Page 71 of Forgotten Pieces

“I thought you were,” she whispers before going back to her food.

I let the comment pass, avoiding all thoughts of being a hero. “I might become a consultant too. That way I could stay here. Go to base outside Chattanooga every now and then but really just focus on deciphering intel and giving advice on war tactics.”

“Are things getting better?”

I don’t really want to talk about my PTSD. I don’t like people knowing about my weaknesses. I don’t want them to be able to use them against me. I know Tacoma never would. And it gives me a bit of hope I can overcome it because she never judges me. She lets me have my moments while she listens.

The day after I told her I needed her as a friend, I had a bad flashback. I called her at two in the morning and she let me talk. She didn’t judge me or ask questions. She didn’t care about the brutal things I said or about how I wish I hadn’t been the one to survive. I heard her muffled cries through the phone but not once did she try to give me advice or tell me to get over it. She sat there and listened. And I am sure she stayed on the line until I fell back asleep. I woke up later in the morning with my phone on my pillow, the length of our call reading three hours and twelve minutes.

Since then my days have felt better but I know I could turn at any moment. “I feel different. I don’t know if it’s good or bad. I’m just happy I have someone to talk to.”

She gives me a sad smile. “Anytime Ryder, anytime.”

We both help ourselves to second helpings. I grab us both a beer out of the fridge then steer the conversation to lighter topics. “Any juicy gossip you hear of lately?”

She starts choking and I jump out of my seat, my hands around her waist.

“Oh my god stop,” she coughs. “I’m fine.” She chugs some of her beer and then laughs. “I just never thought I would hear the day that you ask me about small town gossip.”

“I just want to make sure I am staying out of the headlines.”

“I’m pretty sure the Sergeants have no idea who you are.”

I realize I am still holding her waist and slowly step away. The warmth of her soft body on my hands lingers. “Good to know.”

“Of course, you are cousins with Mac and he tends to circulate the rumor mill so it probably won’t be long till you are caught up in it too.”

“Guess I better lay low then.”

She smiles at me. “I suggest you never leave the house. A lot safer that way.”

“Noted.”

She takes another giant bite of taco and a glob of guacamole smears across her cheek. I reach my thumb to her cheek and wipe it off. Her eyes soften at my touch and I know I am in dangerous territory. I clear my throat and turn back to my plate.

She follows suit, trying her best to look unaffected by my touch. “How’s your brother?”

I smile. He is the one constant in my life that I can count on. “He’s great. Became a SEAL just like he said he would.”

“Has he let you live it down yet? That he’s better than you?” she says with a huge grin across her face.

I crack up. “Every damn day I talk to him. He won’t shut up about how much better the SEALs are than the Raiders.”

“At least he speaks the truth.”

“No way. You cannot side with him! You never even met him!”

“I can’t wait to meet him. So we can both dish it to you.”

The thought of Tacoma meeting my only family sends warmth through my heart. I want her to meet Landon. “He’s deployed right now but I’m sure as soon as he is back and on leave you’ll get your chance.”

“I’d like that,” she says as she gets up and walks to the sink.

We both wash dishes and put away all the food. I grab us two new beers and lean against the counter as she puts the last dish in the dishwasher. I lean toward her to hand her a beer just as she turns around and steps in my direction. Our chests are inches from each other. I can’t help but look down and see her ample cleavage, her chest rising and falling faster than it was a few minutes ago. She looks up and meets my eyes, lust fills hers and my inhibitions slowly fade away as I am hit with her cherry vanilla smell and the memories of our past.

I go to take a step back just as a song comes on that has us both smiling.

“Remember when you taught me how to dance?” she asks.

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