Page 16 of Hold On Through The Pain

The guy chuckled but sobered when the first of the Citadel cadets raced around the bend. The student slowed, his smile slipping from his face. Striker stood a little straighter beside their instructor.He guessed they would be in trouble for giving him hell.

Though he wasn’t demanding the instructor teach them a lesson, it was satisfying to witness this guy bust the cadets’ balls for throwing disrespect at him. If there was one thing he’d learned in the Army, it was not to assume strength and fortitude based on age. There were plenty of guys who were older than him who could kick his ass.

“Cadets, if you happen to be heading to the Army after graduation, this man is a Ranger and currently a sergeant probably moving to staff sergeant soon. You know what that means, by the time you graduate, he could be a sergeant first class or master sergeant. Do you really think he won’t remember your cocky attitudes? You’ll be entering at E4 most likely. You think an E8 or an E9 is going to put up with your shit?”

The boys looked ashen and shifted uncomfortably from left to right and back again. Striker’s stomach twisted. He remembered being a little too full of himself back in boot camp—well, in the beginning. The hell he’d gone through had cured his attitude issues, for the most part. There were still times he was a cocky asshole, but never to someone senior of his position unless they knew beyond a doubt he was joking.

“One more round for you all. Run it like your life depends on you winning. Now go.”

The students took off, racing around the first bend of the path.

“Thank you, it might be a lesson that saves them some aggravation in boot camp.”

The teacher snorted. “Not likely. Have a good leave and enjoy yourself.”

“I am, sir.”

The guy laughed. “Be careful.”

“Always.” Striker shook the guy’s hand before going to his truck.

He spent a few hours reading a book on leadership his CO wanted him to read. For now, the Army was his career path. Something might change his mind later, but he was one hundred percent into serving his country.

Though Shannon had said he hadn’t needed to pick her up because her school was so far away from his hotel, he was there anyway, sitting in the parking lot at four thirty when her classes ended. No way would he make her take public transportation when he could be there for her.

Her hair looked a little different than it had when he’d dropped her off. Had she done something?

“You look good,” he said at the next stoplight.

“Thank you. Someone needed to practice highlights, so they did my hair.”

“I like it.” Driving to the hotel from her school was one light after another. He stopped the truckand glanced her way. The sun was shining in behind her, lighting her so she looked like an angel. He had to force himself to turn away and watch the road. His brain was ticking through all the reasons why they wouldn’t work. She lived here, he was in the military, he didn’t want a spouse, or he hadn’t. What if he had a spouse like Shannon? And where would she live? If she moved to Georgia, she’d have to have her own apartment. He lived on base right now. He guessed he could move to something off base, but he liked his quarters. Why was he thinking of moving off base and getting a girlfriend who would eventually be his wife when he’d said he didn’t want one? He’s seen too many guys fail at their relationships, but Shannon was different, or maybe he was different. He needed this woman.

Eating warmed-up microwaved food wasn’t his idea, but Shannon insisted. After talking to her for a bit, he realized her money was tight, and she worried about how much dining out cost. He understood her dilemma. She wasn’t on vacation, hadn’t saved for a trip, and she wasn’t going to allow him to pay her way the whole time. He respected her determination to pay her way.

That night, after he made love to her, he obsessed about how he could help her. She wouldn’t take his money. She wasn’t into accepting charity; she’d told him that much. Thank goodness her phone had shown back up. The douchebagshe’d gone out with had given it to her friend who’d brought it to school for her. So at least he could call her.

On Tuesday she had to go home, so he didn’t see her until Wednesday. The week was going by too fast. He wanted more time with her, but school took her life, her time, her everything. He got it. The Army took his everything too. Basic training had consisted of weeks not even thinking about the outside world. At least Shannon was allowed to leave school and go home.

On Friday evening he picked her up and drove to the hotel, asking her to shower. “I have something special planned.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, get dressed in something dressy. We’re headed out.”

“You don’t have to take me out anywhere special.”

“I want to.”

Striker had showered before he left to go pick her up, so while she was in the shower, he changed into slacks and the nicest shirt he owned. When she stepped out in her dress, her hair looking fabulous, he blew out a breath.

“I’m the luckiest man alive.”

Her cheeks turned pink, and he pulled her to him, staring down into her beautiful green eyes. This night was going to be amazing. He still hadto deal with his cheap truck, but she didn’t seem to mind that he wasn’t taking her out in a BMW or something else fancy. He understood now why guys bought expensive cars. The men at the valet stand gave him a weird look when he pulled up in his junker. So what if this woman looked like she belonged in a luxury car? This was what he had.

Dinner was perfect, the atmosphere spot-on. Candles were on every table, and the lights had been turned low. Their table sat in the corner, which offered a bit of privacy. He took her hand after they ordered wine and an appetizer. Touching her electrified him. Surviving without her close by would be difficult.

By the time the main course was served, steak for him, fish for her, he’d decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Now, he just had to make that happen. If she was a project in the Army, she’d have directions, but this was real life, and he knew blurting out his intentions wouldn’t get him what he wanted. He had to play this right. Before he left for base, he would make sure she understood he was serious about her.

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