Fighting Temptation (Men Of Honor)

by LYNN, K. C.

“I don’t care. I’ll go if you guys want to. I owe you at least that much.”

  That pisses me off, “Fuck that! You don’t owe us shit man, how many times we have to tell you that. It was our choice to follow you.”

  He doesn’t look over at me, “Have you seen or talked to Faith since the hospital?”

  He tenses at my question and I know the answer before he even says it.

  “No, and it’s for the best,” he gets up now, “you guys discuss it and let me know. I’m going to hit the weights,” he leaves without another word.

  “Don’t bother,” Sawyer says breaking me from my thoughts, “I’ve tried to talk to him about her, but he’s an idiot like you. Doesn’t know what’s right under his nose.”

  I glare at him, “You don’t get it Sawyer, it’s not about us not knowing what’s right under our noses. It’s about trying to do the right thing. We don’t come from the same family you do.”

  “Oh fuck that! I’ve had my issues too man, life isn’t perfect for anyone. You guys need to pull your heads out of your asses because one day it might be too late. If I had someone like Julia who wanted me there would be no fucking doubt I would take that shit, with my issues and all.”

  “Ya because you’re an arrogant son of a bitch who thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”

  “Hey! I can’t help it that women find me irresistible.”

  I grunt, “Whatever! Let’s go. I’ve been waiting since yesterday to pound the shit out of you,” I say grabbing some gloves.

  Sawyer grins, showing me he’s up for the challenge, “So what do I tell the Admiral?”

  I shake my head, “I don’t know, let me think about it.”

  With that we head to the ring and beat the shit out of each other and it felt fucking great!

  At 7pm sharp Kayla comes walking through my door looking like a fierce sexy spy all decked out in black. She has on dark leggings, thigh high leather boots and a black tank top. Her long blond hair is pulled into a low pony through the back of a black military style hat. She’s also sporting a pair of aviator sunglasses even though the sun has started to set.

  “Wow, you look hot!”

  I look down at my dark blue jeans and black tank top. It’s too hot to wear a sweater but after seeing Kayla’s boots I decide I’m going to wear mine as well. I’m wearing a similar hat with my hair pulled back in a ponytail.

  “Thanks,” she says pulling stuff out of a back pack she brought in with her. “I figured since this will be the last time the asshole sees me, when I kick his ass, I’m gonna look good doing it.”

  I’m glad to see this fiercely pissed-off woman over the devastatingly sad one I saw a few days ago.

  She hands me a walkie-talkie, “Here, I stole this from the top of our closet, turn it to channel 9.”

  “Why do we need these?”

  “Just in case we get separated. Especially if I need you to be on the look-out while I try to bust the fucker.”

  I nod my head in understanding.

  “You look great too. Do you have a pair of sunglasses? I don’t want him noticing us.”

  “Sure, I’ll go grab them.”

  “Where’s Jaxson?” she asks while I’m coming back down the stairs.

  I shrug, “I don’t know. He made himself scarce when I told him we were hanging out tonight, either here or at your house. He’s probably out with Sawyer and Cade.”

  “Did he suspect anything?”

  I shake my head, “But I almost messed up when Coop was over here the other day.” I tell Kayla about how hard it was to hold my anger back and act like nothing was wrong.

  “Tell me about it, I’ve been trying to work as much as I can, taking other people’s appointments then trying to be asleep when he gets home. The other night he tried getting some and it took major self-control not to cut his dick off. In the end I feigned being sick.”

  She shrugs looking sad now, “It sucked because I still wanted him, even after knowing what I know. I’ll probably always want him,” she whispers while a tear escapes.

  I wrap my arms around her, my own throat feeling tight, “You never know Kayla, maybe we will find out tonight that we’re wrong. There’s still that possibility.”

  She smiles sadly, “I don’t think so Jules. I can feel it. All the lies he’s told and her hanging up on me, there’s no other explanation.” She shakes her head and stands up straight, looking at me with fierce determination, “Alright! Let’s do this shit.”

  We walk out my door and I look at the black SUV we’re about to get into. “Who’s is this?”

  “A co-workers’, we switched vehicles. We will be parked right out front of the motel when he shows up. I had to take a vehicle he wouldn’t recognize, so that leaves out either of our cars.”

  I nod again in understanding, all of this feeling so surreal.

  About 20 minutes later we pull up to the motel which is just off highway I-90. There’s a truckstop/bar right next to it. It’s a seedy looking place, where I suspect truckers probably bring company to from the bar next door.

  We park at the gas station that’s just across the street. Kayla shuts off the car and its lights. It’s dark out now but the motel is lit up bright with neon pink flashing lights.

  I’m feeling a little silly with my sunglasses on since it’s dark and all, but Kayla still has hers on so I keep mine in place.

  “Right there,” Kayla says pointing to a door across the way from us, “room 23 is what the text said she would be in.”

  We sit in silence and stare at the door, as if it’s our life line.

  Kayla gasps, “Shit! There’s Cooper, get down!”

  We both slide down our seats as Cooper’s truck pulls into the lot across the way. The truck blocks half our view from the door. I notice Kayla start to shake; I grab her hand and squeeze tight. We sit up a little bit so we can see what’s going on.

  We both let out a gasp when Cooper’s passenger door opens first. “What the fuck?” Kayla says confused when we see Jaxson exit out the passenger door.

  What the heck is right!? What is he doing here?

  Kayla and I look at each other in confusion, then her eyes widen in shock. “Oh my god, do you think they’re both fucking her?”

  My heart stops beating and I start to feel sick. But then I come to my senses quickly and shake my head.

  “Ya you’re right, that sounds a little too out there. But what’s he doing here then?”

  I shrug having no idea.

  We watch Cooper now as he exits the truck too. He waves at Jaxson as he starts his way over to the motel.

  Jaxson goes next door to the bar. Oh my god, he’s going to go drink while Cooper sleeps with her? How could he do something like this?

  Kayla scoffs, “I really shouldn’t be surprised.”

  Silence descends on us now as Cooper knocks on the motel room door. We both hold our breath, waiting to see what happens. The door opens and we get a view of a beautiful brunette that looks to be close to our age. My stomach drops when Cooper enters and closes the door behind him.

  “Oh my god!” Kayla whispers in agony.

  “I’m so sorry Kayla.”

  “Did you get a good look at her? Did you recognize her?”

  I shake my head.

  “Me either,” she says sadly, then she clenches her jaw, “come on!” She says angrily getting out of the SUV.

  I follow quickly, “What are you going to do?” I whisper trying to catch up to her.

  “I want to get closer, see if I can see anything in the window. Go stand by his truck and watch for Jaxson. Radio me if he comes out,” she says holding up her walkie-talkie.

  “Ok, be careful.”

  I go to Coop’s truck and stand a little distance away so I can get a good view of the bar door in case Jaxson comes out. I look to my left and try to see Kayla but I can only see some of her. “Anything?” I whisper into the radio.

  “Not really but if I listen closely enough I can hear a little bit. Th
e bitch is giggling a lot,” Kayla says sounding pissed.

  I get so caught up in watching Kayla that when I look back to the bar door I panic when Jaxson walks out.

  “Oh shit!” I whisper into the walkie-talkie. I duck behind Coop’s truck and get on my hands and knees crawling around it, praying he didn’t see me.

  “Kayla get out now! Hurry Jaxson is out.”

  “Julia?”

  Shit!!

  I swing my head around while I’m still on my hands and knees to see Jaxson standing right behind me. “What the hell are you doing?” he asks looking at me like I’m a complete loon.

  I stand up and look towards the motel room door to try and see Kayla but she’s not there. I look back at Jaxson and start to feel angry. “I can’t believe you would do this Jaxson, you should be ashamed of yourself!”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  I scoff, “Oh don’t give me that…” I gasp, my words dying in my throat when I hear glass shatter.

  I run over to the other side of Cooper’s truck to see Kayla with a bat. She just smashed in Coop’s driver side window and she’s whacking the shit out of the door and side mirror.

  OH NO!

  “Holy shit Kayla, what the fuck are you doing?” Jaxson’s eyes are wide with shock, his hands on top of his head and he looks like he’s about to be sick.

  I stand there frozen not knowing what to do. Jaxson tries grabbing the bat from Kayla but she raises it at him, “You stay the fuck back asshole, or you’re next!” she screams psychotically. Then she walks around Coop’s truck quickly smashing out his tail lights and anything else she can hit.

  “Goddamn it Kayla! Stop!” Jaxson starts coming at her again but before he can reach her Cooper comes running out of the motel room, the girl following close behind him.

  Oh god, this is so bad.

  “What the fuck!?” Cooper screams running towards Kayla. His eyes are bugged out of his head like he can’t believe what he’s seeing.

  He goes to reach the bat but Kayla turns around and swings at him just missing his shoulder.

  “You lying piece of shit!” Kayla screams taking another swing at him.

  Cooper turns her around and wraps his arms around her, trying to restrain her. She swings the bat wildly behind her trying to hit him. They come close to me as they struggle, I know I should move but I’m frozen, watching their struggle.

  “Jesus Christ!” Jaxson pulls me out of the way before I get whacked.

  Cooper finally pries the bat out of Kayla’s hands and throws it across the parking lot.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing!?” he screams at her.

  “You lying cheating bastard!” Kayla is still trying to fight him as tears stream down her cheeks.

  Her anguish causes my own tears to build.

  Cooper spins her around and holds her upper arms tightly, “STOP!” he screams, shaking her.

  I walk towards them, scared for Kayla with seeing how mad Cooper is, but Jaxson grabs my arm stopping me. He’s looking pretty mad too right now.

  There’s a bunch of people from the bar outside watching the scene unfold.

  “I hate you!” Kayla screams in agony, “how could you do this to me, after everything we have been through!” She gets more energy now and starts trying to kick him again.

  “Goddamn it, that’s enough, I am not cheating on you!”

  “Oh my god! You’re seriously going to lie to me again, after I just busted your sorry ass.”

  “You don’t know anything, you have this all wrong!”

  “Oh ya, then who the fuck is this whore?” Kayla shouts pointing at the shocked looking brunette.

  “This is Sarah Miller, a friend of my sisters’, she’s a jewelry designer. I’m here picking up your fucking engagement ring from her!”

  Kayla freezes as my stomach sinks with dread.

  OH SHIT!

  “My engagement ring?” Kayla whispers in shock.

  Cooper clenches his jaw and nods his head at her.

  “But the text, she hung up on me when I answered your phone, you told me you were working late when you weren’t.” Kayla is rambling quietly, trying to absorb what’s happening.

  “Ya I kinda wanted to keep it a fucking surprise and all.” He shakes his head, “You really thought I was cheating on you?” His tone comes out furious, but you can hear the hurt in it too and it makes me feel horrible. I can only imagine what Kayla is feeling right now.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Cooper pushes her away angrily, “You’re sorry? Look at my fucking truck!”

  “I’m so sorry, I’ll pay for it to get fixed…”

  “Shut up! Go to the fucking car and wait for me.”

  “Cooper please, will you just…”

  “Now Kayla!” he yells pointing her away.

  I walk up to Kayla and tug on her arm, “Come on.”

  She watches the rage on Cooper’s face for a few more seconds then allows me to pull her away.

  “Follow them!”

  I feel Jaxson trail behind us. I link my arm with Kayla and rub her back as she cries all the way back to the car.

  Jaxson opens the back door of the SUV. “Get in. I’m gonna help Cooper clean up the truck and let him know what vehicle you’re in, since you aren’t driving your own.”

  Kayla gets in, continuing to cry. I look at Jaxson before I get in and he looks as mad as Cooper. I don’t say anything and follow in behind Kayla.

  A soon as he slams the door Kayla breaks down and sobs hysterically, “Oh god Julia, what have I done?”

  I wrap my arms around her, “Shh! It’s going to be ok. You didn’t know Kayla, the evidence was damning. I would have thought the same thing.” I leave out that I probably wouldn’t have beaten his truck in. I think she feels bad enough.

  “He’s so angry, he’s never going to forgive me,” she says through her sobs.

  “Yes he will. We’ll explain it to him, we’ll make him understand.”

  Kayla shakes her head and before we can say more Jaxson opens the driver side door and gets in. He doesn’t say anything but I look up and see his furious gaze on us in the rear view mirror. A minute later Cooper gets in on the passenger side. He slams the door making both Kayla and I jump. I hold her hand as she continues to cry. Angry silence fills the car as Jaxson pulls away. I debate whether to say anything, but I’m really scared. I’ve never seen Cooper this angry before and I don’t want to make it worse.

  A few minutes later Cooper breaks the silence, “Ya know girls I just have to ask, what the fuck is with the outfits? Especially the fucking sunglasses?”

  I look over at Kayla, she’s crying too hard to answer so I try my best, “We didn’t want you to notice us.”

  Cooper laughs bitterly, “Oh ya, because I’m not going to notice 2 fucking chicks wearing goddamn sunglasses in the dark. Smart one ladies.”

  I stiffen at his sarcasm, “You know Cooper, I get that you’re mad but you don’t need to be so rude. The evidence was pretty incriminating.”

  “So that makes it ok for you girls to dress up and fucking play Charlie’s Angels for the night!?”

  Kayla cries harder and I decide to not respond. He’s too angry to understand where we were coming from.

  20 minutes later we pull up to Kayla and Cooper’s house. Coop gets out and reefs open the back door that Kayla is against, “Get in the fucking house.”

  “Don’t talk to her like that!” I get out and meet Kayla around the side. “Why don’t you come sleep at my place tonight? Give him a chance to calm down,” I whisper quietly, but not quiet enough because Cooper hears me.

  “Stay out of this Julia!”

  I glare at him, “No you’re being irrational Cooper. You’re not even trying to understand where we are coming from…”

  Cooper advances on me like he’s going to kill me, “Just shut the fuck up, you have caused enough shit!”

  Before I can register his anger Jaxson’s in front
of me holding Cooper back. “Watch it Coop, I know you’re mad and I don’t blame you, but no one fucking talks to her like that.”

  Cooper scoffs, “Of course, this is where your loyalty lies.”

  “Jesus, this isn’t about loyalty man…”

  Before Jaxson can finish, Cooper shoves him, “Whatever you’re so fucking pussy-whipped by her and the worst part is she doesn’t even give it up to you.”

  “Cooper!” Kayla gasps at the same time Jaxson raises his fist and punches him in the face.

  Oh god!

  It’s obvious that Cooper not only anticipated a fight, but is also happy about it. He charges at Jaxson, primed for the fight. They take each other down and roll around on the lawn trying to pin each other.

  “Stop! Both of you, right now,” I scream terrified.

  “Cooper please let’s just go inside,” Kayla begs, crying hysterically.

  Finally Jaxson gets the upper hand and manages to pin Cooper, “You need to stop picking a fight with me and take your girlfriend into the house and figure out why the hell she thinks you’re fucking cheating on her.”

  Jaxson shoves himself off Cooper and Kayla runs into the house crying. Cooper glares at Jaxson for a second longer then he shakes his head and follows behind Kayla. He punches the side of his house on the way in and slams the door behind him.

  I look over at Jaxson, “What do we do? I can’t leave her here with him while he’s like this?”

  “Jesus Julia he’s not going to hurt her. He’s just majorly pissed off, with good fucking reason,” he shakes his head, “let’s go!”

  I follow hesitantly.

  The car ride home is filled with silence, except for the sound of my crying. When we walk into the house Jaxson looks at me for the first time since leaving Cooper’s. “What the hell were you girls thinking? I mean Christ Julia, this is fucking Cooper we’re talking about here.”

  “I know Jaxson, believe me we feel terrible, this isn’t something we just assumed over petty jealousy. The evidence was damning.” I tell him about everything that happened and why we thought he was cheating.

  “Ok fine, but what about after you saw me there with him? I mean right there didn’t that clue you in?”

  I look away from him now, remembering what Kayla and I first thought, and it must show in my expression.