Page 14 of Waiting to Love You

“Enough to get by,” he answers quickly. “Honestly, I don’t know jack shit either, but after being in the Marines for all these years, we have to do something physical. It’s either that or lose our minds from boredom.”

I nod in agreement. After being nothing more than a glorified grunt during my time in the Marines, manual labor is something I can get behind. I would even go as far as to say it’s something I would excel at. Also, knowing that I am using my hands every day to give someone a place to call their own, something I never had in my life, sounds like the perfect job for me.

“Where am I going to stay?” I question, knowing I have enough money saved to buy a small house somewhere, but I don’t want to make any rash decisions.

“As if my parents will let you stay anywhere but with us. Besides, you can crash with me in the apartment above their garage. It’s nothing fancy, but it's more space than we’ve had in a long while.”

The Thomases welcomed me with open arms the first time Brady brought me home during a stand-down, a time of rest and recovery the command gives us after deployment, and they ensure I always feel like part of the family every chance they get. Hell, his mom even sends me care packages over here in the sandbox, claiming she wants to brighten my day just a little more.

“But seriously, where else are you going to go? I’m the only family you have.” A mischievous smile crosses his face. “Besides, this will give you a chance to prove to your girl you’re not going anywhere.”

I made the mistake of telling Brady about what Bristol said after our first meeting. Instead of laughing in my face, he seemed to understand where she was coming from. We spent a few nights racking our brains, trying to find the perfect plan to convince Bristol that she was the most important person in my life, but we always came up empty. Maybe this is my chance.

“Bristol is not my girl,” I mutter as I stand up, grab my tray, and turn toward the exit. “She made it perfectly clear she wanted nothing else to do with me after that night.”

Brady grasps my shoulder, pulling me to a stop. “But you never told her everything, did you?”

I shake my head, wrenching my arm from his grasp. “She has no idea we’re coming home for good in about six months.”

“I’m sure someone has told her that we are coming home. Tyson’s Creek is a small town; I’m sure someone has said something,” he continues.

“That doesn’t change anything,” I mumble to myself as I empty my tray into the trash and stomp off toward my tent. Thankfully, Brady turns and heads back for the table instead of following me.

Bristol made it perfectly clear that she wanted more than just a man who would come in and out of her life every couple of months. Being a military brat herself, she saw the strain that the military lifestyle put on her mother. However, I’ve spent the last year thinking about her and how she stole my heart, hoping that when I finally got out of this sandbox, she’d give me a chance to prove to her I was nothing like her father.

“I wish it was that easy,” I mumble as I throw the flap to my tent open and flop down on my bed, grabbing the phone that I left lying on my bunk.

I’m tempted once again to dial her number but decide against it, stuffing the phone under my pillow and closing my eyes. Maybe I can grab a quick nap before I have watch in a few hours.

“Damn it, Seth. Stop being so stubborn!” Brady shouts as he smacks my boots and pushes my feet off the side of my bed, then plops down in their place. “I’ve never known you to give up so easily.”

“I make decisions that could cost someone their life almost daily. I have to be sure about them,” I growl before sitting up and resting my elbows on my knees.

“Would it kill you to take a chance?”

Brady waits for me to answer, but I remain silent.

“I know how much she means to you. Ever since that party at Tranquility Retreat, you’ve been different. You’ve been looking forward to your life after the military.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You’ve never thought about getting out. You’ve never once said anything about what you wanted to do after retirement until that night. Now you’re trying to make plans for the future. Plans that could easily include Bristol if you let them.”

“When did you become so fucking demanding, man?” I smirk in his direction.

It’s hard to admit that he’s right, but I know deep down that he is. Being a Marine is all I have ever known, but since meeting Bristol, I want something more out of life.

“Give that buddy of yours a call. I don’t have any plans for after my contract is up. Might as well keep bothering your ass,” I concede.

Brady jumps up and whoops loudly. “I knew you just needed an excuse.”

I shake my head and give him a forced smile. “No. I just want more of your mama’s cooking.”

“Best damn fried catfish you’ve ever tasted,” Brady preens, and my mouth waters, thinking of the fish fry the Thomases had before we left.

“It’s the only catfish I’ve ever tasted.”

“Hence why it’s the best.” Brady slaps me on the back before hurrying out of the tent, probably wanting to call in that favor before I change my mind.

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