Chapter 2: Words The Most Dangerous Weapon

~Axel~

"Such an evil fucking thing." He groaned to his phone alarm clock turning off and scattering to get ready and get out the door. Getting there just in time to walk Maddie into Sunday school something she loved. Walking back in his brother waved him over saving a spot. "You guys need to scoot down over a little more." Axel told them. "Dude no offense but you aint that big." Ryder laughed to him. "Just do it." He sighed out. Killian smiling because he knew exactly why all these years nothing changes. As the father began the service you can hear a very loud creak of the door being opened, and flip flops flopping quickly as a figure rushed and sat quickly in the pew right next to Axel. Who didn't even need to turn his head to smirk at her. "Kills." She spoke softly before he handed her the small comb he kept in his button-down shirt pocket for her like always. "Ax." She asked quietly who gave her a small clip again neither one bothering to look at her. Setting herself up straight after getting herself presentable.

"You know if you would have stayed you would have been on time." Axel whisper to her softly. "Yeah ,yeah. I got wrapped in some things." "Binge watching Netflix or Ghost Adventures is not an important thing." Axel teased. "Killian you and your big mouth." "What we watch the same damn things not like he's not going to find out." "Some bestie you are." Sticking her tongue at him for Killian to smile with a wink back making Chloe giggle. She loved the playfulness being the sweet lady she was. After the service everybody stood around to greet everyone else so they wouldn't be rude. Both the Graves and Alderman's popped up to Killian, Jessie, and Axel with some of the other fancier couples of church talking happily. "There you kids are. Where's my baby girl?" Dana asked. "Chloe took her to the bathroom mom." Killian responded back looking back at the door to check for them. "Oh I knew you would look so handsome in that charcoal grey." "You got him a shirt?" Sean asked raising a confused brow. "Well of course I did I do every year on his birthday." Gabby told him looking at him like he was crazy. Dana and Sean looked at her with wide eyes. "Of course, right, you know been so busy it almost slipped past me. Happy birthday son." Dana faked smiled to him. Sean feeling guilty like he did every year he did spend some time with Axel growing up but not like he should have and growing older he was really hating himself for it.

"You should come out to dinner with us. We're meeting up with the Jones I believe you work with her daughter who I think has a secret crush on you. We could celebrate." Dana added happily. The Jone's had status and wealth of their own and mainly lived in between the lines on the rich side like his own parents. "It was yesterday." Tessa told them in a slight bitter tone. They loved her, but not their own son made her shake her head. "No that's ok I have plans." Axel said in an emotionless tone. He was actually shocked his mother invited him out until Natalie's family popped up. Sure now that they can gain some status does his mother remember he exist well fuck all that noise. "In fact it's time I get going." "Well how about another time. I really think you should give her a chance Axel I think you would like her." Dana whispered to him. Since when do you think about what I might like or think about me in general he thought to himself. "I know her, I met her, I work with her, and the idea of getting with her is going to be a hard pass on my end. Have a good day ma'am." Axel knew how much she hated when he called her mom, and he never thought she deserved such a title. Getting in his truck he decide to go to the Alderman's and just wait like every other Sunday.

It always felt like home when everyone from his friend circle sat on the long table in the Alderman's home enjoying lunch making all kinds of jokes from dirty to racy, even teasing it just felt like being home. No one ever wanted to leave which is probably why it took us about two sometimes three hours to eat the lunch. "Is no one really not going to speed dating Aria whined. "NO!" They all whined back. "You don't need to go to speed dating Aria I'll take you on a date." Ryder told her making everyone else look up in surprise. After a moment of silence. "Really no one wants to go?" She whined again. "I'm being serious you mean ass woman. I'm a good catch too, hell I'm a handsome tall man who is a man of the law and own my home and car. You could do a whole lot worse babe. Plus I'm an old-fashioned gentlemen like opening doors and all that sweet crap." Ryder argued. "Yeah total gentlemen." Hunter said rolling his eyes, holding Sienna's hand. "Fine. I'm desperate anyway. I want a real date though!" She warned him he put his hands up in surrender. "Alright." Smiling to her brightly making her blush.

"What about you baby girl anyone barking up your tree?" Cal asked her with a wink. "No." She said quickly. "Oh look at you sitting high on the thrown of lies." Bella said. "Whoa." "Really?" Eli's and Killian called out in shock. "Thanks Bells for throwing me under the bus so damn hard you could have won a prize. It's nothing really." "Liar." Sienna added on. "There's another doctor down in the same section we all work at who's always watching her. Always popping up to join her for lunch, making her laugh or trying to anyways." Aria went on. "Jessie here is convinced he is just being friendly because she is naïve and oblivious to the fact that he is trying so hard to hit on her." Bella added on to that. "Because he is just being friendly. You guys always trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. "What's his name?" Killian asked in a protective mode. "Dimitri. Dimitri Moretti." Aria answered him. "FUCKING MORETTI?!" All the guys asked at the same time.

"The same Dimitri when Axel used to visit you on campus when he was on leave he would slam the door in his face when he came looking for you?" Eli tried to ask but was laughing to hard. "Killian didn't you guys like cling wrap and tarp it post it notes his car to the street light in the school campus parking lot?" Hunter asked scratching the back of his head. They all looked wide eyed trying to shake their head softly to shut him up. "You guys did what?" Jessie asked. "Are you guys serious what else did you do to him?" "Just some harmless pranks every now and then." Killian pouted slouching down as he was getting glared by both his wife and his little sister. "Shame on all of you." Jessie said. "Hey Axel started them, we just helped." Ryder said laughing again putting his hands up in surrender. "Why would you guys help?" Sienna asked them confused. "One it was funny as balls. Two guy is a tool. Three we all knew he wanted my little sister and he is not good enough for her. They are too different." Killian said holding up the fingers with a shrug.

"How do you know that?" Jessie asked crossed arm starring at him. "The guy was a total knob. He was a such a kiss ass for you Jes that he would probably lick the damn chair you sat on. I don't even think he knew enough about you; he was willing to just agree to things you liked so you'd talk to him like faking common interest just to talk to you. Brotha was just trying to get close to you without even knowing the real you." Axel argued in only the voice he could. "Reel it man. Killian choked out a little faking a cough. "How would you know it's not like you spent a lot of time with him you was only around a week every few months you have no idea who he is or what he's really like."

"I knew enough to know he carried nothing but a hard on for you. You know another thing I don't think it was because you were oblivious either to his advances either. I think you ignored all those signs, presents and shit from him to mean something different because you know I am right and you didn't want him like him either at least not the way he needed so you kept your distance most the time just so you wouldn't have to confront his feelings for you because you couldn't stand the thought of hurting someone's feelings. Which looks like what your still doing now apparently. It's like you rather lead him cluelessly on than confront him and put him out of his misery. What do you say am I close in the ball park?" Axel asked her looking at her with a glare look in his eyes daring to be questioned arms crossed under his chest leaning on the table. Shaking her head at him eyes filling full of anger.

Standing up. "You're wrong about me and you're wrong about Dimitri. Did ever occur to you with my track record from all the past men. I don't confront him as you say because I don't believe he actually cares for me that way since it's not like he ever came up and confronted me about it. Apparently in college it's not like you guys even gave him much of a chance. Which he didn't deserve because honestly he is a sweet and good guy. I don't believe any guy can honestly have real feelings for me because I'm so insecure with myself at this point thanks to the males of the past that I'm just not good enough to reach their high fucking standards that maybe I just don't feel like trying anymore?! Mama, daddy thank you for the meal. I have more work I need to get done. I'll see you guys later. "No, come on, wait Jes." Chloe called out with a sleeping Maddie on her chest. "You know you don't have to be an asshole all the time Ax seriously. The hells wrong with you?" Aria snapped out lowly. The girls got up and left. Of course Ryder and Hunter went with them to work out their dates.

Looking over to her parents he sighed hung his head down. "I'm sorry. I'll apologize later." Axel said lowly disappointed in himself. "It's ok son, I know how jealousy can take hold and shake us mad." Caleb said smirking to him. "I'm not jealous of that damn twat wit." Axel said back in shock. "You sure? Sounded like it to me." Cal added with a wink. "You know I know Dimitri pretty well and he has changed a lot since they were in college. He's really become his own person and strong about it too. Hell I'd say he's about your size as well, if not smaller somewhat. Jessenia's right he is a great guy perfect suitor for any modern-day gal." Gabby said looking at Axel intently. "But you know what you were right as well. When it comes to her future down the road knowing Jessenia and her goals for herself I don't see it being able to work either. They will want different things and knowing her heart and the way she is if she was to stay with a guy like him she would have her life and dreams tossed aside to make his come true and she'll resent herself and even him later for it." Gabby said shaking her head softly.

"You know that is something she is going to have to figure it out for herself should it in fact ever happen." She made sure she looked at Killian, Axel and Eli. "That also doesn't mean you can't help her see things a little better." She shrugged playfully as Cal and Gabby got up to finish putting the food away. Smirking to each other they got up and went outside. Saying good bye to everyone he drove home and tossed himself on the bed feeling like a pile of crap. Yup that's me I am the crowned town asshole once again earning my role with my big damn mouth. Tossing the special blanket over himself he drifted off to sleep wondering when he should apologize. I'll wait a day and do the usual. Rolling over he tried and tried and still couldn't sleep without seeing her angry beautiful eyes staring at him.

~Jessie~

Monday was going by quick and she had slowly simmered down about the things she and Axel both said. Maybe she did avoid of him because something didn't feel right deep down. Dimitri has changed so much since then. I mean we spend most lunches together but that's because of him. We work together every now and then, I mean sure I have my own private practice in the hospital and he works for the actual hospital so every now and then I help out. I have full access to operate and see patients in the E.R and other parts of the hospital any time I want. Hell not to brag but I am the best doctor here and for good reason everyone here knew it to.

They always were coming up to her basically checking their work like grade school kids. She didn't mind though as long as the patients were being giving the right care. Axel was right about who Dimitri was then I think, but he's not that same person anymore. Was I really right about what I said? The words shocked me as soon as they left my mouth. Am I really just so far done thinking I'm not good enough because of a few dates with the bad unavailable men, the pathological liars, the ones who after a few dates would call and say it's not working because I'm too smart for them or they found someone better in some type of way or even their ex's. I'm so tired of always feeling like an option I don't want to be second place anymore. I want to be a priority or just left alone. Maybe that's why am I just that. Left alone.

"What are you thinking about so hard?" Dimitri asked her looking at her with a worried look trying to get out of the elevator that she's blocking. "Oh crap, I'm sorry. Ugh nothing just in my own head." "You've been a little off today. You alright I mean you haven't been like Jessie." "No I'm ok." "Really normally you are bouncing around this place full of life and smiles, and right now you look like some sad emo chick who needs a guitar singing 'Hello darkness my old friend.'"He sang in a funny voice making her laugh.

"No really I'm ok I just had a stupid argument with a friend. Don't worry about he'll come by, by tomorrow and apologize in a way only he can. I guess I'm still a little mad that's why he's always smart to wait two days." She said as they walked out to their cars parking right next to each other. "You know, I think I know just what you need. Don't say no." He teased raising his finger. "Go home and get into comfortable stretchy clothes and text me when you done I got something that is going to make you feel like a million pounds lighter." He told her with his million-dollar smile.

"I don't know Moretti we got work tomorrow." "Come on you never hang out with me and I know exactly what you need trust me you'll thank me for this by the end of the night and if not then I swear I'll bring you straight home and never make you do it again." Letting out a loud moan and grunt. "Fine. Just come get me I take like five minutes to go change." She said getting in her car and leaving. Maybe this is what I need. A nice night out with a friend. It's good to shake things up a bit when you feel lost and in rut she thought to herself hearing her mother's words floating in her head and smiling good ol mom always knows what to say even when she aint here. Once she was all set she opened the door to Dimitri who was just smiling at her in a way she didn't recognize.

"I didn't know you had so many tattoos." She said looking at his arms. "Yeah you know I got one at the end of college wanted to do something different and it's addicting you know you get one you want to get one more than one more then more." He rambled on. "Ah you know that's a dangerous game to play the just one more game I do that with shows and movies you oh just one more then before you know your eyes are saggy, your brain dead tired with an empty hole in your soul because you finished the whole damn thing in one day/night and now you feel empty and lost until you find a new fix and your scrambling being late to church." She said rushing out in almost one breath being so lost in her theory.

"Well you don't sound like you don't do that at all. Anyways yes it's same thing minus being late to church. Come on let's get going." Opening the car door for her and shutting behind her, she couldn't help but think that felt nice only one other person does that for her the same person she like to run over right now. "Do you trust me?" He asked holding a black sleeping mask. "In theory sure I trust you." "Come on Jessenia where's your sense of fun? We're not that far anyway and I want it to be a surprise." "Fine." Placing it on her he couldn't help the blushing smile on his face, just beaming in the moment of happiness. Pulling up he helped her out of the car and into the building when they were inside he took it off.

"TA DAH! This is where I go when I am feeling so wound up and nowhere to put off the energy come on over here." He said taking her over to the punching bag. "Give me your hands." "Why?" "I'm going to wrap them up and place them in the gloves and you are going to take all of this crazy and anger." He playfully used his hands to go in circular motions all of the front of her body. "You'll channel it and take it out on that bag I swear it's therapeutic and you'll feel pounds lighter once you get it all out and off your chest. Then you can calm down off that high over there on the mountain climber or the tread mill or something whatever you want to try it all." "What the hell why not give it a try." Giving her his hands to wrap up and get the gloves on.

"Ok now go for it." Looking at the bag she took one good swing and then another and before she knew it she was going to town on the poor bag and had to stop to catch her breath. Dimitri came walking around to her. "Sooo how do you feel?" Handing her a bottle of water helping her out of the gloves. "I feel lighter. It's like finally catching the breath of air I didn't even know I needed or was holding. It's so freeing." Taking a drink of water and trying to wipe all the sweat she had off her. "It should you've been on that bag over an hour I came to get you to bring you home." He said with a chuckle. "OH MY GOD! Are you serious?" Looking up at the clock. "Did I keep you waiting I'm so sorry, D." "Whoa calm down my normal work out is an hour and you clearly needed it also. Don't feel bad let's get you home though a nice shower and ice on your hands and you'll be good as new. Doctors order." Grabbing there stuff and heading out the door. "D, huh? I miss that." He asked looking over to her as she buckled. "Sorry it just came out." "Naw I like it." He said blushing a little not being able to notice by his naturally tanned skin.

The conversation flowed natural and so did the laughter it was so easy being with him, then again it always kind of was. Pulling up to her house he got out to walk her to her door. "Jessie?" "Yeah?" "I need to just rip the band aid off." He muttered to himself. "I like you Jessie like a lot. I know how you are though. I just I want to know if I can take you out. Just one date and it's ok if you say no I'll respect that but I don't want to just be standing around anymore wondering what could have happened if I just shot my shot. It's something I regret every time I don't just pull my head out of my own way and try so again you can totally say no, but just promise me before you do you think about it? There's something good between us and I think if you just gave it a fair shot you would see it too." He was looking so vulnerable and nervous it was so sweet and for a moment she even admired him for his bravery it took a lot to put yourself on the line like that.

After what he did for her tonight even though he didn't have to she was getting the feeling maybe she didn't know him as well as she thought as well as gave off. "You know if you would have asked me before two hours ago I would have said a straight no. After tonight I think that sounds nice. I think one date would be fine. If it doesn't work out then at least we know and gave it a shot right?" She shrugged to him gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for tonight this was exactly what I needed. Drive safe D."

She turned around and walked in and locked the door leaving him there with his mouth dropped opened. Walking away he felt like he was on cloud nine after all these years he finally got a shot. Not being able to contain it he busted out into a jump and a happy dance to hear a chuckle. Snapping his head up to look up. "I forgot to check the mail. Don't let me stop you." She said leaning into the door frame. "I'm just going to grab my dignity over here and my self-respect over here and be my on my way sleep tight." He called out running to his car. Jessie laughing at him the whole time grabbing her mail and going back in.

"Really just bustin' a move right there in front of you huh?" Bella asked as they were all about to walk out of the office on the first floor. "Show us how it looked again." Aria was laughing so hard she was crying. "Be nice it wasn't that bad it was actually really sweet you guys." Jessie argue trying to keep a straight smile after a moment of silence they all busted out in laughter again. Dimitri came out of the front doors behind them as they were still laughing to their cars. "Oh here's M.C. Hammer now." Sienna laughed out loud. "SI!" Jessie smacked her on the arm.

"Yes, yes laugh it up I don't feel bad at all. Anyway if we are still on I would like to take you out Saturday if you think you won't be to worn down." "No that sounds fine. Where we going?" "That my beautiful friend is a surprise just dress for comfort like jeans." "Alright." "I'll text you later." Dimitri said waving goodbye to the rest of the girls who were still trying not to laugh. "Hey Moretti, you could always come dancing with us and show us what you got." Bella told him popping a few dance moves with the girls laughing back he waved them off shaking his head.

Pulling into her drive she saw him on his bike leaning against it looking up and holding her favorite food in the world. Chinese. She could smell the orange chicken, the beef and broccoli and BBQ pork chow Mein. Walking up to her door walking past him to unlock the door which he could have done since he made himself a key the day after she moved in. Turning around to look at him with her arms crossed. "I'm sorry angel." He said in that special voice that always went straight to her heart and the little fucker knew it. "You know I'm sorry and even though I was just trying to be honest with you and I told you the truth about it I could have said it in a lot better way than I did." "I'm sorry too I didn't need to add on to that with my own little pity party. I don't even know why I said it." She said as she let him in and they were in the kitchen grabbing plates and drinks as he stepped closer taking his finger to her chin to make her look at him.

"Because your hurt Jes. You had some men and other people who never deserved you in the first place say some hurtful things to you. You want to know what the most dangerous weapon in the world is angel after walking this Earth for 28 years?" "A knife?" "Words." "Words?" "Words. They can either lift you heart and soul to a level of Euphoria you never thought possible. Just as they can easily make you feel like you're being gutted and your heart ripped out. The worse thing about them is how they stay with you. You always kind of hear them when you're feeling low or down and out. Bullet holes and knives bruises those all heal over time and leave simple scars to remind us that they were once a wound and how far and strong you become after it healed physically. Words strike you in the worse and best way possible Mentally and emotionally. Those scars never fully heal, you just learn how to live to overcome them but whether we like it or not they are always going to somehow be lingering with us or over us. That's why it's so important to surround yourself with the people who love you angel. Sometimes I swear I wish you could see yourself the way I do, then you will never feel insecure or down ever again." He told her rubbing the side of her cheek with the back of his hand after feeling a little brave and then turning to hold her chair out.

"Thank you Axy." She teased. "I see why you go to the gym every so often now by the way." Looking at her confused. "Dimitri took me last night. Apparently I had a lot of pint up rage and confused emotion and he came and took me there and he was right it was just what I needed I stayed on that punching bag and felt like a whole new person." She said laughing. He smiled brightly to her knowing the feeling she meant. Not letting the fact that Dimitri got alone time with her get to him, still something about the guy he just didn't like. "I did something else last night I'm not so sure of but it's too back out now." "What was that angel?"

"I accepted a date from last night after he confessed that he liked me. I agreed to only one because I just wanted to prove to myself that there was nothing there. He was only asking for one shot and talking about regret and I thought hell one date could be what I need to finally get that chapter of what if's for him closed. There's something in me that thinks I need to do this to show him it's not going to work. Another part of me is just saying you know what could one date hurt. I was so lost in my thoughts today about it. Last night I was so sure I wanted to go coming off and down from my gym high, listening to the poor man spill his emotionally heart all over the place. Now that I'm thinking clearly I don't know why I'm doing this." She muttered loud enough for him to hear her.

"You're just too good of a person for your own good angel you know that." "I think maybe deep down I think you were right about him and there's a small part that needs to see it. To show him. Proving to both of us and like you said finally putting him out of his misery as you so elegantly put it." "It's only one pity date right? No different than the others except this one is single; worships the ground you walk on and not to forget you see him like almost every day. Sure what could go wrong after you reject him." He chuckled to in sarcasm rolling his eyes. "That's just the point though at least I can always argue that I gave it a fair shot and that it didn't work out so he can move on. The thing is though he is such a great guy and he's smart and everything, he is good looking. He just doesn't." There was a long pause as she was trying to figure out the right way to say it, while he was slowly catching on.

"I get it your heart doesn't get that boner feeling like the heart dick twitch when you around him or think of him." He said smiling to her feeling better knowing she's not actually attracted to him. "Seriously Axel the heart dick twitch boner do you hear yourself sometimes?" "Always hear my sexy voice." He teased winking at her again. "Your impossible." "Come out with us dancing next Friday." He told her as he was getting ready to leave. "Missing holding me close to you already Stud muffin?" She teased wiggling her eyebrows.

"Something like that. Don't act like you don't like it." Yelling back to her as he got back on his bike to drive home. Going back to her room she couldn't help but wonder why didn't she feel attracted to Dimitri maybe it was just too easy with him there was no fire no drive no fight, no chemistry flowing threw her veins. Realizing what she really wanted she knew she wanted someone who would bring out a side of her she never knew she been holding back. A crazy passionate love that consumed her all the way from her mind, heart, and core. One that would make her feel like the only women in the world loved and cherished and also get the cops come check on them from being to passionate. She didn't want safety she wanted to feel safe, and wild. One day, I'll get there one day you little weirdo she told herself in a chuckle.