by Jill Patten
I was trying to psyche myself up when Reed’s truck pulled into the parking spot beside me. So much for getting the Olympic Fab Five to cease in my stomach because, as soon as I caught sight of Jaxon, the gold performance was in full swing. My intense stare locked in on his clear, blue eyes as he stepped out of the truck. Then, unexpectedly, he opened my car door.
“Nice to see you again, Sweet Cheeks,” he grinned, pulling his dimples in deep and reaching for my hand in order to help me out of the car.
Distracting my attention from Jaxon, Kendra began to freak out, just like I thought she would. “Oh. My. Gosh! Slap a straightjacket on me and call me Charles Manson! I do not believe what my eyes are seeing.” Kendra had her arms stretched out as if showcasing me for a presentation. “Are you seeing this, Reed?”
He shook his head making a clicking sound with his tongue. They both were on the verge of spouting what I could only assume to be a mouthful of garb about me trying to impress Jaxon. Think fast, Court!
“Stop yelling, Kendra. It’s not that big of a deal. My car has been running a little weird lately, so I wanted to give myself extra time in case I ended up with car trouble.” It was the best lie I could configure up.
“What’s wrong with it?” Jaxon and Reed asked simultaneously.
“Oh… uh… I’m really not sure. It’s been making this weird noise when I’m stopped at a stoplight. It sounds kind of like it wants to go dead when it’s idling.” I was the worst liar in history, but, by God’s good grace, I prayed that they bought it.
“Well, I’m pretty good under the hood, so, if you don’t mind, I can take a look at it while you’re at work,” Jaxon offered. “Reed, you want to join me?”
“Sorry, man, I got to get my homework done while I’ve got some free time. I’ve already spent too much of it entertaining your ass. You’re going to have to ride solo, bro,” Reed said, smacking Jaxon on the back.
“Ah, shit, you know you’ve loved every second you’ve gotten to spend with me,” Jaxon smiled, giving Reed back a hefty pat on his shoulder.
Jaxon leaned up against my car and crossed his arms across his chest. “Well, I tell you what, after lunch, I’ll drop you off where you work and then take a look at it,” he smiled at me mischievously. His idea freaked me out a little, and I think he did it purposely so he could have a little alone time with me. “But first, let’s go eat, I need to feed this beastly body,” he chuckled as he stepped away from my car to walk into Rome’s.
Engrossed by whispering to Kendra about Phillip calling my house that morning, I didn’t see Phillip’s parents sitting diagonally across from us. It wasn’t until I sat cozily next to Jaxon in a booth, that I noticed them both. The two of them were staring a hole through me when I made eye contact. Phillip’s mom, Maryann, looked away immediately, having been caught staring, but his dad, Sean, gave me a friendly smile. Returning the gesture, I mouthed the word “hey” and waved to both of them. Jaxon looked up to see who I greeted as our waitress introduced herself as Kim and blocked our view of the Wilkins to take down our drink orders.
It had been over two months since I had seen Phillip’s parents. I’d missed his dad, but his mother was another story. Maryann had never accepted me and thought I wasn’t good enough for her son. She never came right out and said it, but, after the twenty questions she’d thrown at me the first time we’d met, it was obvious I’d failed her test. And then there was the time when I overheard her, in the next room yelling at Phillip, telling him was too young to focus on one girl and that he should be dating other girls. Phillip’s mother came from money, and, even though she was the preacher’s wife, she still looked down on people that were less than fortunate.
Phillip’s dad seemed like a man that somehow had been placed with the wrong family. He was everything his wife and son were not. Sean was the pastor of the largest Baptist church in our town and was the most down to earth man I’d ever met. He accepted all people, no matter what they possessed or where they came from. He was always doing some type of charitable work and was highly admired by his congregation. Other than Phillip, I’d never heard anyone speak an unkind word about him or show him anything other than the utmost respect.
Seeing the Wilkins brought back the anxiety I’d felt earlier when thinking about Phillip. Wanting to push him from my mind for a few hours, I decided it was time to dig for some information from Jaxon.
“So Jaxon, what college do you attend,” I asked, turning my attention toward him.
“I don’t.”
“Do you work then?” I gave him a quizzical look.
“No, I’m a vagabond,” Jaxon smirked, trying to suppress a laugh.
I could see Reed from the corner of my eye trying to stifle his laugh as well. Giving him an eye roll, I let him know that I knew he was feeding me a line of bullshit.
“Can I get a real answer?”
Jaxon turned his body to face me, pinched his t-shirt with his thumbs and forefingers, and pulled it away from his body. “This is what I do.” His shirt had a picture of a boisterous looking bar surrounded by palm trees with the ocean displayed behind it. In big, white letters, the name ‘Zack and Joey’s Bar & Grill’ was featured above it.
“So you work at a bar?”
“No, I own it.”
My eyes widened, I was flabbergasted. “How can you own a bar if you’re just twenty years old?”
Jaxon cocked his head to the side, looking puzzled. “Twenty years old? Who said I was twenty?”
I pointed to the not-so-innocent looking Kendra sitting across the table from me and gave her my best stink-eye.
“Sorry,” she blinked innocently. “I thought you were, but I guess I misunderstood Reed.” She had her palms up in the air giving a shoulder shrug.
Kim, our waitress, popped up with our drinks, interrupting another Jaxon revelation. She asked if we were ready to order, but Reed waved her away telling her to give us ten more minutes.
Giving me a cocky grin, Jaxon offered up his actual age. “I’m twenty-two.”
It was the worst time for me to take a drink of my soda, because I nearly choked to death when I heard him say he was five years older than me. Jaxon started patting my back, asking if I was okay. I nodded as I thought about what my mom would say if she knew I was willing to have sex with a twenty-two-year-old bar-owning guy.
In between coughing, I glared back and forth to Kendra and Reed, letting them know how perturbed I was. I knew they had no idea what transpired between Jaxon and I the night before, but, if that night had ended like I had wanted it to and my mom had caught wind of it, Jaxon would find himself in jail.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Jaxon asked as he laid his hand on my shoulder, looking at me with deep concern.
I sputtered through coughing, “Yeah, I think I’ll survive.” Glancing over at Phillip’s parents, I caught Maryann watching me again. Her eyes darted to the couple sitting across from them, who at some point must have joined them.
“So, how did you get into the bar owning busin—”
“Why the hell does that man keep staring at me?” Jaxon blurted loudly, causing me to jump and Kendra to squeal at his sudden outburst.
“Who?” I choked, triggering up another series of coughs.
Jaxon pointed at Phillip’s dad, “That guy right there.”
I smacked his hand down. “Shh, don’t be so loud,” I whispered. “That is my ex-boyfriend’s father.”
“Well, I don’t care who the hell he is, he needs to stop staring at me,” he exclaimed, his voice growing louder with each word. “From the moment we sat down, the fucker’s been looking at me.” Jaxon glared at Phillip’s dad. “People are so fuckin’ judgmental,” he muttered under his breath then looked away.
Getting agitated with his sudden behavior, I was slightly taken back by his anger, the harsh tone rubbed me the wrong way.
“I’m sure he’s not staring at only you, and, even if he is, he’s probably just wondering who you are since
it does look like we are on some sort of date.” I waved my hand indicating all four of us sitting together. “And maybe he thinks your staring at him. After all, you've been noticing him watching you that long.”
Reed reached across the table with his palms out. “Calm down you two, geez. Jaxon…” he gave him a ‘get real’ look, “you should be used to the stares by now, and, after all, you are in a small town where everybody knows everybody. When we see an unfamiliar face… we stare,” he explained with widened eyes. “Stop assuming that everyone around here is so judgmental.” Reed turned his attention to me. “Courtney—”
“Reed, don’t even say it.” I interrupted him, leaning across the table and keeping my voice low so that no one from the surrounding tables could hear me. “You know how much Mr. Wilkins means to me, so keep your wise words to yourself.”
Sitting back against the booth, I turned to Jaxon, “Will you please excuse me? I need to visit the ladies room… and somebody needs to find a new attitude,” I muttered while scooting off the long bench. Jaxon stood up and let me out, keeping his eyes on Phillip’s dad the entire time.
Kendra was on my heels as I shoved the bathroom door open. I whipped my head around to face her when I heard the door close.
“What the hell just happened? I felt like I had Phillip sitting beside me, going off on one of his tirades.” I flapped my arms around in exasperation. “I don’t need to surround myself with another hot-head, so you guys can leave me out of anymore escapades you plan from now until Jaxon leaves. I have no—”
Kendra harshly laid her hand over my mouth, muffling everything else I tried to say. “You are as out of control as Jaxon is, now shut up and listen.” Was she seriously giving me attitude? “Jaxon has had a hard life and had to grow up way too soon, and, when I say soon, he grew up with no parents and only his grandmother to raise him.” My eyes grew wide. “Yeah, so cut him some slack. Anyway, he’s going to be here for a lot longer than I thought.” Slowly, Kendra’s lips spread into a smile. “I was just informed this morning that Jaxon is planning on opening a bar and grill here in his grandmother’s hometown, and he’s asked Reed to manage the place for him. Isn’t that great news?” So that was why he was out here.
I pulled Kendra’s hand off my mouth. “So, what does that have to do with the meltdown we just witnessed?”
“Well, according to Reed, he gets a little overly defensive when he thinks someone is judging him. With his upbringing, he got ridiculed a lot,” she explained. The tips of her lips pulled down slightly. “Does it really matter? Look, I just want us all to get along and have a good time together.” She dropped the cheerful charade. “If I thought he was leaving after Christmas and never coming back, I wouldn’t care if you told him to fuck off, but, since he’s practically asking Reed to be his business partner, I want us to all play nice and get along… for once. You know what I mean?” I did know what she meant, and I could tell she wasn’t trying to throw the past in my face. I owed her, it was the least I could do.
Sighing, I said, “Look, I’ll play nice in the sandbox, but you know Jaxon’s going to have to meet my mom ASAP if you expect us four to pal around together.” I took a step toward her pointing my finger to her chest. “And you are going to explain the whole miscommunication mishap to her too,” I sneered.
Kendra closed the distance between us and rested her hands on my shoulders. “Don’t worry, I will, and I’m really sorry I told you Jaxon was twenty years old. When Reed told me stories about him and Jaxon as kids, I just assumed they were the same age,” she said, releasing my shoulders with a shrug.
Leaning against the sink with my arms folded, I begged the question. “Was Jaxon as misinformed about me as I was him?” Some guys like younger girls, but Jaxon didn’t seem to fit that type.
“I honestly can’t answer that, Courtney. That is a question for Reed. I really have no idea what Reed told him about you. You've been around Jaxon more than I have.”
I was having trouble reading her face. Was she feeding me a line of bull or telling the truth? I decided to skip asking Reed, and, when the timing was right, I’d ask Jaxon instead.
“We better get our asses back out there before they think we are having bathroom issues for real this time,” Kendra laughed, reminding me of my bathroom escape last night.
We both took a quick glance in the mirror, making sure everything was in place before joining the guys.
As we walked out of the bathroom, I stopped Kendra right outside of the door. “I didn’t say it earlier, but I’m uber excited for you and Reed. Even though you haven’t said much about it, I know how stressed you’ve been lately.” Reed wanted to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in business management after graduating with an Associate’s this spring, and he was contemplating whether or not to move close to the college or make the long commute every day. This business proposition Jaxon offered him was a godsend. “We should celebrate.”
Kendra flat-palmed my chest, stopping me from taking another step. “No, we shouldn’t. I’m not supposed to know about any of it. Reed made me swear to secrecy because they’ve not told anyone yet, so keep your mouth shut.”
“Fine, my lips are sealed,” I huffed.
As we walked back toward our booth, I took notice that the Wilkins were still at their table.
Reed winked at me as Jaxon stepped out from the booth to let me in. I avoided all eye contact as I stepped by him to slide into my seat.
“I’m very sorry for my behavior, but people staring at me is a big pet peeve of mine. I know that’s not a good excuse, but do you think you could find it in your sweet southern heart to forgive me?” He whispered into my ear, sending chills across my body. I slowly nodded as his lips lingered. “And, just so you know, you are an exception to that pet peeve.” Instantly heat rolled through me, flushing away the chills. Jaxon moved away quickly as I heard a familiar voice. Looking up, I saw Phillip’s parents standing at our table. Sure, they had gotten their eyes full of Jaxon’s lips on my ear. I prayed at that moment that my face was not flashing in red.
“Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins,” I said too cheerfully. I kicked Jaxon in the leg under the table to let him know to keep his mouth shut.
“Courtney, Kendra, Reed,” Sean nodded as he greeted each one of us. “And, you are?” He asked, nodding to Jaxon.
“I’m Jaxon Vaughn,” he replied extending his hand. We sat there in an awkward hiatus as Jaxon and Sean shook hands staring at one another. "You look very familiar young man. Are you from around here?"
"No, Sir."
"Do you visit here often?"
"No, Sir."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Jaxon.”
Sean kept his eyes on Jaxon, studying him. Not judging him like Maryann, but observing like he was trying to figure out something about him.
“Jaxon, this is Pastor Wilkins and his lovely wife, Maryann,” I explained, trying not to choke on the last few words that spout out of my mouth. I was proud I had the ability to withhold my distaste for her from rolling off my tongue… Bitch!
Jaxon gave her a nod as she gave him a weak smile. I could tell she judged him by appearance alone, and her eyes definitely saw something different than what I saw.
“Well, kids, it was nice seeing y’all. Hope you enjoy your lunch, and, you,” Sean said, pointing at me, “don’t be a stranger.” I understood his double meaning. Not only had I stopped going to their house, but I had also stopped going to their church after breaking things off with Phillip.
I mumbled a ‘goodbye’ to them as they left our table.
As the waitress came back to take our order, I discreetly slipped my phone out to see if I had a text or missed call from Phillip. The only unread text on my phone was from Kendra, asking if I had left the house yet. Seeing Phillip’s parents made me sure that I would be hearing from him sooner rather than later.
Chapter 11 ~ Showtime at Seven O’clock
The remainder of lunch ended with a monotonous conversation. The company, th
ough, was far from dull. Jaxon had this indescribable vibrancy about him. He was just one of those types of people that you wanted to hang out with. Besides the occasional sexual innuendo he tossed my way, I felt more at ease in his presence the longer I was around him.
I was eager to leave the pizzeria a little early in case Phillip called. Talking with Phillip was not a conversation I was willing to have in front of everyone. I pulled my phone out again to see if I might have missed a call or text from him, but, still, there was nothing. I was bumfuzzled; it was very unlike him to not have called or texted back already. A shot of nerves hit my stomach as I thought of what kind of shenanigans he could have had up his sleeve.
Earlier, Jaxon volunteered to drive me to work, and, at first, I dreaded the thoughts of being alone again with him. But now, after thinking it over, I wanted to take advantage of the moment. I wanted to know who he really was. I wanted to dig into his personal life.
Reaching for the knob on my radio, I switched through the stations until I found something worth listening to.
"Let me guess, you love country music?"
I laughed, "Don't you know it's not nice to stereotype people?"
His smile widened, showing his beautiful teeth and setting his dimples on display. "Hell, that's not stereotyping. Everybody in California loves it, so I figured a real country girl would, too."
"Well, you're wrong," I told him as I turned the radio off. I opted for silence so there were no distractions while I interrogated him. "I like pretty much everything but country music." Dropping back in my seat, I angled myself to get a better view of him instead of the road. "So, how did you get into owning a bar at such a young age, and how long have you been running it?"
He rubbed the stubble on his face, taking his time answering me. Patiently enough, I waited for him to answer. "Hmm, well, let's see… since I got into a lot of trouble my senior year, I screwed up my chance to play football at UCLA." He chewed on his top lip, and I couldn't stop watching him. My eyes were glued to his mouth, remembering the way those lips felt. "I was messed up after graduation and had no plans for the future other than living life day by day," he smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I wasn't a good person then," he mumbled more to himself than to me.
