Chapter 12 #2
It had taken me a long time to wrap my head around my circumstances.
I had remembered being poor far longer than the care I had once received when my uncle was alive.
I had struggled with the way Pops and the guys had spoiled my siblings and I for a long time.
I realized it was futile so eventually I learned to let go of my misgivings.
As we pulled out of the parking garage Jaxson took my hand again.
“True,” Jaxson agreed picking up on our earlier conversation.
“Still, I don’t want them going off to college if they don’t want to.
Plus, our kids will have opportunities many others won’t.
I’m sure Remy and Drake will still be involved in We 7.
I’ll be getting ready—if not already—retired by then and probably have my own business if I don’t go in on, We 7 with Remy or Drake.
Troy will probably be still involved in security and have a gym or two open by then.
And maybe Gavin’s reality escape rooms will have taken off as well.
There’s nothing stopping our kids learning hands on. ”
It was moments like that I wished the others’ realized Jaxson wasn’t just all fun and games.
He did have a good head on his shoulders and still had at least one foot still planted on the ground.
I wish they saw beyond the persona he intentionally portrayed and realized his “lack” of seriousness was a way to alleviate the constant seriousness of our everyday lives.
“Okay, let’s worry about names first before we ship them off to the real world,” I joked as the blue tooth began to ring.
I saw Noah’s info flash across the screen and groaned aloud.
I don’t know how I had forgotten about the need to have him with me at all times.
The wish for a normal life was nearly suffocating me.
I was exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I didn’t know how much more of this I could take before I broke down.
Jaxson must have seen my face because he squeezed my hand reassuringly before answering the phone. He didn’t say a greeting before saying. “I’m waiting for you at the stop sign.”
Jace responded tersely. “You couldn’t have waited a few moments for us in the parking lot?”
Jaxson rolled his eyes. “I haven’t left the premises.
The couple of extra feet make no difference.
I see our guards patrolling and base is secure.
” He looked up in the review mirror before informing me.
“Noah, Remy, Lincoln, and Jace are following us. They’re going to be nearby but understand that this is a date for us. ”
We had to up the level of security around the base.
We fully expected Horatio to attempt to launch another attack against us.
From the reports we were receiving he had realized Casey and many of his other people were missing and was freaking out.
It was exactly the condition we wanted him in, but we also realized he may act irrationally and strike out with vengeance.
“Why don’t you—” Jace began to scold Jaxson before I leaned forward and hung up the phone.
Jaxson’s jaw was dropped in shock although his eyes were dancing with mirth. “Did you hang up on him?”
I nodded with a wicked smile. “Sure did. I’m getting ready to go on a date with my man and don’t need to hear it from him.”
We filled the rest of our drive into town with easy going banter and conversations. Jaxson occasionally looked up into the rearview mirror, and I knew he was ensuring the guys were still behind us. It was just another side the guys seemed to ignore or not take heed to.
I smiled in delight when we reached the diner that specialized in burgers and shakes.
They had been under new ownership shortly after I had been taken.
When it was reopened it received rave reviews.
I hadn’t had a chance to check it out and was happy Jaxson remembered I had expressed interest in trying it.
After Jaxson put the jeep in park, I noticed that he was waiting for Remy and Lincoln to leave the vehicle first and enter the premises. I leaned forward and noticed Jace and Noah hovering near the rear of our vehicle.
“Real mature hanging up the phone on us,” Noah grumbled opening my door while glaring at Jaxson.
I immediately went on defensive. “I hung up the phone on you.”
“We agreed—” Jace began to say before I cut him off.
“We agreed that I couldn’t leave the premises without a group of you all. And we hadn’t left. Jax did nothing wrong and you guys have been riding him hard lately.”
Jace gave a reluctant nod. He knew Jaxson and I were correct. Him being upset about us getting in the vehicle and driving twenty feet was just complaining just to criticize. There was no reason to harp at him when he did nothing wrong.
Jaxon gave a smug smile, wagged his eyebrows suggestively, and said. “See I’m not the only one who notices it and I’ve been telling everyone the only person I don’t mind riding me is my baby mama.”
“Jaxson James!” I cried out in disbelief. “I think they realize they were judging you a bit harshly.”
“What?” he grinned innocently at me before putting an arm over my shoulder. “I’m just stating the facts.”
“Something you didn’t need to announce,” I rolled my eyes before looping my arms around his waist. “Now feed me.”
He led me into the diner, and I noticed Remy and Lincoln were already sitting at the booth closest to the door.
I then realized that the only open booths were located near the rear of the restaurant.
The guys had picked a table close enough to protect me if any threat walked in but far enough away to give Jaxson and I some privacy.
Yes, this situation wasn’t idea for a date, but it was better than nothing.
My musings were cut short when a pretty middle-aged woman came bustling by.
“Seat yourselves,” she said with a friendly grin. “Kendra, Camilla, or I will be with you shortly. The specials are posted on the chalkboard beside you.”
Jaxson and I spoke nearly simultaneously as we thanked her before looking at the specials board. I quickly perused it, and my eyes settled on a burger with bacon, avocado, and cheese.
“That jalapeno burger has my name written all over it,” Jaxson clapped his hands together.
I smiled at him. “I’m going to try the avocado burger.”
He led me to one of the only open booths near the back of the restaurant and waited until I was tucked into the booth before joining me. He pulled over a small menu in an acrylic stand and my eyes widened when I realized it was a list of over twenty-five different shakes.
“There’s too many to choose from,” I lamented once I realized I could easily choose three shakes within seconds.
“Pick two of them and we’ll share,” Jaxson chuckled.
I frowned up at him. “I can’t do that to you. What’s your favorite?”
“Honestly, everything I’ve tried is good. My favorites are the peanut butter with chocolate, chocolate with banana, strawberry banana, or mint Oreo.”
I was unable to discuss my conundrum further since our server came over with some menus. “Hey there,” a pretty brunette chewed on gum, somewhat obnoxiously. “My name is Camilla and I’ll be your server today. Can I start you with something to drink?”
I had to inwardly roll my eyes when I noticed the slight curl of judgment on her lips when she noticed my condition.
That split second of disgust was all I received because she nearly turned her back on me and somewhat propped her hip on the edge of the table to give all her attention to Jaxson.
She brushed her long hair off her shoulders, and I didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to realize she was flirting with him.
To Jaxson’s credit he barely spared her a glance before he was leaning forward and grabbing both of my hands with his. His large hands engulphed mine as his thumb caressed the back of my hand.
“What do you want, baby?”
I had to hide my smile before I responded. “I would love a large glass of water with lemon and a large mango smoothie, please.”
“No milkshake?” Jaxson teased before asking me. “What milkshake am I getting?”
“My favorite is the banana pudding milkshake!” Camilla chirped. “You should really get that one.”
Once again Jaxson ignored her. He really was trying to put my mind at ease when we had to separate in a few months.
I think he realized his appreciation for females flirting with him wasn’t well received by me.
He always had good boundaries when it came to women in the bunker, but he preened under the attention of strangers.
“Which one sounded the best to you, baby?” he asked.
“Maybe the peanut butter, chocolate, and banana,” I hummed.
He sent Camilla a polite smile. “Sounds good to me. I’ll take a large chunky monkey. Are you ready to place our order too? It’s been a while since my babies ate.”
“If she’s ready to take our order.” I barely bit back the waspishness of my tone, since now she was leaning toward Jaxson.
The older woman wore her 50’s diner-like outfit with only the top button undone.
While the younger girls seemed to have theirs unbuttoned enough that flashes of their bras were showing.
When I noticed a beautiful black girl leaned over Jace, Remy, Lincoln, and Noah’s table I was torn between amusement and irritation once more.
She even went as far as to lay a hand on Jace’s shoulder before throwing her head back and laughing.
Jace could be funny, but I doubted it was true amusement she was feeling since her laugh was clearly forced.
“Baby?” Jaxson prodded me. “What would you like to eat?”
“May I have your avocado burger medium well that’s on special and a side salad with balsamic vinaigrette?”
“Should I get a large basket of fries, loaded tots, or onion rings?” Jaxson asked after placing his burger order.