I need to find a release. I need something to help sort out the twister, swirling and stirring inside me.
I turn Pandora on my phone, walk to my bathroom, and grab some bright red nail polish and my manicure set. I carefully chisel my cuticles, then I clean and polish my nails and toenails. I dial Mary’s number and put her on speaker phone while I wait for my nails to dry. It’s suffocating to physically hold a phone up to my ear; besides, I’m a multitasker by heart and can’t just sit and talk on the phone. I don’t like texting either. Texting takes the human element out of conversation, although it’s nice for a sentence or two. Still, I’d rather hear a voice.
“Hey girl, what are you doing today,” I ask, as Mary answers the phone. “I want to get out of the house for a little bit.”
“I have to work from three to eleven tonight, but I can do lunch,” Mary responds. “Do you want to go to Ray’s Pizza or are you in the mood for something else?”
I can hear my mother talking in the distance.
“Hang on mom,” I yell. “Hold on Mary, my mom’s hollering for me.”
There are two taps on my bedroom door and I watch as it opens.
“Honey, your dad and I are getting ready to leave to watch the tractor pulls at the Farm Show. You’ll need to fend for yourself for dinner, because your dad’s planning on taking me to the new Hibachi restaurant in Harrisburg, afterwards.”
“Okay, I’m leaving here in a bit to get lunch with Mary and then I’m not sure what I’ll get myself into. Where’s Jimmy?”
“Your brother left for camp with his friends,” she replies. “He won’t be around until tomorrow or so. Please make sure you’re in by midnight, we hope to be home by then. Love you, dear.”
“Love you too, ma,” Mary yells from the speakerphone. My mother and I look at each other and laugh.
“Love you too, Mary. Have fun girls,” mom says, as she walks out and closes the door behind her.
“Now where were we? I said. “I think you should call off work tonight so we can hang out now that we know I’ll have the house to myself.”
“I wish I could, but I can’t. Go, get ready and come pick me up. Let’s go get pizza.”
“Okay give me an hour and I’ll be over.”
I disconnect the call and switch on Pandora. I grab a sky-blue cotton dress from the closet, undergarments, white open-toed sandals and head for the bathroom to shower.
It didn’t take me long to get ready to go and head out the door. I place my purse on the front passenger side floor of my car and begin to play my music through my car’s bluetooth system. I have a jet-black Mitsubishi Lancer with leather seats and a sun roof. I absolutely love my car. It’s my own little race car. I pull out of the driveway and make my way to Mary’s house.
“You know, I’m really in the mood for a road trip,” I say to Mary, as she climbs in the car. “Let’s plan a trip after graduation. We can go somewhere for a long weekend.”
“We can do that,” she adjusts her seat and moves my purse to the back seat. “We need to figure out who else would want to come and decide where we all want to go. We’d also need someone to buy us drinks. Or, we could go by ourselves. Cedar Point Park just opened a new coaster that I’ve been dying to go on. You’re my only friend that enjoys amusement parks.”
“I’m open to anything,” I reply. “We can look up the cost of the park and hotels once we get to Ray’s.”
Ray’s Pizza is a dinky little joint in the center of town, but they have phenomenal pizza and hot wings. We always run into kids from school and older kids, who are home from college. Mary heads to her favorite booth, in the north corner of the restaurant. She said it’s her favorite because she enjoys watching everyone come and go. I like it because she reports to me if anyone interesting walks in.
Kimmy, our waitress, appears. “What can I get you ladies today?”
“We’ll take a medium pepperoni pizza with a dozen of your hot wings.” I order.
“Sure thing,” Kimmy said. “And what would you like to drink?”
“I’ll take an iced tea,” Mary says.
“I’ll have a diet Pepsi,” I add.
“Okay, it’ll be out shortly,” Kimmy says, as she turns and walks off.
Mary pulls out her phone. “I’ll look up the park ticket prices if you want to look up the hotels.”
“Okay, but when would we want to go?” I pull out my phone to check the calendar. “Our graduation ceremony is on Thursday, June 5, and we are going to Bo’s bash afterwards. Maybe we could leave on Sunday, the prices tend to be cheaper during the week, rather than the weekends, anyway.”
“That sounds like a good plan to me. Go ahead and reserve the room from Sunday to Wednesday. We can get a two day ticket with a fast pass for $89 a person.” Mary explains.
“Okay, I’ll use Priceline and select the ‘name my own price’ deal,” I sigh, feeling excited as a smile stretches across my face. “I’ll set the filters to include a breakfast and a spa. I’d love to come back from the park and sit in the hot tub.”
“OMG, a ten just walked in the door,” Mary says as she begins to drool, her bottom lip practically hitting the table.
I laugh out loud. “Geesh Mary, fix yourself, you’re drooling.”
“He’s coming this way,” she whispers. “Don’t look.”
A man walks past me and sits at the table across the aisle from us. He’s sitting on the same side as Mary, also facing the door. I have a good look at him and I get a funny feeling he sat there so that he could get a good look at me. She is right he is a ten. Actually, he’s more than ten. He’s wearing a gray t-shirt with Marine written in black bold lettering across the chest. He has a tattoo sleeve stretching from his wrist up his arm where the rest is hidden underneath his shirt. His shorts are camouflage with bright white Nike sneakers. His hair is cut short like a man would wear who serves in the military. His shoulders are low and broad. His neck is erect and firm. He has great posture. He has green eyes with dark eyebrows. His nose is small with a chiseled jawline. He’s sporting a five o’clock shadow. Wow, he is really handsome. He also looks eerily familiar, but I can’t place him.
“He’s hot,” I silently mouth to Mary.
“What can I get you, cutie,” I hear Kimmy ask him.
I look over at Mary and roll my eyes. Isn’t that borderline sexual harassment? Kimmy continues to take the man’s order.
I turn my attention back to my phone. “What price do you want me to enter,” I ask again, seeking confirmation. “I’m thinking $75 a night. My filter options include a 4-star hotel rating or higher with breakfast included and a spa. I’ll book it for Sunday June 8th through Wednesday the 11th.”
“Put $70 in as bid and let’s get it booked,” Mary states, as she looks a little off to her left to eye-google the man next to us.
“Yes! We will be staying at Red Beakers at Cedar Point.” I declare. “Let me see what this hotel offers. It includes Wi-Fi, two pools, three hot tubs, beach access and a Hibachi Grill. I’m so stoked! Guess you know where we will be eating dinner when we first arrive. Our total comes to $263.58 including taxes and service fees.
“I’m so excited,” Mary turns her attention back to me. “You will love this coaster. It drops you 210 feet from its highest point. I can’t wait! Thank you so much for doing this with me. You are the only adventurous friend who is crazy enough to do this with me,” Mary says, as she repositions herself in the booth.
“Um, don’t forget that I’m also the friend who went skydiving with you last summer at Ocean City. The 210-foot drop is nothing compared to jumping out of an airplane at 10,500 feet,” I counter, with a smirk.
“Yeah, yeah,” Mary adds. “You had fun though. Okay, move your stuff. She’s coming with our food.”
I grab 3 wings from the basket with a slice of pizza and place them on my plate. I tear into the wings first.
“How are the wings,” the handsome man asks.
I grab the napkin and gently wipe aro
und my mouth. “Delicious! They have just enough heat to enjoy without needing to down a pitcher of water after every bite.”
“That’s what I like to hear. By the way, I’m Jaxon Sanchez. And you are?”
“I’m Jaycee and this is my friend Mary.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he says.
Suddenly my phone buzzes. I look down and it’s a text from Mary.
BFF Mary: He’s totally into you.
Me: Oh, stop. He’s just being friendly, but he’s totally hot.
“Did you serve,” I ask.
“Why do you ask,” he playfully counters.
“Well, your overall demeanor, your t-shirt.” I shrug. “You just have the look of someone in the military.”
“That’s very observant of you, Ms. Jaycee. Yes, I am in the military. I returned home last month from a three year mission and I’m currently on an extended leave. I am Sergeant Major Jaxon Sanchez, at your service,” he smiles and nods his head.
“Thank you for your service, Sergeant Major Sanchez,” I express admiration for his service. “I’m glad you made it home safely. My brother Jimmy enlisted in the Marine Corp and is leaving in the fall. I would love to introduce the two of you; maybe you could share with him the do’s and don’ts of the Marines. I’m not happy about his decision, but I understand it. Mostly, I just want him to be safe. I’m fearful that a war is coming. My family and I watched CNN last month and they were celebrating a unit who just returned from Kuwait after killing their leader. I’m sure there will be retaliation.”
Just then, as a tsunami wave slams into the shoreline, fast and furious, so did my memory.
“Oh my god, that was you.” I exclaim. “That was your unit! You were the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor!”
“Yes, that is my team, but I assure you that you have nothing to fear,” his voice is kind and respectful. “Our government is very resourceful and will stop any acts of war against us. My team is considered the top, elite agents in the Marine Corp. We will be the first ones they call to place at enemy lines.”
“Jaxon, would you like to join us for dinner,” Mary asks politely. “Unless you are waiting for someone?”
“Yes, please join us. It will be our pleasure,” I add, as I slide my food and drink down closer to the window to give him room to slip in beside me.
The moment he sits down beside me, just inches from me, I start to get a warm feeling coursing through my body. My heart rate skyrockets. I start taking in short, rapid breaths. My body temperature is about to reach its boiling point. What the hell is going on? Why am I having a reaction to him? I feel like a kid in the candy store. I focus my attention to Mary as a distraction from all my senses, which are deceiving me right now.
For the next hour Mary and I listen to Jaxon talk about where he’s from, how his parents tragically died in an accident and what brought him to Ridge Landing. Our lives seem so small compared to his life experiences, but we still talk about preparing to graduate high school and our upcoming trip to Cedar Point Park. Mary shares that she was accepted to New York Art Institute and Design, with the dream to intern in Europe.
Jaxon reaches his arm over and places it on the wooden frame behind me. “What about you, Jaycee? Do you have any plans after high school?”
“No, actually, I don’t,” I say, hesitantly. “I applied to different colleges and universities, but nothing resonates with me. I’m currently working as a data clerk for a local accounting firm and blessed with the opportunity to work from home, which I enjoy. I’m considering attending a university online. I have no desire to live in a dorm or experience the wild college life. I’m afraid I will end up with a roommate who is either messy or kicks me out every night because she has her boyfriend over. I’m really struggling with this decision. Going college is not only a big decision, but an expensive one, and I’m petrified that I will make the wrong choice and be in debt.”
I took a deep breath and continued. “Mary is very talented, it makes sense for her to go to New York Institute and follow her passion. I lack the creativity gene. The only thing that piques my interest is writing, but I don’t think I’m very good at that, my sentence structures are awful, or so I believe. All my English teachers never had any trouble marking my work with red ink.”
I reached over and grabbed my glass and took a sip from my soda. Why did I share all of that with a stranger? I haven’t even communicated my concerns with my parents yet.
“What would you do if you were me,” I ask Jaxon.
Jaxon quickly responds.
“The possibilities are endless. I’d love to explore them with you. I could show you the world.”
“Um, Jaycee.” Mary quickly spits out while her eyes are staring behind me.
That’s when I hear a familiar voice.
“Jaycee, fancy meeting you here,” Wyatt sternly says, with a hint of jealousy in his voice. “What are you doing here?”
I must have the deer in the headlights look; inside I feel like my heart just exploded. Did he just overhear what Jaxon said to me? I quickly compose myself.
“Hello, Wyatt,” I say, boldly. “I’m eating lunch with my friends. Small world to see you here.”
Jaxon shifted slightly in his seat and moved closer to me brushing his leg against mine. It was an unspoken declaration, one that instantly made me feel calm, empowered, and confident. What is happening to me?
“I must be the fly on the wall, I’m Sergeant Major Sanchez,” Jaxon says, as he removes his arm from around me and extends his hand out to Wyatt.
Wyatt stands in silence for a split second, disregards Jaxon’s gesture and storms off.
“I apologize about what just happened,” I nervously say. “Wyatt is an ex-boyfriend of mine. Well, actually, we never officially dated, according to him. I really don’t know what to make of his behavior. I’ve never seen him be so rude before.”
Jaxon slips his arm around me again and says, “If I had someone as beautiful as you, I would never let you go. I’m sure he felt threatened.”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I need to get home and get ready for work,” Mary chimes in.
“Oh, I’m so sorry Mary. I didn’t realize what time it was,” I pull my purse out to grab a twenty-dollar bill.
“No need. Please put your money away,” Jaxon demands. “This is my treat. It’s not often I get to enjoy dinner with two beautiful women.”
“Thank you, but it’s only fair that we leave the tip,” I insist. Mary and I both throw five dollars on the table for Kimmy.
Jaxon stands and slides out the booth. “Jaycee, I would be honored to meet your brother before he leaves for boot camp, but I’d also like to spend more time with you and get to know you better.”
“I’d like that very much,” I accept as I look around and see that Wyatt is only two booths behind me, looking furiously angry at me while sitting with his new, female companion. I hand Jaxon my phone as I slide from the booth.
“Enter your contact information and send yourself a text that way you have the correct number,” I pause and further consider his invitation to meet again.
“Do you have any plans for supper tonight Jaxon,” I ask, as we walk past Wyatt and his female friend. “My parents are out of town, my brother is camping with his buddies and I don’t have any plans.”
“As a matter of fact, I do have plans. My plans include taking a beautiful girl, whom I just met, to the park and midnight walk on one of the trails. Text me your address and I will be there at five o’clock to pick you up.”
“Sounds like a perfect plan to me,” I say, as I wink at him.
Mary and I climb in the car and before we even pulled out of the parking stall, I texted Jaxon my address.
“I have only one thing to say Jaycee,” Mary says matter-of-factly. “He’s the one you are going to fall hard for. All your previous relationships won’t hold a candle to him.”
Jaxon
6 years ago
I watch her hips sway from left to right, how her hair moves slightly in the draft of her movement from one room to the next. Jaycee has no idea how hard I’ve fallen for her. Her morals and what she stands for, her compassion for others is remarkable to me. I’ve witnessed her forgiveness towards others when it wasn’t hers to give, just to make peace.
She’s been staying with me in the apartment I’m renting for the past month. She goes home sometimes during the week, but as each day passes, the more she’s been staying here. I haven’t tried to make love to her yet. I’m waiting for her to let me know when she’s ready. For now, we are taking our time and exploring everything there is to know about each other. Even so, there is a large part of me that I cannot share with her. It’s not safe for her to know. Eventually, I will be called back to complete more missions. I may not be enlisted anymore or subject to deployment, but I still serve the government privately as America’s hitman. I’m the man they call when they need to have a problem removed. As long as I do my job, no questions asked. No harm, no foul. But the mission has to be assigned to me, otherwise, I could be charged with murder if I kill on my own terms. My team is only called on in the more complex missions which require additional resources and skill sets, such as mine.
I replay the first day I met her over in my mind…the day I chased a child. I’m not proud of I acted that day, not by any means. If I had a daughter and someone did to her what I did to Jaycee, I would skin that man alive and make him eat his own flesh. It was predatory behavior and I have killed men for far less than that. Even so, I felt like every fiber of my being, my soul was being pulled towards her that day. I don’t understand nor can I describe what I was feeling then and I still don’t understand it. I had just lost my only family and I was doing soul searching at the time. It doesn’t justify what I did though, and I know, eventually, I have to divulge to Jaycee about what really happened that day, but now is not the time. My goal now is to shower her with genuine affection, love, and respect so that when the truth is revealed, it will have no consequence. Then I will spend the rest of my life making it up to her.
Shattered (Guardian Series Book 1) Page 6