Page 64 of Forgotten Pieces

He laughs out loud. A thunderous chuckle that has my stomach fluttering and my lady parts begging for more. “I haven’t heard you laugh like that since you’ve been back.”

“I’m not sure I’ve laughed like this since my last deployment.”

I turn around as I reach the bottom of the stairs. Ryder stops on the last step and stares down at me. “You’re a good man Ryder. Don’t forget that.”

I head toward the refrigerator without waiting for a response.

We end up drinking a few beers while laughing and reminiscing about our past as we devour an entire pizza on the back porch. The soothing sound of the creek is peaceful and I once again find myself jealous and angry at his fiancée. She has a beautiful home and a beautiful man that loves her, yet she can’t find it in her to realize what she is missing out on.

I start to yawn and stretch my limbs out before getting off the patio chair. “It’s gettin’ late. I should get going.”

Ryder walks me to the front of the porch. “Thanks for everything today.”

“Not a problem.”

“You made everything easier. I don’t know how long I would have waited to do all this. Maybe until she came back.”

I smile at him. “Nah. You would have needed to find your toothbrush at some point.”

He shakes his head at me. “If I didn’t like you so much I would breathe my week old breath all over you.”

“Better start digging my grave then,” I joke.

He chuckles as I turn and head to my car. I’m about to climb in when he yells at me. “Hey T, come over tomorrow night. I’ll make you dinner. A thanks for all this.”

“You already fed me pizza.”

“When was the last time you had a home-cooked meal that didn’t come from a freezer?”

Well, he’s got me there.

“That’s what I thought. You work tomorrow?”

“Til seven.”

“I’ll see you at seven thirty then.”

“Okay,” I squeak.

Did I really just agree to that?

I’m so fucked.

Chapter Twenty

Eight Years Ago

Tacoma

I jump for joy as I see a big fat envelope in the mailbox from NYU. Big fat envelopes are good!

I throw the rest of the mail in the dirt road as I tear open the envelope knowing my future is inside. I squeal as I read the acceptance letter. I shove the envelope in my purse, pick up the rest of the mail, and run inside the house.

I skid to a halt when I hear Easton and Ashton talking in the kitchen. They are speaking in hushed voices but I know they are talking about me. Easton once again saying how I need to go away to school somewhere close. Ashton saying I should stay at home to help with Raelynn. Easton arguing with her that Ashton should be helping with her.

I walk away before I hear anymore. Now is not the time to talk to them about NYU. But I still need to share the news with someone. I call Laney but she doesn’t answer. She is probably hanging out with her new boyfriend. I would tell my sister who is upstairs studying, but she is going to be sad if she hears I want to leave. So I send out a text to Ryder.

Tacoma: Seven for a secret!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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