More than friends, less than partners. And all of this because Jax didn't want to admit that he was really into you.

And why? It's not like he wanted to hide it from the others. Everyone at the circus knew you two liked each other. In fact, Jax was really changing because of you. He's still a jerk sometimes, but less so since you arrived at the circus.

He's just scared. Scared of getting too emotional, of getting hurt again. But to make life worth living, you have to get hurt, every now and then.

—

The two of you were talking, trying to start a conversation about your relationship. You needed it. It was confusing, this secretive relationship you had. But Jax wasn't helping at all. And he ended up saying things that hurt you.

"I'd rather lie than say I'm in love with you," he said, blurting it out. Was that what he really thought?

No, it wasn't. Despite everything, despite all the facades Jax tried to build, in the end he was just a scared bunny, prey to his own feelings, which stalked him like predators.