Page 73 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
I look back down at my feet, not knowing what to say, not knowing what to think. What he says seems to make sense, or maybe I just want it to make sense. Because if there is a chance I could keep Faith, then I want her, more than anything, but it also scares the living shit out of me…
Jesus, I hate feeling so fucking conflicted.
Jaxson stands up and claps me on my scarred back. “Just think about it, man. Really think about it and listen to someone who was in the same place as you were, and know I regret it. If I could go back and claim Julia sooner, I would. You have already lost two years with her, don’t let it be any more.”
He starts to walk away. “Oh and one more thing.” I turn back to him. “The acreage down the road from our house is for sale.” My eyes narrow in confusion, wondering why he’s telling me this. He shrugs. “Just in case you wanted to know. It’s a decent size place. Lots of room.” With a not so subtle smirk he walks out.
Turning back around, I drop my head in my hands again and wallow in my turmoil, until I hear someone enter a minute later.
“Holy shit!” I glance back to see Christopher standing not far behind me; his eyes wide with shock as he stares at my mangled back. I let him look for a second before I slowly stand and throw on my shirt.
“What the hell happened?” As soon as he asks the question he quickly shakes his head. “Sorry, never mind. It isn’t my business.”
“It happened in Iraq.” I wait to see if he knows what I’m talking about. I don’t know what Faith has told him, but it’s obvious he knows something.
“Faith?” I nod in confirmation and his eyes narrow as he gets a hard look that I know so well. “They hurt her too?” I don’t respond but let him see the truth in my eyes. “Are they dead?”
“Yes,” I answer honestly.
He nods, seeming happy about that fact. Hell, the kid is more like me than I thought.
“So what am I going to be doing here?” he asks, dropping his gaze and kicking at the ground.
“You’re going to come in everyday after school for three hours. You will clean the locker rooms, make sure the equipment stays clean and sanitized.” He rolls his eyes but I don’t let his attitude deter me. “And if you do everything we ask, without any attitude, I will let you into the ring for the last hour.”
His gaze shoots to mine, his eyes wide and hopeful. “What do you mean? Like you will teach me how to fight?”
I shrug. “If you want me to.”
“Hell yeah I do.”
I nod, knowing that would be his answer. “There will be some conditions first.”
“Like what?” he asks suspiciously.
“Like, the point of it isn’t so you can go and beat the shit out of whoever you want. It’s for you to learn how to control your temper while taking someone down fast and effectively. I’m still really pissed about Faith’s face, all because you lost control, and if it happens again I’m going to kick your ass for it.”
He drops his gaze guiltily. “I know. I didn’t mean for her to get hurt. I would never want that to happen to her. But the guy deserved it…”
“Why? Because he said a bunch of bullshit words to hurt your feelings?” He glares at me, but before he can give me attitude I continue, “Look, there will be times in life where you will need to use your fists, but you have to pick and choose your battles, and having your feelings hurt isn’t one of them.”
He grunts. “Then what is considered warranted?”
“Well for one, if they come at you, fists flying, then you take them down fast and effectively, out of self-defense. Once they’re down that’s it, you leave it alone. Another one would be to protect the people you care about, like your sister or even Faith for that matter. If it comes down to your fists or their safety then you use your fists. But you do not use them because some asshole hurt your feelings. He’s provoking you on purpose, and you will be the one to suffer the consequences, not him, or someone else will suffer, like Faith. And as I said, if that happens again, kid, I’m going to be much more pissed. If you abuse the things I teach you then it stops. Got it?”
He nods, “Yeah, I got it.”
“Good.”
“How did you learn to fight anyway, the Navy?”
“Most of my skills came from the Navy but I also knew how to take care of myself before then.” He waits for me to elaborate so I decide to tell him. “I had an old man like yours. Thankfully, he died when I was young, but my mother still dated assholes.”
He drops his head and shifts uncomfortably. “Well at least your mother stuck around.” I watch his jaw clench, and it’s easy to tell he resents the hell out of his mom for leaving.
“Take it from me, kid, sometimes you’re better off without them.”
Turning around, I close up my locker when I hear him clear his throat. “Can I ask you something else?”
Something in his tone has me turning back to him and I wait for him to ask.
“What are you doing with Faith?” I tense with surprise, not expecting that question. “I mean it’s obvious you guys are more than friends, and it’s even more obvious she cares a lot about you. So I want to know what your intentions are with her.”
I watch him for moment as suspicion rears its ugly head. “What does it matter to you?” Shit, please don’t tell me the kid has some kind of fucking crush on her.
He rolls his eyes, as he’s able to guess where my thoughts are. “Relax, it’s nothing like that.”
I relax instantly. Thank fuck, because I’m not sure how I would have dealt with that. I remain silent and wait for him to explain, which he does. “She’s done a lot for both my sister and me. And like I already said, it’s clear she cares a lot about you, I don’t want to see her get hurt. If anyone does hurt her, I’ll kick their ass. Even if it’s yours.”
