Filed to story: Breathe Story (Sadie White & Jax Stone)
I sighed and sat up a little straighter. “I’m mature for my age, Jax, not blind.”
He laughed and reached back into the compartment over the seat. “As much as I like the idea of you being unable to take your eyes off of me, I don’t want to draw attention, so how’s this?” He slipped into an old, faded blue, jean jacket. It covered up his impressive body.
“Better,” I assured him, as the large utility vehicle came to a stop.
Jax slid the glass wall back down. “Kane, don’t open our doors and go park in the parking lot. I want to appear normal, so just hang out at the car.”
Kane frowned, and nodded.
“Let’s go shop.”
Jax jumped out, took my hand, and I stepped out behind him. We walked in silence to the grocery store entrance. Suddenly, nerves assaulted me. What if people recognized him and bombarded him. I didn’t want his attempt at being nice to be ruined by crazy teenage fans. We entered the store, and I looked back to see Kane following behind us. He stopped and stood outside the large glass window. Apparently, he would be standing guard in case of a mad rush of fans. I should have figured the large giant doubled as a bodyguard.
“Where to first?” Jax asked, grinning when he pulled out a shopping cart as we walked in.
“You seem really excited about shopping for food,” I whispered, not wanting anyone around us to hear me.
“I haven’t been in a grocery store since I was a kid hanging on my mom’s cart, begging for Big League Chew.”
I pitied the little boy inside who missed things as simple as grocery stores. “Well, then, let’s make this memorable. If you’re good, I will buy you some Big League Chew.”
“They still make it?”
I shrugged. “Sure, this is the South, Jax. Things don’t change here often. Time kind of stands still.”
He nodded in agreement. “I know, it’s part of the reason I love it here. No one is in a hurry.”
I walked ahead of him, and he followed behind me with the cart. I was a little embarrassed when I realized he would witness my bargain shopping. I hadn’t thought of the fact he would see me worrying over the cost of bread. I couldn’t get out of this now. I might as well swallow my pride and get what I needed. I reached for the store brand loaf of bread. I didn’t want to face him, but I knew he watched me. I walked over to the cold meats and grabbed the deli shredded roast beef Jessica adored. I hated wasting money on such expensive meat, but if I didn’t, I would be forced to hear Jessica whine for a week.
A loud whisper came from behind us, “No, Mama, I know it’s him!” and I turned to see a little girl about the age of nine, studying Jax.
He smiled at her, and her face lit up. She left her mother’s side and her mother reached out to grab her arm but missed. “I’m sorry, she’s convinced you’re Jax Stone.”
Jax only smiled and shrugged, and then he squatted down to her level. “Hello,” he said in a voice I swear could melt butter.
“You’re Jax Stone, aren’t you?”
He glanced up at the mom and back down at the girl and put his finger over his mouth. “Yes, I am, but can you keep it our secret?”
Her little face lit up, and she grinned from ear to ear. The mother appeared stunned. Jax reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a card. “Here, this has my contact number and email address on it. Do you have a pen on you, Sadie?”
I was as mesmerized as the little girl. It took me a second to register what he asked. I grabbed my backpack, pulled out a pen, and handed it to him. He signed it and asked her name.
“Megan Jones,” she replied.
He pulled out another card and wrote her name on it. “Now, Megan, get your mom to call my agent. He will be expecting a call from a Megan Jones. I am going to be stopping in Pensacola, Florida, on my tour this fall, and this will get you a backstage pass and front row seats.”
The little girl began to squeal, and Jax put his finger over his lips again. She nodded vigorously and covered her mouth.
“Just keep my secret about being here, all right?”