Page 14 of The Marine

It’s not him.

I am safe.

It’s not him.

––––––––

AIDAN

––––––––

IWIPE MY hand overmy face as Briar climbs out of the car.

I know PTSD when I see it. I don’t even have to guess what it’s from. I saw her abuser in action with my own eyes.

I’m a fucking idiot.

I should’ve known not to grab her suddenly like that. I don’t know how bad the abuse in her childhood was. I know it wasn’t just the once.

I do know it never happened again because the next day her father died.

I leap out and join her on the sidewalk.

“Hey.” I move in front of her so she has to stop walking.

God, I want to cup her face, pull her into my arms, and protect her for the rest of my life.

But that’s an impossibility.

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

“You didn’t. I just wasn’t expecting it,” Briar replies, not meeting my eyes.

Still lying.

Fuck, she infuriates me. For someone so intelligent, she’s so damn dumb. Even though I know that has nothing to do with it.

She loved her father.

Even after everything.

However, this could be the only moment in our lives that I have her to myself, so I do the absolute last thing I should. I take a step forward and lay my hand on her cheek.

“Aidan,” she whispers as her eyes lock with mine and she melts before me.

The stupidest string of hope appears inside my chest and I try really hard to ignore it, but I can’t.

“I’m sorry. Tell me you’re okay.”

Her green eyes dart around my face seeking answers.

“I don’t want anything, Briar. I just want to know if you are okay. Goddamn it.” I press my eyes closed momentarily. Having her so close and touching her after all this time is making me feel a million things.

The sun bears down on us on the sidewalk and people circle around us, but we just stand there staring.

Then I realize she has her hand on my forearm. Her soft small hand presses into my thick ropey muscles and it's almost as if the world is righting itself.

Did we move closer together or am I imagining it?

---