Chapter 36: Setting Boundaries

Jaxon's POV:

I was on the last flight of stairs, when the voices reached me. Evan was saying something I couldn't make out but I could tell she didn't sound happy. Not one bit!

“What do you mean you rehearse here?” Evan was saying, as I descended the last of the stairs. I caught sight of Evan leaning against the door, which was barely opened by an inch, making it difficult to see past her. But of course, I knew who she was talking to.

I walked over to them and when I was a few inches from her, I called over her shoulder. “What's going on?”

Evan looked up, startled. “There's an artist here, who claims you let her use this place for rehearsals. Which I personally think is absurd!”

Really?

I lifted an eyebrow at her with a frown.

Since when did my decisions require her opinion? If anything was absurd here. She was, really.

“Let her in.” I commanded.

“What?” Her eyes shot at me with surprise.

“You heard me.”

“But…” She tried to argue

“I don't need your permission on who comes and goes in my house.” I snapped cutting her off. “Let them in. Now!”

I exaggerated authority on the last word and watched as her face flushed while she stepped out of the way and sulkily retreated back to her room.

I made for the door and held it wide-open, catching my breath as I caught sight of Laura standing in the corridor, with Ryan and her band flanking both sides of her.

Her long hair was let loose and fell to her shoulders gracefully and just something about that made it sensual. Too appealing.

I swallowed hard. “Ugh, please come in.”

Did she have to always look hotter than the way I remembered her to be everytime? Huh?

“I'm sorry you had to see that.” I added, apologizing and squeezing out a smile.

She nodded and made to walk past me. Once she was just few inches from me, she muttered. “Although, she has a point though. I don't see why I have to come here at all.”

My smile wavered. I sucked in the air left in the small space between us, that was already filled with her perfume.

“What she thinks or says doesn't matter.”

“I bet what anyone says to you really matters.” She shot back.

Were we still doing this bickering at each other thingy?

“Of course it doesn't, once you don't have the power to make it happen. It's totally useless.” And a perfect example was her, here. Just inches from me after so many attempts at running off. The world revolved around those who had the power, and if you didn't hold any power. You are nothing more than just a pawn to those who did!

Straightening her spine, she marched away without any further word, Her band members queued after her and in no time, they disappeared from sight, inside the glass walls of my patio.

I gave the door a violent yank, slamming it firmly back in place. The whole house shuddered from the impact and that kind of relieved a bit of the anger that had welled up in me. I pushed myself through the hall, my footsteps thundering on the hard tile as I made for Evan's room.

Why the fuck did she pull that off today? What's fucking wrong with her?

What's her problem?

Oh, shit!

I couldn't pin my hands on any reasons why she had to answer my door and harass my guest, but one thing I was going to pin down on her once I saw her were Rules. god fucking rules!

If she was going to be staying in my house for these three days, she was going to leave By. My. Rules.

I raised a fist and pounded hard on her room. Sorry mine, well whatever. But that made my second knock less forceful.

On the third knock, my hand was still raised and swinging in the air, when the door was pulled open.

Evan stared at me through the gap, her gaze holding a question she couldn't dare to ask with her mouth.

“We need to talk.” I spat, and “Now!”

She studied my face curiously, while I pulled every ounce of willpower in me to try to look calm.

“Alright, come in.”

She threw the door open fully and retreated back inside. I followed her into the room.

She hoisted herself on the bed, next to a heap of disheveled duvet and bed linens. I took one sweep at the room before locking my gaze on her.

“What do you want to talk about?” She asked pulling a pillow over her lap.

I drew in two rapid breaths and lifted a hand pointed towards the door: the living room. “Why the fuck did you do that?”

She arched an eyebrow, feigning confusion. “Do what?”

Don't fucking mess with me.

“Why the fuck did you do that?” I snapped, whispering in a harsh voice which I was sure was carried through the house as loudly as a shout would.

She pressed her lips together firmly and held my gaze unflinching.

“I did that, because I know you don't allow strangers into your home.” She declared fiercely.

“What?”

Did I hear right?

I stood there staring at her for a split second not knowing what to do with her.

“Don't ever try that again.” I said finally.

“Why?”

“Because I said so.” I barked. “You don't have the right to answer my door or to dismiss my visitors when you're just a visitor yourself!”

Her eyes could have fallen out of their sockets, if that was ever possible. “Really?” She called in small voice.

“Yes, really.” I snapped, ignoring the ache in my chest.

Her mouth slackened, she towed off the pillow and pulled herself to her full height and stared straight into my eyes.

“Are you really breaking me off, Jax.”

I groaned. Didn't I already say so?

“Yes, and you should know your boundaries if you're going to be here. You seriously need to.”

She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, before answering. “Okay, then.”

“Good.” I turned away.

Two steps to the door. I reached out to grab the door knob, when her voice suddenly halted me in place.

“Are you doing this because of that Artist?”

I gulped. My mind drumming its way to my ear.

How did she find out?

She couldn't have?

I looked over my shoulder at her. “Just stay out of my affairs.”

With that, I flung the door open and walked out.

“singers like her are just using you for fame..”

Slam!

Another shudder as the aftershock of the door reverberated through the house, swallowing her hysterical shouting and yelling.

I knew I was courting trouble by letting Evan stay here and I had never been more right. I should have gotten her a hotel space or some place far off.

So much for being a good prick!

I marched through the hallway and soon fell into the embrace of a soulful music coming out from the patio. It was different from the usual warm and lively kick.

This one was sad. Like the singer. Like me, like the whole damn world.

I stood at the door for minutes, just staring at it with trepidation. Sharing the sorrow in Laura's voice, the ache in each pitch and that made me undecided..

Should I go in?

Should I not?

I clenched my fist.

Was I ready or was I not?

I shook my head. No, I wasn't. Wasn't sure if I was ready to go in. To be with her.

I turned around and walked away.

Away from everything.