Page 2 of Major

“Yep.”

“Dude, one day you’re going to pray for a girl to ask you to a dance, or a movie, or anywhere,” laughed Walker.

“I doubt it. I don’t dance. I’m too big and clumsy.”

“Major, you’re as big as we are, and I’ve seen your footwork on the football field and on the basketball court. You know how to move; you just don’t want to move like that.”

Major shrugged his shoulders, not looking at his friends. It was true that he had great footwork on the athletic field, but dancing just never made him feel inspired. He watched others dance. His parents loved to dance at the Belle Fleur parties. He enjoyed watching Lissa and Kat when they did ballet performances. In fact, he always thought it was extremely athletic.

It just wasn’t for him.

“Are you going to ask Magnolia?” he said, looking at Walker.

“Girls are supposed to ask boys,” he said, shrugging.

“Dude, I think she’d be okay with you doing the asking,” he smiled.

“Maybe not. I mean, she encouraged someone else to ask me, and I had to turn her down. I don’t want to go with anyone except Mags.”

“God, you guys are idiots,” frowned Forrest. “Just tell your girls you like them.”

Things worked out for Ellie and Leif and eventually for Walker and Mags as well. But Major stayed true to his commitment of finishing school, joining the Army, and becoming a Ranger.

In fact, the Belle Fleur boys were all placed on the same Ranger team. Over time, they would become the most desired team in the entire Ranger organization. The men were big, strong, intelligent, capable, and skilled beyond their years.

Living off-base, they agreed to room together for a while, then realized if they wanted to remain friends, they needed their own space. Major was especially happy about that space. He liked his quiet, alone time.

Over the years, he’d learned to dance. A little. Actually, it was more like moving from side to side. He figured out that what he hated about dancing with a woman in a bar or club was the crowds. He hated people bumping up against him or shoving and pushing for space. So, he stood taller, wider, and sturdier, barely moving and forcing others to move around him. He always chose a spot near the edge of the dance floor, saving himself an angry episode, and others from his wrath.

He’d been with a few women over the years, but nothing serious, and no one he was willing to take home to Mom and Dad. He was also honest about that. No one in his apartment. No last names. No details about his work. He explained to every woman, that he was fine with one night of good, protected sex, but he was not willing to go any further.

Some women chose to walk away, and he respected that. Others said they were fine with it but weren’t at the end of the night. They thought their ‘incredible’ sex would make him change his mind. He didn’t.

“Look, I was clear that we wouldn’t be seeing one another again,” he said quietly to the girl, knowing her roommate was in the next bedroom.

“But it was great sex,” she said, staring at him. “You have to agree the sheets were practically on fire.”

“Listen, it was good sex. It was sex. But I told you, I don’t want anything serious. One night only. You agreed.”

“You’re a dick!”

“I guess I am. An honest, upfront, tell it like it is dick.” He walked out of the apartment never to see the girl again.

Sometimes, he wondered if women were really worth the trouble. Then his dick would hurt, and he got tired of rubbing it, and he realized that he needed them, and they needed him. But only for a short time.

He’d watched as Leif became more and more miserable, aching to be with Ellie again, yet too afraid to call her. He watched as Walker desperately wanted Magnolia.

Did he want to be miserable?

“Absolutely, fucking not,” he moaned.

“Did you say something?” asked Garr.

“No. Just thinking about something. What are we doing in Egypt anyway?” he asked his friend and teammate.

“Not sure, but we’re definitely going to find out.”

It turned out that they were supposed to meet a CIA agent who had word about an asset who’d been taken. No one knew who the agent was until they showed up, and it was Ellie. Leif lost his shit.

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