*Jayceon*

"When did you order another rental car? I still can't believe you got us a Rolls Royce! I'm not materialistic, but this is amazing." Jayla tells me as I'm driving towards our destination in the next city.

"I knew we would need an extra whip, so I had one delivered early this morning while everyone was asleep." I pull her hand in mine before kissing it.

Today, like every day, Jayla looks absolutely stunning. She's wearing light faded blue American Eagle jeans, a dark gray top that fits her luscious curves like a glove, paired with a grey pair of Jordans. I've noticed she and I dress similar at times. Right now, I am also wearing my American Eagle jeans, a black and grey striped Polo shirt with my black Jordans. That's just one more thing we have in common. Jayla can dress up or down and look damn sexy either way.

I pull into the parking lot of an art gallery then walk over to open her passenger door to let her out.

"I love art shows! Wow, did you remember me telling you the night we met?" She asks me looking shocked.

"Of course, I remember everything, Jayla," I tell her, then intertwine our fingers as we walk across the parking lot.

We walk into the gallery and look around at each painting when one of them holds her attention about halfway through our visit. It's a painting of a unique tree that has vibrant circles in place of leaves. She says there's something about it that calls to her. I must keep this in my mind, I would love to surprise her with this painting one day.

When Jayla and I leave the art gallery I slip my hand in hers as we walk down the street. I noticed a rough-looking man walking towards us, he's a little way up from us. I get a bad feeling so I pull Jayla to my other side and hug her closer to me.

"Sugar, are you okay?" She asks me, her bright blue eyes looking up at me with concern.

I nod my head, but keep my eyes on the creep ahead. As he gets closer I see him looking at Jayla from head to toe, licking his lips. Of course, the asshole has to speak up as he walks past us. "Wow, nice piece of ass you got there, fella."

I can feel my blood starting to boil at this point. "Excuse me?" I ask him as I turn towards him and hide my girlfriend behind me.

"No harm, buddy. Just admiring how sexy your lady is." The guy chuckles then winks at her causing me to lose it.

Suddenly, I have this creep by his collar up against the brick wall. "Let me tell you something, nobody disrespects my girlfriend! Keep your eyes and your words to yourself before you're unable to speak." I yell as I slam him against the brick wall again. He slides down to the ground, grunting in pain.

The pervert crawls then takes off running saying 'sorry' over and over. I look in his direction, afraid to face the wrath of Jayla. I hope I haven't frightened her off. I slowly turn towards where I left her standing to face her.

"Jayla, baby, I'm sor-" I begin to apologize, but she presses her lips to mine, silencing me. Our tongues fight for domination as she pulls me close and backs me into a wall.

When we pull apart from one another she and I are both breathless, like we ran a marathon. "I love when you defend me. That was so fucking hot!" She wraps her arms around me running her nails over my shirt and lays her head on my chest

"I didn't want to get so angry, I just became so pissed when that idiot talked about you like that," I tell her then kiss the top of her head. "I'm glad you're not upset with me and I didn't scare you off."

"You can't scare me off that easily, sugar. Besides, you're stuck with me as long as you want me." We continue walking as she pulls my hand to her lips and kisses it.

I twirl her around as if we are dancing and pull her into my chest. "You. Are. Mine. Always." I tell her in between pecks to her lips. She looks up at me and smiles brightly. "Are you hungry, beauty?"

"A man after my heart. Yes, I'm very hungry, let's grab some lunch." She says with a giggle and gives me a wink.

"There is a cozy mom and pop restaurant down the street or we can go anywhere you desire," I inform her as we stop walking.

"I love mom and pop places! The food is always homemade. Can we go there, please?" She asks me bouncing up and down like she is a young child. I can see the enjoyment in her eyes.

I truly did pick the right woman. God broke the mold when he created Jayla.

"Let's go, my queen," I say bowing and laughing. We begin playing around until we walk into 'Maw and Paw's'. It's a local restaurant that I've been to many times when I was at the cabin. Frank and June helped raise me as a child when parents didn't have time to actually be parents. I love them as if they were my own grandparents.

*Jayla*

I love that I can call Jayceon my boyfriend, he's really wonderful. He opens the door for me that lead into the small diner. The bells attached to the door jingle to let the owners know they have new customers. Other than the couple that walked out as we were walking in, there is a young man sitting at a table near the back, the rest of the small diner empty.

The decor makes me feel at home instantly. Random pictures of what looks like locals with two older people, whom I guess are the owners, are framed on a wall. "Friends who turn into family" is quoted above the frames. The few lilac flower pots around the counter are just enough not to be overwhelming.

Standing at the counter is a woman with short black hair, slightly curled around her ears. She looks to be in her late sixties with an apron that says, "Mamaws are the best cooks!" tied over her black pants and deep purple top. She makes eye contact with me and walks towards us as Jayceon turns around.

The woman suddenly stops and gasps, placing her hand over her chest. "Jayceon? Is that really you, my sweet boy?" She asks as she walks to us.

"It's really me, Maw June." Jayceon chuckles as he lets go of my hand to pull her into a hug. "Where's Paw Frank?"

She pulls back holding him at arm's length. "Goodness, my sweet boy, I have missed you! It's been well over a year since you have come back to the cabin," June says, then looks towards the counter to yell. "Frank! Come and see who's here."

"Lordy woman, I'm coming." A voice, I guess belonging to Frank, yells from the kitchen area. I can't help but let out a little giggle which causes June to glance over at me.

"Oh dear Heaven, where are my manners? Jayceon, who is this lovely lady?"

"Maw, this is Jayla Conway- my girlfriend." He smiles proudly, causing me to smile and slightly blush.

"Girlfriend? Well, honey, whatever you've done, keep doing it. I've not seen this sweet boy smile like this since before...well, it's been a long time." June speaks as she and Jayceon lock eyes.

Before what?

I raise my hand to shake hers but she pushes it away and hugs me instead.

"We only do hugs around here, little lady," Frank says as he walks over to us. "Ahh, look who is here!" He holds his arms open and Jayceon walks into a hug. They hug for a few moments silently, no words are needed to feel the emotional connection between them.

"I've missed you, Pops," Jayceon says before introducing me. "Pops, this is my girlfriend, Jayla Conway. I wanted her to meet you both and we want to eat some good food. What do you have for lunch today?"

I give Frank a gentle hug as I notice how huge he is. He must be at least six foot, four inches with a belly like Santa Clause. He's a big man. The best way I can describe him is, 'a gentle giant'. He smells of Old Spice original aftershave and home. He is almost bald-headed and has the prettiest blue eyes. I'm lost in thought until I hear June speak.

"Today, I made a slow-roasted beef roast with potatoes and baby carrots, corn on the cob, and cornbread. Surprisingly, I made your favorite dessert-pig lickin' cake."

"That sounds great!" Jayceon and I both say the same time. All four of us begin to laugh, then June goes to fix our plates while Frank shows us to our seats.

"What do y'all want to drink?" Frank asks us once we're seated.

"I would like a glass of iced sweet tea, please," I answer then look at Jayceon as he holds up two fingers.

"You know I love your homemade tea, Pops. Bring us two glasses, please." Jayceon tells him and I notice how peaceful he looks right now. I can feel the love he has for these two people; it's very heartwarming.

June brings out our large servings on two plates and places them in front of us.

"This smells wonderful, ma'am," I tell her as my mouth begins to water when I smell the delicious scent of our lunch.

"Oh baby, I may be old, but don't call me ma'am. Call me either Maw, Mamaw or Gran-like a grandmother. That's what everyone calls me," June tells me with a smile as she sets our teas on the table that Frank hands her.

"Come on, my love. Let's these two kids enjoy their food." Frank leads June away, with her hand in his. I watch as he kisses her on the cheek, causing her to brighten up. They have such a beautiful love, I hope to have that one day.

I glance back toward Jayceon and his gaze is fixed on me. I feel my cheeks heat up. "What is it, nerd?" I ask him, jokingly as I blow my straw paper at him. It hits him in the forehead, causing us both to laugh.

"Just admiring your beauty, darlin'." He takes a sip of his tea and moans a sound of appreciation. For some odd reason, that noise goes straight to my core.

Damn him and his tricks this morning. I take a sip of my tea and understand his enjoyment.

"Oh wow, this is very delicious! So, tell me about your relationship with June and Frank. They seem like wonderful people, I see why you love them. They're like you...very easy to love." My eyes go wide as I look down at the bite of food on my fork.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Did I just say that out loud?

I slowly raise my eyes back up to look at Jayceon. The look on his face makes my heart drop, he has this look like he's about to cry. I know I messed up by saying that out loud.

"Jayceon, I..." I begin to speak but am cut off.

"If anyone is easy to love at this table Jayla, it's you. I'm sure the hell am not worthy of love." He says looking down playing with the little amount of food left on his plate. He mumbles something afterward, it sounds like, 'especially by you'.

I stretch my hand across the table to hold his hand. "Babe, look at me." It takes him a minute, but he finally looks at my face, but avoids my eyes. "Look into my eyes, Jayceon." When he does I see a lot of hurt and pain in his glorious blue eyes.

"Do you mind if we leave? I just want to make a stop, then go back to the cabin. " His voice is low and I can hear the sadness in his tone.

"Sure, of course, I'll go grab a to-go tray from June." I'll tell him then walk over to the front counter and ring the small bell, letting June and Frank know I'm up here.

"Hey sweet girl, what can I get for you?" June asks me with a smile.

"Can we get a to-go tray? Jayceon isn't feeling well, so we're gonna head back to the cabin." I'll tell her with a lopsided smile.

"Don't give up on him. He needs a strong woman like you to keep him on his toes." She tells me, pulling me into a hug. June hands me an empty tray and one full of his favorite dessert since he didn't get to eat it.

I put my food in a take-home tray and Jayceon says his goodbyes to June and Frank. On our way to the vehicle, he stops by a liquor store to purchase some beer and Hennessy. The drive back to the cabin is silent.

Did I scare him when I told him he's easy to love?

When we pull up to the cabin Jayceon gets out, slams the door, and walks behind the cabin while I'm left sitting in the truck. Tears start to fill my eyes as I get out of the truck myself and go inside. I don't want to face anyone right now, so I go into our bedroom. As soon as I shut the door, tears begin to flow down my cheeks.

After half an hour of crying, I change into a pair of my grey sweats and a long sleeve black Nirvana shirt. I'm gonna find Jayceon and see what the hell is going on, I'm not letting him push me away.

I follow the same path he took out back and see him sitting on the lounge near the fire pit, with the alcohol bottled tipped up. "What's going on, Jayceon?"

"Has your family ever called you a disappointment? A fuck up?" Jayceon asks me as he takes a gulp of Hennessy straight from the bottle. "Mine has, all my life," he continues.

"Babe, you're neither of those things. You're a wonderful man. Why-why did you get upset when I said you're easy to love? I know I..." I begin to explain, tears forming in my eyes.

"That's where you're wrong, Jayla." He chuckles then opens a bottle of beer. "My mother always told me how a man should be to deserve a great woman like you in his life. At the same time, my father has reminded me daily that I'm not that man. He made me understand that I am a selfish bastard. Often reminding me that I fucked up his and mom's life. I can't do that to you as well, Jayla."

I scoot near him on the lounge chair and place my palms on his cheeks, turning his face towards me. "Everything you just said is the opposite of you. If anything, you deserve better than me. You're near perfect, Jayceon."

He casts his eyes down then throws the empty beer bottle in the flaming blaze of the fire pit. "How I feel scares me, Jayla. It's been a short time that we've known each other, yet I feel as if I've known you forever." He tells me, then stands up to walk near the fire pit.

I come behind him and wrap my arms tightly around his waist. "Tell me why it scares you? I will never hurt you, you're too important to me." A part of me wants to know why his feeling scare him, but is my heart ready to find out?

The man I have always thought of as brave and outspoken stands before me, silent. His heartbeat is pounding into my ear that is pressed on his back.

As always, my subconscious goes into overdrive. He's silent because he has no reason to be scared. He doesn't care about you. It's all bullshit.

Man, my inner voice is such a bitch. But is it true? Since my toxic relationship with Markus, I've always questioned my self-worth.

"I'll take your silence as you not caring. Maybe I should just leave, so I can make your life easier." I tell him as I unwrap my arms from around him. I run as fast as I can into the house, ignoring Jayceon yelling my name. Once I get to the bedroom, I fall onto the bed and my tears cascade down my cheeks, like a waterfall, making my vision blurry.

A couple of minutes later I feel the bed dip down. I don't need to see to know that it's Jayceon. I can feel him in my soul.

"Jayla, please look at me." I hesitate for a minute at first, but I sit up and turn to him so we're face to face. He pulls me on his lap, so my legs are on either side of him. "Please don't cry, my love." He wipes away my tears with his thumb, then presses his soft lips to my forehead for a few moments.

My head is slightly down, but I can feel wetness drip on our intertwined fingers. However, the tears aren't mine. I raise my head and look into the eyes of the only man that owns my heart....he is crying. My heart drops, I don't want to be the reason behind the tears that are falling from those beautiful blue eyes.

"I'm sorry if I've done something. I just- I don't know. I don't want to get hurt or lose you." I tell him as I wipe the wetness off his cheeks.

"You didn't hurt me. I'm just a selfish jerk and jackass who made you cry. I'm so sorry about that. Do you want to know how I feel about you, Jayla?" He asks me with a look of fear in his eyes like he's afraid I'll leave her something. I have no words so I just nod my head to silently answer him.

"Were you going to leave me?" He suddenly asks, causing me to bite my lip.

"I don't want to. But, if you don't want me anymore, I will leave tonight." I tell him, which makes my stomach tighten up with the thought of walking away.

I sob escapes his mouth as he looks down at our hands, his thumb begins to caresses my own. He begins to silently cry, again. It breaks my heart knowing I'm hurting him. I want to heal him, not damage him more than he already is.

I press my hands softly on Jayceon's damp cheeks, wiping away his tears as he loudly whispers the words I've been waiting to hear.

"Darlin' don't leave me. I-I love you, Jayla Rayne Conway. I can't live without you by my side."

When he is done speaking I crash my lips onto his and he kisses me back like his life would end at that moment.

He is my jackass. He is my jerk. He is my everything, and he- Jayceon Blaize Knight-loves me. Our love story may not be a smooth fairy tale, but it's one we will never forget or give up on.

"I love you so much, Jayceon! I'll never leave you." I'll tell him when I pull my lips from his then place his hand over my heart. "This also only beats for you. You are my one and only. Aways!"

He wraps his arms around me and lays his head on my shoulder. We hold each other tightly, both still silently crying due to our intense feelings. I'll never let go of this wonderful man. He truly loves me and that is all I can focus on at the moment.

🌹A/N🌹

-Thoughts on this chapter?

-Do you like the ending?

-What do you want to happen next?

*Bonus Info*

June and Frank are (were) actually my real grandparent's names. My sweet papaw Frank was my world. He passed in 2006 and my world came to a stop. How I described them in this book is actually how my Paw was and my Maw currently is. They owned their own food restaurant when I was a child and teenager. My papaw played Bluegrass music with the most famous musicians. He was a HUGE impact in my life. He played in Nashville, Tennessee at the Grand Ole Opry and the mayor gave him awards, he even was given a 'key to the city'. When he passed half the front page of the newspaper was about him. The writer called him, 'a gentle giant'. So, that's where that came from. How the characters act is actually the same in life. I'm very close to my Mamaw today. She is a huge blessing in my life.

♥As always, thanks for reading, Not Like The Rest. I will see y'all next chapter.♥

🌹The video above is a mashup of "Powerful" by Linkin Park and "Snuff" by Slipknot. It's such a deep mashup. I relate with Slipknot on a personal level. "Snuff" is one of my favorite songs anyhow. 🌹