The Arrogant Stranger

SIGNED TO BE HIS SPOTIFY PLAYLIST⬇️

THE PLAYLIST SPECIAL MADE FOR READING THIS AND MATCHES THE STORY! (You can find it in my bio!) Have fun reading and let me know what u think! :)

The warm evening air drifted through the open window of Grace Dawson's car as she drove toward Ernie's Diner, her fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel in time with the hum of the radio. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the streets.

She was running late. Again.

Finn was probably freaking out, trying to juggle orders while covering for her. Marnie, their manager, would definitely be pissed. And Grace? She was just tired. Another long shift, another night of fake smiles and aching feet.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she spotted something ahead.

A sleek, black sports car sat on the side of the road, hazard lights flashing. A guy stood next to it, arms crossed, glaring at the engine like it had personally betrayed him. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in ripped jeans and a fitted leather jacket. His dark hair was tousled in that effortlessly messy way, and even from a distance, Grace could tell he had that annoying I know I look good energy.

She should've kept driving.

Instead, she sighed and pulled over.

Rolling down her window, she called out, "Hey! Need help?"

The guy turned, sliding his sunglasses onto his forehead, revealing sharp blue eyes. For a second, he just stared at her. Then, with an exasperated sigh, he strode toward her car.

"Finally," he huffed. "Took you long enough."

Grace blinked. Excuse me?

"I just saw you," she said, frowning. "What do you mean, 'took me long enough'?"

He ignored her, pulled a marker from his jacket, and before she could react, grabbed her hand and scribbled something across her palm.

"There," he said, smirking. "My autograph. That's what you wanted, right?"

Grace yanked her hand back, staring at the messy signature. Jax Riot.

...Who?

"I wasn't asking for your autograph," she deadpanned, wiping her hand against her jeans.

Jax's smirk faltered. "You weren't?"

"No," she said flatly. "I was asking if you needed help. But thanks for... whatever this is."

For a moment, he just stared at her, thrown off. Then, his smirk returned. "Wow. That's a first."

"What is?"

"Someone not recognizing me." He leaned against the car, waiting for her to suddenly gasp in realization.

Grace just stared. Was I supposed to?

"Right," she sighed. "So, do you actually need help, or are you just standing here waiting for people to worship you?"

His smirk widened. "I mean, the second one is always nice."

Oh my God.

Grace resisted the urge to groan. "If you don't need help, I'm leaving."

"Wait, wait," Jax said quickly. "Okay, fine. Yeah, I need help. My car's dead, my phone's dead, and I need to get to some place called... Ernie's Diner?" He pulled a crumpled napkin from his pocket. "You know it?"

Grace blinked. You've got to be kidding me.

"Nope," Jax said, popping the P.

"That's where I work."

His eyebrows shot up. "Huh. Guess the universe doesn't completely hate me."

She ignored that. "Get in. I'll drop you off, but I don't know if I can bring you back."

"Works for me."

Jax opened the door and slid into the passenger seat like he owned it.

—

Ernie's Diner

By the time they pulled into the parking lot of Ernie's Diner, Grace already had a bad feeling.

As soon as she turned off the engine, the diner doors swung open violently.

"GRACE!"

Her co-worker Finn Carter came sprinting outside, eyes wide like he was about to faint.

Grace barely had time to react before Finn grabbed her arm.

"What the hell are you doing with him?!" Finn whisper-yelled, looking between her and Jax like he had just witnessed an alien abduction.

Jax scoffed, opening the passenger door and stepping out. "Oh great. Another one."

Finn immediately stumbled backward. "Oh my God. Jax Riot just spoke to me."

Grace frowned. "You know him?"

Finn let out a strangled noise. "OF COURSE I KNOW HIM! He's the lead singer of Reckless Voltage! One of the biggest rock bands ever!"

Grace turned slowly to Jax, who was watching her reaction like it was his favorite show.

"Told you," he said smugly.

Before she could respond, chaos erupted.

The rest of the band spilled out of the diner, marching straight toward Jax.

A blonde guy with a cigarette hanging from his lips—Liam Steele, the guitarist—shoved Jax's shoulder. "Dude, where the hell have you been?!"

Behind him, the drummer, Zane Carter, ran a hand through his dark curls. "You had the entire damn team freaking out, man."

"Nice to see you, too," Jax said dryly.

A woman pushed past the others—Victoria Riot, Jax's mother and manager. She looked like a storm ready to strike, her designer heels clicking against the pavement. "Jaxon Alexander Riot!"

Jax flinched. "Shit."

Victoria stopped in front of him, arms crossed. "Your phone is off. Your car is missing. And you show up here—" she gestured at the diner like it was a dumpster—"with her?" Her sharp gaze landed on Grace.

Grace raised an eyebrow. "Her has a name."

Victoria ignored her. "Do you have any idea what kind of panic you caused?"

Jax sighed. "Relax, Mom. I got a ride."

"From a stranger?" she hissed. "What if she was a stalker?"

Jax smirked. "Well, she wasn't. In fact, she didn't even know who I was."

The entire band froze.

Finn let out a gasp. "Grace—you didn't know who he was?"

Grace threw up her hands. "Oh my God, I'm sorry I don't spend my life memorizing rockstars!"

Before anyone could react, Marnie, the diner's manager, rushed out.

She plastered on the biggest fake smile Grace had ever seen.

"Welcome, Mr. Riot and guests!" Marnie beamed. "Please, come inside. We've made sure the place is secured—no unwanted visitors, I promise."

Grace frowned. "How come I didn't know about this?"

Finn whispered, "I didn't either. Apparently, our manager did."

Jax smirked. "Looks like you're the last to know everything, sweetheart."

Grace turned to him, scowling. "Shut up."

Jax just chuckled, following the band inside..