawled out a breath, his eyes sinking into mine. "Your brother. He told me bits about that night. About what what led up to it, and what happened after."

I froze in front of the mirror, my lungs gone still. I wasn't mad at Jax for telling him, since parts of that trauma were his, too. Both of ours mixed in with the others, and he had a right to share his.

But...here it comes. The sympathy. The caution. The weird looks.

"I just wanted to say I admire your strength, Maggie. Your courageousness. You," he said. "Your brother told me pieces of the fight you two had with each other, but one thing, specifically, stuck with me from it."

I turned to face him, entirely. Since he was so close, all he had to do was reach out. He did, his hands going to mine, and squeezing.

"You said that you were hiding behind him. When that is not true. Not at all." He ran his thumb over the back of my hand, his face lined with honesty. "Maggie, ever since I've known Jax, he's always been the one to say that he was hiding behind you."

"That's..." I had to force my feet to remain in my spot from the shock. What? "That not true."

His smile softened. "It is, and he's never once doubted it. He's always admired everything you did, and everything that you will continue to do. I promise you."

I was...what?

All of the times I admired him for his strength, for his ability to move on and do better, be better...he was doing the same for me.

It was surreal. I didn't have even half of the qualities he did. If anything, I was the polar opposite of him. But, all along...he had thought differently.

Tony brought his hand to my shoulder. "Just...please don't break his heart, again. Please."

I tried to offer a smile in return, but it was weak. "Shouldn't I be the one telling you that?"

Tony took it with a small laugh. "That's true." His sigh was strung out. "But, you're the one and only person who could rip his heart from his chest. You're the only person who could even get close."

I knew that. I knew it because he could do the same to me.

"I love that man. And, I love you, too. I literally consider you a sister, now, and I hope to god that you consider me a brother, too." His words held nothing but honesty. "I just don't want to see you two fight, anymore. So, just...quit being idiots and love each other, okay?"

I chuckled through my tears. "I'll remember that." I would. I'd try.

It wasn't fair to continue hurting my brother, even if I were doing it to protect him. I didn't know how I'd do it, but I could be doing more, nonetheless. He always did for me.

Tony flashed another grin my way, nodding once. I tried to return it wholeheartedly, but fuck.

Our dad was scheduled to get out mid-next month. The only reason the release date was pushed back was because there was a problem at his facility, but regardless...weeks were all I had left.

Of freedom. Of protection. Of possibly, potentially, life.

Harry reassured me that a restraining order was set in place, as if that were some huge help. It didn't mean shit, though.

The moment my dad steps out of that prison is the day that I become a walking target. I could only wait it out from there.

Until then, I hoped to try and fix the relationship with my brother. With my friends. With everyone that I had to hurt myself before anyone else could. I could try.

Tony and I shared final hugs, before he went on his way. As soon as I got to the kitchen, I saw the person I was looking for.

Jax was leaning over one of the gift baskets with an open bag of pretzels in hand, already. His face was tight with concentration as his mouth loosely spilled curses.

"Muffin," he mumbled, tossing one of the bags to the side. It barely managed to avoid hitting me, but luckily, I moved out of the way. "I need a fucking muffin."

I couldn't stop myself from laughing at him, and his dramatics, though, he had no real reason to be nervous.

At my chortle, his head snapped up, his eyes wide and startled. Whatever expression I was wearing made his own fall somber.

"What?" His jittery eyes skipped down to the pretzels, then back up to me. "Are there crumbs on my face? In my hair? On my shirt?"

In his nervous fit, he started to head for the nearest mirror, but before he could, I pulled him into a hug.

My arms tightened around him until he had no choice, but to give in. His body was rigid at first, but once it clicked, he dropped his chin to the top of my head, whilst his free hand held me to him.

"You okay?" he whispered, stroking my hair. "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have went through the gift baskets, but they're the real expensive kind, and they have the best—"

I sniffed through my laughter, shaking my head. I missed his rambles, him, more than he ever knew.

"You can have all of the gift baskets you want, Jax. I don't care." I shut my eyes, swallowing back tears as the emotions swaddled me up until I was smothered in them. "I hate you. I swear I do. Even if I suck at showing it."

I heard the smile through his voice as he responded. "I love you, too, Mags. So, so much." He kissed the top of my head. "Nothing can even change that, you know that."

I nodded, sniffling again. Even past all of the shit with Luke, with my dad, life in general, this provided at least some relief to the ache in my chest.

When we leaned back, I caught Tony in the corner of my eye, a light small on his face as he watched us.

Jax's expression softened at mine. "You're so hideous when you cry," he teased, swiping at my cheeks. "So, stop it, already."

A chuckle broke free. "You're such an ass." I swiped at my eyes, but tried to remain careful of the eyeshadow. I'd surely have to reapply my mascara in the car, though.

Jax dangled a silly grin at me before it morphed into a smile that said everything. It was giving a number of things at once, but I caught sight of the most important one: that he still loved me. As I did him. That we were still the Norris twins, and he was still my 'eldest' brother. Forever.

By the time we got to the theater, it was overflowing with guests from the outside. Cars were scattered anywhere they could fit, but since Jax was a member, he had his own designated spot, thankfully.

All three of us stuck together through the thick crowd. Tony held Jax's hand, and Jax held his and mine.

By the time we stopped, my ears were ringing from all of the chatter of the building. We were hidden between the curtain, and the crew members space.

"I'm gonna go get my seat by the girls," Tony said to Jax, kissing his cheek. He held him at arms length, an encouraging smile on. "Remember, you were made for this, baby."

"I was made for this," Jax repeated to himself for confirmation. His nervous eyes jumped to Tony. "You're gonna be front and center, right?"

Tony smiled, this time kissing his lips. "I'll be the loudest one out there." Another peck to the lips. "Love you, baby."

"Love you back," Jax called back, his tense expression dying down just a bit to be in use.

Tony squeezed his hand once-more before turning, and walking back to the crowded seats. With the girth of people, he disappeared in a matter of seconds. Thank fuck we all got front row.

After wishing Jax good luck, I started to follow Tony before a hand grabbed at mine from behind. Immediately, I shifted around to face him.

"Can you stay until curtain calls? Please?"

It wasn't even a question.  "You know I will."

On the walk there, I texted Kimberly and Raven to warn them that I'd be a little late. They reassured me that they were already seated, and that they'd save mine.

I gazed at the back of Jax's head, ignoring the stares from the other crew. After a while, I decided to ask, "Jax, should I be back here?"

Jax rolled his eyes. "You're my sister, you go anywhere I go." Just as we made it to his door, he jerked around, sharing a collective glare between all of the onlookers. "Take a fucking picture, why don't ya!"

I chuckled, pushing him back into the room. "Okay, superstar." With a huff, he turned on a swift foot, already fidgety from his nerves as we entered the room.

"Hey," I called out. "You need to chill, okay?"

Jax whipped around, his widened eyes falling on me. "What if I forget—"

"You won't forget shit. You're the best at everything you do, and it's for a reason." With a grip to his shoulders, I gave him a little shake. "You always have been, and it sure as hell doesn't stop now, you hear me?"

"Okay, okay...you're right." He bit into his lip, his eyes darting over the floorboards. As soon as they returned to mine, they were back in its original state of fear. "Unless you're not."

Shit. He was beginning to hyperventilate. "No. Jax, hey—"

A big hand swept over his panicked face. "I'm gonna fuck up—"

I slapped him as hard as I could, across the face. The red imprint burned into his skin, as well as the shock.

"Hey!" His big eyes jumped to me. "Jax! You've been doing theatre for years. You've been practicing for this for hours on end. You've been at every single rehearsal. You've read those damn lines so much that even I know them, now!" When his lips parted, I shook him harder this time. "You're going to take your ass out there, you're going to wear your confidence on a sleeve the way I know you can, and you're going to make these motherfuckers your bitch, you hear me?"

It was angering me that he didn't see his potential. There was way too much of it to go unnoticed.

Jax heaved in a sigh, nodding so hard, his cheeks shook. "Make these motherfuckers my bitch. Okay. Okay." His eyes darted to mine, squinting at me in all seriousness. "Slap me, again."

I slapped him, again, this time harder than the last. The imprint only deepened, but he didn't seem to mind.

"I got this," he whispered before boosting his voice, "I fucking got this." With a mutter of encouragement, he swept right by me to get to the door.

I smacked him on the shoulder. "Hell fucking yeah you do." The door rattled as he slammed it behind him. I chuckled at it. "You got this."

I would wait here until he was dressed and in costume, just in case he needed another pep talk. I didn't want to abandon him, and risk his nerves getting the best of him. Afterwards, I'd head out to the girls.

Against the wall, I proved myself up, and pulled my phone out. As soon as I glanced over the screen, my stomach fell with disappointment.

There were texts from Kimberly and Raven, who were telling me that they were seated with Kade and Levi, but none from Luke. The one who I was looking for before all else.

I hated myself for it. I didn't want him here because I'd hate the confrontation, but I didn't not want him here, because it meant that he didn't care.

If there were no texts, though, it meant that he didn't care.

I wondered what he was doing, right now. My mind could only resort to the worst of the worst the longer the questions lingered.

I wondered if he even cared to remember the play at all. If he were out, drunk or high, and fucking some other girl in the very bed that he had me in. If he were feeling regret, or anger at what he did. If he were even sad about it.

Suddenly, I struggled to fall back on another breath. I didn't want it to hurt, and I didn't want it at all, but it was there, anyway. I couldn't deny its existence when it came at me the way it did.

The door thumped against the wall in a smack. My head snapped up in shock.

Jax was standing in the threshold, a defeated expression on. His skin had gone pale from whatever he had experienced outside of this rim.

"Jax," I leaned up from the wall. "What's wrong?"

"Maria," he rushed out, voice shaky. "Maria called in sick. She can't make it. And, the extra is her sister, but she has to take care of her, and—" he paused, grasping his chest. "I can't breathe, Maggie. Fuck—"

"Hold on." I grasped him by the arms to keep him still. "She only has one scene, though. You guys can't just leave it out, or switch it—"

His eyes swept over my figure as if I had two heads on it. "No one knows her part. And, even if they did, everyone has to be on stage at her scene. It has to be perfect, and it can't be unless...unless..." His eyes raised to mine.

I tilted my head at him. "Unless what?"

His eyes slowly widened at me. "Unless you take her role."

My eyes widened to the size of saucers. "What?!"

"You heard me," he expressed, shaking me by the shoulders, now. "You literally just said that you've seen me rehearse so many times, you know the lines as well as I do!"

Curse me, and my big ass mouth.

"What?" I shrugged, faking innocence. "No, I didn't. I don't even know what this play is about. In fact, I don't even know why I'm here—"

"Mags, it's literally one line! It's the ending credit, though, so we can't go without it."

"Are you kidding me?" I exclaimed back, my skin flushed red. "There are hundreds of people out there, Jax! I'm not doing this."

I turned to walk away, but Jax brought me right back.

"So?" he shot back. "Fuck them. You remember what you just told me?"

"Don't use your fake positivity bullshit on me!"

Jax groaned, his head rolling back on his shoulders. "You told me to make them my bitch, Maggie. Now, it's your turn!"

"No. No." I shook my head roughly. "I'm not doing this."

I could hear the crowd all the way from here. There were so many people, so many eyes and observers. I couldn't do it, whether it be one line or ten.

Jax threw his arms into the air. "I'm doing it!"

I had to refrain from smacking him, again. "That's because you're an entertainer, you idiot! I can't even stand in front of fifteen people for a three minute fucking presentation!"

"This won't be three minutes, though! Only like thirty seconds!" he argued. "Maggie, please! If we don't, the play will be cancelled."

"Don't guilt-trip me, Jax." I scrubbed at my face with my hands, regardless of the makeup. "Don't you dare."

"Please," he continued, treading after me. "I'll buy you all of the shots you want, tonight."

I hated him. "Jax."

His pleading eyes drew mine in. He knew the perfect look to always milk me in. He was giving his best performance now, his gaze following over me for a decision.

With a sigh, my head fell as I grumbled, "You owe me the entire fucking menu tonight, Jax."

His grin lit up as he leaped toward me, nearly knocking me against the wall. "I'll get you the whole bar for this." I scowled as he kissed at my head. "Thank you, thank you—"

"Oh, cut the kiss-ass shit, you little menacing, evil bastard," I snapped over him, agitated. "Let's just get it over with, already."

Jax nodded hurriedly, taking me by the hand and dragging me from the safety of the room.

I cursed him, and his giddiness, continuing to grumble along, even as the crew passed me around for hugs and thanks. I should have taken Jax up on the offer to stay the hell home.

Maria's dress fit snug with my curves, but we made it work. Since the lighting would be so dark, no one would notice the difference in between the original actress, and me. I was only doing this for Jax, though, so I didn't much care.

Soon, we were by the curtains. The lights had already been dimmed, but I could still the silhouette of Jax's face.

"Okay," he breathed out, jerking around to face me. "You got this, okay?"

Even though he was the lead, he was still reassuring me, despite me having one little line. It was comedic, but just as sweet, too.

Despite my frustration at the night, my lips lifted into an encouraging smile. I pushed him by the shoulder, playfully, earning his laugh.

"Break a leg." My smile lit up. "I wanna sign a cast or two by the time you're done."

His grin confirmed that wish. Not even a second later, he glazed it over with a cool expression, his entire façade shifting to a dramatic tone. I held my breath with him as he pulled the curtain to the side.

I couldn't stop myself from peeking through after him. I expected the lot of people, but shit.

There wasn't a seat that was vacant, and with the lighting, it all appeared a goldish-red blob of color. From here, it appeared as if they were all stacked up on one another, but with the space and layout of the building, they still appeared comfortable.

In the first row, I caught sight of my friends, and Tony, who were all watching Jax with dazzling grins and looks of pride. I had texted them the change of plans, so that they were aware of my absence.

Just as I swept my eyes over the crowd one last time, I went to the side of Kimberly and Raven, where I saw Kade and Levi, and....

Fuck.

Luke was here.