His to Keep (Carmel Springs Book 4)

Chapter 7

Jax~

I'd done my best to keep my markings limited to where Layne could cover them up because who in the fuck wanted to face a girl's father after sending her home looking used?

Not me.

Walking into the hardware store, I knew that I didn't have much time, but this was too important to put off. At least, it was to me.

With no one at the counter, I went in search of Mr. Kendall, hoping to run into him before seeing Layne. If I saw Layne, I'd probably get us both fired, and no one needed that headache. Plus, the sooner that I spoke with her father, the sooner she could start staying with me. We could figure out her other job and other living arrangements later.

When I finally found Mr. Kendall, he was cussing at some boxes of concrete hooks. "Problem?"

He turned his head at the sound of my voice, and he immediately lifted his chin. "Jax," he acknowledged.

"Is everything okay?" I asked as I jerked my chin towards the delivery of concrete hooks.

"Just a little mix-up," he answered. "Instead of sending me the three different model numbers that I ordered, I got triple the amount of just one model." Straightening, he eyed me like he'd been expecting me. "But you're not here to listen to my ordering problems, are you?"

Praying that he respected my parents enough not to kill me, I said, "Layne spent the night at my house last night, but I imagine that you already know that."

"The sound of your truck pulling up early this morning kind of gave it away, Jax," he replied drolly.

"Mr. Kendall, I would have married Layne after high school had she not been so hell bent on chasing her dreams," I told him truthfully. "We'd be married with three kids by now if...if I had just told her the truth about how I felt back then."

"Why didn't you?" he asked, his voice giving nothing away.

"Because her dreams were bigger than her feelings for me back then," I answered. "I'm not even sure if she loves me now, but I love her enough for the both of us right now."

"Why are you telling me this, son?"

"Because I want to marry Layne as soon as she gets settled back in Carmel Springs."

His eyes widened. "Gets settled back in Carmel Springs?"

Well, that made me feel like an asshole.

Straightening, my uniform feeling too small for my frame all of a sudden, I said, "I...laid out certain conditions and expectations before...I would agree to last night."

Fuck, this was embarrassing.

Mr. Kendall's lips twitched a bit, and it was easy to see that the man was trying not to laugh at me. "So, you made Layne promise to respect you in the morning? Is that it?"

"More like I told her that I wasn't going to ever let her go if she chose to stay the night with me," I mumbled, feeling like I was eighteen again.

He gave me a solemn nod. "I see."

Taking in a deep breath, I said, "I love her, Mr. Kendall. I always have, and your blessing would be really appreciated, sir."

The man let out a heavy sigh. "I know, Jax," he replied, and I could feel every muscle in my body relaxing with relief. "Her mother and I have always known it."

"But do you approve?"

"I would have spoken to your father years ago if we didn't, Jax," he stated evenly, and I could only nod with the feeling of respite.