<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="font-size: 18px">
<div class="bbImageWrapper lazyload js-lbImage" data-lb-caption-extra-html="" data-lb-sidebar-href="" data-single-image="1" data-src="/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffotos.fotoflexer.com%2F0a8e29beee54491024dbc900f6bf7978.jpg&amp;hash=c09805a1b78960f0d10acd02eb20a1fd" title="0a8e29beee54491024dbc900f6bf7978.jpg">
<img alt="0a8e29beee54491024dbc900f6bf7978.jpg" class="bbImage lazyload" data-src="/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffotos.fotoflexer.com%2F0a8e29beee54491024dbc900f6bf7978.jpg&amp;hash=c09805a1b78960f0d10acd02eb20a1fd" data-url="http://fotos.fotoflexer.com/0a8e29beee54491024dbc900f6bf7978.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" height="" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" style="" title="" width=""/>
<noscript><img alt="0a8e29beee54491024dbc900f6bf7978.jpg" class="bbImage" data-url="http://fotos.fotoflexer.com/0a8e29beee54491024dbc900f6bf7978.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" height="" src="/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffotos.fotoflexer.com%2F0a8e29beee54491024dbc900f6bf7978.jpg&amp;hash=c09805a1b78960f0d10acd02eb20a1fd" style="" title="" width=""/></noscript>
</div>
<br/>
</span></span>​</div><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="font-size: 18px"><br/>
Gabriel used to think that a person like Slater Conway was the <i>best</i> he could manage to have a relationship with, because he figured that as long as he found a good guy, it would be enough for him. Except Slater turned out to be toxic. Once Jaxon Pierce entered the picture, Gabriel was starting to see things differently. Granted, they were just friends and Jaxon was as straight as an arrow. Still, Gabriel could at least enjoy the fantasy he had of sharing more than friendship with him. While they were working together on the preparations for the barbeque, Jaxon opened up to him and Gabriel was able to discover<i> so much more</i> about the handsome military veteran. <br/>
<br/>
From the start, Jaxon made Gabriel feel that he should expect more than just a "good guy", and that he deserved better. For one, Slater never bothered to explain his motives to Gabriel, and whenever Gabriel questioned him about it, he saw it as Gabriel disrespecting him and trying to undermine his authority. He never introduced him properly to his family or friends, and openly criticized him about his appearance and his culture in front of them. Slater never shared any vulnerabilities he had for fear of having them exploited, yet exploited the vulnerabilities Gabriel shared. He also never admitted his errors, instead blaming any flaws he found on Gabriel. <br/>
<br/>
Not so with Jaxon. He was independent and strong. Gabriel admired his knowledge about dogs, the Belgian Malinois breed in particular. His expertise in training modalities was exceptional, and he was well-rounded in other areas as well. Gabriel loved the fact that Jaxon knew how to cook, even if the cooking centered around grilling meat. Gabriel wasn't all that strong in that area, and really appreciated the fact that Jaxon volunteered to show him how to cook on his grill. Gabriel listened as they stood beside the grill, to put some steaks on. Jaxon was wise to demonstrate, while Slater would have thrown him to the wolves into some embarrassing situation that Gabriel would be forced to extricate himself from. <br/>
<br/>
Jaxon was as much a leader as he was a gentleman. He was polite and respectful to everyone that he encountered at the barbeque, a proper host. He showed Gabriel the respect and value that he deserved. Instead of abandoning him in the middle of his party, he stuck with Gabe because he apparently saw his worth enough to cherish it. For once, Gabriel didn't feel like he was taken for granted. Not that Jaxon was totally perfect, and Jaxon seemed to realize this. He was humble enough to share his flaws with Gabriel so that he was able to encourage or offer his support.  He didn't brag to everyone there about his infinite knowledge, but recognized that he had more room for personal growth.<br/>
<br/>
Jaxon made it easy for him to let of his feelings about his friend's comment in the kitchen, and soon Gabriel didn't think anything further about it. As Jaxon revealed the secret to telling whether a steak was done or not, and asked Gabriel to try his hand at pinching the raw meat in the pan to get a feel for it, Gabriel complied. He didn't know what a better man was like until he looked into Jaxon's eyes, and saw how willing he was to help him learn how to do this. <br/>
<br/>
As Jaxon showed him his trick, Gabriel duplicated his finger movements on the cut of beef. <b>"Rare, medium, well-done. I never knew that."</b> Gabriel replied in awe.<br/>
<br/>
<b>"So that's the secret of grilling meat! I feel so educated now, Jaxon. Thank you for teaching me that tip, I'll definitely put it to good use." </b><br/>
<br/>
And put the information to good use Gabriel did. He used those informative tips to flip the steak over with the grilling tongs, noticing the charred lines on the done side of the meat. The aroma of seasoned steak was almost heavenly.<b> "I never understood how people could be vegetarians. I love steak on the grill. I never knew it was easy to make myself, and was afraid to try. Thanks for your help, Jaxon."</b><br/>
<br/>
One steak was replaced with another and another, until plates were served to overload with the side dishes on the table and the main course, the meat. <br/>
<br/>
<i>"This salad is divine. Did<b> you</b> make this?"</i> asked a woman friend of Jaxon's. <i>"You gotta give me a recipe or somethin' honey. It tastes a-ma-zin!"</i><br/>
<br/>
<b>"Thank you. Yes, its a Mexican Three Bean Salad. I'm happy to share the recipe with you, if you like." </b>Gabriel's face was virtually glowing with her compliment.<br/>
<br/>
Gabriel expanded his own horizons by trying a few dishes he'd never eaten before. There was a southern slaw, he loved that. Then he had a slice of zucchini bread, minted fruit salad and some home-made banana pudding that someone brought to the barbeque. He needed to put on a few pounds anyway, but he was completely stuffed and quite sated when his meal was done. Patting his belly, he was approached by others that tried his dish, that offered compliments too. But the best compliment of all came from Jaxon, and when he included Gabriel in the game of cornhole, his heart did a few flip-flops in his chest. Since the busty redhead was still going on about his salad recipe, Gabriel made sure that he gave that to her before he got too engrossed in the game.<br/>
<br/>
Standing beside Jaxon, Gabriel was drinking from a red Solo cup filled with lemonade and ice while observing how the game was played. Jaxon offered his own explanations of the game, making a few admissions of his own. One Gabriel dismissed entirely in his own way. <br/>
<br/>
<b>"I don't think you're a country bumpkin. I think you're a real gentleman. Tell you what? I'll play a game of cornhole with you, but the deal is you have to show me your medals, and because I don't know what each one is, you can tell me what you got it for. How's that sound?" </b>he smiled, setting down his lemonade on the edge of the table. <br/>
<br/>
He grabbed a beanbag, and bounced it back and forth from hand to hand, as he waited for Jaxon to take up his challenge. He wasn't expecting him to point out the two neighbors that reported suspicious activity to the police that got him almost charged with burglary, but Gabriel was the better for it. If the incident hadn't happened, he wouldn't have met a <i>better man</i>. <br/>
<br/>
And that was Jaxon Pierce.<br/>
</span></span>