<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">“Hopefully not during the time you agreed to go to my barbecue,” Jaxon put in with a small smile as he followed Gabriel into his little home. He was trying to lighten the mood some, hoping he would start to feel a little bit better.<br/>
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“I don't really know. Honestly I'm not the best person to give relationship advice. I was almost married once, and well, I messed that up big time. I don't think he's worth your time, though.” That was the best Jaxon could offer, because he had a hard time relating to what Gabriel was going through. He was the one always in control of the situation. He didn't give someone power over him like that, man or women.<br/>
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“Whatever you have is fine, and yes, Kiv can have some water,” Jaxon answered as he settled onto the sofa. Kiv stayed on the floor, knowing that he wasn't allowed unless personally invited. Kiv still slept with him at home, the same way he would curl up between the soldiers muscular legs on his military cot. Only now they had more room to share in Jaxon's kind size bed.<br/>
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“And I don't think I'd ever turn down a meal.” Jaxon, most assuredly loved to eat, and the first time he refused something he probably needed to be checked for illness. Gabriel seemed to light up a little bit at the mention of getting a dog, and for sure Jaxon had the right sort of connections.<br/>
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“Usually if you come recommended, they don't ask for anything. Not every dog works for their needs, so you'd be doing us a favor in provided a pet home for an ill-suited dog. They usually still have training. I'm the one who does most of the training for the academy, so I know a few right off the top of my head. I can take you into my work sometime, if you think you'd be interested.” Jaxon thought nothing of Gabriel's flirtations. In fact, they hardly even registered with the man who was so serious, and hardly prone to any sort of flirting himself. He was so shut down mentally to the idea of any sort of romantic notions, it didn't occur to him any longer when someone was flirting, or when he was saying things that could be misconstrued.<br/>
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The company was easy. Jaxon liked Gabriel, and he liked him for what made him different from his usual company. He wasn't loud, or boisterous, but rather level headed.. and relaxing to be around. He had to admit it wasn't entirely selfless that he offered to come around. Rather, Gabriel made Jaxon feel calm while he still maintained some sort of social interaction. Which was sort of ironic, considering the danger that surrounded Gabriel because of his asshat ex boyfriend.<br/>
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Jaxon walked Gabriel up to his uncles home before getting in his truck and heading for home to get some actual sleep himself. He had the barbecue to prepare for, even if it was set for a later afternoon, early dinner time. He got up early, though there really wasn't much for him to do to prep beside clean the grill, and set the coals aside. His fridge had already been stocked the next day with fresh meat from his families farm and meat packing company. He ground up some of the sirloin for burgers, along with some of the trimmings to give it a little more of a fat content, and then cut up the rest for steaks. He'd picked up a big package of hotdogs as well, so all the meat was taken care of. All the rest of the people he invited needed to do was bring the sides, and they'd have themselves a nice little event.<br/>
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Jaxon had invited many of the people he'd gone to high school with since he lived in the same town, and he was trying to reconnect with everyone since being home for good. Some of the others were his military buddies, and then also a few of the officers he worked with. Some brought wives, or girlfriends, and any of their children were welcomed as well.<br/>
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Jaxon lit the coals on the grill, and then closed it to allow them to really start to head up. The meat was in the house, covered in cellophane on a large tray, ready to get thrown on the grill. Beside him, he had his go to seasonings. Garlic, butter, salt, and pepper. Bread was stacked high for burgers and hot dogs.<br/>
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When Gabriel arrived, Kiv was the first to greet the young man, alerting Jaxon to his presence. Obviously his dog had taken to him, and his calm energy just as he had. Kiv was usually reserved in nature, and rather unfriendly towards strangers. He'd been known to growl a warning at people who didn't respect his signals and body language, and so Jaxon was always watchful, but he didn't feel like he had to worry over that with Gabriel since Kiv was the one to actively seek him out.<br/>
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“I hope you got a little bit of rest last night,” Jaxon spoke to the young man as he walked up, behind the dog. “I should probably introduce you to everyone. I'm just about ready to start putting some food on the grill.”</span></span>