Lyndley Read Online Free PDF Page B

statement knocks the breath out of me. He feels them, too? Maybe I'm not as crazy as I think.  
    He continues to walk us up the hill, sliding a few times. At one point, we almost go tumbling down the hill again. By the time we get close enough to the top, Tate grabs Jax’s hand, helping us up.  
    "Hey, Lynd. You okay?" Tate asks with an odd expression, almost like he doesn't know whether or not to be nice to me.  
    "Yes. Thank you for helping,” I state quietly. He just nods and hands Jax a bottle of water. He takes it and pours some over my leg, gently cleaning the mud off the huge lump on the side of my shin. Every time his fingers touch it, I want to cry.  
    "Shit, Lyn. This looks bad,” he murmurs, and I wince as he runs his hand over the bump. "Sorry, babe,” he says. "Come on. Let’s go get you cleaned up." I nod and he picks me back up, walking me to his truck.  
    "Jax, no! I'm muddy!" I yelp.  
    He just laughs and sets me on the front seat. "I can clean the truck. It's fine."  
    Once Jax and Tate get in, the atmosphere is really tense. I can tell that something is bothering Tate, but he doesn't say anything. Finally breaking the tension, I say, "Tate, it’s obvious you know what I kept from Jax, so why don't you just say what you want to say. I'm a big girl. I can handle it." I look over at Jax, who is looking in the rearview mirror at Tate.
    "What I don't get is why you didn't tell Jax about having a daughter. You leaving was selfish enough. Why would you do that to him?” he sneers.  
    I try not to take offense. Before I can say anything, Jax looks at me. "Lynnie, you don't have to explain yourself to him.” He looks back in the rearview mirror. “Don't be such an asshole, Tate."
    “It’s okay, Jax.” I turn and face Tate. "I know you may never understand why I did it, but I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. The day Jax told me he was staying because his father needed him, I knew things weren't going to be the same. I couldn't stay. I knew I would come back eventually, but I never counted on getting pregnant and losing her. I was ashamed that I couldn't even bring a baby into this world, and I was too young to make the right decision on my own. I regret that I never told Jax. He was right when he told me I am the reason he missed out on his daughter’s life, but there is nothing I can do to change that."
    Tears start falling down my face. "I couldn't get out of bed for months. I was so angry, I shut myself off from everyone and everything. After a few months, my roommate forced me to go to group counseling. After a while, I was able to live a little again."
    By the time I finish, we have pulled up in front of Jax’s house. Tate gets out of the truck and slams the door, walking into the house. Jax gets out of the truck, making his way to my side and opens the door. “Lyndley, you don’t owe Tate anything,” he whispers, staring into my eyes.  
    Licking my lips, I can’t help but feel the fire burn like it always has for him. “I know. Part of that was for your benefit, too. I know you feel like I kept it from you on purpose, but I didn’t. I just didn’t know how to come to terms with what happened, and I couldn’t bear the thought of having to tell you. I love you way too much to ever let you go through something like that.”  
    I take a deep breath, he leans his forehead on mine. “I am pissed as fuck at you, Lynnie, but I still love you way too much to hate you.”  
    Sighing, his shoulders drop. I can see how much this is affecting him. “Come on. Let’s go clean you off so we can get a better look at your leg.”  
    He picks me up and carries me into the house. I can see the anger in Tate’s expression as we walk by him, but Jax just ignores it. “Jax, I’m gonna go start on the chores. Come find me when you’re ready to work,” he sneers, walking out the door.
    “Ignore him,” Jax says with a frown.  
    As he walks me into the