th Wes, batting her eyes and leaning suggestively over the bar asking what she could get him. Wes quickly dismissed her after ordering a beer. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Jo once and she squirmed under his gaze. Jo felt the twins tense beside her and placed her hands on their legs to hold them in check.
The bartender came back and as she set the beer down she realized where she’d seen Wes before.
“Hey that’s how I know you! You’re Ginger Lola’s new boyfriend. Wow! Is she here?” The bartender looked around the room hoping to see Ginger.
Wes grimaced at the reference. “I am not, nor have I ever been with Ginger Lola.” He said tersely looking right at Jo when he said it. Jo’s jaw dropped.
“Jo please can we talk.” Wes said softly.
Auggie stepped closer to Wes and Griff did too. Neither was as large as Wes but Jo had seen them fight before and although she knew Wes would mop the floor with them they would do some serious damage to the bar before it ended. Jo sighed, almost defeated. She had no idea why Wes was there. She figured his PI Security firms had tracked her down, but regardless she didn’t like that he had found her.
Jo stood up and told the twins she’d be back in a few minutes. Without looking at Wes she walked outside. Wes followed and had the hardest time not touching her. She looked tired, but still beautiful. She was wearing cute little cut offs, a tee shirt, and simple sneakers, but somehow she made the outfit look hot. Her long hair was tied back in a bun that a few loose strands had snuck out of, trailing haphazardly around her face. Wes stopped himself from pushing an errant piece off of her cheek. He noticed the bruise and Jo watched as he froze. His eyes darkened and she saw such sadness enter them that it tore at her.
Jo stopped by a four wheeler and leaned back against it, her arms crossed a clear sign to Wes that she was upset.
“Why are you here Wes?”
“Jo I need to explain so much to you.”
“Okay explain.” She said gruffly.
“Do you want to go some where? It’s a long story.”
No, I’m good. I want to get back to my friends.”
Wes sighed and decided he needed to get out what had happened before she walked away.
“Well to begin with I never hung up on you Monday night. I know it appears that way but Ginger threw my phone over a balcony. It broke.”
“Okay. I guess she’s the jealous type.”
“Please, just listen Jo. Ginger had gone AWOL and when I found her she was drunk and belligerent. My team had been looking for her for days T.U.F. was her security detail.”
“Yeah I saw the news. Bodyguard kisses girlfriend. I get it Wes.” Jo’s voice was dangerously low and he could see that she was trying not to get emotional.
“Jo I was never with her. I actually can’t stand the woman. After we found her I had to go with her to a spa in Arizona. I didn’t have a cell. There were no computers. I didn’t have any way to get in touch with you. I sent Andy to your house on Wednesday but you weren't there. Then Ginger and her little bitch friend Carrie made that video and gave it to a reporter. It’s a lie Jo. It wasn’t true I swear.”
“You were kissing.” Jo said even quieter than before. Wes saw her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. He boldly stepped towards her.
“Baby, I know what it looks like. I just saw the video for the first time about five hours ago. They intentionally cut out the part where I pushed her away.”
Jo didn’t know what to think or even say.
“Jo please I need you to believe me.” Wes’ voice actually quivered. Jo knew he wasn’t lying.
“Why didn’t you tell me who you were guarding before? Why was it such a secret?”
“We aren’t allowed to disclose who we are working for. It’s in the contract.”
Jo nodded she had to admit he had an explanation for everything. “Well thanks for telling me Wes.” Jo said all of sudden feeling exhausted.
She stood up from leaning on her Cat and started to walk back inside.
“Jo?” Wes said quietly as he watched her walk away.
She didn’t turn around but she turned her head to look at him.
“Jo please.”