Page 77 of Fighting Temptation (Men of Honor 1)
Vince smirks arrogantly, “The bitch shouldn’t be behind the fucking wheel. She can’t drive worth a shit.”
Cooper starts walking over to him but since I’m right beside him I get up in his face first. “Hey! Don’t you talk about my Grams like that!”
He glares at me and leans in to my face but before he gets a chance to say anything I get reefed back and Vince vanishes before my eyes.
Big hands steady me when I go careening back, I look over my shoulder to see Cade. “Thanks,” I say shakily. He nods and then I hear something shatter. I look back to see it’s the beer bottle that Vince had. It smashed to the ground when Jaxson knocked it out of his hand and slammed him up against the house.
“I don’t know who the hell you are, but if you don’t get the fuck off this property in 10 seconds, by the time I’m done with you, you won’t be able to remember your own fucking name.”
You can tell Vince is considering his options. He’s a big guy and since he’s a bouncer I’m sure he can handle himself well. But he’s no match for Jaxson. I think he realizes this as well when he looks around at all the guys.
“No problem man, just let me get my girl and we’re out of here.”
Jaxson releases him but stays close. I look over to see Katelyn crying.
“Let’s go!” Vince barks out starting over to her.
I run up and grab her arm before he can reach her. “No! She’s staying here with us.” Katelyn looks at me in surprise, but holds my hand firmly, showing me she wants to stay.
“I don’t think so bitch, so you better…oomph”
Jaxson brings his knee up in Vince’s gut, making him double over.
“Time’s up asshole.”
“I’m not leaving without my girl,” Vince wheezes out painfully.
Cooper looks over to Katelyn, “Do you want to leave with him Katelyn?”
She looks nervously at Vince. I squeeze her hand for encouragement. She stands up straighter and squares her shoulders, “No I don’t. Leave Vince and don’t contact me again.”
“You heard her. Time to go,” Cooper walks up to Vince’s other side and helps Jaxson drag him out.
Katelyn walks over to Grams, “I’m so sorry Miss Margaret. I tried to tell him to stop. I feel even more terrible now knowing it was you.”
Gram hugs her, “It’s alright dear, you have nothing to be sorry about. He is responsible for his own actions.”
Katelyn looks over to me now, “I’m sorry Julia, I didn’t mean to ruin anyone’s night.”
I smile, “You didn’t. I’m glad you stayed.”
“Me too,” Kayla says walking over and giving her a hug.
“And me,” Grace says following Kayla’s hug.
“And me,” Sawyer walks up hugging them all.
Everyone laughs. It’s the one thing I love most about Sawyer he can break tension and make everyone smile while doing it. I look over to see Jaxson and Cooper at the back door. Jaxson’s looking at me with an expression I can’t decipher. But when I give him a small smile, he returns one of his own.
God I really love him.
Later that evening, after everyone left, Sawyer and Cade decided to stay and have another beer with Jaxson. Sawyer asked if I wanted to join them but I politely declined. I was exhausted from the day’s events. Actually I had found myself the last few days feeling exceptionally tired.
I hope I’m not coming down with something.
Jaxson’s sitting at the kitchen table when I walk over and wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m off to bed, I’m exhausted.”
His hand strokes the inside of my bare leg sending goosebumps to break out over my skin. “I’ll be up after this,” he says holding up his beer.
I lean down and kiss him, “That’s fine, take your time.” I walk over to Sawyer and Cade, giving them both a hug, “Good night boys. Take that left-over pie.”
Sawyer kisses my cheek when I give him a hug, “Night Jules thanks for having us.”
Jaxson kicks the bottom of his chair, “Lips to yourself asshole.”
I giggle and shake my head on the way out.
As I’m getting on my shorts and tank for bed I realize I left my cell down in the kitchen. Wanting to text Katelyn before bed I make my way downstairs. Half-way down I catch glimpses of the guys conversation.
“I can’t hold the Admiral off anymore Jaxson. We need to make a decision and we need to make one now, are we going to help with this rescue mission or not?” I freeze at the bottom of the stairs, Sawyer’s words filling me with dread.
“Christ! I don’t know, I mean natural instinct is telling me yes we need to go help, but after what happened… to willingly walk back in to what we just came out of? I just, I don’t know… Cade, what do you want to do?”
“Like I said, I’ll do whatever you guys want.”
Not being able to listen to one more word I storm into the kitchen shaking with hurt and anger, “How can any of you even consider this!?” They all swing their heads in surprise at my entrance.
“Fuck!” Jaxson says shaking his head.
I stomp closer to him, “What are you thinking!? Haven’t you been through enough? Haven’t you all been through enough!?” angry tears prick my eyes.
Jaxson reaches out to me, “Calm down baby, come here. We haven’t decided…”
I step back before he can grab me, “No! How could you keep this from me? What else are you hiding?”
“Damn it Julia, nothing. You’re over-reacting.”
“The hell I am! You promised! You promised me you wouldn’t leave again! You lied to me!”
Before I completely lose it in front of them all, I run back upstairs to my room. Slamming my door, I crawl in bed and curl in a ball. The thought of Jaxson leaving again- and possibly getting hurt or worse- breaks something in me, something that I may never get back… my heart.
“Well fuck me!” I stand up slamming my chair into the wall.
