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Still Standing Axel's Story

Axel Graves is retired army mechanic now sheriff, in a small town where everyone knew everyone for the most part. With his friend group being small and his reigning title as the towns asshole. His best friend is his brother who's his parents golden child and he the disappointment. Being stuck in love with Jessenia Alderman who is his and his brothers best friend who he shares a God child with him. Can he finally confess his love to Jessie, while saving the town from the new drugs spreading in from an unknown source in the city. Go through the journey of Axel a lifetime of life trying to knock him down, but always find himself still standing.

lilmama881106 · Urban
Not enough ratings
16 Chs

Chapter 8: Can We Talk?

~No One's P.O.V~

After gathering their things and cleaning her up the drive home was pretty short Axel didn't say a word and just let Jessie just calm down and work through the things in her head. Following her in her house putting her bags down. "I'm sorry we had to leave early I know how much you were enjoying yourself and for the most part I say it was a pretty good trip you know before stupid happened. I'm sorry I didn't interfere with him sooner before he let those marks on your beautiful skin angel." Axel told her sounded wounded by the thought of it. "Axel. Tonight. What he said was." "Right." "WHAT?!"

"What he said about me was right on a lot of levels. My mother who is biologically programmed to love just doesn't and maybe never will. We both know how all the women in town actually see me and that is true no matter how much we both hate the fact it's still a fact. I am the towns biggest asshole this is also a fact. Jessenia just because this is all true don't let it get to you don't let it wind you up so tight, because in the end it doesn't really bother me. Those words have no control or power over me and do you want to know why?" He asked her cupping her cheek his hand wrapping around her waist bringing in her in close Looking into his eyes with a small nod.

"They hold no control over me because I don't need my mother's love when I have yours mama Gabs loves me plenty and so does Cal, and Killian, our friends, Hell even my dad, most of all you. So it doesn't bother me like I should when I am surrounded by so much love from my REAL FAMILY! I couldn't give a flying fuck what other women in this town think or what from me when my heart only has its eyes on you and based on earlier I think we may be going down an amazing path finally getting everything we ever wanted, with you finally realizing it's been right here waiting for you this whole time. You know I would never hurt you because I'm in love with you Jessenia so there's no powers in that fact. Lastly I will always be an asshole because I speak the truth and I don't sugar coat shit because last I checked I am not Willy Wonka, and don't give an honest crap who likes what. BUT I will always be your asshole." He told her placing a sweet kiss on her lips. "I'm so sorry he still said all those things. I don't think I reacted very well." "I think there is somethings you could have done differently and as sexy as it is too watch you whoop that ass in my honor promises me you will never put yourself in danger like that again especially over just hatefully words over me. Honestly it's not even worth all this." He said sadly back feeling his mother's hate coming out when he said that.

"Bullshit Axel, I will never just stand around while people spew out bullshit words about you in front of me because if you can see yourself the way I do, you'd know you're worth everything. All the things you ever done and stood up for me for. You're always worth it to me Ax." Looking back into her eyes he knew this was all the love he was ever going to need. Pure, clean, selfless, full, inspiring, life changing love shining right back at him. Leaning down to carefully smash his lips back to hers after a few minutes she started to claw off his shirt before he grabbed her hands to stop her.

"I can't. I can't give you anything more than this tonight." He said tilting his eyes away from her to try to reel in his hard on. "W-Why not?" "Jes I can't let the first night I finally get to touch you or be with you the way I only dream about be the same night some other man put his hands on you. I can't. It's hard enough the first time I got to say I love you today which to me felt perfect, having the night end the way it did. I'm so fucking pist off at Isabella right now girl better stay away from me for a few days." Axel added. "You and me both." Jessie added.

"I don't understand her lately. She's been so weird about the whole Dimitri thing I don't get why. It's starting to be annoying. We're about to start having major problems if she can't let this go. After tonight we may already have them. I can't believe she didn't even ask if I was ok." Jessie told him in the saddest voice he ever heard the girls have been friends forever so he knew how hard this must be hurting her. Then he thought back to everything and Bella didn't ask if she was ok. Only that they can patch her up and what happened. What a bitch, that's her best friend. Trying to calm himself down taking a deep breath. "Don't worry baby y'all going to be able to hash this out later, tonight let's just focus on getting you feeling better." Jessie nodded. "Axel about everything we said in the cabin earlier. I mean I know you want to know where we." "Jess angel, I meant what I said I'm giving you a sometime to think about I don't expect anything from you especially not tonight. I just really want you to think it through. I aint going nowhere angel." He promised taking her hands guiding her to her room.

"Are we still on for Friday?" "You bet that sweet ass." Winking to her. Grabbing her one of his old shirts, she went and got ready in her bathroom. He tucked her in and kissed her head, about to turn and walk away it was already so late. "Axel will you please stay with me. Maybe drift off to some old movies?" She couldn't bring herself to look in his eyes, her heart had been through enough tonight. "Sounds perfect gorgeous. You mind if I just stay in my boxer or you want me to get in sweats?" "Boxers fine. Not the first time." She laughed to him. Throwing the blankets back after stripping down to his boxers he crawled in next to her as he turned on the tv and pulled her close to him as he spooned her both facing the tv as she found the movie White Chicks after laughing they both fell asleep before the movie ended.

Waking up first he looked down at her and besides her little injuries, she still looked beautiful drool and all. "Good morning angel. I know your awake." "It's hard not to be with you staring at me in my sleep." "Oh no angel I was watching that puddle of drool you're making on my chest." He chuckled out as she sat up quickly wiping her mouth. "OH MY GOD!! So gross I'm so sorry." "Relax it's fine, it's not the first or thousandth time. It's an honor to be you're big ass teddy bear you drool over. It's ok baby girl you can tell me you were dreaming of me." "You know what it was a really good dream. Laying on the beach getting lotion spread all across my back as the big strong man tossed me on his shoulder and gave me a night to remember screaming his sweet name from my lips with sweet words of encouragement 'oh yes Jason Momoa right there just like that." She smiled laughing out while he glared at her and smack her ass. "I can't even get mad because he is studdly." Axel agreed back.

"Ryder told me the girls they are coming back around lunch time. Apparently they aren't having very much fun anymore and Travis took Dimitri home this morning. After figuring out we were no longer there. Apparently he was looking for you looking a mess. You really did a number on his face." Axel chuckled. "Yeah now that he's sober I expect to see him slinking around with some over the top apology I aint ready to hear. I don't want to be here when they came back I don't want to see anyone today Ax." She whined. "How about you pack a bag and come stay at my place and we can go grab Maddison at my mom's Chloe's parents dropped her off like an hour ago and we go to like the lake at my place?" Axel offered. "That sounds amazing oh she would love that." "Ok I'll call my dad and let him know were coming it's closer to their house anyway they can get her ready we can be in like twenty-five minutes." "Alright I still got your clothes in Maddison's in dresser drawer in her room." "Alright go get your suit on."

Knocking on the door Sean answered the door hugging them both he took a breath when he saw what Jessie actually looked like. "You better stay away from your daddy if you don't want him behind bars." Sean said shaking his head hugging her tightly. "That is the plan." "Did you at least take pictures?" "I did." Axel told him. "Good. Shocked he's not behind bars." Sean whispered to her. "I heard that. I was about to be. She just beat me to it." "You better grab her and go before your mama comes home and see's all this and makes a Hollywood scene out of it." Sean warned them both. "We still on for Tuesday kiddo?" "Yeah, we are oh Killian's coming it's been awhile since he got out there." "Great, sounds good. You got all the cleaning supplies and spices?" "Yup." "Maddie come on girl their here." When they heard a loud squeal and a little thundering hurricane coming around the corner for both arms wide opened as Axel caught her.

"Well then I think we best be getting' while the gettin's good. Aint that right kiddo." "Yes." After singing loud to the radio all the way down to his house and pulling out the wagon walking down the same ol path she couldn't help but ask. "So what's Tuesday?" "Maddie don't touch that plant. Tuesday is a fishing day with my dad, and my darling brother. Manly family bonding time except we make a fire pit and grill up the fish we catch we only keep three the rest get released. It used to be something we did a lot in summer or tried to remember all the night fishing trips?" "Yeah but we never ate them." "Only because you can't it turns your tummy." Axel told her.

"You guys don't' have to hold back just because I can't do something." She told him a little surprise. "No angel that's not why we don't do it. We just like to have competition when we with you and we mainly just do it on like a guy thing because well when we are bonding sometimes it's easier to open up to each other when our hands are hands are you know busy. Less awkward I guess." "Ok I get it." She smirked thinking about how men are crazy but to each their own. They spent the whole day playing in the water. Playing in the trees and basketball on his little court in front of the cabin. Making food and dancing in the kitchen. Watching Disney movies it wasn't long before the truck crunching dirt and some gravel. Looking out the window Maddie was all excited. "Mama Daddy!" "Should have known you duck out with my kid. Not even surprised to show up to call mama telling we coming to get Maddie for her to tell you got to her first. I assume she'll be passed out before we reach the end of the road?" Killian said with a smirk.

"You know it. She's already fed, bathed, and runned down." Jessie smiled proudly. "Wouldn't doubt it. You are the best sister ever!" Chloe said hugging her tightly. "How are you, really?" She added. "I'm fine." Jessie nodded. "Well things were definitely weird and the fire squad felt really bad for everything that happened I really thought Leo was going to light Dimitri on fire. He thought he blew his whole chance with Bella and was basically trying to kiss everyone's ass as his friends joined him since we all go way back and they love Jessie. Hopefully this all blows over soon. I'm just glad you're ok, you know how much I love you." Chloe told her hugging up on her.

"I love you too, thank you." Neither one was big on confrontation or holding a grudge so they try to get over and past things as quickly as they can with other people, life is just to short to be holding on to so much hate was their little theory. "Just say one word you won't have to deal with him at all anymore." Killian told her with a straight face. "I'm fine kind of just hoping he doesn't press charges." Jess said looking down. "Yeah well you got three grown ass men two of the badge two of the armed forces that say it was self-defense and your face and arms that prove the same thing love bug. Kind of hope he does he get some jail time and get sent down to the city none of us deal with him then." Killian added with a shrug.

"The only thing that bugs me is Isabella right now. She tried to play it off as Dimitri being drunk and everyone over reacting. Girl I shit you not even the fire squad looked at us and we looked at them we just all told her to have good day packed our shit and came home because that was the end of stupidity I could take coming from her mouth I had to pull this one back few times from trying to smack her. Sienna was almost their when Hunter threw her over his shoulder and Ryder didn't even wait he picked up Aria and was first to bounce. Leo was stuck looking at her like she lost her damn mind." Killian added. "I just want all of us to let it go ok, it's over and done and we have so many other things we can do now you know." Jessie pleaded. "Yeah I know, I know how you are, but there's a limit Jessie even I have a line." Chloe warned her. Hugging he each other goodbye and waving them off.

Standing in the living room looking at each other. "Is it still ok if I stay the night?" Playing with her fingers. "You can stay forever baby. You want to go put on a movie in my room and I'll grab a snack and some drinks get in our comfy clothes ready for bed and relax? I know we both got early days tomorrow. Not to mention a special night." Pulling her in for a hug and kiss being playful and gentle with her. "Yes that sounds great. I gave the girls the day off because I am just going to be meeting up with the contractors at the new office and then doing some files from home." "You catching a ride with me then to the station?"

"Yeah I was hoping and I was going to catch an Uber home but knowing how Daddy's guys are one of them probably just going to drive me home I'm lucky the coloring has already changed on my head and I brought a long sleeve work dress to hide my arms I aint ready to tell daddy yet." "You wait longer then Saturday I will tell him myself because he don't need to find out making a scene at church baby." "I know. Damn it you're right. Ok I'll tell him tomorrow. Maybe he'll be there. Can you walk in with me I think Ima need a need a sheriff with me once he looks at me." Chuckling his way to the kitchen. "You bet your ass you are. Just make sure you got the radio for back up. I aint that big to hold him back." He told getting their things for them to enjoy and later drift off cuddled up again.

The working crew was already at it when they pulled into the station being just one building over to the left side the got out and walked stopping for a moment for Axel to check in letting them know he'd be right back. After telling what the guys what he was going to do they thought they would just wait outside including Dalton just for safety purposes and a bit of fresh air. "Jessie have figured anything else out on those drugs?"

"Yeah actually I did turns out my formulas were right. I had a specialist confirm it. I need to talk to some more people I would like a few of your sheriffs with me when I do there is looking like a problem with something from before. I need to have a meeting with you guys before I leave here Sheriff Dalton. I have some files you should look over real quick I think you will be able to get everything you need with this and I can help you take care of everything by Monday Tuesday the latest." She told him sadly the guys looking around at each other. Axel worried she looked so hurt. "We'll be right back." Axel told them. Walking her over. "Is this going to be a bad meeting?" "It will just be a hard one for me. Hard enough for me to need you guys to go talk to someone I care about Monday. Just the thought of it being real makes me scared of him now."

"Don't worry angel we'll talk about soon and we'll be right there for you." Walking into the building they got his attention first. "There's my kiddos. About time you." Looking at her Caleb already stopped tilting his head to look at her walking straight up and seeing her shoulders look different he pushed the top of her dress away from her collar a bit to see the first sing of finger bruising's on her. Taking in a deep breath, standing straight looking at her dead in the eyes. "Who, Why? Where is he? I know it's a man Jessie just tell me which one?" "Well the why is we got into an argument and he was drunk and not paying attention to how hard his hold really was on me and I may have fucked up his face in returned. I can't really tell you where he is nor will I and I am not bailing you out of jail today so not telling you who either." Jessie tried sounding confident and standing her ground.

Looking even more pist off he walked straight up to Axel nose to nose almost with that look. "Axel." Cal said in that tone. "Pops?" He answered back. After a few moments of quiet. "Don't make say it. Don't' make come get you out of holding because let me tell you after having to pry her little ass off there's really nothing left of his dumb ass. I swear I will flatten the fucker myself should he ever start to feel that brave again." Axel argued for Jessie's side. "She got him good?" "Yes sir and I honestly can't tell you where he is right now because we aint too sure." "Has he ever done anything like this to anyone before?" "No sir we are all blown back by it never seen him that drunk either." "Fine, I'll let this go this one time should I find out who r where he is though I make no promises of what I do to him next." "OK daddy." "Ok pops just call me first I'll take my sweet time getting there." Axel winked. "Well since your all set her I'll see you when you pop in then?" "Yup.' It took everything in him to walk away and not kiss her good bye he was getting dangerously addicted to her and couldn't be more proud to be an addict.

~Jessie~

After taking about thirty minutes to go around the building showing her the eight patient rooms, the staff room, the storage room, the four bathrooms, the big open area for the office and receptionist and even an area for records and referrals. "I'm going to need to hire office help I'm good with the nurses I have on staff I only need the three I have. Maybe one office receptionist, one medical billing and insurance, one for records and referrals so about three new hires luckily that fits perfect in the budget. I also get full access at the hospitals to do the surgery's. The money I will get for the last three articles of the papers I published on certain surgeries and medicines will pay you and your men very well for the decorator." She said looking everything over.

"Keep your damn money. This is me and your moms early birthday gift to you. It should be done in about three weeks right when it rolls around." Her dad told her side hugging her. "Dad that's way too much." "It's fine. It aint like anyone one of us is hurting." He said laughing at her. "You really not going to tell me what happened? You know I can easily get it out of Killian right? He's so much more easier to get information out of because he's not in love you." Caleb told crossing his arms starring at her. "How can you say things like that and be so sure and calm?"

"I know you love him. Besides he already told me long time back and even text me for permission to ask you out last weekend. I think early Saturday morning." Caleb said scratching the back of his head thinking back. The night after their first kiss at the bar. He was really going to go all out for this if he asked dad thinking to herself smiling and lushing. "When you guys going?" "Tonight." "You really going to hold out on me?" Caleb asked her using the voice that made her feel bad.

"FINE! I went out on two dates with Dimitri, they were great but I just can't like him back the way he likes me. So I told we can be friends but that's it and then he went all weird like you just need to see us the way I do, and I'm not going to stop trying because there's something between us you just can't see yet and then we went up to the retreat cabin place for Bella's birthday and invited Leo's fire department which now includes Dimitri you know because he got hired on there and she keeps trying to be all like team Dimitri and it's making things between her and I weird and then we all had a great day but at the karaoke after Axel sang his song because he was last. Dimitri was all drunk and asking me if Axel was the reason we couldn't be together, and then he was all jealous boyfriend mode telling me how it would never work because he's the town asshole which no woman ever wants unless sit's only to get into his pants not even his own mother wants him meanwhile he was squeezing me and shaking me a little too hard and then the next thing I know I'm just whamming my head into his, and I think I hit him in the throat and I was just wailing into his face. After that Killian and Ryder came and got me off him Axel was about to kill him after checking me over and seeing me closely then we just packed our shit and came home." Jes told him in one long breath hands son her hips feeling a little tired and frustrated mostly just a few pounds lighter because her dad was the only who could understand her when she talked like that when she got nervous.

"Drunk or not he should have never had said those hateful things about my boy. Drunk or not is no reason to ever put your hands on a woman especially one not belonging to you in the first fucking place in any matter besides a caring one. I'm very disappointed in that boy Jes. I am however impressed by Axel you know before the army he would have given him a new asshole. Kind of wish he did." Caleb mumbled the last part. "I know he was speaking out of anger and a bad place and although I think you dodging a bullet do you think maybe Dimitri was right when asked you if you're not seeing him as more because of Axel. Do you think the reason is not in it, is because it is somewhere else?"

"Well at the time he was accusing me no I wasn't, but the more I think about it maybe in a way he was right. I want to be with someone who excites me yet keeps me safe. I want someone who knows me like when to give me space and when to give me support. I want someone I can have fun with and be able to fall apart with at the same time knowing they got me. I want someone who I can be myself with and have it be as easy as breathing even when we fight and drive each other up the way there would still be no other place I would want him then by my side at the end of the night. That's not Dimitri. He's like some of them but not at all what I need or see for myself down the road. Axel does all that dad, and he never asks for anything from me like ever." She said shaking her head thinking back all the way through the life she's gotten to share with him.

"I know baby we don't make em' like that anymore. He's always been a special breed that one. You are my kid and I love you I would go through hell for you, but if you ever hurt my boy you better run faster than hounds of hell child." He warned her. "Life has done that boy over more times than I can count and I won't let nothing else try and break him. Do you hear me?" "Yes sir." "I think you are just what he needs baby. I am happy you two finally trying it out and I hope you two see this through. No one else walking this Earth will ever deserve except him. I love you honey." "Love you too dad. Now I got to go have an awkward conversation with the sheriffs." Caleb looked up to her. "Just a work call dad." He nodded understanding what she meant.

~No One's P.O.V~

After walking into the conference room where the five men and some others stood sitting waiting for her to present her findings. "Alright men as you know sometimes we reach out for expert opinions on certain cases and this time is no different we all know now since we have caught you up on the facts someone is making new dangerous types of drugs two in fact and thanks to Dr. Jessenia Alderman and her research we have discovered what is in the drug how they are making it and even how they are getting around us. Now she has gone again above and beyond and has brought us new evidence on suspects. Come on up here Jes." Sheriff Dalton told her. She knew every man here in at least sometime type of way from growing up here they all knew how detailed and smart she was and grateful for doing over half the leg work.

"Thank officer Dalton. Ok looking at the information I have turned over this morning I know you all have seen it and it is all true. When Dr. Moretti gave the samples to the lab and Dexter's team looked it over and came up with nothing that was a lie. When I asked for the samples back to take back into custody they threw the biggest fit and refused to give it back although based on their findings there was nothing harmful in the syringe. After I told them I was going to call the sheriff's office back and ask them to gain the warrant to retrieve their evidence they then offered to give it back to me the following morning once I took out my he immediately pulled out and gave it over to me. They were scared of me calling and I couldn't wonder why. I took the evidence over to another lab in West Wick and we both took samples of it and both dissected it and found in fact the team was lying. We found many harmful chemicals needed and there's the list right in front of you about what each one is and what each one does and all the side effects it should cause when brought together." Taking a deep breath.

"Someone has stolen a doctor in the E.R's prescription pad, and someone has been trying to get inside my office my door has obvious evidence in tampering with it there is camera's all over the place yet nothing is caught on the security camera. I have cameras of mine on a different system and you can clearly see someone after hours trying to get in. Until they hear an alarm that I had set up separately. When I was talking to the doctor who's pad has been taken the pharmacy warehouse in West Wick called and informed him to confirm the order that he has been placing every week. He had no idea who or what they were talking about they gave us the address and what it was they were ordering and sent us over the copies of the prescriptions. It was the chemicals and other substances that were needed to complete the new drug formulas, and the writing matches three members of Dexter's team including Dexter himself. I had linguistics already confirm that. The hospital lab staff is helping make the drugs if nothing else selling them on the side to be made." She said looking down sadly looking and feeling ashamed.

"I ran this through the judge based on everything Jessie and the other doctors have given us we have warrants for three arrests and for full access to the security footage to find what the inside man is trying to cover up. Thank you Jessie for all your help and input it truly means a lot to us. Anyone got any questions for Doctor Aldermen?" Keith raised his hand. "Yeah Keith." Dalton asked him. "You ever think you in the wrong career because you know like we're always hiring." Ryder smacking him in the back of the head.

"OH! What just a question man damn." "Thank you for the vote of confidence but I love what I do should I get bored I will think about it." Jessie responded with a giggle and Axel winking to her. "Proud of you angel." "Yeah well you know you figured most of this out, so why am I taking credit for it?" Crossing her arms looking at him. "I'd call it more of a team of effort." He smirked to her. "Yeah you would." She chuckled to him. Walking out of the conference room the group decided to hug her and then get back to their desk.

Natalie and Amber glaring at her as she was walking out. Ryder and Axel not too fat behind her as they were getting ready to patrol out. "Ryder why is this thing just out walking around after what she did to Dimitri's face? She assaulted a man why is she not in a cell?" Amber asked crossing her arms in furry. "How do you know what Dimitri's face looks like?" Ryder asked here with a smirk. "I ran into him at the café this morning, he said told me it was your handy work. How is it you're able to walk around freely? Is it maybe because your oh so friendly relationships with half the damn town?" Amber asked her using air quotes.

"First off you little fucking trick we both know I am not the loose goose up in this station because you and your home girl got me beat at least four times over and you know it. Second off you have no idea what happened so why don't you just worry about you and stay in your own lane. If he wants to press charges that's just fine because then maybe so will I she rolled her sleeves showing a huge handprints indebted into her skin. "Mind your own business Amber before you piss of the wrong person who puts you back into your place." "Are you threatening an officer?" She smirked. "No, I'm just educating you on what happens when you make poor life decisions. Also stop hating on me because the guy your stalking don't want you. That's not my fault." Jessie walked away huffing out in anger.

"Since when do we harass guest of the station officer Hall? Since when is allowed to be airing out personal information in the opening hall of the station about matters or case that is not anyone else's business? You do understand the HIPPA LAWS don't you Ms. Hall anyone who confides in this station is provided privacy to the upmost respect?" Sheriff Dalton asked her in anger. "I was just trying to make sure we are actually following the law to the fullest and not slacking on any parts just because we have personal relationships with certain people. We can't be letting crazy people roaming the streets attacking people." Amber stood up for herself.

"Oh is that right? So this Dimitri man came up to you and asked you to file assault charges then you heard him with your own ears he wants to file charges against Dr. Alderman?" He asked her putting his hands in his pockets. "No sir he never told me he was pushing charges against her." "Well then you heard him tell you in those exact words that she attacked him randomly on the street. Just decided to lash out to him. He used those words. He told you he is scared with her on the streets he is afraid for his safety?" Questioning her once again. "No he didn't say anything like that." "Then maybe officer Hall you should keep your gossip and personal opinions out of the work place. Now get back to work that's what you're here for anyway." Dalton snapped at her walking away.

"Don't let her get to you Jessie she's just really mad right now." "I don't get why though I never did anything to her this is fucking crazy how she of all people going to call me a hoe?" Jessie asked getting mad while Axel was busy signing off on a few forms. "Ok this goes against everything I stand for and I wasn't going to tell you but if she's going to keep verbally abusing my little sister you're going to know at least this little bit. OK so you know how Natalie is like hard up trying to get on Axel's junk right, and you know how Amber carries that light to Dimitri? Well think about it Jes both these girls biggest fucking crushes both got eyes only set on you. So they are jealous now that is not your fault however the night of Maddie's birthday party when you sang with Axel Dimitri got all butt hurt about because he thought you was having something sneaky going on with Axel. So he goes and gets drunk and Amber goes up and hits on him while he was down somehow his drunk ass goes back home with her. They get frisky and they do the deed apparently Amber got furious when he pulled out while he was still wrapped up and called out your name and not hers. That is why she mad at you Jes. She finally got the night with the man of her dreams the one her heart desires and he was fantasizing about another woman. She was heart broke. Then when she went and got fixed up to yell at him he called Mateo to come pick his ass up and he was gone before she got out. So she thought if he was sober enough to understand where he was then he knew very well who was actually underneath him and now she feels like the night she was waiting for was nothing more than her being used as a tool and as big of a bitch she is, it hurt her." Ryder told her as Axel was coming up to her.

"How do you know this?" "I was in the printing room when she was running her mouth in the hall with Natalie." "So what she wants to make me feel as hurt as she does? She thinks being a bitch to me is going to make things better for her. That is some disturbing information to find out there. I want to wash my ears out with bleach and scrub my brain out at the same time. I want to actually poor bleach into my eyes just so I can't see the image in my head." "Way to go Ryder couldn't pick a better time to her a scary story other than today right she going to have nightmares for days now." Axel told him playfully shoving him.

"Well maybe she can cuddle up to a strong big ass teddy bear at night to help keep her safe." Axel was moving around him as they were laughing and he ran to the car in the passenger seat. Axel walked back to her. "Are you ok?" "Grossed out but fine." "You sure you don't need a ride home?" "No, my dad can bring me, or at least Giovani can." "Well just make sure you're ready by six." Axel told her pulling her close to lean down and give her a sweet kiss. "Where are we going?" "It's a surprise dress comfortable." Axel said as he stole another quick kiss and jogged lightly to the car with a wink as Ryder waved her off.

Giovanni drove her home as she went through patient files and scheduled them in her calendar and made calls to book them in the hospital for the receptionist to get back to the patients. Working on referrals she heard the knock on the door. Getting up with her sweet tea in hand she happily went to the door to open it. Standing there looking into the eyes of someone she was not mentally ready to deal with. Without saying a word she just closed the door. Banging on the other side of the door. "What do you want, because right now I am just not ready to talk to you just yet. Figured you would have got that when I texted you back I wasn't ready to talk to you. So what is it that you want right now because honestly I don't have time this." Looking down at her fingers and then looking back up into her eyes. "Can we talk?"