Page 10 of Until Easton

"Have you ever known me to turn down a cold one?" Grandpa smirks.

I grin back at him. "No, Sir." Shaking my head, I make my way up to the porch with Jax and Grandpa following behind. Dashing inside, I grab a few longnecks from the refrigerator and head back out on the porch. Handing the drinks, I sit down in the chair beside my grandfather and wait for Jax to speak. He takes a long pull of his beer then lays out why he's here. "I have a friend; his name is Easton, and he's in a bit of trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" I ask.

"For you two to fully understand the kind of trouble he's facing, I have to tell you exactly who he is. But I need this information to not leave this porch."

My grandfather and I eye each other, and by the tone of Jax's voice, whatever situation he needs our help with, it's more than just a favor.

"Go ahead, son. You have our word that what's said won't go any further than us," my grandfather assures, and I nod.

Jax sighs. "My friend is Easton Evans."

Jax looks at me like he's waiting for the name to mean something to me. It only takes about five seconds for it to sink in. I hold my hand up. "Um…are you referring to The Easton Evans? As in East of Addiction?"

"That would be the one," Jax confirms.

"Who is this Easton fella you two are going on about, and what kind of addiction does he have? I don't want no drugs in my house if this Easton guy stays here," my grandfather grumbles. Both Jax and I burst out laughing.

"Daideò, Easton is a singer. His band name is East of Addiction."

"There won't be any drugs involved, Mr. Connelly. You have my word." Jax chuckles.

"Oh, well…alright then." My grandfather continues to look at us skeptically, but Jax continues.

"As I was saying, Easton is in a bit of trouble. I went to head up security at his concert over the weekend up in Nashville, and his manager informed me he's been getting some threatening letters."

"Like a stalker?" I ask.

Jax nods. "His manager, Miles, thinks so. Sometimes there are just letters and sometimes gifts."

Grandpa jumps in. "Letters and gifts don't sound so bad."

"No." Jax shakes his head. "But death threats and signs of a mentally unstable person are."

"Oh, god," I gasp. "So, where do we come in?"

"Ellie and I suggested that Easton lay low here. He just wrapped up his tour, and his manager thinks it's best he disappears for a while until they can find who's been harassing him."

"Does he not have anywhere else to go? Family?"

"He has a sister in Montana. He didn't go into detail, but I don't get the feeling he's close with his parents. Easton mentioned going to Montana for a few days for his niece's birthday but was adamant about not staying and possibly bringing harm to them. It's public information that he has a sister."

"What about bringing the trouble here?"

Jax gives me a tight nod. "I understand your concerns. Trust me, I wouldn't ask this if I didn't think you'd be safe. Nobody will know he's here except us three and his manager. He's not even allowed to tell his sister, though, if he does, that's on him. As far as anyone knows, he is taking this time to travel. That's the statement that the press will receive."

I stare down at my lap while mulling over the information Jax just fed us.

"Becca." My grandpa regards me. I look at him, already knowing his answer. My grandfather would give anyone the shirt off his back if they needed it. I look at Jax. "Will it be just Easton staying here? And not his bandmates or a girlfriend?"

"No. Just him," Jax says. "If you agree, I can have a security system put in on the house and have some cameras placed around the property. I want you to know I wouldn't ask this of you if I thought there was any real threat to you or your grandfather, Becca."

I give Jax a warm smile. "I don't know you all that well, Jax, but that I do know."

"And you can save yourself the hassle of security," Grandpa cuts in again as he angles himself to show Jax the weapon strapped to his side and then pulls up his right pant leg to show the one he has strapped to his ankle. "I got my own damn security. Don't let my age fool ya, son."

"No, Sir. I would never underestimate you, Mr. Connelly," Jax respectfully tells my grandfather.