Page 51 of Fine, Dork

Ouch. Sasha was fucking brutal. I could feel my face getting hot and every muscle in Jaxon’s body tensing. What was he going to do about the serious shade his mom just threw at both of us?

“Mom, shut the hell up.” Jaxon’s voice was low and barely audible but laced with a dangerous rage.

Whoa. Not what I was expecting.

Sasha’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes bulged. “Excuse me?”

Jaxon laughed, but there was no joy behind it. This laugh was as dangerous as the anger that simmered in his words. “I’m fucking thrilled with my life choices at the moment. I have a fulfilling and engaging job, and I have a girlfriend that makes me happy and loves me for me. I’m done trying to fit into this toxic family and bullshit expectations, so you all have a nice night.” Jaxon slid his arm from my waist and gripped my hand. “And don’t ever insult Kinley again.”

“Jaxon!” Sasha hissed. “I am appalled at your behavior! You’re acting like a spoiled child!” Her eyes darted around the room. “Where’s your father? When he hears about this, he’s going to––“

Tyson cleared his throat. “Dad’s not here yet.”

Jaxon scoffed. “Dad can go fuck himself. So can you, mom. I’m going to go live my life and be happy.” With that, Jaxon turned and tugged on my arm. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the bewildered look on Tyson and Chandler’s faces and the fury on Sasha’s, but Jaxon kept his eyes forward as we walked.

I gave my boyfriend a sideways glance as we walked to his car. “Holy shit. That was hot, and I’m so turned on right now. No one has ever stood up for me like that. You stood up for yourself, too, and I’m so damn proud!”

Without warning, Jaxon stopped and pulled me against his body. He buried his hands in my hair and gave me a heated kiss. “I’m so sorry, K.”

I gazed into his storm-ridden blue eyes. “Baby, don’t be. You were amazing in there.” I pulled his face back down to mine and pressed my lips into his.

Jaxon broke the kiss and gave me a half-smile. “I’m going to ask you one more time, do you want to run away with me?”

I laughed and ran my fingers down the side of his face. “Sure, J. Home is wherever you are.”

Jaxon closed his eyes and pressed my hand against his lips. When his eyes opened again, the storm was gone. “You’re my home, too.”

Jaxon’s phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket, scoffed, and silenced it. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

I bit my lip. “I mean, the cocktail shrimp in there were calling my name, but you told your mom to fuck off before we could eat. Do you think we could sneak back in and grab a few?”

“Funny.” J rolled his eyes and unlocked his car. He pulled open the passenger side door for me. “I want street tacos. You want street tacos?”

“Yes, please, and margaritas.” I climbed into his car and watched him while he drove. Was he okay? He was acting so calm now, but he had to be pissed. I was fucking pissed! Why the hell did his family treat him like that? I would lose my mind if my parents were like his. “J, are you okay?”

He glanced over at me as he pulled up to a red light. “I’m fine, K.”

“I’m sorry about your family.” I bit my lip. He always seemed to get in the worst fights with his parents when I was around. Shiiit. Would he fit in fine with his family if it weren’t for me? “Jaxon, you didn’t have to tell them we’re dating. I love that you’re proud to be with me, but I’m starting to think that things would have been a hell of a lot easier for you with your family if you’d never met me.”

“Stop, K. Some people are born into a place where they belong. I fucking wasn’t, and I’ve come to terms with it. It’s okay.” He rested his hand on my knee. “I found my place, though.”

I laced my fingers through his and smiled. “I just don’t want to make your life harder, J. I’ve hurt you so many times, mostly without knowing, but still… I want to be the thing that lifts you up and makes your life better.”

“You are, K.” He pulled my hand up to his lips and kissed it. “So, how does your family feel about us dating?” he asked as he pulled up to one of our favorite food trucks.

“Oh my mom is ecstatic. She was like, ‘Oh. My. Gawd. Jaxon is adorable! I was worried about you for a minute there, Kinley, but Jaxon, he’s good for you.’ So, I don’t know. It looks like it’s pretty unanimous that I’m the lucky one and you got the short end of the stick.”

Jaxon laughed and leaned forward to kiss my nose. “You’re the one that’s good for me. I’m the lucky one.”

“And that’s true love, baby. When you both think you’re the lucky one.” Maybe I’d never stop thinking that Jaxon was too good for me. Maybe the entire damn world would go on thinking that forever, but as long as J felt lucky to have me by his side, then we’d be okay.

28

Jaxon

The morning after my brother’s shitty engagement party, I woke to ten missed calls and about a hundred angry text messages from my parents. I tossed my phone on my nightstand and rolled over to pull Kinley into my arms. I kissed her bare shoulder and reveled in the warmth of her body next to mine.

“Hey.” She turned over and gave me a sleepy smile. “How are you feeling?” Kinley brushed the hair from my forehead and gazed into my eyes.

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