Page 56 of Fighting Temptation (Men of Honor 1)
I look over across the diner and my stomach drops when I see Ray Jennings, Wyatt’s dad. Jaxson notices my tension and follows my gaze.
He grabs my face, forcing my eyes to his, “Don’t worry about it.”
I nod and open the menu, chewing my nails nervously.
“What?” Sawyer asks looking over at Ray.
“Later,” Jaxson says, ending the topic. Sawyer can tell the seriousness of it, so he lets it go.
Grace comes speeding over with her head down trying to find her pad of paper, “Hi y’all sorry about the wait. What can I…” she looks up and notices me, “Julia, hi,” she says with a sweet smile.
“Hi Grace,” I say getting up, giving her a hug.
Her smile vanishes and her eyes go wide when she looks over at Cade and Sawyer.
I smile because I totally get it.
“Grace this is Sawyer and Cade. They’re friends of Jaxson’s from the Navy. Guys this is my good friend Grace.”
“Hi,” she says waving shyly, her cheeks pink.
Cade gives her his typical greeting by nodding his head. Of course Sawyer lays on the charm.
“Well hi there Grace, nice outfit,” he says winking at her.
She looks down at her uniform dress then frowns at Sawyer, “Thanks… What can I get y’all to drink?”
“Sweet tea for me please,” she smiles at me knowingly when I order my usual.
Everyone else gives their order. When she walks away to fill her drink I notice Sawyer’s gaze follow her, his brow is furrowed like he’s deep in thought.
Jaxson starts chuckling, “What’s wrong Evans, losing your touch?”
“I don’t know, that’s never happened to me before,” he says seriously.
Jaxson looks smug, “Well there’s a first time for everything.”
Grace comes back and takes our order, in all the chaos she doesn’t glance at Sawyer once and I can tell it bothers him. Hmmm this could get interesting…
“So the Admiral got a hold of me, he’s wondering why you aren’t answering his calls?”
I feel Jaxson tense, “Not now Sawyer.” It’s the first time I’ve heard Jaxson refer to Sawyer by his first name.
I look over at him and feel annoyed that he doesn’t want to talk about it in front of me, I’m wondering what he’s keeping something from me…
I snap out of it quickly though when I see Ray Jennings make his way over to us. I grab Jaxson’s arm nervously while Ray glares at me. I hate confrontations.
He comes to stand right beside Jaxson, since he’s on the outside, but he only looks at me. “Well Miss Julia, I can’t say I’m surprised, disappointed maybe, but not surprised.”
“Ya well no one asked you asshole, so get the fuck out of here.”
Ray ignores Jaxson, “I tried to tell my son you are who you hang out with but he assured me you had enough class to be seen with him. I’m sad he had to learn the hard way.”
Jaxson tenses and goes to get up but I tighten my hold on his arm, “He’s trying to goad you, don’t take the bait.”
Ray smiles smugly when Jaxson listens to me, “I remember your mother Julia, she too was so beautiful. I can only imagine the disappointment she feels from beyond the grave.”
Before his words can even register Jaxson is out of the booth and has Ray by the lapels of his expensive suit. Sawyer and Cade both stand and flank him.
Oh lord!
“I told you to get the fuck out of here…”
“Jaxson stop!” I stand up and try to pull him back. We didn’t get the charges dropped by Wyatt just so Ray can go and press them.
“Listen to her son, you don’t want to mess with me, remember who I am.”
Jaxson leans in close to Ray’s face looking deadly, “Wrong dickhead, you don’t want to fuck with me! I’m trained to kill with my bare hands. I also know what to do with your body so no one would find you, so don’t fucking tempt me. You and your crazy son better stay away from Julia or you will find out exactly what trash like me is capable of.”
Ray is trying to look smug but I can see the fear in his eyes, he knows Jaxson’s serious.
“Julia, should I call Cooper?” Grace asks timidly.
I’m thinking it’s best. But before I can tell her ‘yes’ Ray jumps in.
“That isn’t necessary sweetheart, I was just leaving.”
I put my hand gently on Jaxson’s arm, “Let him go Jaxson, he’s not worth it.”
“I mean it, you leave her the fuck alone,” Jaxson warns as he steps away.
Ray gives a smug smile as he fixes his suit and walks out the door.
“Jesus who the fuck was that asshole?” Sawyer asks.
“Ray Jennings, he’s on the town council. I had to put a restraining order on his son,” I say shakily.
“Town council? The way that arrogant prick talked I thought he was the President of the United States.”
All of us snicker and laugh, well except Jaxson. Leave it to Sawyer to lighten the mood.
Once we sit back down Jaxson turns to me, “You alright?” he asks softly, leaning his forehead on mine.
I give him a nod.
“You know what he said about your mom is bullshit right?”
I smile softly, “Ya I do.”
“Good,” he presses a hard kiss to my forehead.
I really love it when he does that.
“Alright, here is your food, sorry for the wait,” Grace says laying the plates out in front of everyone. “Can I get y’all another drink?”
I shake my head, “No I’m alright, thank you.”
“I will,” Sawyer says with a charming smile, one Grace misses because she doesn’t look at him. Again this seems to bother Sawyer, actually he’s looking kind of pissed off. It’s a weird look for him since I’ve always seen him laughing and joking around.
Afterwards the guys leave Grace a generous tip, one she tries refusing but eventually accepts due to Jaxson’s demand. I hug Grace before I walk out the door, saying I’ll see her Saturday. I’m hoping Kayla will still be up for it after tomorrow night. If not we can have a girls’ night watching movies and pig-out on junk food.
