Fighting Temptation (Men Of Honor) (28 page)

“See ya later!” I yell laughing before he closes the door.

I turn around to Jaxson, a beaming smile on my face, “Oh my god Jaxson, they’re getting married!” I scream excitedly and launch myself in his arms, “Isn’t this so exciting?”

Jaxson catches me and laughs at my excitement. “I’m going to go call Grams.” I push out of his arms and bolt upstairs to my room.

Later that evening Kayla, Grace and I are in my room getting ready with our favorite new drink- Twisted Tea.

Kayla pulls a short black cocktail dress out of her bag, when she puts it on it hugs her body in all the right places. There’s a strap that goes over one shoulder and her long blond hair flows in big curls down her shoulders.

“Wow,” Grace and I say in unison.

“Thanks,” she still has a beaming smile and her face glows with her happiness.

Grace looks at me timidly now, “Um Julia, do you think I could borrow a dress from you? I don’t really have anything nice enough for the club we are going to.”

I instantly feel bad. Kayla and I should have thought about that and asked her earlier.

“Of course, I have a couple you can choose from.”

She ends up choosing a yellow silk strapless dress which looks stunning against her golden skin. Grace is an incredibly beautiful, yet simple woman. Most of the time her long blond hair is tied back and her face free of makeup. One of her best features are her eyes. They are a unique, warm, amber color, almost the same color as whisky.

I suddenly get an itch to do a makeover, “Grace, can Kayla and I do your hair and makeup?”

“Sure, my makeup selection is pretty sparse though,” she says, embarrassed.

“Don’t worry, we got you covered,” Kayla says pulling out her massive makeup bag.

With that we start on our creation.

“I still can’t believe you’re getting married Kayla. I am so happy for you,” Grace says while I curl her hair and Kayla does her makeup.

We told Grace earlier about our little escapade last night. We were all able to chuckle about it, even though last night it wasn’t very funny.

“Thanks Grace. I was hoping you would be a bridesmaid? I’d really like both you and Julia beside me.”

Grace gasps with excitement, “Oh my gosh, really? You want me to be a bridesmaid?”

Kayla nods.

“Oh I would love to! Thank you Kayla for asking me,” Grace gets emotional and hugs her.

“I want to have a celebration supper for you and Cooper with some friends. Are you free two weeks from now? Grace, is that enough time for you to book it off?”

“That would be great, thanks Jules! I’ll make sure Coop books it off.”

“It works for me too. I’ll make sure I book that day off from the diner and then I can help you prepare.”

All of a sudden we hear my door bell ring. Grace and Kayla look at me in confusion.

“It’s probably Sawyer and Cade. I think they’re hanging out with Jaxson tonight.”

Kayla’s smile brightens, “Ah the famous Seal boys I have yet to meet. Glad I’ll finally get the chance. They’re all I have heard about all week from clients who have spotted them around town.”

“Oh they’re something alright,” Grace mutters under her breath.

I giggle at Grace’s remark and I remember Sawyer at the diner… “I think Sawyer has a crush on you Grace.”

Grace scoffs but her cheeks turn pink, “I think Sawyer is the type to have a crush on anything with boobs.”

I laugh again and don’t deny the accusation. He does seem that way but there’s something I saw in him, the way he looked at Grace at the diner. It bothered him that she didn’t melt into a puddle like every other girl does when he’s near them.

“Anyways, I’m not his type, at least not anymore.” Kayla and I look over at each other when we hear the sadness in her voice.

I tread carefully wanting her to open up, “Oh and why would you say that?”

She shrugs, “I can just tell. He’s a confident guy, which means he’s into confident girls. Girls who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go after it. Not girls who are damaged.”

I can tell she wants to open up but she’s nervous. I don’t say anything but move to sit behind her on the bed and put my arm around her, offering her silent comfort. Kayla does the same on the other side and we wait for her to continue, which she does.

She takes a big breath, “There’s a lot I haven’t told y’all.”

“You can tell us anything Grace, you can trust us.”

I nod my head at Kayla’s words.

“I told y’all that I lost my mother when I was 17, but I didn’t tell you how. She was raped and murdered.” Kayla and I both gasp at her admission, but we keep silent and hold her tighter, not wanting to interrupt. “We were really close, and she was all I had. I came home when it happened; they almost killed me too.”

The tears I’ve been trying to hold at bay start sliding free. I look over at Kayla and see one escape her too. “I’m so sorry Grace. I know what it’s like to lose someone you love so much.”

She smiles sadly at me, “I know you do Julia.” She takes another big breath, “The men who hurt her, hurt us, they’re in prison back in Florida, that’s where I’m originally from. The whole reason I came here was to find my father; I have never met him. My mother told me his name and where he lived last so it wasn’t hard to find him, he lives in Charleston. I haven’t had the courage yet to contact him. He’s kind of a big deal, he’s the lieutenant governor.”

“Holy shit! Your father is John Weston Jr.?” Kayla asks in shock.

Grace nods, “Ya, that’s why I’m nervous. He knows about me but he has a family now- a wife and 2 other daughters. I’m just scared of what his response will be to me.”

I interrupt her now, “No matter who he is or what his job is, he’s lucky to have a daughter like you Grace.”

“Damn straight,” Kayla adds.

Grace smiles, “Thanks, I’m really glad I met y’all, you both have come to mean a lot to me.”

I choke up again at her thoughtful words, “We feel the same way.” Kayla and I both hug her now.

“Oh darn, we need to stop this,” Grace says sniffling, “I didn’t mean to put a damper on our girls night. I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t, don’t be sorry. We’re glad you opened up to us. I know there’s more you probably haven’t told us.” The look in her eyes confirms my suspicions. “Know we are always here for you and you can trust us with anything Grace.”

“Thanks,” she whispers quietly.

“Alright let me fix your makeup before we take you to a mirror,” Kayla says. I decide to touch mine up too since I’m blotchy from the tears.

When we finish we walk Grace to the bathroom with Kayla covering her eyes, then we reveal her.

She gasps, “Oh my god, I look… pretty,” she says, as if surprised by the fact.

“Of course you do, you always look beautiful Grace.”

She smiles, “Thanks Julia.” I can tell she doesn’t believe me which makes me sad all over again.

I’m the last one to get dressed, I go in and grab my dress, it’s almost identical to the one Grace borrowed but hot pink. I haven’t had a chance to wear it yet so I’m excited when I put it on. I grab my strappy silver heels, which thankfully aren’t too high because I’m not all that graceful in heels.

The 3 of us stand in front of the mirror, Kayla wraps her arms around Grace and I, “We look fucking hot ladies!”

I giggle and have to agree, we clean up good.

Kayla looks over at me with a smirk, “How much you wanna bet we’re gonna see the Hulk come out when we go downstairs?”

I roll my eyes, “Probably, he’s been pouting all day.” I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little excited for Jaxson to see me. I like it when he gets territorial and tonight I’m ready to test his control again.

“Well then, let’s get this show on the road. I love irritating that guy,” Kayla walks out chuckling.

Sawyer, Cade and I are at the table having a beer. I’m trying to be social but I’m in a pissy mood about Julia going out tonight.

Why can’t their girls’ night consist of staying in the house and watching a movie? I mean, do they need to go to the club? It pisses me off to think of all the guys that will be sniffing around her all night.

It’s been a long fucking week being around her constantly and not burying myself inside her like I want to. I haven’t whacked off this much since I was 14 years old. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to hold off.

Suddenly Sawyer’s eyes bug out of his head as he looks at something behind me, “Holy shit!”

A feeling of dread creeps in my stomach. I turn around slowly and look behind me to see the girls walking into the kitchen. My gaze zeroes in on Julia and I suck in a sharp breath at the site of her. My dick spikes along with my temper, “What the fuck are you wearing?”

She narrows her eyes at me, “It’s called a dress, haven’t you ever seen one before?”

“You’re not leaving looking like that.” Shit, I didn’t mean to have it come out quite like that.

She scoffs but before she can respond Kayla jumps in, “Easy there Hulk, we don’t want things going smash!”

The girls chuckle in unison like it’s some private joke. Sawyer joins too, although he’s laughing hysterically.

“Well I personally think you girls look fucking incredible.”

“Thank you Sawyer,” Julia responds sweetly while she glares at me.

What an asshole.

“Guys this is Kayla, Cooper’s fiancée,” Julia beams as she says fiancée.

Sawyer smiles, “Ah yes the famous fiancée. Heard you girls had quite the night last night.”

Julia and Kayla groan in unison.

Julia points to Grace now, “And ya’ll remember Grace.”

Cade nods and Sawyer lays on the charm, “Of course, I never forget a beautiful woman. How are you doing Grace?”

“Fine thank you,” she responds quietly without looking at Sawyer, which pisses him off. His torment slightly eases my shitty mood until I look at Julia again.

“Will you stop glaring at me?”

I glare harder.

“Whatever,” she mumbles then looks over at Kayla, “want to go wait outside? The cab should be here soon.”

What the hell?
“I told you I’d drive you there.”

“And I said no thank you.”

“Why the hell not?”

Kayla pipes up, “Because if you take us they won’t let us in after the scene you will cause.” She follows up her comment with a shitty impersonation: “Hulk like Julia. Hulk smash anyone who look at Julia.”

Sawyer laughs hysterically again, “I fucking love this girl!” To which all the girls burst out laughing at.

Whatever!

“See ya later boys, have a good night!” Julia blows me a kiss over her shoulder as she walks out.

I seriously consider hauling her sweet ass upstairs and fucking the sass right out of her.

Shit
! I throw my chair into the wall and start pacing. What the hell am I going to do?

“You bring this shit on yourself, you know that right?” Sawyer asks breaking through my thoughts.

I glare at him, “It’s not that simple. I care more about her than I do about fucking her.”

“Actually, it is that simple, take both. It doesn’t have to be one or the other you idiot.”

“Lay off him, I get it,” Cade says stepping in.

Sawyer grunts, “Of course you get it. You’re a fucking idiot too. I tell you boys if I had women like Faith and Julia after me I wouldn’t be fucking it up like you dumb asses. I’d be fucking them all night long,” he says smugly, which both Cade and I nail him for.

Sawyer stops laughing then looks over at me seriously, “I’m telling you Jaxson, somebody is going to take that position sooner rather than later. You can’t expect her to be alone for the rest of her life. So if I were you, I would pull your head out of your ass and lay your claim before it’s too late.”

I know he’s right. I can’t expect her to be alone forever and the thought of anyone else having her makes me sick.

I look back at Sawyer to see him watching my torment with a stupid grin, “So are we going or what?”

I make my decision, “Ya, we’re fucking going, just let me change.”

He lets out a cheer, “Alright, busting up girls’ night!”

I send Cooper a quick text and tell him to meet us there rather than come here first. Shit! I pray I know what the hell I’m doing.