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</div></div><br/><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"><b>"Its game on then, Jaxon. I'm not working that night, but I spend most of my time at Picaduras. Let's set a time, how does 7 o'clock sound? Not too late for you, is it? You can meet me in the lobby, and I'll show you around the menu?" </b>Gabriel asked with a touch of enthusiasm in his voice.<br/>
<br/>
As Gabriel continued stroking the dog's fur, he quietly remarked to himself how handsome Jaxon was even though he never said it aloud. Instead, Gabriel started to softly laugh as the subject of pickup trucks was breached. He politely listened as Jaxon thoughtfully recalled his past vehicle purchases.<br/>
<br/>
<b>"Nice! You are lucky your father is good with engines. I think I've wanted a pick up truck ever since my cousin Martina got one for her Quinceañera. I was so jealous of her when I saw the red finish. I want to be able to pick all the bells and whistles, and have it paid for. It sure would be nice not having to borrow my mother's car."</b> Gabriel replied, almost tempted to explain what the celebration was about.<br/>
<br/>
He didn't have to, unless Jaxon asked but then the conversation shifted back to the dog in the back seat who basked under the attention Gabriel provided. He had rolled on his side, exposing his belly to Gabriel's hand. "Ahhh, you love that dontcha? I haven't met a dog yet that didn't enjoy a good belly rub." chuckled Gabriel.<br/>
<br/>
He was relieved to hear that the canine would only attack when there was an apparent threat, or if Jaxon commanded him to.<b> "Wow, don't think I've heard of that kind of dog before. But now that you said it, his coat feels so much thicker than a German Shepherd's does. Sort of like a bear rug." </b>Gabriel said, letting his fingers drift through his plush coat when the dog resumed a sitting position.<br/>
<br/>
<b>"Kinda far from the Lone Star State, aren't ya Kiv?" </b>Gabriel asked aloud, as if the dog could answer that question for him.<br/>
<br/>
Well, Kiv did in a way. By licking his hand.<br/>
<br/>
<b>"I like that name. It's simple. Does it have a meaning?"</b> Gabriel asked curiously, pausing to flip the fringe of ebony hair back away from his line of sight.<br/>
<br/>
As they paused at a red light, Jaxon was able to answer his question about work. Gabriel's smile was a mile wide, mainly because his assumption had been correct about Jaxon. He was a veteran, and the only way he had been able to tell was by the American flag flying proudly on his property.<br/>
<br/>
<b>"Thank you for your service, Jaxon. Not many people can serve their country and make so many sacrifices. I wanted to join the Air Force, but I have flat feet. Whatever, though. I can applaud from afar, right?"</b> he grinned.<br/>
<br/>
<b>"So why did you get out? It would have been fantastic to travel to other countries. Did you go many places while you were in service?" </b>Gabriel asked.<br/>
<br/>
So many questions, so little time. They were already in the subdivision his Uncle lived in, and making the turn onto the street where he and his family lived. Gabriel was so tuned into the conversation because Jaxon was so laid back, and nothing at all like Slater, that he didn't notice they'd pulled up to the curb in front of the house. He was about to say something else, when the passenger door opened up and Gabriel was startled out of his reverie, the friendly conversation quickly fading from sight and replaced with the looming darkness of his boyfriend, Slater Conway's explosive temper.<br/>
<br/>
Gabriel barely had the clasp of the seat belt undone when Slater tried yanking him from his seat by his arm. Immediately, it became obvious that it wasn't the first time that Slater had put his hands on Gabriel, who flung his other hand up to protect his face. The gesture was unnecessary, because Kiv had sprinted over the seat to place himself between Gabriel and the stranger who had invaded his Master's truck. The gentle, sweet dog he'd been caressing was in full snarl, bearing his teeth in a menacing way.<br/>
<br/>
The presence of the dog, was enough for Slater to unclench Gabriel's arm that would have the imprint of his fingers on it by morning.<br/>
<br/>
The confidence Gabriel had exhibited during the drive home in Jaxon's truck seemed to quickly vaporize, as Gabriel stumbled over his words while addressing Slater.<br/>
<br/>
<b>"I --Jaxon was just giving a ride home. Slater, I-" </b>he was trying to explain, but how could he explain the way he nearly got arrested and getting off the hook because the man driving him home didn't press charges?<br/>
<br/>
<i>Very fucking carefully.</i><br/>
<br/>
Almost as if he were walking on eggshells, the words stumbled out of Gabriel's mouth.<b> "T-there was a problem. I-I was passing out...fly-flyers and...."</b><br/>
<br/>
"Whatever, buddy. Better keep your mongrel on a leash. Or he might <i>accidentally </i>wind up with a bullet in him." Slater's lips pressed together in a sardonic line.<br/>
<br/>
He'd been drinking again.<br/>
<br/>
<b>"Jaxon, this is uh ...Slater Conway. Slater, please.. don't. His name is Jaxon. That's Kiv, his do-"</b> Gabriel's voice cut off sharply, in a painful roar that echoed through his brain.<br/>
<br/>
Gabriel never saw Slater's hand fly out to strike him, but it connected with his face. The next thing Gabriel knew he was laying on the grass near the curb.<br/>
<br/>
<i>"So this is why you blew me off? DO YOU THINK I GIVE A SHIT about you and your "little fuckfest" with him? You're such a retarded wetback, like all my friends say. They warned me about getting back with you. I can't believe I wanted to give you another shot and you couldn't even show up on time. You fucking ruined tonight," </i>Slater scoffed.<br/>
<br/>
Slater turned around, heading for the Ford F-150 Extended Cab with the gun ruck mounted on the rear window. Gabriel didn't have to wonder if he'd use the 22. caliber Marlin Rimfire rifle. He'd seen him shoot things before, and he was a good shot. He'd have no trouble delivering the threat of shooting Jaxon's dog. Unfortunately, a wonky Gabriel had blood pouring out of his nose as he placed his head between his legs, sobbing. As much as Gabriel tried to avoid the confrontation, the fight would be left up to the two men still standing. He tried to stand up, and wobbled a little as he tottered forward, clinging to the passenger side of the truck, the door still ajar.<br/>
<br/>
His cell phone had fallen from his pocket and was on the floor board and he was trying to reach it to call his uncle before something awful happened to Jaxon and his dog, but he could only shout to Jaxon,<b> "Let's go, Slater's getting his rifle. PLEASE JAXON. He means what he s--says,"</b> his voice caught in his throat.<br/>
<br/>
The gun was primed and ready to go, locked and loaded. Slater aimed it up, and fired a shot into the air. BLAM!<br/>
<br/>
He aimed the gun at them, and smirked.<br/>
<br/>
<b>"PLEASE SLATER, NOOOO NOO! STOP PLEASE! Jaxon please PLEASE, get in the truck. LET'S GO!"</b> came the terrified howl from the passenger side of his truck.</span></span>