Page 31 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
His easy demeanor suddenly vanishes, and his eyes narrow suspiciously. “You’re going to give me your iPod to take home?”
“Yes,” I answer slowly, wondering what I said wrong. He shakes his head and he mutters something I can’t understand… Oookay, so maybe no iPod then.
I decide to change the subject, and try to get him back in a good mood again. “I’m going to be starting a Friday night youth group when the church opens. You should come. There will be…”
He interrupts me with a bitter laugh, “No, I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
He looks at me like I’m a total idiot. “Face it, Faith, this isn’t the kind of place where I fit in.”
“What do you mean? Of course you would fit in. All the kids are around your age, and I know you probably think I’m not cool but I can assure you, once you get to know me I’m actually pretty. Darn. Cool.” I say the last few words slowly while nodding.
He doesn’t smile like I had hoped for him to. His eyes narrow suspiciously again. “Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Why are you being nice to me?”
I rear back in shock by his question. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because, in the entire year that I have been here, no one else ever has.” My heart literally breaks at hearing that. “They only see what they think they know.”
“And what is it they think they know?” I ask quietly, a little scared to hear his answer.
“That I’m the bad guy. That when anything bad happens in this town or the school, they automatically blame me.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you are here because you were blamed for something you didn’t do?” If that turns out to be the case I need to talk to Cooper.
“Oh no. I definitely punched that guy out, but he deserved it. I’m tired of the people in this town running their mouths because I don’t have the money they do, or because of who I come from.”
I tread carefully with my next question, wanting him to continue talking to me. “Who is it you come from?”
He looks at me, surprised. “What, you haven’t heard about my old man yet? Well that explains it then. Just wait, you will, and when you do you will be just like the rest of them.”
I shake my head. “No, I won’t, because I don’t care who you come from.”
“Whatever,” he mumbles, not believing me.
“It’s true. Christopher, if…”
“Look, forget I said anything all right? Let’s just get back to work so I can get out of here.”
I let out a defeated breath, knowing the conversation is over. “All right. But can I just say one more thing?”
“What?” he grinds out annoyed.
“It doesn’t matter who you come from or how much money you have. Everyone is welcome in this church. And I know you probably don’t think I understand how crappy life can be, but you’re so wrong. I actually understand more than you will ever know. So if you ever want to talk, or if you need anything, you can come to me. You can trust me, Christopher.”
I can tell by this expression he doesn’t believe me. Sighing sadly, I pick up my paintbrush before continuing where I left off. As we finish the rest of our time in silence, I decide I will make it my mission to prove to him that he can trust me.
CHAPTER 8
Cade
A few days later I’m at the gym, trying not to lose it on this annoying chick who keeps pretending she doesn’t know how to work any of the equipment, and is constantly shoving either her ass or tits in my face.
“Am I doing it right?” she asks with an annoying giggle, while bending over the weight bench with her ass in the air, doing triceps kickback.
“Sure,” I reply with a bored tone before walking away.
I hear her offended scoff at my back as I head to the front counter. Whatever. If she’s only here to get laid then the bitch is barking up the wrong tree. Because unless she has green eyes, red hair and flawless skin with a light dusting of freckles, then my dick does not want it… Stupid fucking dick.
A year after Iraq, when we finally got out of the rehabilitation clinic, Evans and I had gotten shit-faced at the local bar close to our apartment. Like always, I had plenty of opportunity to go home with someone and I was so close to doing it. I wanted to fuck the country girl who was constantly plaguing my every waking thought out of my head. But when it came down to it, the entire thought of touching anyone else made my dick limp. It still does. Especially now after seeing her again…
I shake my head before letting my thoughts go any further. Yeah it’s going to be me and my right hand for a while, until my dick starts cooperating again.
Feeling agitated now, I’m just about to ask Benson if he wants to go a round when Evans bolts through the door like his ass is on fire. “Are Cooper and Jaxson here yet?”
I look around the place. “No. Are they supposed to be?”
“Yeah, I just sent them a text.”
At that Cooper walks through the door behind him. “All right, Evans, what the hell is so important that I had to fucking leave work for in a hurry?”
“Trust me, you will be glad you did.”
Before he can elaborate, Jaxson comes walking in and I literally do a double take, not believing what I’m seeing. A bright flash of pink is strapped to his chest, which happens to be his baby girl, and he carries a fucking diaper bag in his right hand.
“What the hell is going on, Evans? If you dragged my ass in here for something stupid I’m going to kick your ass.” Everyone is silent as we stare at him. “What the fuck are you all looking at?”
Sawyer responds first. “Dude, you look fucking ridiculous.” He and Cooper both chuckle while I try to hold mine back, but I have to agree with Evans on this one. Seeing my friend decked out in his usual attire, his tattoos on display, and his ‘don’t fuck with me’ expression while a baby is strapped to his chest is pretty damn funny.
