Against the Rules

by M. E. Montgomery

  "Wonderful. I can't tell you how much having Goldy has helped my mother. Not only the service part but the company as well." Goldy was, not surprisingly, a Golden Retriever that my mom had trained to fetch items for Charlotte's mother who had become wheelchair bound, but still very sharp-minded.

  "I'll be sure to pass that on. She loves hearing about her former pups."

  "Now, what can I get you ladies?" She grinned. "I have four different kinds of cheesecakes today, including your favorite, key lime"—she nodded to Jade who beamed—"and white chocolate for you." Her eyes shifted back to me.

  Jade winked at me. "I think she means we eat here a lot." She turned to Charlotte. "You know how much I love your key lime cheesecake, but I think I want something chocolate today."

  Charlotte and I both peered closely at Jade. I'd never known her to turn down Charlotte's key lime cheesecake when she had it available. Something was definitely up.

  "Oookay. Triple chocolate cake for you."

  The bells on the front door chimed, so Charlotte left to take care of other customers that walked in and to get our order.

  "Okay, spill it." I took a sip of my water and leaned back in my chair.

  "What?"

  "Don't give me that innocent look. You've been moody all morning, and now you've turned down your favorite cheesecake to eat something else."

  "What are you, the dessert police?"

  "Oh, that would be a dream job, huh?"

  A corner of her mouth tipped up, and she relaxed slightly in her chair.

  "Seriously, Jade, are you okay? You've been checking your phone all morning, been as prickly as a pincushion, and now you're choosing chocolate, which you usually only do when a guy you like pissed you off." If I hadn't been watching her so closely, I might have missed the grimace that came and went. "Oh." I leaned forward and grabbed her hand that was playing with her straw wrapper. "He didn't hurt you or anything, did he?"

  "No, nothing like that." She was quick to reassure me. "Let's say the evening didn't live up to my expectations."

  "Oh." Oh! I held up my pinky finger. "You mean he was..."

  Jade snorted. "No, that definitely wasn't the problem."

  I was confused. "So, he just didn't know what he was doing then?"

  She sighed. "I wouldn't know. He turned me down."

  "Oh," I repeated, too surprised to come up with more profound words.

  "I thought we were getting along so well. He walked me back to my place. He kissed me, and I know he wanted more. I could feel it, you know? Literally and emotionally. But then he pulled back, told me "good night," and left me hanging. What kind of guy does that?"

  I had to bite back my smile. "You're right. What a jerk. How dare he be respectful?"

  Her green eyes pierced mine. "You don't get it. It's like going to the theater and seeing the first half that ends on a cliffhanger, and then the show closes without the second half."

  "Maybe because he sees you as more than just a show."

  "I'm not interested in a relationship," she muttered. "Maybe I should send him your way."

  "Oh, yay. That would be wonderful," I answered, rolling my eyes and my head. "Please, send your leftovers to me."

  "Oh, honey, I didn't mean it that way! You know that! I meant you're not a whore d'oeuvre. You're looking for more. I'm not."

  I choked on the water I'd just sipped. "I'm not a what?"

  The familiar gleam came back into Jade's eyes. "A whore d'oeuvre. W-h-o-r-e. You know, someone who—"

  I held up my hand. "Yeah, yeah, I think I got its meaning, and you're right, I'm not. But I've also known you for a while, and I don't think I've ever seen you bent out of shape over a guy before. He really got to you, didn't he?"

  "No, that would be the problem. He didn't get to me." She winked. "I was looking forward to a fulfilling experience."

  I sat back in my chair and played with one of the straws Charlotte had left on the table. "Are you mad because he didn't sleep with you, or because he wanted something more with you first?"

  She wrinkled her nose. "I'm not interested in anything serious. You know that."

  Yeah, I'd heard that from the time I'd first met her, but I couldn't understand why. Sure, not everyone wanted to get married and have babies, but Jade seemed determined to make that her destiny. She might think she had others fooled, maybe even herself, that she was happy this way, but I didn't believe her. I'd watched her look at couples with a bit of wistfulness when she thought no one was looking. And she was ecstatic for Maggie when she got engaged.

  "Jade," I started, but was interrupted when Charlotte came with our treat. Both of us shoveled in the first forkful with enthusiasm.

  "Oh, yum. Mmm." Jade made a show of closing her eyes and licking her lips. "Oh, wow. Yes, this mouthgasm might seriously be as good as the other kind."

  Mouthgasm? Jade's vocabulary was entertaining, to say the least. Fortunately, she let any further comments go as we focused on our desserts.

  After a minute, she rested her fork on her plate and wiped her lips. "Speaking of shows," she said offhandedly, "what's up with Jaxson Carter? I was recording the donation checks the other day, and I noticed a second check from him, and it looked personal, not business." She tilted her head to one side and raised her eyebrows. Her stern librarian impersonation didn't match the twinkle in her gaze. "You must have made quite an impression on him. Something else must have taken place at that meeting. Come on, 'fess up."

  And just like that, the tables had turned on me. "We might have bumped into each other more than that one time." I shrugged.

  Jade eyed me closely as I avoided looking at her, working hard to scrape every crumb of my treat. Clink! Her fork suddenly ensnared mine. "Or maybe, it was him who made an impression on you," she said, looking every bit the fox who'd discovered a new hen house.

  My forked clanked to my plate as I sat back. If for no other reason than to sort my thoughts out, I needed to tell someone everything that was on my mind.

  "Turns out I'd already met him at the wedding. He's Derek's cousin, and our lips may have introduced themselves a little at the reception," I admitted.

  Her eyes popped from her head. She knew that was outside of my normal behavior. "Were you drunk?"

  "I wish I could blame it on alcohol. But no, it was all me. Or maybe it's just him." I filled her in on everything that had taken place at the wedding and since then. "He brings out the worst in me."

  "Or maaaybe, he brings out the fun in you. The part of you that longs to escape, but you keep hidden."

  "If that's the case, I need to stay away from him. Look what happened the last time I took a chance and went out with someone who wasn't quiet and settled." I thought back to my last boyfriend, Travis, who seemed to have such a zest for life, was fun and exciting and didn't make assumptions about me because of what my dad did for a living. He'd snuck well into my life, my family, and my bed before I realized what he was really high on.

  Jade nodded, her expression surprisingly serious for a change. "You do know that everything that happened with Travis wasn't your fault, right?"

  "Of course, it was. I'm the one who fought for him and insisted on bringing him into my parent's lives. They weren't happy, but I thought if only they got to know him better, they'd see what I saw, someone kind, exciting, generous, and sweet to me. I ignored a dozen warning signs. Talk about being stupid and blinded by love." I paused to rub my fingers along my temples as they pulsed by the anger and guilt I still felt and would always feel. "I might as well have handed him the keys to everything and said, 'Here. Use my family as a cover for your illegal business.'"

  "He did use you, Grace, but it's not your fault. You were a victim. He was smooth and charming. None of us guessed how manipulative he was."

  "My dad did."

  Jade snorted. "Yeah, well, it's like your dad has access to Santa's naughty and nice list."

  "He doesn't like Jax, either."

  "Oooh. Ouch."

  "Rig
ht. It almost feels like deja vu. He never liked Travis, never trusted him. He tried to warn me, and I wouldn't listen. I was too caught up in the way Travis made me feel, only to find out it was all one hell of a lie that nearly destroyed all of our lives."

  "You know they don't blame you."

  "I think my dad does. He practically snarls at anyone who comes near me."

  "He is a little overprotective." Her brows lowered. "Has he warned you against Jax?"

  "Not exactly," I answered. "But I'm pretty sure the nasty looks he's given Jax are an indicator of how he feels. His glare could have frozen water on sight when Jax showed up at church. I can only imagine what his reaction was when Mama told him Jax was coming for dinner."

  "Mama Anne is the only one that your father might be afraid of. But dinner might still be a shitshow. Can I come? It's been a long time since I've seen an action slash horror movie. I'll bring the popcorn."

  I laughed, then grew serious again. "Last night, I received a phone call from Micah's mom." I explained how I'd learned that Micah had come clean with his mom about why he was with Jax earlier this week.

  "She was in tears, so grateful that Jax had not only kept her son from getting in trouble but was also offering him a way to earn the food, not just accept charity. She went on and on about how she was so happy Micah had found a man he could look up to." I tossed aside the napkin that my fingers had shredded while I talked about Jax and rested my head in my hands.

  "That doesn't seem like the kind of man who's out to use you," Jade said.

  "No, it doesn't. But he's holding something back. I can't deny there's a physical attraction, but I can't help but feel I'm nothing more than a conquest to him, and I've had enough games with a man to last a lifetime. I don't know what to do."

  "I understand your caution. But Jax doesn't come across at all like he-who-we-won't-name. And he's asked you out more than once?"

  I nodded slowly. "I keep telling him “no,” but it's getting harder."

  "So, don't say 'no.'" She made it sound so simple. "Get to know him. Find out what he's really like."

  "I know he's not the commitment type. I have that on good authority from both Maggie and Paul."

  "You're not making a commitment by having one dinner with the guy. As long as you know that going in, you'll be smart about it."

  Going into what, though? Jax was charming and oozed sexiness that broke through my defenses every time I was near him. I'd already broken my rule about no kissing other than to the cheek or a quick peck on the lips until at least a second date. He was the kind who could sensually overpower a woman who wouldn't know what hit her until her back hit the mattress. It would be so easy to give into him but after that? I'd want more, and he wouldn't.

  As if she could read my mind, Jade said, "Grace, I know you. You're trying to plot out in your head where this could go with Jax. You're a planner, it's what you do. And that is perfect for your business. It doesn't work in a relationship. If you're attracted to him, see what happens. You're going in with eyes wide open. Who knows? Maybe he'll be different with you. He knows who your father is and is still asking. In the meantime, it's okay to have a little fun. Let him shake up your world a little. Let him rattle your bed frame and dust off your hoohaa."

  I coughed, spitting my mouthful of water back into the glass that I was drinking from.

  Jade’s nose wrinkled. "Ew."

  "Well, stop saying stuff like that to me." I couldn't keep my frown, though. I loved that she didn't treat me as if my ears would melt if anyone mentioned sex in my presence. Like Travis had. Like Jax does. I got lucky with Jade, but not with Travis. As for Jax, he was a mighty big question that I half wanted, half feared.

  "Okay, I'm sorry. I might be just a little jealous I sent you there instead of going myself."

  "Sometimes I wish you had. We'd both probably be happier." I left enough money plus a good tip for Charlotte on the table and stood. "Come on. Let's get back to planning."

  At least that was something I could control. Maybe I'd have a better sense of what to do after Friday dinner –if he even showed up.

  15

  Jax

  What the fuck was I doing?

  The question was becoming as redundant as Elizabeth Taylor's wedding marches. I reached for the bouquet of colorful flowers and the wine bottle in my passenger seat. Wait. Did her parents even drink wine? Anyone else and I wouldn't give it too much thought or care. But this was a pastor's family. Would I offend them? Were the flowers enough?

  Why does it matter?

  I knew I should have canceled. It would have been so easy to call Anne Hart with a kindly worded excuse about something coming up with work. But I couldn't do it. Not after Grace gave me a way out and I'd rejected it. Grace would see right through it and call me on the cowardly act. And for reasons that I still didn't want to explore, her opinion mattered to me. So here I sat parked in my car in front of her house, behaving like a nervous schoolboy sitting outside the principal's office.

  Oh, fuck it. I grabbed the wine and the flowers and started up the sidewalk. I could hear laughter and playful shrieks coming from behind the house. Before I could knock, the wood door swung open.

  "Well, hello there, handsome. I was wondering if you were expecting curbside delivery." A stunning blonde leaned against the frame, arms crossed.

  I grinned, liking her straightforwardness. She had to be another of Grace's sisters. "I figured that option was off the table when I didn't see a squawk box to talk into."

  She laughed and stepped aside to let me in. She spied the wine in my hand. "Oh, it's like you know me or something! That's one of my favorites! I like you better already. Would you find me rude if I opened it before dinner? After the day I've had, I could use it."

  Laughing, I handed her the bottle. "As long as you don't get me in trouble."

  "I promise I'll take all the blame. I'm Angela." Her pretty blue eyes scanned me up and down. "My sister said you were good-looking." She winked at me.

  Hmm. Interesting. "Grace said that?"

  She laughed again. "No, Faith did. Grace said you were more of an ass."

  I shook my head, amused and disappointed at the same time. "Yeah, that sounds like her. She seems a little fond of that word concerning me." I darted my eyes around, looking for her.

  "If I were her, I'd be more interested in looking at your ass." Angela's voice dropped, sounding flirty, even a little seductive. She laid her hand on my bicep and angled herself to look behind me at the topic of discussion. "Maybe after dinner, we can spend some more time getting to know each other better."

  I tried to step away, but her hand tightened its grip as she moved closer still, enough her generous breasts hugged my arm.

  "Faith said she thought Grace was maybe into you. I love my sister, but between you and me, she's pretty straight. Doesn't like to party. A bit boring, actually. And you definitely won't get her to have the kind of fun I bet you're interested in." She winked at me.

  Holy shit! Was she coming on to me? In her parent's house? To her sister's friend, for lack of a better word? Did she even know her sister? Her description of Grace was way off.

  I firmly removed her fingers from my arm and took a step back. "I think Grace is perfect the way she is. She's fun, witty, and has a warm and caring nature like no one I've met before. And I have to say I think she deserves more loyalty from you."

  Her narrowed eyes focused on mine. Things certainly weren't off to the best start. I wondered if it was too late to make my excuses and leave.

  A movement in the corner of my eye distracted me from our visual standoff. Oh, God! Please don't let it be her dad! It was a legitimate prayer.

  "Angie? Everything okay?" Grace walked into the entranceway where we were standing. Her brow furrowed as she glanced between the two of us.

  I smiled. She looked fresh and beautiful in a dark pair of jeans and a soft looking sweater and bare feet. Like she was at home. Well, technically she was, but more than that, sh
e looked like home. Like somewhere I'd want to spend every day and maybe never leave. "Everything's fine. I was just getting to know another Hart sibling."

  Angela cut in. "It's more than fine. Operation Cobra was a success. Actually, it was a complete home run."

  What the hell did that mean? More confusing, she was beaming and looking at me with friendly eyes, not the 'let's-fuck-after-dinner' look she'd just been giving me.

  Grace's reaction was even more interesting. "No. Tell me you didn't, Ang," she said as she covered her face with her fingers, shaking her head.

  “Of course, I did. After what you said—"

  "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," Grace. "Here I was worried about Daddy, and you turned out to be the snake in the grass." She uncovered her face to glare at her sister. "Pun intended."

  Angela didn't bat an eye. "I was just looking out for you."

  "Well stop! We're not teenagers anymore."

  "You're still my little sister."

  What were they talking about? Was this whole family nuts? "Um, I'm a little lost here."

  Angela lifted the bottle of wine like a salute. "Grace'll fill you in, I'm sure," she said laughing. She looked at the flowers. "I'll take those for you, too." She grabbed them from my hand when I didn't offer them to her, still stymied by whatever the hell was going on here.

  "Those are for your mother," I called after her. I wasn't quite sure I trusted her not to keep them for herself.

  "Of course, they are." She spun back around. "If they were for Grace, they'd be purple peonies.” She winked. “In case you need that kind of intel." She smiled broadly while Grace mumbled something under her breath. "I'll be out on the deck with the rest of the family. Don't take too long or it will be Daddy in here next. Tootles!" She turned and headed through the living room. About six steps later, she turned back to Grace who was glaring at her. "Home. Run," she mouthed.

  Several seconds of silence passed. "Still confused as to what the hel...eck happened here," I commented.

  She glanced at me with pink cheeks. "No, Hell's about right. You did just escape its outer layer, after all." She bit her lip and cocked her head slightly. "You don't happen to have any siblings, do you?"